Sega's classic arcade game Shinobi wowed ninja fans back in 1987; with its addictive fast-paced action and great atmosphere it was only a matter of time before it got ported to pretty much every home format under the sun - including the NES and the Master System.
The Revenge of Shinobi was released early in the Genesis / Mega Drive's lifespan in 1989 and took things to the next level. With a rocking Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack, introduction of a life-bar and fancy new ninja moves, it was a great success. Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master followed four whole years later and for many is the definitive game in the series - you should definitely check out the 3D Classics edition. And who can forget Shadow Dancer either?
These are just a handful of the titles which make up the entire lineage of this series, and if you're hungry for more info then check out the latest video from Slopes Game Room. It details everything from the early origins of the franchise to the more recent 3DS outing, and is well worth a watch.
Be sure to let us know which is your favourite Shinobi game with a comment below.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 16
Did anyone else really enjoy Shinobi 3DS? It got a bit rubbish at the end but was a solid game overall.
I watched this video twice already thanks to Youtube correctly suggesting it for me. Good to see it recommended here though, as that was a bit lucky for me. I like the channel, but haven't subbed as I'm already overextended in that way. It's a wonderful retrospective. I was one of the uncommon ones who had a Master System in the US. Shinobi seemed like a must-have game then. I only played Shadow Dancer, which I think is great, on Genesis when it was fresh thanks to a friend having a copy, but seeing the demo of Revenge of Shinobi looping at the toy store in 1989 is what sold me on the system. I'd only get to play it many years later. Somehow, I was completely unaware of Shinobi 3's existence until three years after its release when I happened to have a Nomad and a friend selling off his collection. It's one of my favorite games on any system.
I should probably play the 3DS game sometime. It's been sitting in my backlog for some time now...
They didn't re-release the second Game Gear Shinobi game and Sega stopped Game Gear games altogether on the 3DS eShop. I wonder why....
@C-Olimar I keep that cart in my 3DS always. I've really enjoyed that game. My fav is definitely Shinobi III.
From NES to GBA to 3DS, it's hard to believe this is a Sega franchise.
I'd love to see a new Shinobi game done right.
@impurekind Shinobi for NX CONFIRMED! ;P
professor peter pringle should be involved in development of the nx version.
Love the 3ds version. It got good ratings and all but seems to have been forgotten until now. Definitely worth a buy for 3ds and it's cheap now 15 bucks or so new and 9.99 used at gamestop
@C-Olimar I did. Level design's not that good (excluding the VR challenge levels), the graphics are almost DS quality and that one motion controlled section is horrible, but the gameplay is really solid and the parrying mechanic is super satisfying and rewarding when you master it. I also like the soundtrack.
Shinobi 3 is one of the best E shop games you can buy for the 3DS in my opinion, specially with the added 3D effect which is really well done. Cheap, great gameplay with many different actions, decent lenght for that kind of game, beautiful graphics, upgraded controls and an amazing soundtrack. The difficulty is average, way easier than the first games, however it does become hard in the last levels.
Fearing to watch this, as Slopes' last few "Complete History" videos were filled with spoilers. Sad, as they are entertaining.
I've been a fan of the series after discovering the ZX Spectrum home conversion. It was hard to own a SNES and not own "Revenge of Shinobi", one of my all time Megadrive favorites. I miss ninja games...
Anybody not outright seeming Shinobi III: return of the ninja master as THE definitive Shinobi game is not a fan of of Shinobi and possibly not even of video games in general.
Sega ever try to revive this diamond IP, Shinobi III is where their development should start.
Had no idea this was posted here huge thanks to everyone at @Nintendolife for continuing to re-post my content. Happy to see so many people here enjoying the videos too! Now if only Nintendo wasn't so nasty with their content claiming then I could finally do the Metroid: The Complete History video I have wanted to do since the beginning!
Thanks again peeps
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