This morning I attended the Nintendo Press Conference, which was mostly business as usual as far as their press showings go, but with the WiiU coming out this fall, the bulk of the show was dedicated to upcoming titles for it. Luckily, it seems people who purchase the system will have some strong co-op waiting for them at or near launch. Let's go through what I saw.

Ninja Gaiden 3 has gotten a steady stream of DLC, but until this point there's been very little in the way of co-op content.  Now a new content pack is out called the Ultimate Ninja Pack and included in it are two new co-op challenges, two new sets of armor and four new pieces of headgear.

Ninja Gaiden 3 may not have been a huge hit, but Tecmo continues to support it with post-release content. The latest DLC release, Ninja Pack 2, adds 20 ninja trials, an extra weapon (a Scythe this time), multiplayer clothing, and two new Achievements (worth 60 GamerScore) or Trophies, all for 800 Microsoft Points or $9.99. Head past the break for to see the Ninja Pack 2 trailer.

Strap on your head band and pack your shurikens, we're heading into Ninja Gaiden 3. It's a series known for it's brutal difficulty and satisfying combat. The third iteration is the first to offer multiplayer, including co-op play. Let's slice and dice are way through and find out if this Ninja has come out to play.

Ninja Gaiden 3 has just slashed its way to stores, killing dozens of innocent bystanders in the process. Shocking, right? Imaginary deaths aside, the good news is Tecmo has non-imaginary plans to release free DLC for the game soon after launch. No specific date has been set, but we do know what this DLC includes: two weapons and two multiplayer stages. Good things come in pairs, you know.

This week we have two team-based co-op games launching; one featuring mechs, the other featuring zombies.  Another game centers on ninjas.  I'll let you guess which one.  Mechs, zombies, and ninjas?  All we need now are some aliens and we'll have the quadrilateral base of the perfect gaming Pyramid of Villainy.  Cap it all off with some Nazis and we'll have ourselves a party! (Nazis always cap the pyramid.  Always.) 

One of gaming's most punishing franchises returns to consoles next week.  Ninja Gaiden 3 will continue the tradition of being painfully difficult.  I remember my time with 2004's Ninja Gaiden remake on the original Xbox.  I tapped out around the third stage.  I think I was fighting on a blimp, or something.  I just remember hating every enemy, including the scrubs.  Since then the series has become more accessible.  You can always increase the difficulty if you're a masochist.  

I've always said that my tiny flat requires more things that need dusting; it's the reason that I keep buying collector's editions of games.  My partner has spent many a happy Saturday using a feather duster on my Batman, Assassin's Creed, and Bioshock 2 figures.  She spends the rest of the day throwing them at my head.  Luckily, a replacement is available in the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 3 Collector’s Edition due March 20th.

Ninja Gaiden 3 has been priced and dated, and the obligatory Collector's Editions and preorder exclusives have been detailed.  You can get your ninja fix for the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 on March 30th, 2012.  NG3 looks to be more brutal than any previous entry, focusing on the consequences facing Ryu Hayabusa after years of chopping people into gooey, meaty chunks. Check out the following video to hear some of the noisiest ninja killing, ever.

It's true, we've been getting teased a bit when it comes to the co-opability of the next installment in the Ninja Gaiden series, Ninja Gaiden 3. Well, the teasing officially continues, this time from E3! We've been told that online co-operative and competitive modes (2-8 players) are currently being implemented for the game, and that these modes will both be "rich" and "challenging." Those adjectives are certainly... not... vague? We've also been promised that "new challenges, characters, and missions await those who choose to join the Shadows of the World online!" Well, you're very cryptic, Team NINJA, but I can respect that. Ninja Gaiden 3 will once again follow Ryu Hayabusa, exploring what drives him to fight, murder, maim, and kill. I've heard it will change how fans think about ninjas. Now I just need to figure out exactly how I currently think about ninjas. Hmmm. Ninja Gaiden 3 is planned to release early 2012 on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

Team Ninja is upping the ante with the upcoming release of Ninja Gaiden III as the latest issue of Playstation Magazine gives us a brief look at what changes to expect.