Ninja Gaiden 3 has been assigned an official release date. Before it was revealed to be sometime in March, but now we know that March 20 will be the precise day the game will be available at retail. The title will ship in a normal version, as well as a Collector's Edition dubbed the "truly deluxe package."

The Collector's Edition will only be available at GameStop and will include an art book, soundtrack CD, "Duel of the Masked" figure, and a demo of Dead or Alive 5 with four characters. Pre-ordering at GameStop will also get you a Dead or Alive 5 demo, but with two characters, Hitomi and Ryu Hayabusa. If you pre-order the standard edition at Amazon, the demo will include Ayane and Hayate only.

TECMO KOEI AMERICA AND TEAM NINJA REVEAL NINJA GAIDEN 3 SHIP DATE ALONG WITH COLLECTOR'S EDITION AND PREORDER DETAILS

Highly Anticipated Action Title to Ship in March 2012 with Exclusive Downloadable Preorder Incentives at GameStop and Amazon as well as Massive Collector's Edition for Fans and Collectors

BURLINGAME, Calif. December 15, 2011 – TECMO KOEI America, a leading publisher of interactive games, today revealed the scheduled ship date, preorder details, and contents of the Collector's Edition of its upcoming action title, NINJA GAIDEN 3. Developed by Team NINJA, the innovative new installment in the famed core action series will be available on March 20, 2012 for the Xbox 360®video game and entertainment system from Microsoft and the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, with a value-packed NINJA GAIDEN 3 Collector's Edition available for both console platforms.

NINJA GAIDEN 3 spotlights the series' beloved Japanese dark hero, Ryu Hayabusa, with an original story developed by famed writer Masato Kato bringing new depth to the game's intense swordsmanship and hardcore action combat. Led by studio leader Yosuke Hayashi, Team NINJA has crafted the game to immerse players in a new experience as the man, the human being, behind the ultimate ninja's mask. As well as adding dimension to this mysterious and complex character, the game delivers a heightened intensity during close combat fighting while featuring new competitive and co-op online multiplayer that brings a new experience to the NINJA GAIDEN series. At launch, it will be time for players to pick up the famed Dragon Sword once more to sharpen its blade and hone their skills.

Those who preorder NINJA GAIDEN 3 at GameStop and Amazon will get a special downloadable two-character demo stage from Team NINJA's upcoming DEAD OR ALIVE 5 fighting game, giving fans an exclusive chance to experience the game's high quality, high energy action fighting before it arrives in stores in 2012. Meanwhile, the premium NINJA GAIDEN 3 Collector's Edition offers a truly deluxe package that gives players a chance to play all four characters in the DEAD OR ALIVE 5 demo stage, an exclusive NINJA GAIDEN 3 "Unmask" game art book, soundtrack CD, and a unique "Duel of the Masked" figure not available elsewhere. Collector's Edition only available at GameStop and EB Games.

"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."

At GameStop, players who place a preorder will get access to a downloadable DEAD OR ALIVE 5 demo stage featuring a duel between NINJA GAIDEN's Hayabusa and DOA's Hitomi. At Amazon, preorder customers will get a duel between the DOA characters Ayane and Hayate. Purchasers of NINJA GAIDEN 3 Collector's Edition will be able to play the demo with all four characters.

NINJA GAIDEN 3 is ESRB rated "RP" (Rating Pending) and will carry MSRP $59.99 for the regular edition and $99.99 for the Collector's Edition. More details will be shared in the coming months as Team NINJA readies the title for its fans. The game will be published by Tecmo Koei America.

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