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Game Info

Cover art of Ninja

4.4 / 5

4 votes

Platform
Arcade
Genres
Fighting · Beat 'em Up
Player Perspective
Side view
Developers
Sculptured Software
Publishers
Mastertronic · Arcadia Systems
Release date
December 31, 1986

Summary

Ninja (known as Ninja Mission on the Amiga, Atari ST and arcade) throws you into a sprawling Japanese palace that feels more like a maze than a straight beat‑‘em‑up. Each screen is a fixed flip‑screen segment, stacked vertically, and you can wander left or right, backtrack, and even explore both branches of a split path before deciding which way to push forward. The core loop is simple but satisfying: karate punches, shuriken throws, and dagger slashes against waves of enemy ninjas that rush toward the castle keep.

Scattered through the corridors are six idols you must gather; finding the hidden entrance to Akuma’s loft reveals a seventh idol and forces you to retrace your steps back to the torii gate. The game’s animation and sound were praised at the time for their polish, especially given the low price tag, though the Commodore 64 version earned some harsh criticism and low scores. For anyone who enjoys non‑linear exploration wrapped in retro beat‑‘em‑up action, Ninja offers a quirky slice of mid‑80s arcade design.

Storyline

The arcade game Ninja puts you in the shoes of a lone ninja tasked with infiltrating a Japanese palace. You battle enemy ninjas using karate-style strikes, shuriken throws, and daggers.

Your objective is to gather six hidden idols; doing so reveals a secret entrance to Akuma’s loft, where the seventh idol lies. After securing the final idol, you must make your way back to the torii gate to complete the mission.

Edited by Maya Carter

Game Screenshots

  • Screenshot 1 of Ninja
  • Screenshot 2 of Ninja
  • Screenshot 3 of Ninja
  • Screenshot 4 of Ninja
  • Screenshot 5 of Ninja
  • Screenshot 6 of Ninja
  • Screenshot 7 of Ninja

Arcade Machine

Developers
Data East
Machine Style
Upright
Control Panel
Single-player
Screen Orientation
Portrait
Sound
Mono

Multiplayer

Multiplayer setup
Hot Seat

Alternative Titles

  • Ninja Mission Alternative