City Connection and Clear River Games have revealed Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade at the 2026 Pixel Arcadia showcase, bringing the classic 1985 franchise into a new 3D action RPG format. The game is slated for a worldwide release on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam in 2027, according to the official announcement.
This marks a significant departure from the series’ traditional 2D platforming roots, blending retro 8-bit-esque character sprites with modern isometric hack-and-slash gameplay and loot-driven progression. With over 300 types of equipment to collect and a story centered on rescuing Princess Sakura from a yokai night parade, the title aims to bridge nostalgia with contemporary action RPG mechanics.
From 8-Bit Platformer to 3D Isometric Action RPG
The Ninja JaJaMaru franchise, originally created by Jaleco and Tose in 1985, has long been recognized as a classic Japanese series. City Connection previously released Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle + Hell in 2022, which stayed closer to the well-known 8-bit 2D platformer gameplay. In contrast, Yokai Night Parade retains the retro character sprites but shifts to 3D isometric maps, introducing hack-and-slash combat and loot-based action RPG elements.
Players will explore dungeons, defeat waves of yokai, and collect equipment ranging from Ninja Swords to Kusarigama and Shuriken. The game also features over 300 equipment types, offering substantial build variety. As players clear dungeons, they unlock Ninpo—flashy, ultra-powerful skills capable of sweeping away entire hordes of enemies at once.
Story, Yokai Night Parade, and Home Base Customization
The narrative follows JaJaMaru as he searches for the kidnapped Princess Sakura, straying into an otherworldly dungeon where he discovers a Yokai Night Parade—a party where hordes of yokai dance and celebrate. Players must defeat wave after wave of yokai while exploring the dungeon in search of powerful gear. Passing through glowing torii gates that appear inside the dungeon triggers special-rule battles within the “Yokai Night Parade” itself.
Boss yokai lead massive hordes and showcase unique dance moves, and emerging victorious yields a wealth of loot. The main antagonist is Nurari Pyoko, the Yokai Supreme Commander, who is plotting the grandest Yokai Night Parade in history. Defeating Nurari Pyoko is key to rescuing Princess Sakura.
JaJaMaru’s familiar sidekick, Gama Pakkun, also makes an appearance. At JaJaMaru’s room—which serves as the home base—players can power up stats, upgrade gear, and decorate the room using furniture items acquired in dungeons. These furniture items even grant stat boosts, adding a layer of strategic customization.
Platforms, Languages, and Regions
Ninja JaJaMaru: Yokai Night Parade will be available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC via Steam worldwide in 2027. The game will support both Japanese and English languages. Players can expect to traverse diverse regions, including factories, yokocho alleys, onsen, and snowy mountains, each presenting formidable foes.
The announcement was made during the 2026 Pixel Arcadia showcase, a digital event highlighting indie and retro-inspired titles. While no specific release date within 2027 has been confirmed, the reveal gives fans of the franchise and newcomers alike a clear picture of what to expect from this ambitious reinvention.
