The action genre has evolved in instrumental ways over the past generations of video games. Many titles prioritize in the fast-paced hack-and-slash nature of combat in titles, but because it’s become such a popular genre there are many games that feel unnecessary or recede into the background to be forgotten.
That being said, both Bayonettaand Ninja Gaidenare two fundamental franchises in the genre that have pushed action games forward in major ways. These titles remain in the conversation concerning where action video games are headed and even though they’re not perfect, they both do certain things very well and deserve attention.
10 Bayonetta: The Characters
Bayonetta is the perfect balance of sensibilities where the game features absurd and exaggerated characters, chiefly Bayonetta herself.
The game somehow makes these big personalities work. Bayonetta’s snarky attitude is part of the reason these games work so well and it’s no surprise that she is now such a hit character that she’s even in Super Smash Bros. Bayonetta is a riot, but her strange support characters are just as eccentric and highly quotable.
9 Ninja Gaiden: The Lore
Team Ninja helped reboot the Ninja Gaiden series into the modern generations of gaming and gave the retro franchise a hack-and-slash action makeover that helped make the series relevant again.
The new Ninja Gaiden titles forge their own path, but there are still references and connections to the original NES games that are wonderful Easter eggs for long-time fans of the series. Bayonetta is a new franchise and it’s building its own running references, but the lengthy and storied history of Ninja Gaiden gives the games more grounding.
8 Bayonetta: The Madness
It’s become common practice for many hack-and-slash action titles to amp up the insanity and throw as much at the audience as possible. PlatinumGames has become one of the best developers in this genre and the Bayonetta games are some of their best work. Ninja Gaiden is moody and atmospheric, but Bayonetta is like a manic fever dream and each new stage is an exercise in excess. Bayonetta likes to lead with her guns, but she’s just as skilled with her feet and she’s maybe the only heroine in an action title that uses her hair as a finishing move.
7 Ninja Gaiden: The Excessive Violence
It should go without saying that any game that revolves around ninjas is going to be heavy on the violence, but Team Ninja’s Ninja Gaiden series really tries to go over the top in this regard. Ryu Hayabusa is confronted with so many enemies at once that he’s frequently dismembering several people at once. The game makes sure that the blood is always spurting in fountains and even allows decapitations as part of the carnage. The Bayonetta titles are insane, but they tone it down with the blood in comparison to Ninja Gaiden.
6 Bayonetta: The Art Design And Visuals
There’s such a satisfying feeling when smooth gameplay matches visuals and delivers magical spectacles. Bayonetta is a bright game that never stops moving and is full of busy sequences in which Bayonetta’s hair becomes a deadly, unpredictable weapon. Ninja Gaiden looks pretty, but its visual style is considerably more drab and suppressed. They’re dark games that are full of shadows, whereas Bayonetta tries to light the screen up with action, bullets, and chaos. Even when Bayonetta isn’t being played it’s just enjoyable to watch in motion.
5 Ninja Gaiden: The Punishing Difficulty
In a nice nod to the original Ninja Gaiden games, Team Ninja’s modern take on the series is incredibly difficult. It’s not unusual for action games of this nature to have intense difficulties in order to create a longer experience, but Ninja Gaiden almost goes too far in the area. Gluttons for punishment will love how hard Ninja Gaiden games can be (especially that helicopter boss from the first game) and it’s a welcome throwback to how difficult games from previous generations were. Bayonetta is by no means an easy game, but Ninja Gaiden is definitely more of a gauntlet.
4 Bayonetta: The Gameplay
It’s one thing for an action title to look attractive and feature engaging characters, but none of that means anything if it’s a tedious chore to get through. Bayonetta understands how to make its combat addictive, fun, and varied. It’s complex without being overly convoluted and it evolves organically as it goes on. Ninja Gaiden has endless combat, but it feels repetitive in a way that Bayonetta refuses to let happen. It also doesn’t hurt the variety of attacks that Bayonetta wields all trigger crazy animations that keep the battles interesting, whereas Ninja Gaiden’s just a lot of blood.
3 Ninja Gaiden: The Use Of Crossover Characters
The Ninja Gaiden games are serious in their own way, but they do find strange ways to indulge in crazier impulses and find ways to have fun. It’s a major surprise to learn that Ninja Gaiden shares a universe with the Dead or Alive fighting franchise. Ryu Hayabusa and plenty of Ninja Gaiden characters appear in Dead or Alive titles, but what’s even more surprising is that one of Dead or Alive’s mascots, Kasumi, is a playable character in Ninja Gaiden III: Razor’s Edge. As crazy as Bayonetta can be, it takes it easy with the cameos.
2 Bayonetta: The Bosses And Enemies
Bayonetta is set in an extreme universe where witches, angels, and monsters are all at odds with each other. The standard enemies are deity-like creatures that are visually unique. However, it’s the bosses where things get even crazier. The Bayonetta bosses are gigantic threats that loom over Bayonetta and progress in unbelievable and creative ways. These enemies feel like they were designed by HR Giger and Picasso. Alternatively, Ninja Gaiden’s enemies are entertaining, but ninjas are meant to blend in and they’re definitely much less interesting, and human, as a result.
1 Ninja Gaiden: The Assortment Of Weapons
Bayonetta is equipped with a unique arsenal that’s full of surprises, but the variety of weapons that Ryu Hayabusa can experiment with in the Ninja Gaiden games is a lot more in-depth. Ryu can stick to basic ninja tools like a sword and shurikens, but it’s when weapons get upgraded when they really get crazy. Ryu can use scythes, maces, and all sorts of elaborate weapons that make combat more entertaining and add a level of customization and upgrading that’s absent in some areas of Bayonetta.
