Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- Development Changes: After initial development by Black Forest Games and publication by THQ Nordic, the rights for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin have transitioned to Paramount Games Studio. PlatinumGames is now overseeing the projects development.
- New Creative Team: Key members of the new creative team include Shawn Kittelsen (Paramount Games), Yohei Shimbori (PlatinumGames), and Mike Rogers, who bring diverse experience in narrative storytelling from various projects such as Invincible and previous Ninja Turtles titles.
- Focus on Action and Emotion: PlatinumGames, known for its action-packed games like Bayonetta and the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, is focusing on delivering fast-paced combat and intense action, complemented by an emotional narrative that explores themes of life, maturity, and a complex world.
- Upcoming Prequel Comic: A prequel comic titled The Last Ronin: The Last Ronin Training Day is scheduled for release in July 2026, providing additional context to the games storyline.
Recommended products
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission from purchases made through these links.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Video Game Sees Development Shake-Up Announced with significant fanfare in 2023, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin captivated fans with the mere prospect of its development. This AAA action-adventure game, an adaptation of the acclaimed comic book series by Kevin Eastman, Peter Laird, and Tom Waltz, promised a darker, more mature vision of the Ninja Turtles universe. However, the project then seemed to vanish from public view for nearly three years, leading to speculation that it had been abandoned. Development of The Last Ronin has undergone significant changes. The project was originally being developed by Black Forest Games and published by THQ Nordic. Following Paramount’s merger with Skydance, the game’s rights transitioned to Paramount Games Studio. While Black Forest Games initially worked on the title, Paramount Games Studio is now overseeing the project and has partnered with renowned Japanese developer PlatinumGames to continue its development. Paramount Games Studio is also publishing Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game.
Shawn Kittelsen, head of creative and production at Paramount Games, is penning the story for The Last Ronin. Yohei Shimbori from PlatinumGames is also involved, aiming to blend Japanese action with Western narrative techniques. Mike Rogers, a narrative director who recently worked on a fighting game adaptation of Invincible with Robert Kirkman, is part of the team. The suspense surrounding the game’s development was finally eased at Summer Game Fest 2026, where it was confirmed that The Last Ronin is indeed still in development, though its direction has evolved. PlatinumGames is now the primary developer, having taken over the project from Paramount Games Studio toward the end of last year. This announcement was made during the Summer Game Fest showcase. The game’s focus will be on PlatinumGames’ signature fast-paced combat and intense action, complemented by an emotional narrative exploring different stages of life and how Turtle fans mature and navigate a more complex world. Shimbori, with prior experience at Koei Tecmo’s Team Ninja and Bandai Namco, is bringing a deeply personal and nostalgic perspective to the storytelling. A release date for the game has not yet been announced.
PlatinumGames, celebrated for its expertise in creating spectacular action games through licenses such as Bayonetta, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Nier: Automata, and the upcoming Ninja Gaiden 4, now shoulders the responsibility of bringing this highly regarded Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story to life. While the teaser shown at Summer Game Fest was brief, it confirmed the game’s faithfulness to the original comic’s identity. For those unfamiliar with The Last Ronin, the comic is set in a desolate, alternate future where New York City has descended into chaos. The Ninja Turtles have been nearly wiped out, with only one surviving member. This lone Turtle, isolated and haunted by the loss of her siblings and allies, embarks on a solitary war against the Foot Clan, now under the command of Shredder’s grandson. The identity of this final Turtle is a central mystery in the original story. This grim setting allows for the exploration of profound themes like grief, vengeance, and legacy, rarely touched upon in the franchise.
PlatinumGames’ Rebirth of Grim TMNT in a Brutal Future, Prequel Comic Coming in 2026
The studio has prior experience with the Ninja Turtles franchise, having developed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan in 2016. Despite its combat system strengths, that title did not achieve widespread success. However, ten years later, PlatinumGames has amassed extensive experience in crafting demanding and visually spectacular action games, making their expertise a particularly promising fit for the brutal world of The Last Ronin. Additionally, a prequel comic titled The Last Ronin: The Last Ronin Training Day is slated for release in July 2026.
In Case You Missed It
“Join us on Players for Life as we explore the intricacies of graphics technology and debunk misconceptions with Bruno Pferd’s ‘Nvidia CEO and Developers Debunk Criticisms of DLSS 5: “Peak of Ignorance,” “Completely Wrong”‘ (March 18, 2026), where industry leaders like Jensen Huang and Georgian Avasilcutei clarify the true potential of DLSS 5 in enhancing game graphics while preserving artistic vision – a must-read for tech enthusiasts! Then, satisfy your craving for Mass Effect-like gameplay with Sophie Laurent’s ‘Exodus Crafted by Former BioWare Team Unveils Gameplay a la Mass Effect in Trailer’, published on the same day, as we delve into Archetype Entertainment’s upcoming space RPG, Exodus, with gameplay footage and insights from former BioWare developers James Ohlen and Drew Karpyshyn. And that’s not all – Ahmed Hassan brings you exciting news about Nintendo’s planned releases for the Switch 2 in his article ‘Nintendo Planned to Release Remake of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and New Star Fox This Year, Source Claims’ (March 27, 2026), where you’ll find rumors about a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time arriving just in time for Christmas this year and a new classic-style Star Fox with improved graphics and online multiplayer capabilities by summer. Join us on these thrilling journeys here Nvidia CEO and Developers Debunk Criticisms of DLSS 5: “Peak of Ignorance,” “Completely Wrong, here Exodus Crafted by Former BioWare Team Unveils Gameplay a la Mass Effect in Trailer, and here Nintendo Planned to Release Remake of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and New Star Fox This Year, Source Claims.”
They also talk about it
Links to external sources for further reading
- Paramount is getting serious about video games, and this is its first big announcement.Paramount is getting serious about video games, and this is its first big announcement.ign.com
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Game Re-Emerges from Platinum GamesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin Game Re-Emerges from Platinum Gamesgamersocialclub.ca
- Stalled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin video game officially rides again but with a new teamStalled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin video game officially rides again but with a new teamew.com
- Paramount Games Studio and PlatinumGames announce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin for consoles, PCParamount Games Studio and PlatinumGames announce Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin for consoles, PCgematsu.com
- The long-awaited Alien Isolation 2 shakes up Summer Game Fest(/alien-isolation-2-announced)The long-awaited Alien Isolation 2 shakes up Summer Game Fest(/alien-isolation-2-announced)polygon.com