Shinobi (ARC, 1987)
Graphics-8 Sound-8.5 Control-7.5 Challenge-8 Story-5
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8/10* Fun-7.5 Originality-6
Overall Score-7
*final stage, mandara on some roms
+
Pretty fast paced and intense
some large sprites (bosses, bonus level), easier to use ninja magic than on SMS (single button press)
simply colliding with an enemy doesn't hurt you (unless it's a ninja and you're not touching its back)
first and second bosses appear mid-level to taunt you
context sensitive melee attack
boss areas are larger than on SMS, fast paced, double plane gameplay, difficulty options (different roms have a different Mandara boss - in one of them it's really hard even on Easy), upgrade weapons (missiles and melee sword attack),
+/-
Somewhat less tactical than on SMS since your rate of fire is faster
upgrades disappear after each level
one hit kills
one ninja magic per sub stage and it's always a smart bomb here
-
Credits are no longer useful when you reach the final level
somewhat poor jump control (can't control jump height, can’t turn around in mid-air until you’re falling downward)
trial & error (ninjas pop up very fast right in front of you, enemies appearing at the other side of a pit, multiple ninjas doing ambush attacks, flying ninjas in final level, some cheap enemy placements where you almost need to use magic, sword and shield enemies generally don't hurt you with their sword swing (just knockback, but don't count on it))
harder bonus level (you auto-gain ninja magic in each sub stage though)
pretty cheap final boss (final form is extremely fast and random)
difficulty spike at the Mandara boss, weak ending
Level Design-7.5 Frustration-8/10* Fun-7.5 Originality-6
Overall Score-7
*final stage, mandara on some roms
+
Pretty fast paced and intense
some large sprites (bosses, bonus level), easier to use ninja magic than on SMS (single button press)
simply colliding with an enemy doesn't hurt you (unless it's a ninja and you're not touching its back)
first and second bosses appear mid-level to taunt you
context sensitive melee attack
boss areas are larger than on SMS, fast paced, double plane gameplay, difficulty options (different roms have a different Mandara boss - in one of them it's really hard even on Easy), upgrade weapons (missiles and melee sword attack),
+/-
Somewhat less tactical than on SMS since your rate of fire is faster
upgrades disappear after each level
one hit kills
one ninja magic per sub stage and it's always a smart bomb here
-
Credits are no longer useful when you reach the final level
somewhat poor jump control (can't control jump height, can’t turn around in mid-air until you’re falling downward)
trial & error (ninjas pop up very fast right in front of you, enemies appearing at the other side of a pit, multiple ninjas doing ambush attacks, flying ninjas in final level, some cheap enemy placements where you almost need to use magic, sword and shield enemies generally don't hurt you with their sword swing (just knockback, but don't count on it))
harder bonus level (you auto-gain ninja magic in each sub stage though)
pretty cheap final boss (final form is extremely fast and random)
difficulty spike at the Mandara boss, weak ending
