Team Ninja's classic action-adventure game Ninja Gaiden is a fan favorite, with many different versions that will all be included in the Master Collection, which players can pick up while they wait for the next installment in the series. One of those is Ninja Gaiden Sigma, which removes some features of the original while adding in some new playable characters and game modes.
Of course, it wouldn't be a ninja game without some classic weapons, and Ninja Gaiden Sigma includes many cool and interesting ones to choose from. From swords to nunchucks, they each vary in their strengths and weaknesses, though nearly all of them can be effective in combat if used in the right way.
Updated June 9, 2022, by Jason Van Duine: There are a large variety of weapons that players can acquire throughout Ninja Gaiden Sigma, and while many are unique and interesting, there are plenty of seemingly simple weapons that can still do plenty of damage. Ninja Gaiden Sigma supplies its players with more than a dozen weapons to choose from. From melee to ranged weapons, there's essentially enough to keep players on their toes throughout combat. With a large variety, knowing which are the best weapons in Ninja Gaiden Sigma is certainly a good idea for players.
16 Spear Gun
The Spear Gun isn't a completely useless weapon, though it doesn't have quite as much of a purpose above water. It can be found in Chapter 11 of the game and is primarily used against underwater targets.
While it can be used on dry land, it isn't very effective. On the plus side, there isn't an ammunition limit on the gun.
15 Nunchaku
These classic melee weapons are a nice addition to the game, though don't serve quite as much of a function as some other weapons. Players can pick up these nunchucks in Chapter 4 on a dead body.
They're fast, but unfortunately, serve little-to-no practical use in the game. The Vigoorian Flail is very similar in design to the Nunchaku, but is far more deadly than their nunchuck counterpart.
14 Peluda Tail
This might primarily be a grappling hook, but it can be used as a ranged weapon to a devastating effect. Wielded by Rachel, they can be shot during combat to deal a decent amount of damage.
They can also very easily stun enemies. The Peluda Tail doesn't have much use in combat aside from this, ranking it lower than the other weapons.
13 Kitetsu
The Kitetsu sword is interesting in the way that it affects the player, even if it doesn't translate to Sigma. Players can find this weapon in the arena where they fight Doku for the second time.
It's a cursed sword, and it will eat away at Ryu's life while he wields it. The only way to prevent this is to continue killing enemies. However, this feature doesn't seem to take effect in Ninja Gaiden Black or Sigma. Otherwise, it's a decent slashing weapon with good strength, speed, and range.
12 Incendiary Shuriken
The Incendiary Shuriken is one of two different kinds of shurikens that players can acquire throughout Ninja Gaiden. It can be thrown like any other shuriken, though the Incendiary Shuriken is fitted with a small explosive that can be detonated. They can first be found in the Monastery in the display exhibit case, though can also be found later throughout the game.
The main advantage of the Incendiary Shuriken is its potentially deadly explosion. Its explosive properties are enough to instantly kill most lesser enemies and are most useful in taking down the purple lesser Quetzalcoatl and other flying enemies. However, the detonation doesn't happen right away, and if players aren't careful, they might end up taking some of the damage as well. The Incendiary Shuriken also doesn't do much to bosses or higher-level enemies.
11 Woodmill Shuriken
Both kinds of shuriken can be useful, so it may really come down to player preference as to which one is better. The Windmill Shuriken, which can be found in Han's bar as a reward for completing Ayane's challenge, has many advantages that the Incendiary Shuriken doesn't, making the challenge a worthy investment.
The Windmill Shuriken can fly at high speeds and can hit enemies multiple times. It also can't be blocked very easily by any humanoid enemies. Finally, it can deflect other shuriken and does a decent amount of damage, making it extra-useful. The main disadvantage is its slower throwing rate.
10 Bow
The bow in Ninja Gaiden is an effective ranged weapon, made only stronger midway through the game. There are multiple arrow types that the player can use: the basic arrow, an explosive arrow, and an armor-piercing arrow. This makes the weapon useful in most combat situations. The player can carry up to 15 of each arrow type and 45 arrows in total.
The bow also has a relatively fast cooldown, allowing the player to fire 1-2 arrows per second. Plus, the bow eventually gets replaced with the superior strongbow, allowing it to carry the weapon's strength at greater distances. The only real downside is that the bow is essentially useless during boss battles.
9 Plasma Saber
A call-back to the classic lightsaber weapon from Star Wars, the Plasma Saber is a futuristic sword that players can find by collecting all 50 Golden Scarabs in Sigma.
In terms of gameplay, it's remarkably similar to the Dragon Sword, which means that it's quick and powerful. However, for players looking for a similarly powerful yet more immersive weapon, the Dragon Sword may be a better choice.
8 Dragon's Claw & Tiger's Blade
As fans of Ninja Gaiden know, Dragon's Claw and Tiger's Blade are two katanas that are wielded together. In Sigma, they can be found in Chapter 3 in a small room leading away from the foyer of the Airship.
They're not quite as nimble as some of the other weapons, though their high speed and damage make up for it. They're great weapons for crowd control and are one of the few weapons that can be upgraded to level 4.
7 War Hammer
The War Hammer is a slow weapon, and may not be as simple or effective as other weapons in the game. That being said, it doesn't mean that it's worth completely discounting. The War Hammer is difficult, but it's a weapon that requires great skill to handle, so anyone able to work up such a skill will find it a blast to use.
It also features many moves that other weapons lack. These include the Steel Severer move, which is the fastest heavy weapon attack in the game, and Flaming Torrent, which deals an incredible amount of damage.
6 Vigoorian Flail
These bladed nunchucks are far superior to the traditional Nunchaku players acquire in the game. The fastest melee weapon in the game, the Vigoorian Flail is a great choice for those who know when to use it.
They're not ideal for the boss battles in Sigma. Instead, players should use the Vigoorian Flail crowd control and close-quarters combat where they're ideal.
5 Dabilahro
The Dabilahro already starts off as a powerful sword, but it becomes even more powerful when upgraded. It isn't effective on small or fast enemies. Instead, players should save the Dabilahro for bigger enemies, especially bosses.
It has the ability to stun enemies, and it becomes deadly when paired with Counter Attack and Flaming Hell slash. It also becomes fast and efficient when used with Ultimate Techniques.
4 Unlabored Flawlessness
This weapon begins life as the Wooden Sword, a fine practice weapon but not ideal for actual combat. However, it can be upgraded 6 times, eventually becoming the much more powerful Unlabored Flawlessness.
This weapon actually becomes stronger as the player's health decreases, to a point. It can also perform effective aerial attacks and even take down bosses in seconds.
3 Lunar Staff
The Lunar Staff is a great well-rounded weapon and one of the finest weapons in the game. Like the Vigoorian Flail, the Lunar Staff can be great for crowd control, though it has much higher strength than the Vigoorian Flail.
It features a great charge attack, incredible range, and many fantastic combos. It doesn't do quite as much damage as some other weapons in the game but still has many other amazing features.
2 Dark Dragon Blade
The entire plot of Ninja Gaiden revolves around the Dark Dragon Blade, so as players can imagine, it's a great weapon to use. To get the blade, players have to collect all 50 Golden Scarabs, then talk to Muramasa.
They'll be rewarded with a weapon so powerful that almost every move is practically an instant kill. It features many fast and short combos and deals some of the highest damage of all the weapons in the game.
1 Dragon Sword
Quick, powerful, and balanced, the Dragon Sword is clearly the best weapon Ryu can wield in the game. It's highly versatile and features some of the best combos in the entire game. It also has the Flying Swallow move, which is one of the finest moves in the game.
Plus, the Dragon Sword is effective both with and against the elements. Combining the sword with elemental abilities make its attacks more devastating, and it can block most of the elements. It can eventually become the True Dragon Sword once the Eye of the Dragon is fitted.
Ninja Gaiden Sigma is available on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows.