Ninja Gaiden 4 stands as one of the first major action titles to fully utilize the capabilities of Sony’s upgraded PlayStation 5 Pro console, offering clear graphical and performance improvements over the standard PS5 version. The latest entry in Team Ninja’s long-running hack-and-slash series delivers a notably polished technical experience across both systems, but the PS5 Pro’s additional power provides a tangible advantage in smoothness and image quality.
The game features multiple display options across the two platforms. On the standard PS5, players can select from three distinct modes: Quality Mode, which prioritizes visual fidelity at high settings and 30 frames per second; Performance Mode, which balances medium settings with a consistent 60fps target; and a 120fps Mode designed for displays supporting higher refresh rates, running at lower settings for maximum responsiveness. The PS5 Pro, however, introduces a fourth option exclusive to the console — Pro Mode — which maintains the same high settings as the PS5’s Quality Mode but boosts performance to 60fps at a native 1440p resolution.
A key difference lies in the upscaling technology employed by each system. The PS5 relies on AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), while the PS5 Pro uses Sony’s proprietary PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution). This allows the Pro version to maintain sharper image reconstruction, especially during fast-paced combat sequences and dynamic camera shifts typical of Ninja Gaiden 4’s frenetic gameplay. Despite the game’s intensity, frame rates remain impressively stable across all modes, demonstrating a refined level of optimization by the development team.
In practice, the PS5 Pro version’s Pro Mode offers the most balanced experience, combining high graphical detail with fluid 60fps performance, making it the recommended choice for players seeking both visual fidelity and responsive controls. Meanwhile, the standard PS5 version’s Performance Mode remains the best option for most players, ensuring smooth gameplay without major compromises in image quality.
Beyond its technical achievements, Ninja Gaiden 4 continues the franchise’s legacy of demanding, high-speed combat and challenging boss encounters. The game introduces a new protagonist, Yakumo of the Raven clan, while series icon Ryu Hayabusa also returns as a major playable character. Set in a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired Tokyo consumed by chaos after the return of the Dark Dragon, the title combines the mechanical precision of Team Ninja with PlatinumGames’ cinematic flair. Together, the studios have revitalized the series’ formula, merging sharp action design with modern performance standards that benefit greatly from the PS5 Pro’s upgraded hardware.
In an era where cross-generational releases often struggle to distinguish themselves, Ninja Gaiden 4 delivers a technically confident presentation that showcases the PS5 Pro’s capabilities while preserving the series’ trademark intensity. Whether played for its punishing combat or its visual spectacle, the game proves that the next generation of action titles can indeed make meaningful use of Sony’s enhanced console technology.
