Sega has locked in a release date for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance: September 24. The announcement came via a trailer posted to Sega's official X account, confirming the hand-drawn side-scroller is heading to Nintendo's new hardware with an updated resolution and a Deluxe Edition that bundles the Sega Villains Stage DLC.
What the Switch 2 version brings to the table
The core game follows Joe Musashi, the longtime face of the Shinobi franchise, returning home to find his village destroyed and his clan turned to stone. What follows is a revenge-driven run through hand-drawn stages packed with enemy hordes and boss fights. Paris-based studio Lizardcube developed the game, the same team behind Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap.
Here's the thing: the Switch 2 edition isn't just a straight port. Sega specifically called out an updated resolution for the platform, meaning Joe and his katana will look sharper than on the original Switch version that launched alongside the game on August 29, 2025.
The Sega Villains Stage DLC, explained
The Deluxe Edition's included DLC is a pretty significant content drop. It adds three iconic Sega antagonists as bosses: Death Adder from Golden Axe, Goro Majima from the Yakuza franchise, and Dr. Eggman from Sonic the Hedgehog. Beyond the boss fights themselves, the DLC packs in five new stages, two new Boss Rush modes, three new ninpo abilities, three new outfits, and six new music tracks.
The DLC originally launched on April 3, alongside a free update patch that added Hardcore Mode, combat system adjustments, and updated character outlines, map display, and tutorial features. Switch 2 players picking up the Deluxe Edition get all of that content from day one.
A franchise with deep roots, a long gap
The Shinobi series dates back to 1987, when the original arcade game put Joe Musashi on the map. The previous entry before Art of Vengeance was Shinobi 3D on the Nintendo 3DS in 2011, making this revival more than a decade in the making. Lizardcube's take leans into the classic feel with multiple paths to discover and smooth, momentum-based combat that rewards aggressive play.
The game already launched on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, the original Switch, and PC via Steam last August. The Switch 2 release brings the total platform count to six, and the resolution bump gives Nintendo's new hardware a small but meaningful edge over the standard Switch version.
You'll want to check out the SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance guides as the September 24 launch approaches, especially if you're planning to take on the Sega Villains bosses without a safety net. For broader tips and walkthroughs across other titles, the full gaming guides hub has you covered.
