NG1 is a better game than NG2.

EDIT: Thanks for all the responses. If the upvote percentage is to be taken as equating to agreement, then it seems like 59% of the fanbase prefer NG1 over NG2. Very interesting, and seems at first glance to correspond to the replies. Take this all with a grain of salt, I just like futzing with statistics. Anyway:

Just need to get this off my chest while I'm replaying NGS2 Black mod because of the NG2B/4 news.

But yeah, I've gotten part-way through the Italy chapter (Ch. 7?), and I'm reminded of all the pluses and MANY minuses of this game, and why I go back to NG1 way more often. NG2 is a mostly improved action game, but NG1 is a far more polished action*-adventure* game that better balances all aspects of Ninja Gaiden gameplay. Rarely do you have moments of sheer dumb game design like fighting half a dozen mooks on a fire escape stairwell that barely fits two of you standing shoulder to shoulder.

And the level design of NG1 is just leagues better. Again, more polished. There's more room to do fun ninja platforming, AND the layout (usually) lends itself well to the combat, AND the camera doesn't as often get in the way.

Anyway, that aside, fun observation based on player reactions that made me snort: It seems like...

the thing called Ninja Gaiden 2 Black could better be considered Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Black,
meanwhile
the thing called Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Black could better be considered Ninja Gaiden 2 Black.