10 Criminally Underrated Video Game Sequels Nobody Played

6. Ninja Gaiden II (Xbox 360)

2004's Ninja Gaiden was a godsend for the action genre. Arguably the first 3D action game to really build off of what Devil May Cry started, Ninja Gaiden's blazing speed and punishing difficulty showed gamers everywhere that this new style of action could be just as intense as the best of the 2D era. Ninja Gaiden II furthered the efforts of the reboot by one-upping it in nearly every way. The levels were more creative, the combat was much tighter and the violence had been increased to such insane degrees that it was almost comical. Beyond those cartoonish buckets of blood, though, lies an incredibly smart action game that asks players to advance their skill level as the game progresses. If NG II has one shortcoming, it's that the game initially released almost four years after the reboot and didn't really reflect that time difference in the graphics or basic structure. Perhaps developer Team Ninja sat on this one for too long, but the quality of this sequel is undeniable.