Ninja Gaiden 4 Could Spark the Return of a Fan Favorite Halo Armor Set

How the Upcoming Game Could Revive Iconic Gear from the Halo Universe

Ninja Gaiden 4 Could Spark the Return of a Fan-Favorite Halo Armor Set

The Upcoming Game Might Usher in the Return of Halo's Iconic Hayabusa Armor

At the 2025 Xbox Developer Direct, Team Ninja and PlatinumGames made two exciting announcements: Ninja Gaiden 4 will be released in Fall 2025, and a remastered version of Ninja Gaiden 2, titled Ninja Gaiden 2 Black, will also be available. These two titles will give players the chance to once again step into the shoes of the legendary ninja Ryu Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden 2 Black and meet the series newcomer Yakumo in Ninja Gaiden 4.

While these updates are already a treat for Ninja Gaiden fans, they also present an intriguing opportunity for longtime Halo players. With a new Halo game likely to be announced later this year, alongside the release of Ninja Gaiden 4, there's potential for a crossover that could bring the beloved Hayabusa armor back into the Halo universe, from Halo Infinite to future installments.

The Historic Collaboration Between Halo and Ninja Gaiden

Fans of Ninja Gaiden likely recognize Ryu Hayabusa as the series' fearless protagonist. However, his presence also extends into another major Team Ninja franchise: Dead or Alive, a nearly 30-year-old 3D fighting game series. After the success of Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, Team Ninja approached Bungie with an interesting proposal: they wanted to bring Master Chief into the next Dead or Alive game.

Instead, Bungie collaborated with Team Ninja to create an original Spartan II character named Nicole-458, who appeared as an unlockable fighter in Dead or Alive 4 for Xbox 360. In this game, players could pit Nicole-458 against Ryu Hayabusa in a special battle set in a stage inspired by the Halo universe's Cairo Station.

In exchange for this collaboration, Bungie designed a set of Spartan armor based on Ryu Hayabusa’s iconic look for Halo 3 in 2007. To unlock the Hayabusa armor, players had to find all the hidden skulls in Halo 3’s campaign and complete 50 achievements, a challenging task that made the Hayabusa armor set one of the most sought-after in Halo history. Its popularity was amplified by its cool, Japanese-inspired design and even became the subject of an infamous fan song, “Oh, Hayabusa!” by JT Machinima.

The Armor's Absence and Fan Demand

Despite its immense popularity, the Hayabusa armor did not return in subsequent Halo titles like Halo 3: ODST or Halo: Reach. The reasons for this are unclear, but fans continued to clamor for its return in future Halo installments. When development of Halo transitioned to 343 Industries, the demand for Hayabusa’s return remained strong.

In Halo 4, concept artist Gabriel Garza created a GEN2 version of Hayabusa, and 3D renders of the armor were developed by Liquid Development. However, the armor never made it into the game. It did make a return in Halo: The Master Chief Collection and was subtly continued in Halo Infinite with the addition of the Yoroi armor, which took inspiration from Japanese aesthetics.

The Return of Hayabusa in Halo Infinite and Beyond

With Ninja Gaiden 4 bringing Ryu Hayabusa back into the spotlight, the timing seems perfect for Microsoft and Team Ninja to rekindle their collaboration. Given that both Ninja Gaiden 4 and Ninja Gaiden 2 Black were revealed at the Xbox Developer Direct, there’s potential for a renewed partnership between Team Ninja and Halo Studios. This could lead to the return of the Hayabusa armor in Halo Infinite or the next mainline Halo game.

One possibility is that the original Hayabusa armor from Halo 3 could be recreated in Halo Infinite, similar to the return of Master Chief’s armor from Halo 2. Alternatively, the Hayabusa armor could be integrated into the existing Yoroi armor core, providing a new way for players to customize their Spartans.

A return of the Hayabusa armor could serve as an enticing feature for Halo fans who have long awaited its comeback, while simultaneously drawing attention to Ninja Gaiden 4. This potential collaboration could also work both ways. If Hayabusa makes his return in Halo, Team Ninja could incorporate some Halo-themed content in Ninja Gaiden 4. For example, players could unlock energy swords for Ryu Hayabusa and Yakumo to wield in the game, with Hayabusa using the classic blue energy sword and Yakumo wielding a red variant.

Additionally, if the Hayabusa armor is reintroduced in Halo, Team Ninja could offer it as an alternate skin for Ryu Hayabusa in Ninja Gaiden 4, letting players channel the Spartan warrior in a new way while they take on the role of the legendary ninja.

The possibilities for a cross-franchise collaboration between Ninja Gaiden and Halo are vast, and fans of both series are no doubt hoping this long-awaited crossover becomes a reality.