The Ninja Warriors, a beat 'em up video game developed by Natsume for the Super Nintendo/Super Famicom, hit the gaming scene in 1994. Taito took charge of publishing in Japan and North America, while Titus handled the European release in 1995. Serving as a sequel to Taito's 1987 arcade game with the same title, this game inherits and refines the gameplay that made its predecessor a classic in the beat 'em up genre.
This one's a great game. I remember renting it from a close acquaintance of a friend back in the 1990's.
The Story
Three androids, each technologically endowed with the ancient skills of Ninja Warriors, embark on an untested journey to vanquish an entire army and topple the tyrant, Banglar. Armed with a formidable arsenal including fists, swords, knives, and curving steel blades, these androids lack human emotions that might weaken their resolve. Their sole purpose is singular and absolute — annihilate all enemies that stand in their way.
The Graphics and Sound
Compared to other Super Nintendo games in a similar style, Ninja Warriors boasts impressive graphic quality. The sprites are appropriately sized, well-designed, and exhibit smooth animations, with the female ninja standing out as a personal favorite. Additionally, various effects such as explosions and lasers are executed well and contribute to the visual appeal. While the level design doesn't offer anything groundbreaking, it meets expectations.
In the realm of sound, there's nothing particularly noteworthy. It is comparable, of course, with SNES/16-bit era games. However, it's not necessarily a bad thing. Engaged in fending off hordes of adversaries, the music might not grab your attention, which can be viewed as either positive or negative depending on your level of detail orientation. Sound effects, though not exceptional, maintain a consistent quality, preventing the irritation of repetitive noises.
The Gameplay
Ninja Warriors breaks away from the monotony often associated with beat 'em up games, providing a fast-paced and strategically engaging experience. Unlike other titles in the genre that involve repetitive moves and lack strategic depth, It keeps the action dynamic. The game's swiftness in progressing through screens and varied enemy encounters ensure that players need to adapt their strategy continuously.
Responsive controls enhance the overall gameplay experience. Levels are appropriately sized, and enemies don't overstay their welcome, requiring different approaches to defeat them. Cleverly designed traps in some levels add an extra layer of interest, even though they could be more abundant.
While the variety of enemies is not extensive, each one demands a distinct approach. Boss battles add further intrigue, with some bosses being more easily defeated using specific characters.
The game's challenge level is well-balanced, and the option to play as different characters after completing it once adds to the replay value. Ultimately, Ninja Warriors excels in making the gameplay itself enjoyable rather than solely relying on the satisfaction of completion.
My Verdict
Ninja Warriors stands out as an excellent side-scrolling beat 'em up, especially for fans of the genre. If you like games of this kind, Ninja Warriors offers an engaging experience that's likely to resonate with your preferences. Even if you've had a less-than-favorable impression of beat 'em up games in the past, particularly those like Final Fight, Ninja Warriors has the potential to change your perspective. Give it a try, and you might find yourself pleasantly surprised.
Play it on the highly coveted Super Nintendo/Super Famicom or play it on a great emulator.