"Justice Always Triumphs." - Ryu Hayabusa for Smash Switch! (Ninja Gaiden/Dead or Alive)

[Gengar84]

I think that Ryu Hyabusa would be a pretty cool inclusion in Smash. He is probably the most iconic NES rep left and Koei has had a great relationship with Nintendo in recent years. While I would personally prefer the Battletoads as an NES rep or Lu Bu as a Koei rep, Hyabusa probably makes the most sense. Even though he isn’t at the top of my most wanted list, he is still a cool character with an important history and I would be happy with his inclusion.

 

[iMACobra]

No worries. lol

Does anybody know the name of that theme that plays in the Master Collection trailer?

The one used in the Nintendo Direct is partly Alma Awakened and Emperor. The other trailer everywhere else is the Ninja Gaiden (2004) opening theme.

 

[Wonder Smash]

The one used in the Nintendo Direct is partly Alma Awakened and Emperor. The other trailer everywhere else is the Ninja Gaiden (2004) opening theme.

Thanks! I kind of like that Alma Awakened theme. Hopefully, that'll come with Hayabusa if he makes it in Ultimate.

 

[RETROROTER]

Forward Momentum Glitch = Hayabusa’s Ninja dash (lol I’m just kidding ) https://images.app.goo.gl/2suEvTYWYmUWQQ9x9

 

[Golden Icarus]

Team NINJA has been tweeting about Hayabusa quite a lot recently, which is really cool to see. They clearly care about the "Ultimate Ninja" and don't want the world forget about him. Obviously, it's mostly to promote Master Collection, but it's notable that instead of "look how awesome this game is," the emphasis is more "look how awesome Ryu is."

There was a problem fetching the tweet

There was a problem fetching the tweet

There was a problem fetching the tweet

They also retweeted this radical 3D art that someone made.

There was a problem fetching the tweet

 

[RETROROTER]

Team NINJA has been tweeting about Hayabusa quite a lot recently, which is really cool to see. They clearly care about the "Ultimate Ninja" and don't want the world forget about him. Obviously, it's mostly to promote Master Collection, but it's notable that instead of "look how awesome this game is," the emphasis is more "look how awesome Ryu is."

There was a problem fetching the tweet

There was a problem fetching the tweet

There was a problem fetching the tweet

They also retweeted this radical 3D art that someone made.

There was a problem fetching the tweet

It would be so amazing if it all lead up to Ryu Hayabusa in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

 

[True Blue Warrior]

If Ryu Hayabusa were to be playable, what would his song list look like?

 

[Looma]

If Ryu Hayabusa were to be playable, what would his song list look like?

Ooh pick me! I was just thinking about this.

Unbreakable Determination - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
Unbreakable Determination - Warriors Orochi 3
Act 1 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement] Do these songs have... names?
Act 2-2 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
Act 5-3 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
NES Boss Medley - Ninja Gaiden 1-3 (NES) [New Arrangement]
Act 3-2 - Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos [New Arrangement]
Sudden Threat - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Emperor - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Alma Awakened - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Confrontation - Ninja Gaiden II
Approaching Doom - Ninja Gaiden II
Hell Denizen - Ninja Gaiden II
Metamorphosis - Ninja Gaiden III
Haunted by the Past - Ninja Gaiden III
The Shooted - Dead or Alive 2

 

[Mr. Stevenson]

Probably not gonna happen but I’d love if they could include some tracks from the arcade title.

Specially the Casino one
Boy would I be happy if that one got added.

 

[Chaosmaster8753]

It would be so amazing if it all lead up to Ryu Hayabusa in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Just keep your expectations in check, not everything like this leads into Smash after all.

 

[RETROROTER]

Just keep your expectations in check, not everything like this leads into Smash after all.

I know I know, all I’m saying is that it would be cool, not saying that it’s 100% a thing

 

[TDDolphin]

Ooh pick me! I was just thinking about this.

Unbreakable Determination - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
Unbreakable Determination - Warriors Orochi 3
Act 1 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement] Do these songs have... names?
Act 2-2 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
Act 5-3 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
NES Boss Medley - Ninja Gaiden 1-3 (NES) [New Arrangement]
Act 3-2 - Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos [New Arrangement]
Sudden Threat - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Emperor - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Alma Awakened - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Confrontation - Ninja Gaiden II
Approaching Doom - Ninja Gaiden II
Hell Denizen - Ninja Gaiden II
Metamorphosis - Ninja Gaiden III
Haunted by the Past - Ninja Gaiden III
The Shooted - Dead or Alive 2

That's a great list! I could see all of these songs getting chosen. I also think more Dead or Alive tracks are possible too. Could you imagine if Ryu came with 30+ tracks from Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Nioh and Fatal Frame (since they're all connected story-wise)?

 

[Wonder Smash]

That's a great list! I could see all of these songs getting chosen. I also think more Dead or Alive tracks are possible too. Could you imagine if Ryu came with 30+ tracks from Ninja Gaiden, Dead or Alive, Nioh and Fatal Frame (since they're all connected story-wise)?

I can picture some Dead or Alive tracks. Can't say the same about the others, though.

 

[RETROROTER]

Speaking of music, do you know how Sakurai said the Smash music team are big fans of the CASTLEVANIA series and it’s music? Do you think that their NINJA GAIDEN fans as well?

 

[---]

Ooh pick me! I was just thinking about this.

Unbreakable Determination - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
Unbreakable Determination - Warriors Orochi 3
Act 1 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement] Do these songs have... names?
Act 2-2 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
Act 5-3 - Ninja Gaiden (NES) [New Arrangement]
NES Boss Medley - Ninja Gaiden 1-3 (NES) [New Arrangement]
Act 3-2 - Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos [New Arrangement]
Sudden Threat - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Emperor - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Alma Awakened - Ninja Gaiden (2004)
Confrontation - Ninja Gaiden II
Approaching Doom - Ninja Gaiden II
Hell Denizen - Ninja Gaiden II
Metamorphosis - Ninja Gaiden III
Haunted by the Past - Ninja Gaiden III
The Shooted - Dead or Alive 2

Only NG1 and NG2 NES have song names for every track, though some of the tracks seem to differ depending on the localization. For example the physical/digital re-releases done by Brave Wave have "Unbreakable Determination" as "The Amazing Ryu" while the original OST release roughly translates to "Ryu's Determination."

Probably a no-brainer for those in this thread, but the Brave Wave releases are definitely worth seeking out if you can. The physical release has some nice interviews and the packaging uses a lot of artwork from Japanese promotional material and in-game cutscenes. Quite gorgeous.

 

[RETROROTER]

I was actually wondering something, would Ryu Hayabusa work as the next reveal? Or would he work better as the last reveal if he’s is coming

 

[TDDolphin]

I was actually wondering something, would Ryu Hayabusa work as the next reveal? Or would he work better as the last reveal if he’s is coming

I think Challenger 10 is a fine spot for Hayabusa! Especially if he's revealed in May and Challenger 11 is a BIG name reveal for E3. He would basically be in a similar spot to Terry in Fighters Pass 1 (by that I mean next to last).

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

I was actually wondering something, would Ryu Hayabusa work as the next reveal? Or would he work better as the last reveal if he’s is coming

If we go by Smash fan logic, he'd logically arrive as the "final and least exciting" character reveal of the current pattern.

 

[iMACobra]

I was actually wondering something, would Ryu Hayabusa work as the next reveal? Or would he work better as the last reveal if he’s is coming

I think Hayabusa would work very well for both. CP10 because Ninja Gaiden Master Collection releases in June, same month E3 would've happened which is when the next fighter is projected to be revealed and released then. CP11 wouldn't be a bad spot either. I'm banking on Koei Tecmo's relationship with Nintendo having created the likes of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Fire Emblem: Three Houses for why his reveal could still be pretty huge at this point since people don't give that enough credit. Those games are some of Nintendo's biggest Switch titles after all. Being next or last are still perfectly logical spots for a Koei Tecmo rep.

 

[RETROROTER]

I think Hayabusa would work very well for both. CP10 because Ninja Gaiden Master Collection releases in June, same month E3 would've happened which is when the next fighter is projected to be revealed and released then. CP11 wouldn't be a bad spot either. I'm banking on Koei Tecmo's relationship with Nintendo having created the likes of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Fire Emblem: Three Houses for why his reveal could still be pretty huge at this point since people don't give that enough credit. Those games are some of Nintendo's biggest Switch titles after all. Being next or last are still perfectly logical spots for a Koei Tecmo rep.

I agree also what really works in KOEI TECMO’s favor is the fact that if Ryu Hayabusa is Challenger Pack 10 it is similar to Terry Bogard being Challenger Pack 4. For Challenger Pack 11 it’s similar to Byleth in the fact that KOEI TECMO worked on their trailer so if they worked on the last fighter for the Fighters Pass, then it’s not out of the realm of possibility they could work on the last fighter for Fighters Pass VOL. 2

 

[---]

Only NG1 and NG2 NES have song names for every track, though some of the tracks seem to differ depending on the localization. For example the physical/digital re-releases done by Brave Wave have "Unbreakable Determination" as "The Amazing Ryu" while the original OST release roughly translates to "Ryu's Determination."

Probably a no-brainer for those in this thread, but the Brave Wave releases are definitely worth seeking out if you can. The physical release has some nice interviews and the packaging uses a lot of artwork from Japanese promotional material and in-game cutscenes. Quite gorgeous.

https://twitter.com/LimitedRunGames/status/1372643480799961089?s=19

Speak of the devil, LRG/Brave Wave announced that they're doing another run of the Ninja Gaiden soundtracks earlier today. lol

Looks like it's vinyl only, but I think you can still order the CDs from Brave Wave's website.

 

[MattX20]

https://twitter.com/LimitedRunGames/status/1372643480799961089?s=19

Speak of the devil, LRG/Brave Wave announced that they're doing another run of the Ninja Gaiden soundtracks earlier today. lol

Looks like it's vinyl only, but I think you can still order the CDs from Brave Wave's website.

Interesting timing to say the least

 

[RETROROTER]

You know all this Ryu Hayabusa promotion with various stuff, like these LRG Vinyl’s, kinda reminds me of when various Banjo-Kazooie merchandise increased like crazy before their reveal in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as they collaborated with a bunch of people like First 4 Figures, Totaku, and more. Also unrelated to Ryu Hayabusa but more related to another KOEI TECMO character I love, Yuri Kozukata who is the protagonist of FATAL FRAME: MAIDEN OF BLACKWATER, might have her game ported to the Nintendo Switch soon as a way to celebrate FATAL FRAME’s 20th Anniversary this year or it could be a new FATAL FRAME, either way something MIGHT be happening for the FATAL FRAME series this year and that’s awesome, I expect we would get more news on that in December or earliest October/November (quote from KOEI TEMCO designer Keisuke Kikuchi)

 

[TDDolphin]

If we go by Smash fan logic, he'd logically arrive as the "final and least exciting" character reveal of the current pattern.

Aww boo hoo. Life is full of disappointment.

 

[RETROROTER]

Probably nothing but prominent leaker Shinobi602 who leaked Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and has leaked tons of other stuff has RECENTLY started following Team NINJA, once again it’s probably nothing but it’s something I thought I’d point out given the timing of everything

 

[iMACobra]

Probably nothing but prominent leaker Shinobi602 who leaked Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and has leaked tons of other stuff has RECENTLY started following Team NINJA, once again it’s probably nothing but it’s something I thought I’d point out given the timing of everything View attachment 307893

How ironic if a ninja were to leak Ryu Hayabusa considering his name is Shinobi lol

 

[RETROROTER]

How ironic if a ninja were to leak Ryu Hayabusa considering his name is Shinobi lol

Lol it would be the most ironic thing ever for sure

 

[ZenythSmash]

Probably nothing but prominent leaker Shinobi602 who leaked Banjo-Kazooie in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and has leaked tons of other stuff has RECENTLY started following Team NINJA, once again it’s probably nothing but it’s something I thought I’d point out given the timing of everything View attachment 307893

Exciting but, as you already noted, a VERY HUGE WARNING to not look too deep into it or throw it around as damning case for 'Busa coming to Smash or something else Team Ninja-related.
A few times recently people thought Shinobi was hinting something but wasn't/doing his own normal activity stuff. That definitely a case, but could be for something else interesting.

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

Exciting but, as you already noted, a VERY HUGE WARNING to not look too deep into it or throw it around as damning case for 'Busa coming to Smash or something else Team Ninja-related.
A few times recently people thought Shinobi was hinting something but wasn't/doing his own normal activity stuff. That definitely a case, but could be for something else interesting.

It could be a case of crying for wolf. Remember when Steve supporters got excited for any Microsoft/Minecraft-related events possibly revealing him for Smash, regardless of the fact that Smash reveals are generally on Nintendo's own terms? It eventually amounted to something for last year's Minecon...but mainly because the reveal arrived shortly before that.

Of course, it could be like Jon Cartwright not always hinting at things with his otter posts, but we'll see.

How ironic if a ninja were to leak Ryu Hayabusa considering his name is Shinobi lol

As long as said ninja doesn't get ninjaed in the process.

 

[Looma]

How ironic if a ninja were to leak Ryu Hayabusa considering his name is Shinobi lol

It's all a red herring and his namesake Joe Musashi is coming to Smash instead.

 

[ZenythSmash]

It's all a red herring and his namesake Joe Musashi is coming to Smash instead.
View attachment 307979

if only SEGA was this based to let some of their oldest IPs shine in Smash.

 

[Wonder Smash]

Just to think, Sega had a crossover fighting game of their own before Nintendo.

I wonder what it would have been like if they kept making more Fighters Megamix games? It would have been interesting if they went beyond just Sega AM2 characters.

 

[Starlight Liger]

I think Hayabusa would work very well for both. CP10 because Ninja Gaiden Master Collection releases in June, same month E3 would've happened which is when the next fighter is projected to be revealed and released then. CP11 wouldn't be a bad spot either. I'm banking on Koei Tecmo's relationship with Nintendo having created the likes of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity and Fire Emblem: Three Houses for why his reveal could still be pretty huge at this point since people don't give that enough credit. Those games are some of Nintendo's biggest Switch titles after all. Being next or last are still perfectly logical spots for a Koei Tecmo rep.

When Pyra and Mythra were revealed, most people didn't go "Oh, it's the characters by Monolith Soft, the company that helped with Breath of the Wild and did support work for Splatoon 2 and Animal Crossing New Horizons". I think it's smart for Ryu Hayabusa's reveal to be after Pyra and Mythra. Unlike Pyra and Mythra, I think they can showcase him in such a way that he doesn't scream "Swordfighter".

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

When Pyra and Mythra were revealed, most people didn't go "Oh, it's the characters by Monolith Soft, the company that helped with Breath of the Wild and did support work for Splatoon 2 and Animal Crossing New Horizons". I think it's smart for Ryu Hayabusa's reveal to be after Pyra and Mythra. Unlike Pyra and Mythra, I think they can showcase him in such a way that he doesn't scream "Swordfighter".

Well, if we want to be technical, Koei-Tecmo even did a Warriors spin-off for FE themselves, so it'd certainly be less of a surprise to those people.

The guy is basically a walking armory in the modern era, so I would want to see the shuriken, claws and scythe, at least.

Just to think, Sega had a crossover fighting game of their own before Nintendo.

I wonder what it would have been like if they kept making more Fighters Megamix games? It would have been interesting if they went beyond just Sega AM2 characters.

Ryo and Kiryu squaring off

That would have been great, honestly.

 

[iMACobra]

When Pyra and Mythra were revealed, most people didn't go "Oh, it's the characters by Monolith Soft, the company that helped with Breath of the Wild and did support work for Splatoon 2 and Animal Crossing New Horizons". I think it's smart for Ryu Hayabusa's reveal to be after Pyra and Mythra. Unlike Pyra and Mythra, I think they can showcase him in such a way that he doesn't scream "Swordfighter".

Very true, but I think it really helps KT's case having done those collabs anyway. It would just be incredibly baffling to me if we go this entire second Fighters Pass and we still don't get a Koei Tecmo fighter. I'm still hard pressed to find a very good reason why SNK of all companies got the pass to have their own fighter, and most people didn't find that likely at all.

Anyways, I think with the way Pyra/Mythra work, it'd be entirely feasible to have a Ryu that can switch between multiple weapon movesets and seamlessly switch between them so that "swordfighter" complaint isn't (as much) a thing.

 

[Starlight Liger]

Well, if we want to be technical, Koei-Tecmo even did a Warriors spin-off for FE themselves, so it'd certainly be less of a surprise to those people.

The guy is basically a walking armory in the modern era, so I would want to see the shuriken, claws and scythe, at least.

Very true, but I think it really helps KT's case having done those collabs anyway. It would just be incredibly baffling to me if we go this entire second Fighters Pass and we still don't get a Koei Tecmo fighter. I'm still hard pressed to find a very good reason why SNK of all companies got the pass to have their own fighter, and most people didn't find that likely at all.

Anyways, I think with the way Pyra/Mythra work, it'd be entirely feasible to have a Ryu that can switch between multiple weapon movesets and seamlessly switch between them so that "swordfighter" complaint isn't (as much) a thing.

Oh, I am completely confident in Ryu making it in, I just don't think he'll be revealed as the last fighter.

 

[KirbyWorshipper2465]

Oh, I am completely confident in Ryu making it in, I just don't think he'll be revealed as the last fighter.

Of the current pass, at least. That's understandable, there are too many variables to consider.

Could be Ryu, could be Rayman, could be Crash, could be Arle, could be another first-party whose series/game didn't get much content at Ultimate's launch (Ayumi Tachibana, a Splatoon 2 character, King Boo, etc), and so on, and so on. It's near-impossible to narrow it down, as it stands.

 

[Golden Icarus]

So I've been thinking about what kind of playstyle I would want Ryu to have and man...how on earth is he not already in Smash? There is just so much to pull from.

It's almost impossible to include everything that he has without giving him some sort of "weapon change" mechanic, which I would personally be against. I'd like him to be more traditional in his playstyle. Maybe they could include the tonfa, nunchacku, staves, etc. through some of his smash attacks and tilts. In general, they probably could get most of their influence from DoA, but given that Mega Man and Simon are heavily inspired by their original appearances, I think that it would be cool if the same thing was done for Ryu. Having his classic run and jump animations would be awesome. A Windmill Shuriken neutral special also sounds perfect, as it's just a really cool attack and would translate really well to Smash. And if there is one thing from the Sigma games that absolutely needs to be included it's the Izuna Drop. Such an awesome technique.

Gosh, there is just so much to work with. Normally, I'm pretty bad at designing movesets, but I could probably make like three unique movesets for Ryu that are all completely different. Considering how much Sakurai loves ninjas, fighting games and retro characters, I feel like he would have an absolute field day with Hayabusa.

 

[RETROROTER]

So I've been thinking about what kind of playstyle I would want Ryu to have and man...how on earth is he not already in Smash? There is just so much to pull from.

It's almost impossible to include everything that he has without giving him some sort of "weapon change" mechanic, which I would personally be against. I'd like him to be more traditional in his playstyle. Maybe they could include the tonfa, nunchacku, staves, etc. through some of his smash attacks and tilts. In general, they probably could get most of their influence from DoA, but given that Mega Man and Simon are heavily inspired by their original appearances, I think that it would be cool if the same thing was done for Ryu. Having his classic run and jump animations would be awesome. A Windmill Shuriken neutral special also sounds perfect, as it's just a really cool attack and would translate really well to Smash. And if there is one thing from the Sigma games that absolutely needs to be included it's the Izuna Drop. Such an awesome technique.

Gosh, there is just so much to work with. Normally, I'm pretty bad at designing movesets, but I could probably make like three unique movesets for Ryu that are all completely different. Considering how much Sakurai loves ninjas, fighting games and retro characters, I feel like he would have an absolute field day with Hayabusa.

Sakurai likes Ninja characters?

 

[magiciandude]

If Ryu Hayabusa becomes playable, he will be my main. He would have just that kind of play style that suits for me.