October 21, 2025
Ninja Gaiden 4 Launches With Record-Breaking Two-Helicopter Stunt Over Miami Team Ninja’s Emmanuel “Master” Rodriguez and rapper Swae Lee took to the skies to celebrate the return of Ryu Hayabusa with a gravity-defying world record
After more than a decade away, Ninja Gaiden is back — and Team Ninja made sure its return made headlines. To celebrate the launch of Ninja Gaiden 4, community manager Emmanuel “Master” Rodriguez and musician Swae Lee pulled off one of the most audacious video game launch stunts ever attempted: playing the game mid-air from a helicopter, on a massive screen carried by another helicopter.
The spectacle — staged above the skies of Miami — officially set a new Guinness World Record for the largest video game display ever flown by helicopter.
🚁 A Stunt Worthy of a Ninja
During the event, Rodriguez played as Yakumo, the new hero joining Ryu Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden 4, while Swae Lee performed live tracks from his latest album, Flammable.
The concept was directly inspired by the game’s high-rise Tokyo setting, where skyscrapers have grown even taller to rise above the toxic floodwaters that have swallowed the lower city. Just as Ryu’s battles now soar through futuristic skylines, the marketing team took the action literally sky-high.
🎮 Ninja Gaiden 4: The Return of a Legend
It’s been 13 years since Ryu Hayabusa’s last solo outing in Ninja Gaiden 3, and Ninja Gaiden 4 aims to modernize the franchise while keeping its famously challenging edge. Players can expect:
- Two playable heroes: Ryu Hayabusa and newcomer Yakumo.
- A reimagined Tokyo split between towering skyscrapers and submerged ruins.
- Flexible difficulty settings, allowing both veterans and newcomers to enjoy the combat at their own pace.
- Next-gen visuals and performance, available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
The game officially launches October 21, though regional release times may vary. Xbox players can also enjoy Ninja Gaiden 4 day one with Game Pass Ultimate.
🕊️ Honoring a Legacy
The launch also carries emotional weight for fans. Earlier this month, Tomonobu Itagaki, the legendary game designer behind both Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive, passed away at the age of 58. His influence helped shape the series into one of gaming’s most revered action franchises, and his spirit of bold innovation lives on in Ninja Gaiden 4.
⚔️ Final Thoughts
A helicopter stunt. A Guinness World Record. And the return of one of gaming’s toughest heroes — Ninja Gaiden 4 is back with flair. Team Ninja’s sky-high celebration perfectly mirrors the energy of the franchise itself: daring, intense, and unapologetically over the top.
Ninja Gaiden 4 launches October 21, 2025, on all major platforms. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a first-time challenger, prepare to test your skills once again — and maybe keep both feet on the ground while doing it.