Heads up

If the only thing keeping you from picking up a Vita at launch is a lack of gallons of blood, fear not, as Tecmo Koei has confirmed that Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus will be slashing its way to North American shelves for the system's launch.

The updated portable port will make use of Vita's touch controls and gyro sensor, and will feature an easier Hero mode for beginners, which automatically blocks attacks and assists with dodging. Tecmo assures us there will also be a Normal and Hard mode for all "those hard-core Ninjas out there."

BURLINGAME, Calif. January 6th, 2012 – TECMO KOEI AMERICA and Team NINJA announced today that NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA PLUS, a launch window title for the PlayStation®Vita handheld entertainment system, will be released on February 22nd 2012.

The worldwide acclaimed action hit NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA that was developed for the PlayStation®3 is back and better than ever on the PlayStation® Vita. Combining the high speed unique action of Ninja Gaiden with the exciting new features of the PlayStation® Vita console, including the touchscreen, gyro sensor, and the rear touch pad, Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus will become the definitive package for fans and action gamers worldwide. Toggling between 1st and 3rd person views, using the gyro sensor to target your enemies and shoot projectiles, and launching stronger Ninpo using the rear touch pad are only a few of the thrilling additions to the game.

Whether players are long-time experts or newbies to the fierce world of Ryu Hayabusa, they can relive the story from the beginning, enjoying a variety of play styles - Hero, Normal and Hard and even more. The Hero mode makes flashy weapon combat an ease, as it gives players automatic guard and evasion assists. It also allows players to execute enhanced Ninpo techniques, all which are possible through simple controls, giving novice players a chance to easily enjoy the rich story; while hardcore veterans are in for classic Ninja Gaiden challenge in the Normal and Hard styles, along with even more difficulties for those hard-core Ninjas out there!

"The Ninja Gaiden series lends itself to a great experience on this amazing new platform," says Yosuke Hayashi, Studio Head of Team NINJA. "We're confident that gamers, both our fans and those new to the series, will find NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA PLUS to be a thrilling and challenging experience that lives up to the spirit of what the series is best known for while offering a host of new and portable gameplay mechanics."

Coupled with this is an array of Ninja Trials which will test the might of the toughest Ninja.　These sub-missions will have a multitude of difficulties and unique mission content such as only using projectile weapons among others. The Mission Mode from the Sigma series is now bigger and better than ever!

NINJA GAIDEN SIGMA PLUS will be reborn on PlayStation® Vita on February 22nd 2012.