Ninja Masters: Haoh Ninpocho Launches on Steam as NEOGEO Premium Selection Title
The Steam release brings a niche 1996 SNK fighter with a weapon-switching mechanic to a modern audience with rollback netcode, a feature that has become expected for competitive online play in fighting games.
Key Facts
- SNK released Ninja Masters: Haoh Ninpocho on Steam on June 29, 2026, as part of the NEOGEO Premium Selection.
- The game is set in the fictional country of Jipang, inspired by Japan's Sengoku period, and features 12 martial artists including ninja, exorcists, swordsmen, and thieves.
- Each character can switch between weapon and bare-handed combat in real time during battle.
- A 25% launch discount brings the price to 2,227 yen from the regular 2,970 yen, running until July 11.
Reporting from 3 sources: GAME Watch (Impress), 4Gamer.net, Game Spark.
SNK released the 1996 arcade fighting game Ninja Masters: Haoh Ninpocho on Steam on June 29, 2026, as part of the NEOGEO Premium Selection. The Steam port adds rollback netcode for online play, a practice mode with speed adjustment, a tournament mode supporting single elimination, double elimination, and league formats, and a lobby system for up to nine players. The game is set in the fictional country of Jipang, inspired by Japan's Sengoku period, and features 12 martial artists including ninja, exorcists, swordsmen, and thieves. Each character can switch between weapon and bare-handed combat in real time. A 25% launch discount brings the price to 2,227 yen from the regular 2,970 yen, running until July 11. The release also includes achievements that unlock avatar icons.
The Steam version includes a lobby system that can accommodate up to nine players, with settings to enable or disable hidden characters. A tournament mode supports single elimination, double elimination, and league formats.
The game's roster of 12 characters includes Sasuke, the rogue ninja protagonist and an all-rounder type; Kamui, his best friend and rival, a mobile technical fighter; Raiga, a bounty hunter and power type; Tenwa, an onmyoji with projectiles and traps; Karasu, a mad swordsman with high-risk, high-attack performance; Houou, an exorcist and mid-range balance type; Natsume, a young female ninja and speed combo type; Kasumi, a female ninja focused on spacing; Unzen, a giant monk and throw type; Goemon, a great thief with tricky movements; Ranmaru, a mid-boss with strong all-rounder performance; and Nobunaga, the final boss with overwhelming technique and power.
The story is set in the fictional country of Jipang, inspired by Japan's Sengoku period, where 300 years of chaos continue. Each character can switch between their unique weapon and bare-handed combat in real time during battle, and each has multiple combo routes, giving the game high replay value. The Steam version retains this system while adding the new features.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 3 cited sources below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.