The Last Ninja Collection, a highly anticipated release, has now been confirmed for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S/X, joining the previously announced PC and Nintendo Switch versions scheduled for release in 2025. This collection will bring together classic titles from the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Commodore Amiga for the first time, including The Last Ninja, Last Ninja 2, Last Ninja 3, and Ninja Remix, among other retro hits.

The Kickstarter campaign for the project was fully funded in just 40 minutes, demonstrating the immense excitement from the fanbase. In addition to the core collection, backers at the Diamond Ultimate level will gain access to rare, never-before-seen content, including work-in-progress versions of Last Ninja 4 from 2002 and 2018, as well as an unreleased remaster of International Karate (IK++), all of which have been locked away from the public until now. These extras provide a unique glimpse into unreleased developments that hold significant historical value.

Mark Cale, CEO of System 3, shared his excitement: “I’m delighted to bring The Last Ninja Collection to our fans, collectors, and even more players curious about these retro game classics.” Cale continued, “The response to the Kickstarter has been fantastic, and we’re driven to fulfill even more requests from our fans, including bringing the collection to all the current generation of consoles. These iconic retro games had a significant impact on the video game market in the '80s and '90s, and their importance cannot be overstated."

Beyond offering these legendary titles, System 3 is setting a new standard in game preservation. The Diamond tier of the Kickstarter includes not only gameplay, but also artwork, storyboards, and even redacted contracts and correspondence with past partners like EA and Activision. These materials will give fans and backers an inside look at the business dealings and creative processes that shaped this historic franchise.

One of the standout inclusions is a playable demo of IK++, the sequel to International Karate+, which was in development until its cancellation in 2021. This unfinished project serves as an additional layer of preservation, highlighting the "what could have been" moments in the retro gaming world, making this project even more valuable for collectors and historians alike.

The Last Ninja series has sold over 23 million copies worldwide, cementing its place as one of the most influential franchises in gaming history. System 3’s focus on preserving not just the games but also the behind-the-scenes content is a significant contribution to video game preservation efforts, ensuring that both the titles and their development legacy endure for future generations.

By incorporating long-lost documents and contracts from iconic publishers and hardware makers like Sony, Sega, and Nintendo, this collection offers an unprecedented window into the inner workings of the gaming industry during the 1980s and 1990s. This goes beyond nostalgia, making it a valuable historical record of the golden age of gaming.

With the inclusion of these exclusive additions, The Last Ninja Collection becomes not just a celebration of the past but also a commitment to preserving video game history for decades to come.