Tomonobu Itagaki: A Blood Splattered History

If you were somehow clinging to the hope that Tomonobu Itagaki might return to Team Ninja, I think we’re pretty much past the point of no return between the lawsuit against Tecmo and their subsequent response. But, that doesn’t mean we have to enjoy any of Itagaki’s games or appreciate his work any less. With that in mind, Xbox 360 Fanboy put together a look back at his body of work — from the original Dead or Alive to the present day.

Page 11 is my personal favorite, as it recounts some of Itagaki’s most memorable quotes. Itagaki on Tekken: “I no longer can figure out what the hell they’re trying to do with the numbering, and I don’t know which one is which. I don’t know what they’re trying to do with all of these spin-offs, so this includes Nina: Death by Degrees as well. I don’t think it even needs saying, but people should stay away from Tekken. Nothing left to say. I just don’t want them to disappoint me any more. It’s so annoying. Please don’t annoy me any more.”

He’s also taken shots at Devil May Cry 4 and Heavenly Sword, both of which you’ll find in the story. But don’t forget the comments he made about Ninja Gaiden Sigma recently, when he claimed the game was “no good.”

As a fan of Itagaki’s, I’m upset to see him go, but hopefully we’ll see him do something radically different now that he’ll be working elsewhere.