Summary

• Release Year: 1994
• Genres: Hack and slash/Beat ’em up
• Platforms: Super Famicom, Super Nintendo Entertainment System
• Developers: Natsume Co., Ltd.
• Publishers: Taito, Titus Entertainment

The Ninja Warriors (1994): A Nostalgic Beat ‘Em Up Gem

Released in arcades in 1994, The Ninja Warriors is a side-scrolling beat ’em up that quickly gained a cult following among arcade enthusiasts. Developed by Natsume and published by Taito, the game stands out for its intense action, challenging difficulty, and unique widescreen format.

Gameplay

The Ninja Warriors follows the story of three ninjas on a mission to rescue their master from the clutches of an evil warlord. Players can choose to play as Ninja, Kunoichi, or Kamaitachi, each with their own unique abilities and playstyles.

Ninja is the all-around balanced character, with good attack power, speed, and range. Kunoichi is the fastest character, with quick attacks and agile movement, but she has less power than the other two characters. Kamaitachi is the strongest character, with powerful attacks and a long reach, but he is also the slowest.

The gameplay in The Ninja Warriors is fast-paced and intense, with players battling through hordes of enemies using a combination of ground attacks, jumping attacks, and throws. Players can also pick up objects in the environment and use them as improvised weapons.

One of the unique features of The Ninja Warriors is its widescreen format. This gives players a wider field of view, allowing them to see more of the action and anticipate enemy attacks.

Difficulty

The Ninja Warriors is notorious for its high difficulty. Enemies are relentless and unforgiving, and the game requires quick reflexes and precise execution to succeed. Players must also contend with the fact that enemies can approach from both the left and right sides of the screen, making it difficult to keep track of all the threats.

However, the game’s difficulty is also part of its charm. Overcoming the challenges of The Ninja Warriors is a rewarding experience, and it gives players a sense of accomplishment that few other games can match.

Graphics and Sound

The Ninja Warriors features colorful and detailed pixel art graphics. The character sprites are large and expressive, and the backgrounds are full of intricate details. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with catchy tunes that perfectly complement the fast-paced action.

Censorship

The North American and European versions of The Ninja Warriors were censored compared to the original Japanese version. The female ninja enemies were replaced with clawed enemies wearing pink wardrobe, and the bright green blood was removed entirely when Kunoichi and Kamaitachi attack.

The European version of the game, published by Titus Software, is also noticeably slower and easier than the other two versions.

Legacy

The Ninja Warriors was a critical and commercial success, and it has since been ported to a number of home consoles. The game has also been included in several retro game compilations.

The Ninja Warriors is remembered as one of the best beat ’em ups of the 1990s. Its fast-paced action, challenging difficulty, and unique widescreen format make it a standout title in the genre.

Tips for Playing The Ninja Warriors

Here are a few tips for playing The Ninja Warriors:

• Learn the different characters and their unique abilities. Each character has their own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your playstyle.
• Master the basic controls. The Ninja Warriors has a simple but effective control scheme, but it’s important to master the basics in order to succeed.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Enemies can approach from both the left and right sides of the screen, so it’s important to keep track of all the threats.
• Use objects in the environment to your advantage. Objects can be picked up and used as improvised weapons, so don’t be afraid to use them to your advantage.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. The Ninja Warriors is a game that rewards experimentation. Try different strategies and see what works best for you.

Conclusion

The Ninja Warriors is a classic beat ’em up that still holds up today. Its fast-paced action, challenging difficulty, and unique widescreen format make it a standout title in the genre. If you’re a fan of beat ’em ups, or if you’re just looking for a challenging and rewarding game to play, then The Ninja Warriors is definitely worth checking out.

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

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