Shinobi: Art of Vengeance to Get Special Switch 2 Edition in September

Bandai Namco announced on July 15, 2023, that the action-adventure game “Shinobi: Art of Vengeance” will receive a dedicated edition for the Nintendo Switch 2 platform, scheduled for release in September 2023, according to a press release. The statement did not specify whether the title would include new content or technical enhancements for the newer console.

The original “Shinobi: Art of Vengeance,” developed by FromSoftware, was first released in 2011 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 before being reissued on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2017. The Switch 2 edition marks the first time the title has been ported to a Nintendo platform, according to a spokesperson for the publisher.

Details about the game’s features on the Switch 2 remain limited. A representative for Bandai Namco stated, “We are focused on delivering a polished experience tailored to the Switch 2’s capabilities, but specific updates will be shared closer to the release date.” No further technical specifications were provided.

The announcement follows the recent launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, which was revealed in June 2023 as a successor to the original Switch. The new console includes improved hardware and backward compatibility with existing games, according to Nintendo’s official website.

Industry analysts noted the significance of the title’s port, given the lack of major third-party exclusives for Nintendo’s latest hardware. “This could signal a strategic move to attract players of action games to the Switch 2 ecosystem,” said a gaming industry analyst specializing in porting trends, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Pre-orders for the Switch 2 edition are expected to launch in August 2023, according to a statement from Bandai Namco’s digital division. The game’s availability on the Nintendo eShop and physical copies remains unconfirmed.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, a reboot of the 1987 “Shinobi” series, was initially criticized for its difficulty and technical flaws but has since gained a cult following. The Switch 2 edition’s release comes amid renewed interest in retro gaming, according to a 2023 report by the Entertainment Software Association.

No official demonstrations of the game on the Switch 2 have been disclosed. A Nintendo representative declined to comment on the title’s development status, citing ongoing “internal discussions.”