Released in 1987 by Sega, Shinobi is a side-scrolling beat ’em up arcade game that quickly became one of the most iconic titles of its era. Combining traditional action gameplay with elements of stealth and strategy, Shinobi introduced players to Joe Musashi, a skilled ninja who must rescue his kidnapped students from an evil crime syndicate. For its time, Shinobi was visually impressive. The sprite-based graphics were crisp and detailed, with fluid animation that brought Joe Musashi and his enemies to life. The backgrounds were colorful and varied, from city rooftops to dense forests, which helped to keep the player engaged throughout each stage. The music, composed by Sega’s in-house team, was also memorable. The iconic, upbeat soundtrack became synonymous with Shinobi and contributed to the game’s energetic vibe. The sound effects, while simple, were effective in adding impact to combat and the action on-screen. The game’s success led to several sequels and spin-offs, solidifying the Shinobi series as one of Sega’s most well-known franchises. It offered challenging difficulty, tight controls, and satisfying combat mechanics. It also set the stage for later ninja-themed games, influencing titles in the action genre for years to come. The release is compatible with all NeoGeo systems.
news source: Youtube / download NeoGEO Port