The Ninja Warriors
Sega / Shin Force
The Ninja Warriors
Sega/Shin Force > Systems > Sega CD > Reviews
Shin Force ~ Sega CD ~
 The Ninja Warriors :: Reviews
Shinobi
Reviewed
11.16.2000
Publisher
Taito
Developer
Aisystem Tokyo
Format
CD
Origin
Import
Available
??, 1993 
 (JPN) 
 ¥7,800
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
2D
View
Side
Genre
Ninja/Action
Player(s)
1-2
Options
6 Button
Arcade Stick
CDKey*
Pro CDX*
Requires
n/a
Importable
100%*
Intro
      > Most of us know Taito for their great shooters -- Night Striker for Mega/Sega CD comes to mind.  In my eyes, Taito has yet to establish themselves as a major third party developer for anyone.  They did, however, come up with an interesting ninja action title called The Ninja Warriors.  The arcade version boasted a widescreen format (some machines used multiple screens) and plenty of bad guys to defeat.  When the Mega/Sega CD arrived, it was a natural for the home conversion, as Zuntata's music would really be able to take advantage of the medium. To this day, the Mega-CD version remains the most faithful to its arcade brother.

     > If you want this game, you'll have to get the import version (note: the SNES version is not the arcade version).  Playing it is a snap with a CDKey or Pro CDX, as it's almost entirely in English.  It even has English voices with Japanese subtitles!
Graphics
     > When this game came out in arcades (1987), its graphics were considered state of the art.  Although once it reached the Mega CD in 1993, that was no longer true.  At any rate, purists will enjoy the fact that this version remains faithful to the original.  It even maintains the widescreen format, albeit the single screen version.

     > All levels have a military theme.  You'll see tanks, various types of infantry, aircraft, other military hardware, and lots more.  The side scrolling action is enhanced with two layers of scenery, just like the arcade version.  The coolest feature though is the animation of the two main characters (a ninja and kunoichi).  Throughout all their moves, they look really good (albeit a little stiff).  Also, they are robots, which turn into endoskeletons as you take damage!
Control
     > Simple action.  You can jump, slash, and throw a limited number of shurikens -- no power-ups.  Your objective is the kill the never ending swarm of enemies as you seek the end of a level.  Bosses and mid-bosses await as well, and usually require a certain strategy to kill or avoid.
Sound
     > This is cool.  Zuntata, Taito's main sound team, has really done a great job.  You can select original or arranged arcade music, both of which are great.  Just imagine 80s pop-rock with a slight hint of techno, and you know what to expect.  Lastly, the sound effects work great and include weapons fire, death moans, and some environmental effects. 
Fun
     > This is truly a classic.  By today's standards, it's kind of over simplified, but sometimes that's just what a hardcore gamer wants.  I loved it in the arcades and now I'm loving it at home.  Bring along a friend for two player action as well.
Bottom Line
     > The Ninja Warriors is for people that like simple gameplay, arcade action, and cool music.  If you like the arcade original by Taito, have a means to play Japanese Mega-CD games, then definitely get it.  It's a great ninja action title complete with Zuntata's best music.  Nostalgia -- you know I'm all over it.
Ratings
Overall: 8.6 | Graphics: 8.0 | Control: 8.5 | Sound: 10 | Fun: 8.0
~ Shinobi ~








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