Product Info

Platform

Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, PC

Publisher

ININ Games

Developer

NatsumeAtari

Genre

Action, Adventure, Arcade, Fighting

Players

1-2

File Size (Minimum)

3.2 GB

Release Date (NA)

Aug 29, 2024

Purchase From

eShop

PSN Store

Microsoft Store

Steam

Official Store

Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a remake of the original 1990 NES game. Be ready to fight and die (and die again) because this side-scrolling adventure title is challenging.

The Darkness Awaits

Shadow of the Ninja was originally developed by Natsume for the NES as a 2D action-platformer. The story is simplistic but serviceable: The evil emperor Garuda rules from his stronghold in a massive city. Two ninjas, Hayate and Kaede, are sent to infiltrate his base and eliminate him. Go it alone or play simultaneously with another, running, crouching, jumping, climbing, and slashing their way through several stages.

The majority of the content from the original NES game was brought over for the remake but with new features such as more weapons and additional maneuvering that’s more than just jumping and grabbing ceilings. For those who played the older game, there’s a lot to take in when understanding the new mechanics and movement. For example, to use another weapon or healing item, players have to hold down the controller’s shoulder button and move left or right to select an item. Once selected, use it with the controller button. However, if an enemy hits you before you can use a healing item, you’ll lose it.

You play as a ninja, but maneuvering around enemies is more of a challenge than it should be. Shadow stepping, which is an afterimage of the character, looks cool but doesn’t dodge attacks. Meanwhile, grabbing ceilings requires two different inputs depending on if it’s a solid platform or a thin platform. Moreover, if you move your ninja to attack below with their sword and miss, you’ll stick to the ground and be left vulnerable. The character also feels sluggish to move at times, but if you work with the game’s mechanics long enough to understand them, it starts to feel rewarding. Admittedly, it’s actually entertaining despite the constant deaths. It’s highly recommended to study and understand your ninja’s movesets before adventuring too far. If you don’t, well, expect a quicker death.

Ninja Challenging

The game offers a normal and a hard mode. Normal is already tough enough to play through and only having one life makes it even more intense. When you die, you start from the beginning of the area you were playing. There’s six stages in total, and they get progressively tougher, especially the last two.

The game at least saves your progress, so you can return after you let out your frustration. It’s just too bad the game doesn’t offer an easier mode or at least a “cheat” system like Cyber Citizen Shockman Zero and Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III. For now, you’ll have to rely on memorizing enemy attacks and practicing to get through these stages. 

The original game’s co-op feature is still available, but it’s still only local. When playing together, stages feel more difficult than in single player. For example, flying robotic enemies have larger laser sensors that trigger more easily before shooting projectiles at you. Additionally, the movement of two players combined with enemy attacks can feel overwhelming, and it becomes difficult to distinguish between your attacks and the enemy’s.

Ninja (Re)Master

Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is the fourth 16-bit style remake by Tengo Project, a studio that has a talent for remaking older titles for modern consoles and has worked on games like The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors. Those who want to play the original will have to look elsewhere, though. Oddly enough, this remake doesn’t come with the NES game as a bonus.

While the classic NES title had its own charm, Reborn’s visual overhaul is welcoming and adds more value to the game. Not only do both playable ninja characters look more colorful and move in more detail, each of the stages, along with the enemies that prowl them, look more detailed and carry that classic side scrolling visual akin to Final Fight and Streets of Rage. Simply put, the visuals have vastly improved. If that wasn’t enough, the game offers players an option to add CRT lines to make it feel more retro.

Graphics weren’t the only upgrade. The game’s soundtrack was also improved with the help of Iku Mizutani, one of the composers of the original Shadow of the Ninja game.

Players can upload their data of how many coins earned (from defeating foes) on the online leaderboard once the Game Over screen appears. Once a level is complete, players have the option to do a time attack for an extra challenge. Outside of these features, the game doesn’t offer anything more, such as unlockable art for the original game or the remake.

The Final Mission

Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a great remake of the original 1990 game, but its difficulty spikes can scare some players away. Still, if you’re looking for a fun challenge, this remake is for you.

A PlayStation 5 review code provided for this review.