Shinobi/Versions

Home versions
Shinobi was released by Virgin Games to the following home computer platforms in Europe: versions were released for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, Commodore Amiga, and Atari ST in 1989. A PC Engine version was released exclusively in Japan by Asmik on December 8, 1989.

Sega themselves produced their own home version of Shinobi for their Master System game console. It was released in Japan on June 19, 1988, with subsequent releases in North America and Europe. The gameplay from the original coin-op version were altered for this version. Instead of the one-hit kills from the arcade game, the player now has a life gauge that allows Musashi to sustain more damage before losing a life. While the player can still rescue hostages in this version, it is now an optional task and not mandatory to completing any of the game's stages. However, rescuing hostages is still necessary for the player to upgrade weapons or replenish energy. Additionally, rescuing certain hostages is a requirement to access the game's bonus stages. The ninja arts abilities are now obtained from completing these bonus rounds and the player may hold up to four stock. The input method of performing these ninja arts is also different as well. The player can use between four different close-range weapons, four long-range weapons, and six ninja arts.

The Nintendo Entertainment System version of Shinobi was released by Tengen exclusively in North America as an unlicensed release in 1989. It features the same gameplay changes made to the game as in the Master System version.

The original coin-op version is available as a downloadable video game on the Xbox Live Arcade service, as well as on the Wii Virtual Console. The Virtual Console version has certain things edited out (such as the Marilyn Monroe posters in Mission 1 Act 2). The arcade version of the game is available as an unlockable extra in the Sega compilation Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

Edited and alternate versions
Shinobi is notable for two licensing issues that were rectified in later years with minor legal consult.

Around the time that Shinobi was created, Sega had acquired licensing rights to produce games based on Marvel Comics iconic character Spider-Man, the first of which appeared on the Sega Genesis in 1990. Oddly enough, Sega took this as an opportunity to use the Spider-Man likeness in other games that they were producing at the time, most notably Shinobi. Spider-Man would later appear in Revenge of Shinobi as a boss, this time complete with web-slinging.

No longer in possession of the Spider-Man license, which was infringed in the first place by including the likeness of Spider-Man in a different game that was not approved by Marvel, Sega was forced to make changes to any and all subsequent re-releases of the game in years to come. That said, the version of Shinobi released for download on Xbox Live Arcade and the Wii network have recolored Spider-Man to a green and yellow color scheme. Otherwise, the sprite is exactly the same. However, this was enough to satisfy any possible legal ramification that may occur, as the color clearly denotes that the sprite is not Spider-Man.

Also in Mission 1-2 were posters of Marilyn Monroe. They were a common image frequently used and seen during the 1980s. However, without consent from the Monroe estate, these images had to be removed and are no longer included in the version available for download from Xbox Live and Wii.