Shinobi [Model AS01001]

Shinobi © 1989 Asmik.

Sega's Shinobi is probably the most popular ninja game even created. The original arcade game came out in 1987 and this PC-Engine version followed two years later. A syndicate of evil ninjas has kidnapped the children of the Iga clan. Without hesitation, a martial art expert named Joe Musashi decides to fight on their ground and rescue the kids from the hands of those who enslaved them. Our hero ninja primary weapons are shurikens and things get quickly tricky. Most of the enemies are actually better than the usual mindless baddies of the time. Some of them hide behind shields or crates and teach the player to use strategy rather than mash attack. Also, our hero, despite his powerful skills, will die in one hit. This certainly forces the player to learn enemies attack patterns and weaknesses. Finally, our Ninja can also use magic powers in the form of twisters of energy. They can only be triggered once in every stage but will inflict significant damage to his enemies. This conversion sadly misses all the bonus stages and the second level from the original arcade game.