Senran Kagura Burst Puts The Beatdown On 3DS Next Week

If you're looking for scantily-clad ninja ladies kicking butt and taking names, then you might want to check out Senran Kagura Burst. It's a new side-scrolling action game from XSEED, and it's hitting the Nintendo 3DS eShop next Thursday, Nov. 14, for $29.99.

A game like this can't come out without my once again stating how happy the new digital age of gaming has made me. Yes, it offers its fair share of problems, but just a handful of years ago, we would have never seen these more niche titles here in the States. Whether the subject matter interests you or not, you've got to at least love the fact that developers are willing to port some of these titles and provide them at a decent price without needing to sell a few million copies to make their investment worth the effort.

Okay, enough gushing. Time to talk about the most recent title to benefit from the modern marvels of digital entertainment, Senran Kagura Burst. XSEED describes the game as an over-the-top side-scrolling action title with a sense of humor.

“Senran Kagura Burst is set in a prestigious academy which serves as a front for an underground school where female students are secretly trained in the art of ninjitsu,” reads a statement form the publisher. “Consisting of two separate storylines, Skirting Shadows introduces players to the 'good shinobi' of Hanzo Academy while its counterpart, Crimson Girls, turns the tables to tell the same tale from the rival Hebijo Academy's point of view.”

Each school offers five characters to chose from, each hoping to one day become a full-fledged shinobi. You'll control the game from within the Ninja Room, where chatting up other characters between missions will help flesh out the story. The missions themselves include fetch quests, multi-character battles and big boss fights. No matter the mission though, your goal will be one and the same: Kick the butt of everything you see.

As you may have already guessed, Senran Kagura Burst is a bit on the risque side. You're health meter, in a way, is your clothing. The more hits you take, the more of your outfit falls away, revealing the bikini you're wearing underneath. Drop down to your swimsuit and you're in danger of getting KOed.

Purists will be happy to know that the original Japanese voice work has been left intact, given English subtitles. You'll also level up your characters as you play, unlocking new moves, abilities and outfits to wear.

In short: Lovely ladies, rival dojos, beat-em-up action, all coming to the 3DS next week via the eShop. If that sounds like your idea of a good time, then get ready to dive into Senran Kagura Burst on Nov. 14.