Shinobi: Art of Vengeance comes to Nintendo Switch 2 in September

SEGA has confirmed that Shinobi: Art of Vengeance will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 24, 2026. The announcement brings the acclaimed revival of the legendary ninja franchise to Nintendo's latest console, nearly a year after the game debuted on other platforms.

A SEGA classic reborn in hand-drawn 2D

Originally released on August 29, 2025 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and PC, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance marked the return of Joe Musashi to video games. It is a 2D action-platformer with fully hand-drawn art, a visual style that has become the trademark of the studio behind it.

The developer is Lizardcube, the Paris-based studio chosen by SEGA after its praised work on Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap (2017) and Streets of Rage 4 (2020). The team brought its signature fluid animation and vibrant settings to the series, now applied to the ninja universe of Shinobi.

What changes in the gameplay

Unlike the franchise's classic titles, this new incarnation adopts a structure closer to a metroidvania, encouraging players to explore the stages in search of secrets and extra content. Combat combines sword strikes, kunai throws and Ninpo magic abilities.

One of the highlights is the system called Shinobi Execution, which lets you mark enemies and execute them in sequence, rewarding agility and precise reading of the battles. The package earned the game a nomination for Best Action Game at The Game Awards 2025.

Critical reception

The 2025 debut was well received. Metacritic scores landed between 85 and 87 depending on the platform, while OpenCritic recorded a 94% recommendation rate. Reviews ranged from more reserved write-ups to perfect scores, with most outlets awarding between 8 and 9 out of 10.

What to expect from the Switch 2 version

The Switch 2 edition takes advantage of the console's more powerful hardware to run at an enhanced resolution, although SEGA has not yet detailed the exact performance figures. The game will have physical and digital editions, priced from US$ 29.99.

There is also a Deluxe Edition, available in physical and digital versions, which includes the extra content SEGA Villains Stage. The stage pits Joe Musashi against three emblematic SEGA villains: Dr. Eggman, from Sonic the Hedgehog; Goro Majima, from Like a Dragon; and the giant Death Adder, from Golden Axe.

It is worth noting that, so far, the Switch 2 version appears without an upgrade path from the original Switch edition, which means anyone who already owns the game on the previous console would need to buy the new version separately. It remains to be seen whether SEGA will offer clarifications as the September 24 date approaches.