Released in 2004 exclusively for the Xbox, Ninja Gaiden is a hack-and-slash action-adventure game developed by Team NINJA. Players control Ryu Hayabusa, a highly skilled ninja whose clan has been massacred and whose legendary sword has been stolen. Driven by the twin goals of vengeance and recovering the blade, Ryu embarks on a fast-paced combat-focused journey that showcases the demanding, precision-oriented style Team NINJA became known for. The game blends fluid melee combat with exploration across a variety of environments, placing an emphasis on mastering weapons, timing, and enemy patterns. As one of the defining action titles of its era on the platform, Ninja Gaiden established itself as a benchmark for the hack-and-slash genre on home consoles.