IMDb RATING
7.8/10
210
YOUR RATING
A traditional side-scrolling platform game where the player controls Joe Musashi and must defeat enemies from eight districts before the final confrontation with the head of Neo Zeed.A traditional side-scrolling platform game where the player controls Joe Musashi and must defeat enemies from eight districts before the final confrontation with the head of Neo Zeed.A traditional side-scrolling platform game where the player controls Joe Musashi and must defeat enemies from eight districts before the final confrontation with the head of Neo Zeed.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSome versions of this game had the shuriken stars replaced by throwing knives in order to comply with European laws.
- GoofsThe 'shurikens' found in the game are actually kunai daggers.
- Alternate versionsReprogrammed and updated for the Gameboy Advance in 2002.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Video Power: Yes We Have No Tomatoes (1990)
Featured review
Return of the Ninja
This is one of my favorite video games of all time and it's my second favorite (ironically) in the "Shinobi" trilogy and game series. This game came out at the time when Genesis was just starting out, so it made sense that the second entry would come, and this game helped give Genesis the booster it needed. I remember as a kid, hearing about the sequel to one of my favorite video games of all time really blew me away as the sequel for video games, movies and everything at the time was still a novel concept. But also seeing this sequel let me know that video gaming in general was truly entering a new era and it was just full speed ahead.
Really like the graphical presentation, when I saw them for the first time, I thought of how awesome they were. This not just showed how much the franchise changed but had that sense of maturity, as we see a dark, gritty, dangerous atmosphere which fits as this would be the perfect playground for ninjas. But most importantly really gave the game that feel that you really were in an action/martial art film; which also makes sense as the 80s and 90's the action genre was big; however, what mainly important was it gave you the feeling you are the action hero, and you alone have to survive but also the power to stop the forces of evil.
The character models are also great, like some of the bosses you fight, two favorites of mine were "Spiderman" and "Batman" ok not really, they were both imposters, but still this is the closest we got to fighting both comic action icons.
One of the things I really like about the game is that the levels are well designed, you still have that go from point A to B element, but the way in which you get to point B isn't the usual straight forward walk, here you take certain turns in places to get there. Seeing this showed how each of the levels had a great amount of depth. But the other thing about them was it also helped contribute to the uniqueness of them as we see each of the levels you go through are different and never repeat themselves.
Gameplay is solid, control is spot on it's some of the same control that you would expect from any Shinobi game. However, there were some refinements in this sequel that helped make it unique from the last game and of course have become a permanent stable in the "Shinobi" games afterward. For one thing you have a double jump, or you summersault in the air. This move is a little tricky to execute at first, but you get use to it, as you must jump in the air but then in midair press jump again and you have your summersault; I always thought it was cool and felt right as summer saults are part of the things in martial arts films.
Another is that you can perform a strong attack, while you're somersaulting, you're able to throw multiple throwing daggers in midair. This creates a bladed arc where each of the throwing daggers will destroy all within your parameter. However, use this sparingly and emergencies only as it will drain out your ammo supply quick.
Speaking of emergencies, you have your usual ninja magic, however unlike in the first game where you're just granted on power, you have an assortment of theme of your choosing; each are useful depending on the situation. All have a unique function, for example there is the lighting that creates a force field around you. Which I always found cool let alone why this couldn't have been another ability for Sailor Jupiter from "Sailor Moon." But anyway, to me it reminded me of the star in the "Super Mario" franchise it gave you that feel of invincibility. But just like the star this force field doesn't last long, but also the fact is just like in the first game you can only use ninja magic once so use it wisely.
Of course, one of the biggest highlights is the music, which is great as this game has some of my favorite video game tracks of all time. Almost hard to decide as each of them is so good in their own way, only thing you need to know is each of them just sing out ninja action and adventure.
Second time around sometimes makes the cut, and this vintage classic does.
Rating: 4 stars.
Really like the graphical presentation, when I saw them for the first time, I thought of how awesome they were. This not just showed how much the franchise changed but had that sense of maturity, as we see a dark, gritty, dangerous atmosphere which fits as this would be the perfect playground for ninjas. But most importantly really gave the game that feel that you really were in an action/martial art film; which also makes sense as the 80s and 90's the action genre was big; however, what mainly important was it gave you the feeling you are the action hero, and you alone have to survive but also the power to stop the forces of evil.
The character models are also great, like some of the bosses you fight, two favorites of mine were "Spiderman" and "Batman" ok not really, they were both imposters, but still this is the closest we got to fighting both comic action icons.
One of the things I really like about the game is that the levels are well designed, you still have that go from point A to B element, but the way in which you get to point B isn't the usual straight forward walk, here you take certain turns in places to get there. Seeing this showed how each of the levels had a great amount of depth. But the other thing about them was it also helped contribute to the uniqueness of them as we see each of the levels you go through are different and never repeat themselves.
Gameplay is solid, control is spot on it's some of the same control that you would expect from any Shinobi game. However, there were some refinements in this sequel that helped make it unique from the last game and of course have become a permanent stable in the "Shinobi" games afterward. For one thing you have a double jump, or you summersault in the air. This move is a little tricky to execute at first, but you get use to it, as you must jump in the air but then in midair press jump again and you have your summersault; I always thought it was cool and felt right as summer saults are part of the things in martial arts films.
Another is that you can perform a strong attack, while you're somersaulting, you're able to throw multiple throwing daggers in midair. This creates a bladed arc where each of the throwing daggers will destroy all within your parameter. However, use this sparingly and emergencies only as it will drain out your ammo supply quick.
Speaking of emergencies, you have your usual ninja magic, however unlike in the first game where you're just granted on power, you have an assortment of theme of your choosing; each are useful depending on the situation. All have a unique function, for example there is the lighting that creates a force field around you. Which I always found cool let alone why this couldn't have been another ability for Sailor Jupiter from "Sailor Moon." But anyway, to me it reminded me of the star in the "Super Mario" franchise it gave you that feel of invincibility. But just like the star this force field doesn't last long, but also the fact is just like in the first game you can only use ninja magic once so use it wisely.
Of course, one of the biggest highlights is the music, which is great as this game has some of my favorite video game tracks of all time. Almost hard to decide as each of them is so good in their own way, only thing you need to know is each of them just sing out ninja action and adventure.
Second time around sometimes makes the cut, and this vintage classic does.
Rating: 4 stars.
helpful•00
- hellraiser7
- Jul 1, 2023
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