Hardcore series fans didn’t care for Ninja Gaiden 3 very much when it first hit PS3 and Xbox 360 earlier this year. It was too streamlined from the previous games and just didn’t have that same level of tightly balanced skill-based combat Ninja Gaiden‘s main audience expects. I only played a bit and thought it was fun, but I’m not exactly a Ninja Gaiden purist.

Nintendo gave Team Ninja a shot at redemption, and it sounds like they took advantage of it to polish Ninja Gaiden 3 up for the revamped Razor’s Edge edition out now exclusively on Wii U, much like the team has done with past Sigma revisions.

While it sounds like it’s still probably the weakest of the modern Ninja Gaiden games, by most accounts Team Ninja used fan feedback to address many of the original version’s low points. Most importantly, the combat system has been redesigned, complimented by an increase in weapons from three to six and an increase in Ninpo from one to three.

Here’s a list of some of the other new features and upgrades to give you an idea of what’s been tweaked and what’s been added:

– Ayane as a playable character: In previous versions of the game, Ayane appeared only briefly in one cut scene. Now players can help her progress through her own exclusive chapters using a special set of weapons and Ninpo attacks.

– Character-progression system: Using Karma points earned during game play, players can upgrade weapons and Ninpo, learn new moves, increase their HP level and unlock new character costumes.

– Ryu and Ayane playable in co-op mode: For the first time, players can use Ryu or Ayane to represent themselves in the game’s online co-op mode.

– Test of Valor battle areas: Each chapter includes a hidden battle area called Test of Valor. Upon finding hidden Crystal Skulls, players will be transported to these areas to face down waves of enemies and classic NINJA GAIDEN boss characters with new moves.

– Wii U GamePad Functionality: Using the Wii U GamePad, players can easily change weapons or Ninpo attacks, and also quickly reference the button inputs required for various combo attacks without ever stopping the action.

– Additional Playable Characters: After the launch of the game, additional playable characters will become available as free downloadable content. More information about these characters will be revealed at a later time.

– More Tenacious Enemies: The Wii U version of the game restores enemies’ ability to fight when severely wounded, requiring players to stay nimble with their battle strategies.

Pretty impressive, no? So, if you didn’t care for Ninja Gaiden 3 before, think about giving it another shot on the Wii U. Even if it’s still not the ideal Ninja Gaiden, you have to admire Team Ninja’s commitment and persistence to get it right.

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Nintendo land marks the third stop on our recap tour of the many games of E3 2012, and coincidentally enough, a game called Nintendo Land is among the top sights to see. Nintendo Land is but one of many shiny new titles Nintendo brought to its Wii U coming-out party. Mario, Luigi, Wario and those adorable Pikmin are all on the guest list, joined by third-party icons like Rayman, Batman, Ryu Hayabusa and Ubisoft’s rascally Rabbids.

E3 was also a show of continued momentum for the Nintendo 3DS. After a sluggish start, Nintendo’s 3D gaming handheld has survived through a tough recovery process and is now charging full steam ahead with new installments in mega-franchises like New Super Mario Bros., Paper Mario, Luigi’s Mansion, Kingdom Hearts and Castlevania.

Nintendo Land (Wii U):
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New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U):
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Pikmin 3 (Wii U):
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New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS):
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Paper Mario: Sticker Star (3DS):
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Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS):
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ZombiU (Wii U):
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LEGO City: Undercover (Wii U):
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Trine 2: Director’s Cut (Wii U):
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Rayman Legends (Wii U):
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Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition (Wii U):
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Wii Fit U (Wii U):
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Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate (3DS):
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Code of Princess (3DS):
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Game & Wario (Wii U):
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Heroes of Ruin (3DS):
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Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance (3DS):
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Marvel Pinball 3D (3DS):
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Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge (Wii U):
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Panorama View (Wii U):
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Project P-100 (Wii U):
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Rabbids Land (Wii U):
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Scribblenauts Unlimited (Wii U):
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SiNG (Wii U):
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Sports Connection (Wii U):
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TANK! TANK! TANK! (Wii U):
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Borderlands 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Mario Tennis Open (Nintendo 3DS):
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Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion (Nintendo 3DS):
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Risen 2: Dark Waters (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Aliens: Colonial Marines (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City – Spec Ops DLC (PS3, Xbox 360):
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Mass Effect 3: Resurgence Pack (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning – Teeth of Naros DLC (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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XCOM: Enemy Unknown (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Spec Ops: The Line (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Way of the Samurai 4 (PS3):
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Ninja Gaiden 3 – DLC 1 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Double Dragon: Neon (PSN, XBLA):
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Marvel Pinball: Avengers Chronicles – World War Hulk (XBLA, PS3 and PS Vita via PSN):
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Pokémon Conquest (Nintendo DS):
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Skylanders Spyro’s Adventure -Warnado, Camo and Wham-Shell Toys (3DS, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360):
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Skylanders Cloud Patrol (iPhone, iPad, iPod touch):
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FIFA Soccer 12 – UEFA EURO 2012 Digital Expansion (PC, PS3, Xbox 360):
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Primal Carnage (PC, PSN, XBLA):
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The Witch and the Hundred Knights (PS3):
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Mugen Souls (PS3):
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Legasista (PS3):
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