Classic Games

Ninja Gaiden

Cinematic action

Ninja Gaiden combined brutal difficulty with pioneering cutscenes, telling a revenge story through animated sequences that elevated NES storytelling.

NESarcade actionplatformertecmo 1988

Overview

Ryu Hayabusa’s quest to avenge his father brought cinema to the NES. Ninja Gaiden’s animated cutscenes were unprecedented—actual storytelling between stages. The gameplay was equally memorable: wall-climbing, sub-weapons, and difficulty that would make grown players weep.

Fast facts

  • Developer: Tecmo.
  • Release: 1988 (arcade), 1989 (NES).
  • Protagonist: Ryu Hayabusa.
  • Innovation: Cinematic cutscenes.

NES vs arcade

VersionStyle
ArcadeBeat-em-up
NESAction platformer
FocusNES became definitive

The NES game superseded the arcade original.

Cinematic cutscenes

FeatureAchievement
Animated sequencesNear-anime quality
Story integrationPlot between stages
Character developmentEmotional investment
NES firstPioneering presentation

Gameplay mechanics

ActionFunction
Sword slashPrimary attack
Wall clingVertical navigation
Sub-weaponsNinpo techniques
Jump slashAerial combat

Sub-weapons (Ninpo)

TechniqueEffect
Throwing starRanged attack
Windmill starReturns to player
Fire wheelCircular protection
Jump & SlashDownward attack
Fire dragonPowerful projectile

Difficulty reputation

FactorImpact
Respawning enemiesRelentless
KnockbackPit deaths
Boss patternsMemorisation required
Act 6Legendary challenge

Stage structure

ActStages
1-5Multiple stages each
6Final confrontation
BossEach act boss

Losing to final boss returns player to Act 6 start.

Music

TrackQuality
Stage themesDriving action
Cutscene musicAtmospheric
Boss themesIntense

Memorable NES compositions throughout.

Trilogy

TitleYear
Ninja Gaiden1989
Ninja Gaiden II1990
Ninja Gaiden III1991

Each maintained quality and difficulty.

Legacy

Ninja Gaiden influenced:

  • Game storytelling expectations
  • Cinematic presentation
  • Difficult action platformers
  • Ninja game genre

See also