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{{Header Nav|game=Ninja Gaiden|num=0}}
{{Header Nav|game=Ninja Gaiden}}
{{Infobox
{{Game
|completion=4
|image=Ninja Gaiden jp flyer.jpg
|title=Ninja Gaiden
|title=Ninja Gaiden
|image=Ninja Gaiden flyer.jpg
|developer=[[Tecmo]]
|developer=[[Tecmo]]
|publisher=[[Tecmo]], [[Sega]], [[Ocean]]
|publisher=[[Tecmo]]
|released={{sys|arcade}}{{rd|1988}}{{sys|c64|cpc}}{{sys|spectrum}}{{rd|1990}}{{sys|lynx}}{{rd|1991}}
|year=1988
|systems={{syslist|cade|lynx|dos|wii}}
|ratings={{CERO|A}}{{ESRB|E10}}{{PEGI|12}}{{ACB|PG}}
|title1=Shadow Warriors
|developer1=[[Tecmo]]
|publisher1=[[Ocean Software]]
|year1=1990
|systems1={{syslist|amiga|atari st|c64|zx|cpc}}
|title2=Arcade Archives Ninja Gaiden
|developer2=[[Tecmo]]
|publisher2=[[Hamster Corporation]]
|year2=2019
|systems2={{syslist|switch|ps4}}
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|genre=[[Beat 'em up]]
|systems=[[Arcade]], [[Amiga]], [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Atari Lynx]], [[DOS]], [[ZX Spectrum]]
|modes=[[Single player]], [[Multiplayer]], [[Co-op]]
|modes=[[Single player]], [[Multiplayer]], [[Co-op]]
|series=Ninja Gaiden
|series=Ninja Gaiden
|series2=Arcade Archives
|pcgamingwiki=Ninja Gaiden
}}
}}
 
{{game disambig||the {{c|NES}} version|[[Ninja Gaiden (NES)]]|the {{c|Xbox}} version and all newer revisions|[[Ninja Gaiden (Xbox)]]}}
{{marquee|Ninja Gaiden marquee.png}}
{{marquee|Ninja Gaiden marquee.png}}
'''Ninja Gaiden''' is an [[arcade]] game released in [[1988]] in North America by [[Tecmo]]. This game is known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''Ninja Ryūkenden'''|忍者龍剣伝|Legend of the Ninja Dragon Sword}} and in Europe as '''Shadow Warriors'''.
'''Ninja Gaiden''', later released in Japan as {{nihongo|'''Ninja Ryūkenden'''|忍者龍剣伝||lit. "Ninja Dragon Sword Legend"}} and in Europe as '''Shadow Warriors''', is a side-scrolling [[beat 'em up]] originally released by [[Tecmo]] as an [[arcade]] game. It was first released in North America, and Europe in [[1988]] and in Japan in [[1989]]. The ''Ninja Gaiden'' arcade game was produced and released almost simultaneously with its [[Ninja Gaiden (NES)|home console counterpart]] for the [[NES]], although they are different games with only a few similarities.
 
In North America, it saw domestic releases on the [[Atari Lynx]] and [[PC]] ([[DOS]] based) as Ninja Gaiden. In Europe, it was released for the [[Amstrad CPC]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Commodore Amiga]] and [[ZX Spectrum]] as Shadow Warriors. The Atari Lynx version was also released in Europe, keeping its North American name, Ninja Gaiden.


It also inspired an action [[platform]] game for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] bearing the same name.
The player controls a ninja whose mission to defeat an evil cult led by Bladedamus, a descendant of Nostradamus who seeks to fulfill his end of the world prophecies. Upon starting the game, the player is greeted by the phrase "NINJA IN USA". Up to two players can play simultaneously (Player 1 controls the blue-suited ninja, while Player 2 controls an orange-suited ninja).


Ninja Gaiden also appeared as an unlockable bonus feature on the [[Xbox]] game that relaunched the series in [[2004]].
The first five rounds (stages) are based on actual American cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and a Transcontinental Railroad. The sixth and final stage set inside the main villain's hideout. The game features a morbid continue screen, where the player character is tied to a table thrashing his head violently while a giant circular saw is being lowered towards him and what appears to be a crowd of enemies is watching in excitement in the background. It is remembered as an extremely difficult arcade game.
{{Continue Nav}}
The arcade version of Ninja Gaiden is closer to the [[beat 'em up]] genre, similar in style to [[Double Dragon]]. The game stars a nameless ninja on a quest to defeat an evil cult led by a (fictional) descendant of Nostradamus. Upon starting the game, the player is greeted by the phrase "NINJA IN USA." The game can be played alone or cooperatively with a second player (who plays as a red-clad ninja).


In this game, the player's character must trek across the United States to fight several enemies along the way. The player must also use ninja tactics to get through some areas. For example, in some levels, the player must perform acrobatic stunts to get from one area to another via overhanging lights or poles. Also, from time to time, the player must perform a Tightrope Walk across poles, which requires the use of the button on top of the joystick.
Home versions of the ''Ninja Gaiden'' arcade game were released in Europe under the ''Shadow Warriors'' title in [[1990]] by [[Ocean Software]] for the [[Amiga]], [[Atari ST]], [[Commodore 64]], [[ZX Spectrum]], and [[Amstrad CPC]] computer platforms, and in North America for [[DOS]] by [[Hi-Tech Expressions]]. An [[Atari Lynx]] version was also released. The arcade version of ''Ninja Gaiden'' is also included as a hidden bonus game in ''[[Ninja Gaiden Black]]'' for the [[Xbox]] in [[2005]]. The arcade game was published as a [[Virtual Console]] game for the [[Wii]] in 2009.


This game is mostly remembered for two specific reasons. One reason is the absurd difficulty, as several enemies can be on screen at the same time, making it difficult to move. The game also throws players back to certain "check-points" in a level when they die; forcing them, in some instances, to fight through immensely difficult scenarios again. The other reason is its morbid and gruesome continue screen, where the main character is tied to a table while a saw is being lowered towards him.
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:Ninja Gaiden jp flyer.jpg|Japanese arcade flyer.
File:Ninja Gaiden ARC title.png|American title screen
Image:NinjaGaiden_spectrumcover.jpg|ZX Spectrum cover.
File:Ninja Gaiden flyer.jpg|American promotional flyer
File:NinjaGaiden spectrumcover.jpg|ZX Spectrum cover
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{ToC}}
{{ToC}}
{{Ninja Gaiden}}
[[Category:Tecmo]]
[[Category:Tecmo]]
[[Category:Sega]]
[[Category:Ocean Software]]
[[Category:Ocean Software]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:Beat 'em up]]
[[Category:Commodore Amiga]]
[[Category:MS-DOS]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Single player]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:Multiplayer]]
[[Category:Co-op]]
[[Category:Co-op]]
[[Category:MAME]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 1 April 2022

Ninja Gaiden | Table of Contents | Gameplay | Walkthrough

Table of Contents

Gameplay
Walkthrough
Appendices

This is the first game in the Ninja Gaiden series. For other games in the series see the Ninja Gaiden category.

Box artwork for Ninja Gaiden.
Box artwork for Ninja Gaiden.
Ninja Gaiden
Developer(s)Tecmo
Publisher(s)Tecmo
Year released1988
System(s)Arcade, Atari Lynx, DOS, Wii
SeriesNinja Gaiden,
Arcade Archives
Genre(s)Beat 'em up
ModesSingle player, Multiplayer, Co-op
Rating(s)CERO All agesESRB Everyone 10+PEGI Ages 12+Parental Guidance
Shadow Warriors
Developer(s)Tecmo
Publisher(s)Ocean Software
Year released1990
System(s)Commodore Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64/128, Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC
Arcade Archives Ninja Gaiden
Developer(s)Tecmo
Publisher(s)Hamster Corporation
Year released2019
System(s)Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4
LinksNinja Gaiden at Switcher.gg
Ninja Gaiden at PCGamingWikiNinja Gaiden ChannelSearchSearch
For the NES version, see Ninja Gaiden (NES). For the Xbox version and all newer revisions, see Ninja Gaiden (Xbox).
Ninja Gaiden marquee

Ninja Gaiden, later released in Japan as Ninja Ryūkenden (忍者龍剣伝? lit. "Ninja Dragon Sword Legend") and in Europe as Shadow Warriors, is a side-scrolling beat 'em up originally released by Tecmo as an arcade game. It was first released in North America, and Europe in 1988 and in Japan in 1989. The Ninja Gaiden arcade game was produced and released almost simultaneously with its home console counterpart for the NES, although they are different games with only a few similarities.

The player controls a ninja whose mission to defeat an evil cult led by Bladedamus, a descendant of Nostradamus who seeks to fulfill his end of the world prophecies. Upon starting the game, the player is greeted by the phrase "NINJA IN USA". Up to two players can play simultaneously (Player 1 controls the blue-suited ninja, while Player 2 controls an orange-suited ninja).

The first five rounds (stages) are based on actual American cities such as Los Angeles, New York City, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, and a Transcontinental Railroad. The sixth and final stage set inside the main villain's hideout. The game features a morbid continue screen, where the player character is tied to a table thrashing his head violently while a giant circular saw is being lowered towards him and what appears to be a crowd of enemies is watching in excitement in the background. It is remembered as an extremely difficult arcade game.

Home versions of the Ninja Gaiden arcade game were released in Europe under the Shadow Warriors title in 1990 by Ocean Software for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC computer platforms, and in North America for DOS by Hi-Tech Expressions. An Atari Lynx version was also released. The arcade version of Ninja Gaiden is also included as a hidden bonus game in Ninja Gaiden Black for the Xbox in 2005. The arcade game was published as a Virtual Console game for the Wii in 2009.

  • American title screen

    American title screen

  • American promotional flyer

    American promotional flyer

  • ZX Spectrum cover

    ZX Spectrum cover

Table of Contents

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Gameplay
Walkthrough
Appendices
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Ninja Gaiden series
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