Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE) today announced the Q1 2004 release of I-Ninja exclusively for the PS2 in Europe. Currently in development by Argonaut Games, I-Ninja is a cartoon-style third-person action title featuring a ninja who has cleverly been named "Ninja."

Playing as Ninja, gamers must follow the instructions of his master "Sensei" to recover lost Rage Stones and free inhabitants imprisoned by Master O-Dor's evil army of robotic Ranx. Ninja has been given all kinds of exciting moves such as running on walls, grinding rails, getting airborne with a "sword-copter" spin, swinging from chains, and throwing explosives. As the game progresses, Ninja will earn new ninja belts, and will eventually have to use all his cool manga style ninja moves to rid the land of his nemesis, the evil Master O-Dor.

I-Ninja is still planned for all three next-gen consoles in the US, but this latest news of PS2 exclusivity in Europe makes one wonder if a similar North American announcement is imminent.