Summary
Ninjas have been a source of fascination in pop culture for decades, not least in video games. The secretive, stealthy assassins of feudal Japan are surrounded by mystery (they avoided writing down their techniques, so much of their real-life lore is lost to the ages) but there is plenty of dramatic license that can be employed when bringing them to life in video games.
Some of the earliest popular video games, whether on console or arcade, featured ninjas (Ninja GaidenandShinobiare two of the biggest examples) so to an extent, they’ve been synonymous with retro gaming. There are plenty of modern games that take inspiration from them, so here is a list of modern ninja games that embrace a retro style, whether it’s through their gameplay or their aesthetics.
7Ninja Senki DX
Arcade Thrills And Plenty Of Charm
The tonal opposite of the moodier games on this list isNinja Senki DX, which takes its cue from the early days of the Nintendo Famicom and offers up a cute, simplified aesthetic in its depiction of all-out ninja action. The player takes control of Hayate, master of the shuriken throwing star, as he fights to avenge the princess of his clan while taking on a powerful demon in ancient Japan.
The gameplay style is somewhere betweenNinja Gaiden,Mega Man, andSuper Marioas it brings together frantic platforming action with a steep difficulty curve. It isn’t necessarily the most original game, but it has plenty of charm and colorful visuals.
6Oniken
Heads Will Burst, Robots Will Explode
The legendary manga and animeFist Of The North Starwas a huge visual influence on this game. It is set, as is the norm for many retro action games, in a post-apocalyptic future where humanity has been almost wiped out. Its last vestiges are subjugated by a brutal collective of machines named the Oniken.
Playing as the futuristic ninja Jaku, the player must fight numerous cyber-baddies and tough bosses.Onikenpays tribute to lesser-known but fondly-remembered NES titles likeShadow Of The NinjaandKabuki Quantum Fighter, and even throws a bit ofContra-esque run and gun gameplay in for good measure.
5Shadow Blade: Reload
A Mobile Classic Gets Spruced Up
Shadow Blade: Reloadtakes the fast-paced gameplay run-and-slash elements of classic ninja games and gives it a modern lick of paint. It was originallya mobile action game, making full use of the ability to swipe as a mimic for onscreen ninja action before its control system was revised as it graduated to consoles.
Speed is the name of the game, as the player is encouraged to keep moving forward while leaping over platforms and slicing enemies into a bloody pulp. Precision and timing are key, as the game rewards players for how quickly they can complete the many bite-sized levels. Its sleek visuals give it a more contemporary feel, putting it ahead of games likeOniken.
Fusing the past and present with some indication of the future,Kunaiis a 2D Metroidvania that mixes modern elements with a visual style that brings to mind vintage handhelds like the Game Boy Color andGame Boy Advance. In it, the player takes control of Tabby, a ninja warrior whose body and head are a tablet and who must fight to save humanity.
Kunaipositively oozes personality, hence its higher ranking, and was presumably a labor of love for its development team. It is brought more into the present thanks to its parkour gameplay andMetroidvaniaelements, and Tabby sports a nifty grappling hook, which brings to mind classic games likeBionic Commando.
While there may be no feudal Japan-inspired ninjas in this game, the mechanics are still there; stealth, tight reflexes, assassination, and swift movement are all vital to success in this gritty, atmospheric neo-noir title that has a heavy synthwave aesthetic. The game has a mature storyline and and some truly nail-biting gameplay moments, so only experienced gamers need apply.
Katana Zeromakes use of a time-manipulation mechanic and one-hit-kill system, so the player must take extra care and use tactical thinking when finding the best ways to navigate levels and take out bad guys. It isn’t necessarily the longest game and can be completed in a few hours, but its stylish, memorable set pieces make it one of the standout titles on this list.
Cyber Shadowwears its influences proudly on its sleeve. In this instant, the biggest influence isNinja Gaiden, and it shares many hallmarks with the legendary NES milestone; fast-paced combat, intense platform action, and an unforgiving difficulty curve that tests the player, though unlike its predecessor,Cyber Shadownever resorts to cheap enemy respawns or torturing the player.
The game combines old-school gameplay with modern flourishes, mixing ninja iconography with cyberpunk and science-fiction aesthetics. It also packs in some epic boss fights for good measure. A modern game in a classic skin that still finds ways to freshen up the formula and has some top-tier production values.
The Messengerrepresents a gold standard for this type of game, as it is a love letter not just to ninjas but to a golden age of video gaming, including16-bit titles made by the likes of Sega. On the one hand, it’s a thrilling action platformer that hits the perfect sweet spot between challenge and fun. But there’s a lot more going on.
An ingenious mechanic utilized roughly halfway through the game bounces the player between retro-inspired 8-bit and 16-bit styles. One minute it feels like an NES game, the next it can resemble a Mega Drive title. With a mix of classic ninja gameplay with time-traveling mechanics, not to mention a dry, witty script with some of the best comedic dialogue in recent video gaming,The Messengeris an instant classic.
It’s difficult to not include this legendary game as it’s been such a huge influence on video gaming and is one of manyNES games currently available via Switch Online. The premise is simple; the player is a legendary ninja named Ryu Hayabusa and must run and jump their way to victory while taking out hordes of baddies with a katana and throwing projectiles.
Tough as absolute nails, the game can still test the skills of even the most dedicated gamers. It is also notable for pioneering the cutscene as fans know it, via its Tecmo Theater interludes, and it has a notoriously punishing level mechanic - if the player fudges the final boss fight, they are sent back three stages to fight through tedious waves of enemies all over again, a cheap tactic for sure!
