Shinobi (1987)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 9 minutes read

Summary

Shinobi (1987) is a side-scrolling action platformer game developed and published by Sega. It was originally released in arcades in 1987, and was later ported to a number of home computers and consoles, including the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis, and Commodore Amiga.

The game follows the story of Joe Musashi, a ninja who must rescue his kidnapped students from the evil Zeed. Joe must travel through five different missions, each consisting of three or four stages, in order to reach Zeed’s fortress and defeat him.

Along the way, Joe must fight his way through hordes of enemies, including ninjas, robots, and mutants. He can use a variety of weapons and techniques to defeat his enemies, including shuriken, swords, and bombs. He can also use his ninja magic to kill all enemies on the screen at once.

Shinobi is known for its challenging gameplay and memorable bosses. The game is also notable for its innovative use of parallax scrolling, which creates a sense of depth and realism.

Gameplay

Shinobi is a side-scrolling action platformer game. The player controls Joe Musashi, a ninja who must rescue his kidnapped students from the evil Zeed. Joe must travel through five different missions, each consisting of three or four stages, in order to reach Zeed’s fortress and defeat him.

Along the way, Joe must fight his way through hordes of enemies, including ninjas, robots, and mutants. He can use a variety of weapons and techniques to defeat his enemies, including shuriken, swords, and bombs. He can also use his ninja magic to kill all enemies on the screen at once.

Joe can take one hit from an enemy before he dies. However, he can be pushed back by enemies without taking damage. This allows the player to learn the enemy patterns and devise strategies to defeat them.

Weapons and power-ups

Joe’s standard weapons are shuriken and his fists and feet. He can also find power-ups that give him new weapons and abilities, such as a gun, a sword, and ninja magic.

  • Shuriken: Joe’s unlimited supply of throwing stars. They can be thrown in eight directions.
  • Fists and feet: Joe’s close-range attacks. He can punch and kick enemies.
  • Gun: A powerful weapon that fires large, explosive bullets. It replaces Joe’s shuriken when he is powered up.
  • Sword: A close-range weapon that can slash through multiple enemies. It replaces Joe’s fists and feet when he is powered up.
  • Ninja magic: A powerful spell that kills all enemies on the screen. It can only be used once per stage.

Enemies

Joe must fight his way through a variety of enemies in Shinobi, including ninjas, robots, and mutants. Each enemy type has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.

  • Ninjas: The most common enemy in the game. They are skilled in martial arts and can throw shuriken.
  • Robots: Slow-moving but powerful enemies. They can fire lasers and rockets.
  • Mutants: Fast-moving and agile enemies. They can jump high and attack with their claws and teeth.

Bosses

Each mission in Shinobi ends with a boss fight. The bosses are powerful and challenging, and each one has its own unique attack patterns.

  • Mission 1: Zeed – A large and powerful ninja. He can throw shuriken, fireballs, and summon other ninjas to help him.
  • Mission 2: Spider Master – A giant spider. He can shoot webs, spit venom, and summon smaller spiders to help him.
  • Mission 3: Double – A doppelganger of Joe Musashi. He has all of Joe’s abilities, but he is faster and stronger.
  • Mission 4: Ogama – A large and powerful mutant. He can breathe fire, throw rocks, and summon other mutants to help him.
  • Mission 5: Zeed (final form) – A giant and powerful version of Zeed. He has all of Zeed’s abilities, but he is much faster and stronger.

Development

Shinobi was developed by Sega’s AM2 division, which was led by Yu Suzuki. Suzuki had previously worked on the arcade games Hang-On and Out Run. Shinobi was Suzuki’s first attempt at a side-scrolling action game.

Suzuki wanted to create a game that was both challenging and visually impressive. He used parallax scrolling to create a sense of depth and realism, and he included a variety of enemies and bosses with unique attack patterns.

Shinobi was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its challenging gameplay, memorable bosses, and innovative use of parallax scrolling. The game has been ported to a number of home computers and consoles, and it is still considered one of the best arcade games of all time.

Legacy

Shinobi has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. It is considered one of the best arcade games of all time, and it has inspired a number of sequels and spin-offs. The game’s innovative use of parallax scrolling has also been adopted by many other games.

Shinobi is a classic arcade game that still holds up today. Its challenging gameplay, memorable bosses, and iconic soundtrack make it a must-play for any fan of the genre.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.

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