Tecmo Koei America has tied a date to Ninja Gaiden 3. Sticking close to its March 22 Japanese release, Ninja Gaiden 3 will launch in both standard and collector’s editions for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in North America on March 20, 2012 and on March 23 in Europe.
Those who pre-order the game at GameStop and Amazon will get access to a downloadable, two-character demo stage from Dead or Alive 5. GameStop pre-orders include access to characters Hayabusa and Hitomi, while Amazon pre-orders include access to Ayane and Hayate. In Japan, the demo characters differ by version.
Those who purchase the Ninja Gaiden 3 collector’s edition will have access to all four characters in the demo. The collector’s edition also includes an exclusive “Unmask” game art book, soundtrack CD, and “Duel of the Masked” figure. It will only be available at GameStop and EB Games, and retail for $99.99.
“With Ninja Gaiden 3, Team NINJA has created a fresh new way to take players behind the mask of the world’s greatest ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, where they must choose when to give mercy or wreak vengeance to learn what it means to be a dark hero,” said Amos Ip, SVP and General Manager of Tecmo Koei America. “Our preorder packages at GameStop and Amazon and our massive Collector’s Edition will give true fans their first chance to experience the unique fighting action of Dead or Alive 5 on day one when Ninja Gaiden 3 ships.”