Shinobi Art of Vengeance by LizardCube Gets a Launch Date

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance is set to launch on August 29, 2025, as announced during Sony State of Play on Feb. 12. The game will release on both PS4 and PS5, Xbox One and Series S|X, and Nintendo Switch.

A new title in the series of hack-and-slash games created by Sega features hand-drawn 2D animation. Shinobi Art of Vengeance was developed by LizardCube, the studio behind critically acclaimed oldschool beat-em-up Streets of Rage 4 in 2020.

The Shinobi franchise debuted in arcades in 1987 and has since expanded to include 13 titles, spanning sequels, spin-offs, and remakes, with the upcoming Shinobi: Art of Vengeance being the latest entry.

The original Shinobi featured ninja Joe Musashi on a mission to rescue hostages from a criminal organization. The game stood out for its side-scrolling action, platforming mechanics, and the use of shurikens and other ninja tools to defeat enemies.

Following the success of its arcade debut, Shinobi quickly made its way to home consoles with the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive version. Over the years, the series expanded its gameplay and storylines, introducing new characters and ninja techniques. 

The franchise saw a significant revival with Shinobi for the PlayStation 2 in 2002, which attempted to modernize the series while maintaining its core identity. The game was well-received for its engaging gameplay but didn’t quite reach the same heights as its predecessors.

In total, the Shinobi series has sold over 5 million copies worldwide.