Ninja (1986). Play online

Summary

Ninja is a classic beat‑‘em‑up where you play as a stealthy warrior cutting through a multi‑screen palace. The levels are arranged as fixed screens you can hop between, allowing you to backtrack and choose branches rather than being forced along a single path. Combat mixes hand‑to‑hand karate with throwing shurikens and daggers, giving a satisfying variety of attacks.

The arcade version appeared under the name Ninja Mission on Mastertronic’s Arcadia system, which borrowed Amiga hardware. Steve Coleman, who also wrote Rainbow Walker and The Pharaoh’s Curse, programmed the title. Contemporary critics praised its animation and sound, calling it an unmissable bargain, though some publications found the Commodore 64 port dull and gave it low scores.

Storyline

In Ninja (Arcade) you play as a lone ninja tasked with infiltrating a sprawling Japanese palace. Using karate strikes, shuriken throws and daggers, you battle rival ninjas guarding each corridor. Six sacred idols must be gathered; once collected, a secret doorway opens to Akuma’s loft where the seventh idol waits. After securing the final idol, the hero races back to the torii gate to complete the mission.