If you're going to succeed, you must learn the basics of becoming a Mystical Ninja. But, before you can do so, you must start your journey through the title screen!
On the Title Screen[edit]
| Option | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Player | Starts the game in One Player Mode. | A second player can join in by pressing  .
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| 2 Players | Starts the game in Two Player Mode. | You can give an extra life to a dead player by pressing .
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| Continue | Allows you to continue where you left off by using a password. | Passwords are given throughout the game and when ending a session at the Game Over screen. |
| Sound Switch | Switches the sound mode between Stereo and Mono. | Leave the setting at Stereo, unless you are playing on a CRT Television that doesn't support stereo sound. |
In-Game HUD[edit]
, you can view which items you've acquired during your adventure. (Cheats used for demonstration purposes).
, you can select which Jutsu move you want to select. You can also see how many scrolls you have collected. (Cheats used for demonstration purposes).Basic Overview[edit]
The Legend of the Mystical Ninja can be played alone or cooperatively. When the controller is plugged into Controller Port #1, you play as Goemon (Known as Kid Ying in the western version). When the controller is plugged into Controller Port #2, you play as Ebisumaru (called Ebisu in this guide because it's easier to pronounce and write and known as Dr. Yang in the western version). With that said, you can play as Ebisu in One Player Mode by using the controller in Port #2, if you'd like. However, it doesn't matter as both characters play identically and only have cosmetic differences. Goemon and Ebisu can move in all directions (or left and right only in side-view stages) and can attack enemies to collect items and Ryo. Both characters can jump around and duck in side-view stages and preform a crawl maneuver. When playing in a side-view stage, you can ride on the other player's back by jumping on the other player while they're in a crouch position. The character on the bottom moves and jumps and the character on the top attacks. This move increases your hitbox, but can save some trouble for you and your partner.
Switching Between Viewpoints[edit]
The game's Warlock Zones are made of two different viewpoints. Top-view stages where you explore towns and find the exit and side-view stages where you go through a linear platforming level to reach a boss. Once you find the exit in the top-view area, you will meet a Tanuki (Raccoon Dog in the western version) and the view will switch to the side-view perspective. Visit the controls page for the differences in the controls between the top-view and side-view stages. The Tanuki will let you pass when you talk to him. In Two Player Mode, he will ask you if you want to go alone or together. If you chose alone, the second player can join in on the action at anytime by pressing the button.
Money Management[edit]
Money is very important in this game. It is used to buy items (some of which are required to beat certain levels), play mini-games, and purchase food. Ryō can even be used as a projectile weapon (which is very handy, but costs $4 every time you use it). When you see a lady walking through town, DO NOT ATTACK THEM! Instead, walk into them to gain $50. Nice! If you are a beginner and are recommended to buy armor, extra food, etc., then you may need to farm for money quite a lot on your journey, even when going through the secret rooms shown in the walkthrough.
The Weapon System[edit]
When fighting an enemy, a Lucky Cat will sometimes appear instead of the regular Ryō or Scroll. When collected, your weapon will level up. Damage does not increase at any level.
| Level | Description | Weapon |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | The default weapon. Short length and decently fast speed. | (Regular Pipe for Goemon and Regular Flute for Ebisu). |
| Level 2 | Increases the length by a little bit and increases the attack speed. | (Extended Pipe for Goemon and Mega Flute for Ebisu). |
| Level 3 | Changes the character's weapon to something slower, but with way more range than before. | (Yo-Yo for Goemon and Party Horn for Ebisu). |
There are also other weapons that can be used by pressing 
.
| Weapon | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Projectile | Can be thrown for $4 a piece. | (Ryō coin for Goemon or a Ninja Shuriken for Ebisu). |
| Bombs | When thrown, it explodes and hits multiple times for a total of three hits. | Must be purchased from a shop. |
Health and Lives[edit]
Each time you play, both characters will start with three lives. But, you can find more lives in mazes and purchase Bonus Mystics from certain shops to add an extra life to your name! You're gonna need every single one of these lives since Mystical Ninja is a tough game.
Your character also starts each level with eight points on their health bar, but can increase it in increments of two by finding Golden Lucky Cats in secret rooms. Most enemies tend to do 2 points of damage while bosses tend to do between four and eight points on contact.
Continuing[edit]
Lose all your health and you lose a life. When you lose a life in side-view stages, you can choose whether to continue from the Tanuki or from a checkpoint collected in that side-view segment. In Two Player Mode, dying in the side-view will allow you to move around to safe place to respawn, similar to Joe & Mac. When you lose a life in the top-view stages, you automatically respawn with some invincibility frames. Lose all your lives and it's game over. You can continue from the beginning of the stage, but all items and money will be gone when you continue. You can also continue from a Notebook Entry by visiting the Diary Kiosk. To be a little bit forgiving, the game has unlimited continues.
Checkpoints[edit]
Checkpoints are in the form of Elephant dolls. They can be found in a lone pot or laying in the path your supposed to go in. Levels can have up to three of them.
Now that you've learned the skills and practiced the basics, it's time to find the Princess and save Japan! Hopefully, you haven't used too many continues while you practiced, because you're gonna need a lot of patience for the difficult obstacles that lie ahead.