Ninja Five-O Makes Unexpected Return After Two Decades in the Shadows

The highly sought-after GameBoy Advance title Ninja Five-O is making its way to current gaming platforms. This cult classic, originally released in 2003, gained legendary status not only for its gameplay but also due to its extremely limited production run, which has made original cartridges incredibly scarce.

Known in some territories as Ninja Cop, the game’s North American and European title “Five-O” was inspired by the popular 1960s television series “Hawaii Five-O.” Despite being developed by Japanese studio Hudson Software, the game never saw a release in its home country. Over the years, original copies have become so rare that they’ve commanded prices exceeding $1,000 on the secondary market.

Konami has revealed plans to bring this classic to PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Steam. Physical editions will retail for $34.99 across all platforms, while digital versions are available for pre-order at $21.24. A limited Collector’s Edition was briefly available at $79.99 but has already sold out, along with the standard physical copies on the official website.

Konami Preserves Original Experience with Minimal Modern Enhancements

Limited Run Games is handling this re-release, which maintains the original graphics and control scheme while introducing two contemporary features. Players will now have access to a quick save function, allowing them to exit at any point without losing progress. Additionally, an instant rewind mechanic lets players reverse up to five seconds of gameplay, similar to features found in modern gaming collections.

While some fans have expressed disappointment that the re-release isn’t a full remake, this version still represents the first opportunity for many players to experience this acclaimed action platformer without resorting to emulation or paying premium prices for an original copy. The game launches on February 25, marking its first appearance outside of its original GameBoy Advance format.