This is one of my favorite video games of all time and another gem from my childhood. I played this game in the arcades and loved it them and love it even now. There was even the Sega Master System version which was an awesome port that was not just true to the game but had a few extra features that made it stand out.
I mainly got into this game because I really love "Martial Arts" movies as well as had a fascination with the martial arts when I was a kid. And of course, the Ninja's were a big part of it as they were a big thing back in the 80's. The Ninja/Shinobi are my favorite type of warrior because of how tactical and strategic their methods of combat and infiltration are, their arsenal and it specific uses, the inventiveness, just a lot of reasons but I've always just simply like the spiritual aspect of them. From how they move and operate it's as if there was some big order in the universe.
Anyway, this video game is pretty much like the arcade game "Rolling Thunder" but with ninjas. Personally, I like this game a lot more because there is a little more too it. I really love how each level is different, in most of the game it's the typical linear platform action though with a couple of planes to constantly switch to. Though it's not quite a simple as that, because on the first stage you have hostages to rescue and they are carefully placed in certain spots where direct assault is most of the time out of the question. This really gives the game a ninja feels because in some places you are trying to sneak up from behind opponents to take them out. Even like the variety of enemies and in each level, there are different kinds that pop up in the placements, which causes you to adapt to the situations as well as understand each of the opponents that come.
Control is solid your typical forward, back, jump, though when you push the joystick up you do a super jump to transfer to the other plane. You armed with long to close range weapon the shuriken (ninja stars) which are cool. But what cool is how you have a defensive and point-blank measure, when you opponents get close toward you can punch and kick them, or slice them with your Shanta (ninja sword) which I always thought was cool. And if you rescue enough hostages you gain a power up weapon, which is a gun which is cool as it has a little more power than the shuriken.
Of course one of the highlights is your ninja magic which is just awesome, it's pretty much the emergency weapon in case things get harry or even just to speed the boss battle progress along; there are different kinds that are based on the elements mainly earth wind, fire, and lighting, but sometimes multiple men. However, you can only use this magic once in a stage, so only use is for emergencies only.
The boss battles are cool, each of them are a different challenge that at first seem trick, though actually no problem to beat if you know how. From a Shredder like boss that is not just intimidating in size but can project out fire balls that can follow you around till it's power fades.
Though the one that I really found interesting is the multiple robotic evil idols, this boss battle is really suspenseful because it's more of a round of speed as the evil idols converge on you and there is an electrified wall behind you, yeah your literally stuck between a rock and a hard place.
Of course, there is that bonus stage which is just awesome. Where it changes into a first-person shooter and it's pretty much a shooting gallery as you are chucking out shuriken's quickly to take out the constantly advancing ninjas that are coming at you on all three planes in front of you. I remember always trying my hardest in the game to get though the levels just to have the opportunity to play that game. Though it also makes me wonder why there never was a first-person ninja game made.
Another is the music which is actually very good there are actually a few tunes that are memorable and really fit with the nature of the game which just sing out ninja action. I really like the music on the first and second stage levels which are my favorite video game tunes, I actually like to listen do it when I practice martial arts it really goes well with it.
Shinobi makes the cut.
Rating: 4 stars
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