It’s been a pretty long journey to get here, but today, Instruments of Destruction is launching on Xbox Series X|S.

I’ve been working as a solo developer for over 15 years now, and this has been by far my most ambitious game to date. Most of my games have been smaller, more arcade-style titles like Fireball 2 (which launched on Xbox Series X|S earlier this year) that are designed for short bursts, but Instruments of Destruction has a whole lot more that I’ve added across five years of development.

In the game’s story, you’re a new hire at Sharpe Industries as a vehicle test pilot, tasked with taking the titular instruments of destruction out to see how much havoc they can wreak across various scenarios. There are over 50 Campaign missions with various objectives – destroy everything within a time limit, avoid damaging specific structures, and so on – each with additional challenges once you’ve finished the level. As well as that, there’s a 25 mission Build & Destroy campaign which introduces you to the mechanics of building your own vehicles. To top it all off, there’s a Sandbox mode where you can build whatever you want and take it out on any unlock level to see what wonderful creations you can come up with. There’s a lot to do!

I started work on Instruments of Destruction in 2020 with a simple goal in mind – I wanted to make a game about destruction. I had previously worked as the lead technical designer on Red Faction: Guerrilla, and while I’d worked closely with a team of programmers to make sure the destruction in that game looked and felt incredible, I hadn’t actually coded any of it myself. With this as my twentieth game, I wanted to push my own skills and see what I could come up with.

I spent a long time fine-tuning the physics and destruction model into something that looked impressive and played nicely with everything else on the screen. Building your own vehicles was also key to the game, and this was a ton of hard work, making sure all the joints worked correctly and vehicles didn’t collapse as soon as you tried to drive them.

But as I got further into development, it became clear that it wasn’t very beginner-friendly. I’d added all these granular tools for building vehicles and making them blow stuff up, and somehow, it felt like the game wasn’t reaching its true potential. So, I regrouped and considered what Instruments of Destruction is actually about – vehicles, physics, and destruction. How could I remove the barrier to entry so players could experience all of those elements within moments of booting up?

Looking around at other games, I saw people talking fondly about Blast Corps, a game I’d missed when it first came out. After taking a weekend to play through and understand what made it so beloved, I had the answer to my problem – a fully-featured campaign with pre-built vehicles, where you can jump in and get straight to the destruction. It took years of designing and fine-tuning to get the campaign levels just right, but in the end, it was worth it.

Instruments of Destruction wouldn’t have made it this far without the dedicated community of builders and destruction lovers who gave me their feedback throughout its development, from the early beta days through Early Access and all the way to launching in 1.0. And now with the support of publisher Secret Mode, I can bring it to an entirely new audience on consoles, complete with all the game modes and mechanics you’d get from the PC version.

I learned a lot making Instruments of Destruction, and I’ll be taking all those lessons into my next games, which will continue to be focused around pushing my skills in creating even better destruction mechanics. Thank you to everyone who helped me get the game this far and thank you to everyone who checks it out on Xbox Series X|S. I can’t wait to see what new vehicles people make!

Instruments of Destruction

Secret Mode

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$19.99

Get it now

Join Sharpe Industries as a vehicle test pilot and journey across the world to remote outposts where everything needs to be destroyed, using purpose-built wrecking machines such as flying bulldozers, tanks wielding quad rocket launchers, and ornithopters with grappling hooks.

Master these contraptions and demolish every structure in sight across two campaigns and a Sandbox mode. Deconstruct buildings piece-by-piece or take advantage of explosive chain-reactions with Instruments of Destruction’s advanced physics system.

Tackle a carnage-filled campaign filled with demolition-based objectives, then test your skills even further in dedicated high-score challenges that apply new parameters and objectives to each level. Or take a break from missions and unwind in the Sandbox mode to raze the world at your own pace.

And don’t just destroy: build. Learn how to design your own machines in a dedicated epilogue campaign for the ultimate demolition experience. Use the in-built editor to construct devastating vehicles armed with chainsaws, lasers, claws, wrecking balls, magnets, vortex generators, and much more.

With the Halloween season well underway, it feels only appropriate to showcase just some of the ghoulish enemies you’ll be able to face in Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) 8-bit! You’ll blast through tons of enemies populating seven unique environments that take inspiration from the AVGN universe. But today, we’re taking a look only at those enemies and levels that truly evoke the spooky spirit!

AVGN 8-bit brings everyone’s favorite rage-induced Nerd back to take down a new threat to the gaming world! When an old ally of his somehow becomes corrupted, the Nerd must spring into action to fight this fallen force of good with an unimaginable force of evil: a “bad game” ritualistically made using the “worst” bad games of all time. With live action cutscenes featuring the Nerd himself commenting on your progress and encouraging you forward, it’s never a dull moment as you fight your way to the corrupted entity within. But first, you’ll have to deal with its minions. Let’s look at some techniques to keep you from suffering a dark fate!

Trigger-Finger Zombies and Walking Hands

Some of the first enemies you may encounter as you begin your digital “purge” are zombies and disembodied hands. Now, to the average horror enthusiast, these enemies shouldn’t sound too threatening, but what if the zombies can shoot lightning and the hands can rush at you on detection? For zombies, you’ll want to time your jumps right whenever they fire a bolt of lightning at you. Finish them off when you land back down. But be careful as they charge up their lightning shots, as zombies are able to temporarily reflect your own projectiles away. For those creepy, crawling hands, they’ll often charge at you along a linear path, so blasting them as fast as you can before they hit you is ideal.

A Soda Factory Full of Robo-Skeletons

There’s something definitely wrong when you have to take down a boss inside a factory that makes soda–not to mention having to go through a company of robo-skeletons first. For these enemies, they’ll come in three distinct forms: full-body walking types carrying rifles, crawling types that lob projectiles, and hanging types that fire bullet bursts at a downward angle. If you shoot at full-body walking types, they’ll collapse and turn into crawlers–you can finish them like you would the hands. For hanging types, try to stay clear from their bullet spreads, and manage your jumps to line up your shots well on them.

Spiders, Spiders, Spiders

It should come as no surprise that we’d have to include spiders as another spooky enemy. These skull-motifed guys will descend from the ceiling and try to shoot webs at you, while also being able to drop onto platforms and attack. You’ll want to be careful as they try to shoot webs at you in a downward arc. Getting caught in a web will drastically lower your movement speed, so, if one sticks to you, you’ll have to wiggle your way out of it. Spiders will eventually fall from their threads the longer you fire on them, so force them to be on the same plane as you, and you should be able to blast them away, no problem.

The Dark Realm Cometh

One of the hallmarks of giving off a haunting Halloween vibe is the temporary transition to the night world, which takes place in an otherwise seemingly normal-looking level. In this dark world, you’ll encounter enemies exclusive to this dark environment–including hopping zombie heads, scorpion-like monsters, floating sprites, and a persistent mask that fires an energy ball at you each time it appears. For hopping heads, try unloading on them as they land on the same plane as you. For those scorpion-like monsters, these function similarly to crawling hands and can be blasted easily if on the same plane. For floating sprites, you can destroy them as they get into your line of fire, but make sure you jump over any projectiles they launch at you on their death. Finally, for that recurring mask that appears and disappears quickly, be sure to dodge its single projectiles it fires at you. You won’t be able to destroy this mask enemy immediately, since this is actually the boss of that level you’ll face later on.

The Angry Video Game Nerd returns in 2025 just in time for the spooky season, with plenty of monsters for fans and newcomers to the AVGN universe to blast, so grab your controller and unleash the ultimate nerd rage in Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit, digitally available now!

Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit

Retroware

☆☆☆☆☆
4

★★★★★

$19.99

$17.99

Get it now

The ULTIMATE NERD RAGE is back in Angry Video Game Nerd 8-bit – an all-new action platformer set in the AVGN universe! Play as The Nerd and blast your way across a host of pixel art levels crawling with zombies, mechanical skeletons, ghoulish reapers, and more!

THE 8-BIT EXPERIENCE
We partnered with Mega Cat Studios and Programancer to make a brand new back-to-back 8-bit installment featuring the Angry Video Game Nerd!

THE AVGN UNIVERSE IN 8-BIT FORM
Journey through multiple levels inspired by the AVGN universe, and blast away at enemies themed around each level! Slide below platforms, pick up power-ups, and take alternate routes to get to the boss room!

FAMILIAR FACES, NEW FIGHTS
As The Nerd heads into the pixel-ridden fight, he must face off against familiar faces from his past! Waiting at the end of every level, bosses from the AVGN universe hope to destroy The Nerd!

Attention, Breachers: Pacific Drive is now available on Xbox, and the base game is included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium, and PC Game Pass from day one.

We’re also thrilled to announce that the Whispers in the Woods expansion is launching today — bringing even more mystery, danger and anomalies to discover in the Olympic Exclusion Zone.

Welcome to the Olympic Exclusion Zone!

In a quarantined region, deep within the Pacific Northwest, surreal dangers lurk — surrounding mysteries that might have been better left alone.

Pacific Drive is a first-person driving survival adventure where your car is your only companion. Keeping your trusty wood-paneled wagon running is the key to your survival in an unforgiving, unpredictable and hostile environment. Each excursion out into the wilderness brings unique and strange challenges as you restore and upgrade your car from an abandoned garage that acts as your home base. You’ll gather precious resources, craft blueprints and investigate what’s been left behind in the Zone to unravel a long-forgotten mystery, and hopefully live to tell the tale.

What’s so Exciting About Pacific Drive on Xbox?

Ever since Pacific Drive first hit the road on PlayStation and PC, one question has echoed through our community: “When is it coming to Xbox?”

From social media comments to forum threads and fan messages, the enthusiasm from Xbox players has never let up — and the team at Ironwood Studios heard every one of those requests.

Today’s launch is such a special moment. Bringing Pacific Drive to Xbox was a long-standing mission for the team here at Ironwood — a chance to open the gates of the Olympic Exclusion Zone to an entirely new group of drivers. The team couldn’t be happier to finally make that dream a reality.

With the base game available with Game Pass, there’s never been an easier way to start your journey. Whether you’re stepping into the Zone for the first time or returning to see what’s new, Ironwood can’t wait to welcome you to the driver’s seat.

What to Expect in Whispers in the Woods

Within this expansion, Xbox players will uncover a new chapter in the Zone’s story. Whispers in the Woods adds a ton of new content and several new features to the game, including:

• A new narrative arc that you can explore alongside your main campaign, revealing an Anomaly-obsessed cult lurking in the forests.
• New Anomalies and environmental twists shake up what you thought you knew about the Zone.
• Artifacts — objects with strange, unpredictable effects (some helpful, some perilous) that force you to constantly adapt your driving and strategies.
• A whole new explorable map with a new forest region roughly one-third the size of the base world — plus hours of additional content for veterans and newcomers alike.

This expansion is our most ambitious update so far, and we’re so excited Xbox players get their hands on it at the same time as everyone else.

Ready to Drive?

If you’ve got Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium or PC Game Pass, Pacific Drive is already yours. Fire up your Xbox, hop into the driver’s seat, and see what the Olympic Exclusion Zone has in store for you.

Xbox players — thank you for joining us on this surreal journey. We can’t wait to see what you uncover out there.

Before we even found the name and final concept for Ember Knights, we had already built a strong core combat loop centered around fast-paced hack-and-slash gameplay with tight controls. We then expanded on that foundation by introducing co-op, which ultimately gave rise to Ember Knights, available today for the first time with crossplay on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC.

With the first closed beta and demo back in late 2020, we saw the appeal of the co-op element firsthand as friends, partners and community members played together. That’s when a core vision for our game took shape: a fast-paced, action-packed hack-and-slash roguelite that would feel just as rewarding solo as it would in co-op.

Based on feedback from the demo, we rethought our approach to run layouts – shifting from a free-roaming dungeon structure to a room-by-room design. We also redesigned the rooms so that, in most cases, all four players would remain visible on screen at the same time.

In addition to these structural changes, we re-evaluated the synergies between weapons, skills and relics to offer more meaningful collaboration. Each weapon plays a distinct role on the battlefield – from crowd control to short/long-range DPS to skill-based combos – and the same applies to skills. The goal was to create constant interactions and synergy between players.

For example, one player might equip the Rift Hammer, focusing on stunning enemies with powerful strikes and AOE skills like Rupture or Cyclone. Meanwhile, a teammate could wield the Guardian Bow, leveraging relics that deal bonus damage to stunned enemies.

This interplay only deepens as you experiment. Skills and relics interact in unexpected ways, encouraging teams to adapt their builds to complement each other’s strengths. Want to build a team of explosive pyromancers? That’s totally viable with skills like Molten Boulder or Ember Fire, and relics like Combustion Stone – which deals bonus damage when setting enemies on fire – or Fury Charm – which increases damage against burning enemies.

This design philosophy has guided us throughout Early Access, the 1.0 launch and beyond.

Community feedback post-1.0 has also played a crucial role in shaping the co-op experience. One common request was for an easier mode to help introduce the game to players new to the genre. Whether it was a hardcore roguelite veteran wanting to play co-op with newcomers, or a parent introducing their kids to the genre, Easy Mode was created to welcome more players into the experience.

Our ultimate goal has always been to make the game as accessible and fun to play together as possible. That’s why Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition, released on October 16, includes full local co-op, online multiplayer and online crossplay between PC and Xbox Series X|S. Whether you’re sitting on the couch or syncing up with friends across the country, you can now jump into the Nexus and face the forces of Praxis – together.

Ember Knights : Heroes of the Nexus Edition

Twin Sails Interactive

☆☆☆☆☆
4

★★★★★

$24.99

Get it now

In this fast-paced action rogue-lite, play as Ember Knights, the last spark of hope of a universe in turmoil. Praxis, the mad sorcerer, has syphoned the life out of the Ember Tree and fled through the four Prime Worlds spreading corruption in his path.

In solo or co-op (up to 4 players), use powerful weapons and skills to hack and slash deadly hordes, defeat epic bosses, free the decaying Prime Worlds and restore energy to the Ember Tree!

A BLAZING ACTION ROGUE-LITE
Legendary warriors, the Ember Knights, are skilled in the wielding of the universe’s most powerful weapons, each with their own modification system! However, the sword doesn’t make the knight… Through action-packed combat rooms, you’ll need to chain your attacks and perfectly time your swings to unleash fiery attacks.
Agile and fearless, use your pace and dodge to outsmart, counter, and stun your enemies!

IGNITE DEADLY COMBOS
With 7 distinct weapons, 9 modifications per weapon, 20 skills, and well over 100 relics, there are hundreds of deadly builds to create.
From a fire spreading scythe wielder to a relentless damage resistant spellcaster to a poison spreading archer with summons, forge your own build during your runs.
In co-op, coordinate with your friends to set up combos and synergies between your playstyles.

FACE PRAXIS’ HORDES
Beasts, specters, sorcerers, mechanized amphibians, and creatures of all sorts… Fight over 60 unique monsters and variations each with their own unique attacks and behaviors.
In addition, be prepared to face challenging Elites and Champions; the most resistant and deadliest versions of Praxis’ devoted minions. You will have to adapt your playstyle to each encounter and learn from your mistakes if you wish to succeed.

INCUR THE WRATH OF THE BOSSES
The real challenge for the legendary Knights will lie in the epic bosses and their corrupted variations. From the Royal Phalanx to the Plague Bringer, Praxis will summon anything in his power to stop you.
Try different builds, upgrade your Ember Tree, and don’t fear death. Persistence will be your key to victory!

WRATH OF THE ARCHITECT DLC – INCLUDED
Included in the Ember Knights: Heroes of the Nexus Edition, the Wrath of the Architect DLC is changing the entire game: with a new final boss – The Architect, 4 new bosses and 4 new mini-bosses in altered versions of the Prime worlds filled with altered hordes of enemies with new attacks and patterns.
To help the knights, 2 powerful new weapons (Hyper Gloves & Ember Buster) and 9 devastating new skills are added to their arsenal.

Well, we suspected that the No Man’s Sky Voyagers update was going to cause some excitement in the universe, but never did we expect such a huge influx that we would see player numbers we’ve not seen since our launch.. nine years ago! 

It was genuinely humbling to see huge number of Xbox and Game Pass travellers return to the game or pick it up for the first time and start putting their minds to creating wildly imaginative ship creations with the all-new corvette customisation feature. 

The sheer joy of seeing people realise, in real-time, that they could invite their friends onto their custom-made ships and then jump out of it together to space-walk or sky-dive was incredible to witness.

Our next update is called Breach and it leans into that thrill introduced in Voyagers. It is free to download today for existing Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Xbox and PC Game Pass players.

In Breach, players will traverse a desolate and abandoned universe and on their travels encounter the abandoned remains of ill-fated corvette ships, all ripe for scavenging ship modules to add to your corvette-building arsenal.

Among the spoils you will find an array of corvette pieces including rare vertical parts which unlock a whole new range of build configurations for the more creative designers. There is also a set of Atlas-themed parts for those wanting to demonstrate their allegiance to the all-seeing entity.

The jewel in the crown of these wreckages is the Fireship Arcadia, the fate of which you will learn as you venture through Breach. But you will have to face your fears and make a leap of faith into the black as you space-walk through these eerie systems to glean its unique remnants.

The spooky Breach Expedition embraces the darker side of the universe and will also lure the bravest Travellers towards the ominous and foreboding purple-star solar systems which players first glimpsed in Worlds Part II back in January. The planets in these systems are particularly foreboding with their deep, abyssal oceans, unearthly entities and the notoriously imposing and volatile gas giants.

The tiny No Man’s Sky team have been running on more cylinders than even I thought they had this year with barely a breath taken between Worlds Part II, Relics, Beacon and the epic Voyagers. We’re still having a lot of fun, and, from the looks of our player numbers, so are many of the Xbox community.

No Man’s Sky’s Breach Expedition is available for existing players on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and PC Game Pass today.

No Man’s Sky

Hello Games

☆☆☆☆☆
1103

★★★★★

$59.99

$23.99

Get it now

Xbox One X Enhanced

PC Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass

No Man’s Sky comes complete with all 29 major updates up to and including Worlds Part I.

Inspired by the adventure and imagination that we love from classic science-fiction, No Man’s Sky presents you with a galaxy to explore, filled with unique planets and lifeforms, and constant danger and action.

In No Man’s Sky, every star is the light of a distant sun, each orbited by planets filled with life, and you can go to any of them you choose. Fly smoothly from deep space to planetary surfaces, with no loading screens, and no limits. In this infinite procedurally generated universe, you’ll discover places and creatures that no other players have seen before – and perhaps never will again.

Embark on an epic voyage
At the centre of the galaxy lies a irresistible pulse which draws you on a journey towards it to learn the true nature of the cosmos. But, facing hostile creatures and fierce pirates, you’ll know that death comes at a cost, and survival will be down to the choices you make over how you upgrade your ship, your weapon and suit.

Find your own destiny
Your voyage through No Man’s Sky is up to you. Will you be a fighter, preying on the weak and taking their riches, or taking out pirates for their bounties? Power is yours if you upgrade your ship for speed and weaponry.
Or a trader? Find rich resources on forgotten worlds and exploit them for the highest prices. Invest in more cargo space and you’ll reap huge rewards.
Or perhaps an explorer? Go beyond the known frontier and discover places and things that no one has ever seen before. Upgrade your engines to jump ever farther, and strengthen your suit for survival in toxic environments that would kill the unwary.

Share your journey
The galaxy is a living, breathing place. Trade convoys travel between stars, factions vie for territory, pirates hunt the unwary, and the police are ever watching. Every other player lives in the same galaxy, and you can choose to share your discoveries with them on a map that spans known space. Perhaps you will see the results of their actions as well as your own…

The launch of Ninja Gaiden 4 has arrived, and the atmosphere now carries a quiet intensity. The blade which Team Ninja and PlatinumGames have spent years honing is finally ready to be unsheathed and released into the world. That radiating tension and pride is something every one of us can feel, even from afar.

I still remember vividly the day Ninja Gaiden 4 was revealed at this year’s Developer_Direct. After 13 long years, a team was set out to bring a numbered Ninja Gaiden title back to the world once more. United by this one mission, Team Ninja and PlatinumGames forged a strong partnership, and with support from Microsoft, they committed to rebuilding the world that fans had waited so long to return to.

Ninja Gaiden 4 is available today for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Xbox Cloud, also available on Steam and PlayStation 5. It is an Xbox Play Anywhere title and available day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
64

★★★★★

$89.99

Get it now

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition.

Includes:
• Base Game
• Future Gameplay Content*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Deluxe Edition Upgrade

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$20

Get it now

Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch

Upgrade from Standard Edition to get into the high-octane action with the Deluxe Upgrade* (Base Game not included)

Includes:
• Future Gameplay Content “The Two Masters”**
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items such as Life Elixirs, Incense of Rebirth, Kongou Iron Brew, and more!

*Requires base game or Xbox Game Pass membership (PC or Ultimate only), All sold separately.

**For release date when announced, see https://www.xbox.com/games/ninja-gaiden-4.

NINJA GAIDEN 4

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
39

★★★★★

Get it now

Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

To celebrate the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, we took the fight sky-high — literally. Imagine this: two helicopters slicing through the Miami night sky, one carrying a 26-foot wide screen (200+ sq ft in size), the other with Team Ninja Community Manager, Emmanuel “Master” Rodriguez, and diamond-certified recording artist Swae Lee.

The result? A jaw-dropping, first-of-its-kind spectacle that fused gaming, technology, and pure adrenaline. The event also set a new Guinness World Records title for the largest video game display flown by helicopter.

As the city lights shimmered below, Yakumo of the Raven ninja clan leapt into the night, battling enemies across an enormous screen suspended in the sky. Every slash, every grapple, every heart-pounding moment of combat came alive against the backdrop of snippets of an exclusive new record from Swae Lee entitled ‘Flammable’.

The inspiration behind this stunt comes straight from Ninja Gaiden 4’s in-game lore. The denizens of Tokyo have escaped the toxic floodwaters by building skyward. The skyscraper district towers above the ruined city below, a breathtaking vertical landscape that mirrors the high-flying action we brought to life.

Technology played a starring role in making this dream a reality. Using advanced sports broadcasting tech, we streamed live gameplay from Emmanuel’s helicopter to the massive screen – built by pioneering aerial media company, Heli-D – in the other.

Timing, precision, and nerves of steel were everything — a misstep would have grounded the Raven. But as Yakumo fought and triumphed across the illuminated sky, it was clear that the risk was worth it.

This is more than a launch; it’s a celebration of everything Ninja Gaiden 4 stands for — precision, skill, and pushing limits. From the game’s lore-rich skyscrapers to the Miami skyline we soared across, we’ve redefined what it means to experience a video game live.

In the dead of night, the ninja truly awakened — and for those lucky enough to witness it, the sky has never looked more alive.

Ninja Gaiden 4 arrives tomorrow, October 21 for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Xbox Cloud, Xbox Play Anywhere – also available on Steam and PlayStation 5. Play it day one with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

The Deluxe Edition includes future gameplay content “The Two Masters”, along with additional character skins, weapon skins, and in-game items. Pre-order either the Standard Edition or the Deluxe Edition to get the Dark Dragon Descendent Yakumo skin at launch.

More on Swae Lee

Swae Lee first saw mainstream recognition as the younger and melodic half of southern hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd. Swae has made a name for himself outside of his duo work, showcasing himself as a force to be reckoned with both within and beyond the hip-hop world. Tracks such as French Montana’s diamond-certified ‘Unforgettable’ highlight his singing chops, while his impressive list of writing credits includes Beyoncé’s ‘Formation’.

Swae’s melodic repertoire, however, is not relegated exclusively to the R&B and hip-hop sphere as his crooning can also take on ballad form and mesh into a more electronic background as well—a complex Gemini in many ways. His impact on the music industry is also underscored by his record-breaking achievements, including the historic success of the Grammy-nominated track, ‘Sunflower’, which became the first-ever song to be certified 2x Diamond by the RIAA and holds one of the biggest streaming records in history. In addition to ‘Sunflower’, Swae’s contributions to hits like Travis Scott’s ‘Sicko Mode’ have also earned diamond certifications, further cementing his place as a dominant force in modern music. 

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Standard Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
21

★★★★★

$69.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

Return of the Legend
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

Epic Hack and Slash Combat, Evolved
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

An Ancient Enemy Returns
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

NINJA GAIDEN 4 Preorder Deluxe Edition

Xbox Game Studios

☆☆☆☆☆
1

★★★★★

$89.99

Pre-order

Pre-order now to receive the Dark Dragon Descendant Yakumo Skin at launch

Experience a return to the intense, high-octane action of NINJA GAIDEN with the Deluxe Edition! The Deluxe Edition includes:

• NINJA GAIDEN 4 base game
• Future Gameplay Content “The Two Masters”*
• Traditional Dark Blue and Legendary Black Falcon Ryu Skins
• Blade of the Archfiend Ryu Weapon Skin
• Divine Chimera and Raven Master Yakumo Skins
• Divine Chimera Yakumo Weapon Set
• 50,000 Bonus NinjaCoin
• Additional In-Game Items such as Life Elixirs, Incense of Rebirth, Kongou Iron Brew, and more!

The definitive ninja hack & slash franchise returns with NINJA GAIDEN 4! Embark on a cutting-edge adventure where legacy meets innovation in this high-octane blend of style and no-holds-barred combat.

RETURN OF THE LEGEND
Experience a return to the intense, high-speed combat that established NINJA GAIDEN as a premier action game series. Prepare for a legacy reborn with captivating style for a new generation of players.

EPIC HACK AND SLASH COMBAT, EVOLVED
NINJA GAIDEN 4 fuses Team NINJA’s tempered combat philosophy with the stylish, dynamic action gameplay of PlatinumGames. Engage in visually stunning combat that rewards precision and strategy. Use Bloodbind Ninjutsu to transform your weapons and unleash devastation upon your enemies, alongside legacy techniques like the Izuna Drop and Flying Swallow. The legendary Ryu Hayabusa also returns with a revamped yet familiar set of tools to master. With a customizable player experience, NINJA GAIDEN 4 will push action game veterans to their limits while allowing newcomers to enjoy a heart-pounding adventure full of twists and turns.

AN ANCIENT ENEMY RETURNS
An endless rain of miasma hangs over a near-future Tokyo in the wake of an ancient enemy’s resurrection. The fate of the city lies in the hands of young ninja prodigy, Yakumo. Fighting his way through cybernetic ninja soldiers and otherworldly creatures, Yakumo must reconcile a destiny he shares with the legendary Ryu Hayabusa himself and free Tokyo from the ancient curse that brought the city to its knees.

*For release date when announced, see https://www.xbox.com/games/ninja-gaiden-4.

A Wholesome Adventure for the Whole Family

Chickenhare and his loyal friends, Meg and Abe, are about to set out on their very first video game journey. Originally created by comic book author Chris Grine, this unlikely trio has already starred in two animated feature films – “Chickenhare & the Hamster of Darkness” in 2018 and “Chickenhare & the Secret of the Groundhog”- releasing alongside the game. Both films inspired kids around the world to believe in themselves, embrace friendship, and discover that our differences can be our greatest strengths.

For developer N-Zone, the leap into video games felt natural after seeing the first movie. Beneath the humor, courage, and heartfelt storytelling, there was a clear potential to create an interactive adventure. And what better way to bring the trio’s world to life than through a colorful, family-friendly 3D platformer?

An All-New Epic and Original Story

Staying true to the heart of the franchise was the top priority in development. Each hero’s personality was carefully translated into gameplay mechanics that feel both natural and rewarding. Chickenhare can glide with his long ears and leap to places no one else can reach. Meg is the fearless queen of combat, taking down multiple enemies with her skunk-like powers. And Abe, the wise turtle, uses his shell to smash barriers and withstand dangers that would overwhelm others.

These traits shaped the entire level design, encouraging players to swap between heroes to solve puzzles, overcome platforming challenges, and uncover secrets. At the same time, N-Zone went beyond simply adapting familiar stories. The team introduced an entirely new villain, the dreaded Spiking-Beard, who brings fresh challenges and expands the universe with new lore. The adorable – yet terrifying – hedgehog who serves as the game’s antagonist was born from a bedtime story shared between Vincenzo Bianca, CEO of N-Zone, and his four-year-old daughter. When she complained that her father’s beard was a little too prickly, Spiking-Beard was born. Alongside him, players will also uncover the legend of the Golden Feather, a mystical treasure tied to precious stones guarded by each kingdom—an element that deepens the sense of wonder and adventure at the heart of the game.

With guidance and support from nWave, the studio behind both films, N-Zone was given the freedom to build original lore while keeping the soul of the franchise intact.

Building Bonds Across Generations

Choosing a platformer was not only about matching the spirit of the films. For many of today’s parents, iconic platformers were their very first steps into the world of gaming. Chickenhare & the Treasure of Spiking-Beard pays homage to that era while offering kids the same kind of joyful introduction.

Though the game is single-player, it’s designed to be shared. Parents can guide their children through colorful levels, help them discover mechanics, or simply sit by and enjoy watching as puzzles are solved in creative ways. The thrill of chasing clues, uncovering secrets, and overcoming challenges together creates moments that will last a lifetime. This is a chance to pass on the love of gaming to a new generation, all while creating family memories that go far beyond the screen.

Out Now

Chickenhare & the Treasure of Spiking-Beard launches today. With Chickenhare, Meg, and Abe by your side, the adventure continues, this time with a controller in hand.

Chickenhare and the treasure of Spiking-beard

N-Zone Production

☆☆☆☆☆

★★★★★

$29.99

Get it now

Adventure is calling! Join Chickenhare and his friends on an epic quest to recover the 7 crystals before the dreaded Spiking-Beard and save the Kingdoms from chaos. Explore magical worlds, solve clever puzzles, and uncover hidden secrets… and who knows? You might just find the path to a real treasure.

A heart-pounding adventure for kids and parents alike—are you ready to become a true treasure hunter?

Play alongside your favorite characters and their unique abilities:

Chickenhare soars through the air, using his ears to glide past obstacles and reach new heights.

Abe might be a little bit too cautious sometimes, but you can always count on him and his shell to destroy vulnerable structures and clear your way.

Meg is the master of martial arts – she kicks, jumps, and even do both at the same time to reach higher places and even has a secret twist if she’s surrounded by a mob of enemies.

Journey across a variety of breathtaking locations, each brimming with charm, danger, and mystery. From the majestic halls of Featherbeard’s Castle to the shadowy depths of Demon’s Hole, every world is filled with secrets to uncover, treasures to claim, and surprises—both delightful and perilous—that will keep you exploring. With stunning visuals and imaginative level design, Chickenhare delivers an all-new adventure in the beloved universe of the movies and comics—brought to life for the very first time in a video game.