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Ninja Gaiden

Ninja Gaiden (XSX) game cover art
Platform: NES
Tags: Action, Platformer
Developer: Tecmo
More Platforms: 3DO, Arcade, Game Boy, Game Gear, Lynx, Sega Master System, TurboGrafx-16, Xbox
AKA: Shadow Warriors (EU), Ninja Ryuukenden (JP)
Publisher
Region
Released
NA
03/??/1989
EU
08/15/1991
JP
12/09/1988

Ninja Gaiden (NES) screenshotNinja Gaiden (NES) screenshotNinja Gaiden (NES) screenshot


Staff Reviews

Ninja Gaiden review

Reviewed January 07, 2004

Marc Golding says: "If you’ve played the arcade game with the same name, forget what you’ve seen. The Double Dragon-esque play and look of that somewhat overhead coin-op has been replaced by straight up side-scrolling swashbuckling and a massive dose of taxing platform-leaping. If Super Mario Brothers is your nemesis, you may well forget about taking on the Jaquio and his forces - you’ll be sliced and diced, dropped into bottomless pits and, despite unlimited continues, you will curse and beset upon your controller with intent to kill."
Masters's avatar

Reader Reviews

Ninja Gaiden review

Reviewed September 18, 2007

Daisuke02 says: "Ryu Hayabusa is a ninja with a dark past from which he can never escape. This has nothing to do with the storylines of the Ninja Gaiden series that Ryu stars in, though. Ryu's tragic history is, in fact, his first NES outing, known simply as Ninja Gaiden. While the modern Gaiden on the Xbox and Playstation 3 might be a masterpiece, Ninja Gaiden on the NES and Wii Virtual Console will leave you feeling cheated and morbidly depressed. "
Daisuke02's avatar

Ninja Gaiden review

Reviewed June 24, 2017

hastypixels says: "Super Meatboy has a spiritual Grandpappy, and he’s got a dragon sword."
hastypixels's avatar

Ninja Gaiden review feedback bubble

Reviewed August 30, 2019

JoeTheDestroyer says: "Before Sekiro, we were screaming at some other ninja-themed game..."
JoeTheDestroyer's avatar

Ninja Gaiden review

Reviewed May 20, 2007

psychopenguin says: "There have been a few series over the years that I have enjoyed a lot. Final Fantasy, Dragon Warrior and Mega Man are just a few of the many video game series that I have enjoyed to play over the years. However, one of my favorite series over the years has been a series called Ninja Gaiden. A lot of people are fans of the series, but the series never seemed to get the popular recognition of the series I previously mentioned. "
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Ninja Gaiden review

Reviewed February 02, 2004

tomclark says: "There are moments that define your video gaming career. The first time you play a game in an arcade. The first console that you ever own. The first time you complete a game. And, for many veterans of the NES days, the first time you beat Shadow Warriors: Ninja Gaiden (or just plain Ninja Gaiden as it's known outside of Europe). Those who weren't there can't possibly understand what it was like.... playing through those last few levels.... it was harsh. Sometimes, at night, I still wake up scream..."
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