Do I need the original game files to run Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.

How is Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation licensed?

project: MIT (project's own source — the build configuration, the tools, the launcher and its settings UI). The repository itself is the authoritative source.

Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation

RecompilationActive

The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port.

Based on Ninja Gaiden II

Image of the original game, Ninja Gaiden II. This project has no screenshots of its own yet.

Ninja Gaiden II (original game, not this project) — Image of the original game, Ninja Gaiden II. This project has no screenshots of its own yet.

Links, repository & details

About

Ninja's Dawn is a static recompilation of Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox 360) into a native Windows executable, built on the ReXGlue SDK. The README says it is not an emulator: the game's PowerPC code is translated ahead of time to x86-64 and the graphics are drawn by a Direct3D 12 renderer built into the executable.

How it differs from the original

The README lists PC settings in front of the game, a 60 fps frame rate, and an optional upscaled texture pack using a bundled AI upscaler (Real-ESRGAN).

Getting started

Download the release zip, unzip it and run ng2.exe, then point the setup screen at your own Ninja Gaiden II disc image (.iso) or an extracted folder containing default.xex. The README says the project ships no game data and requires Windows 10/11 64-bit and a Direct3D 12 GPU.

Known issues & limitations

Chapter-loading videos cannot be skipped.
Achievements earned in a chapter are awarded when the next chapter loads, not at the chapter end.
A long unattended run has not yet confirmed that the attract demo freeze is fully resolved.

What you need to run it

Original game files required. The project ships code only; you provide your own copy of the game (Xbox 360, Windows version).

You need your own Xbox 360 copy of the game, as an ISO or an extracted folder containing default.xex.
You need a Direct3D 12 GPU with 2 GB of video memory; 4 GB or more is recommended for the upscaled texture pack.
Allow about 8 GB of free disk space.
Your own Xbox 360 DLC packages are optional and are needed for DLC weapons and costumes.

Features

You can import Xbox 360 save folders during setup.
You can use keyboard shortcuts to open settings, show performance readouts and switch the texture pack live.

How to install

Optionally select your DLC folder and import saves, then press Play.
To reopen setup, hold Shift while launching or enable the setup-screen option in settings.

Controls

F10 opens settings over the running game.
F9 toggles the upscaled texture pack live.
F3 shows the frame-timing overlay.

Summarised from the project's README.

Additional notes

Requirements: The README asks for about 8 GB of free disk space and 2 GB of video memory, with 4 GB or more for the upscaled texture pack.
Optional content: Your own Xbox 360 DLC packages can be supplied for the DLC weapons and costumes.

FAQ

What is Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation?: Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation is an open-source recompilation of Ninja Gaiden II. The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port. The original game ran on Xbox 360 and Windows.
Do I need the original game files to run Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation?: Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.
How is Ninja Gaiden II Recompilation licensed?: project: MIT (project's own source — the build configuration, the tools, the launcher and its settings UI). The repository itself is the authoritative source.