Producer Yosuke Hayashi for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, the PS3 remake of Ninja Gaiden 2, has said that the game may mark the end of the Ninja Gaiden franchise, as he wants to deliver ‘the ultimate package.’ Hayashi said:

“We really want this to be the total package, the ultimate package, the game you remember as having everything you’ve seen and experienced throughout the Ninja Gaiden franchise.”

Hayashi also confirmed the existence of playable character Ayane (from the Dead or Alive franchise) as well as the inclusion of online co-operative play for the title. Watch the debut trailer for Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 below:

Previously Xbox 360 exclusive Ninja Gaiden 2 will be making its way over to the PlayStion 3 this fall, with new and improved features as well as sporting the new moniker of Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

That’s according to a variety of reports hitting the ‘net today, after Japanese gaming mag Famitsu released the information within its pages, revealing that (Ninja Gaiden remake on the PS3) Ninja Gaiden Sigma developer, Yosuke Hayashi, will be working on the game and will be delivering an ‘upgraded’ version of Ninja Gaiden 2, heading up the Team Ninja development studio to do so.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 will contain new playable character Ayane (from the Dead or Alive series), new boss battles (apparently not possible on the Xbox 360) and new weapons, including spiked hammer, Genma.

Tomonobu Itagaki was famed for his preference for Microsoft’s consoles, supporting both the original Xbox and Xbox 360 with his games at Team Ninja, such as the Dead or Alive series and Ninja Gaiden, but after his departure from the company last year, it seems the studio will become openly multiplatform in the future.

This week’s Xbox LIVE ‘Deal of the Week’ involves downloadable content (DLC) for Ninja Gaiden 2, reducing the previous price by 33%. What does the DLC contain?

You’re now able to get the Ninja Gaiden 2 Mission Mode add-on for 560 MS Points, down from 800 MS Points, which gives you extra, self-contained missions not found in the original game.

Karma Attack missions task you with getting the highest score, while Survival missions give you a single weapon to battle it out against as many enemies as possible. You can then post your scores online through Xbox LIVE once you’re done.

If your copy of Ninja Gaiden 2 has been sitting neglected for too long, maybe it’s time to pick it up again.

Last week European gamers threw their hands up in delight when the playable demo of Ninja Gaiden 2 landed on Xbox Live Marketplace.

However, much gnashing of teeth followed when it was revealed that the demo was not available in Germany, India, Canada and the US. You will be happy to know that it is now alive and kicking on Xbox Live in the US and Canada.

Ninja Gaiden 2 was released across Europe this past Friday. It is already out in the US and Canada.

The demo for Ninja Gaiden 2 has sneaked its way on to Xbox Live Marketplace.

Initially Major ‘Larry Hryb’ Nelson had whispered to gamers that the demo, released in Japan last week, would be available for the remaining Xbox Live regions except India and Germany later this week.

However, he later updated his blog to inform gamers that the demo is not available in Germany, India, Canada and the US. He did assure us that he is “going to have a few conversations with some people about this.”

Ninja Gaiden 2 will be released across Europe this Friday. It is already out in the US and Canada.

For more information about Ninja Gaiden 2, head over to El33tonline’s earlier coverage.

Ninja Gaiden 2 is due for a worldwide release in June. The game will arrive on North American shelves on the 3rd of June with worldwide releases set to follow later in the month.

It has just been confirmed that a free demo of this Xbox 360 exclusive will be available on Xbox Live Marketplace in May. Developed by Tecmo and Team Ninja, Ninja Gaiden 2 sees players guiding Ryu as he embarks on a journey to avenge his clan. Head over to El33tonline’s earlier coverage or to the game’s official website for more screenshots and information on the game.