Ryu Hayabusa, last hope of the Hayabusa Clan, is one of the video game world's most famous ninja. Last seen in 1995, in Tecmo's "Ninja Gaiden Trilogy" for Super Famicom, Hayabusa is one of the few old-school game characters who remains vivid in many gamers minds despite a long hiatus.
Hayabusa is back and far better than ever in "Ninja Gaiden," a game that may possibly be the best new game for Microsoft's Xbox since its 2001 release. (The only Xbox game that rivals "Ninja Gaiden" is "Halo.")
The game begins with the annihilation of Hayabusa's village at the hands of mystical enemies. Ryu is off learning his ninja trade at a nearby fortress when the massacre occurs; but seeing the smoke, he runs to the village and gets a taste of what the battle was like.