Shinobi (1987 video game)

Sega AM1
Industry	Video game development
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Shinobi (1987 arcade game)
Parent	Sega

Shinobi is a side-scrolling hack and slash arcade game created by Sega AM1 and launched by Sega in 1987 on the Sega System 16 platform. Players take on the role of the ninja Joe Musashi, whose mission is to prevent the Zeed terrorist group from abducting students belonging to his ninja clan.

The title enjoyed considerable commercial acclaim, reaching the top position on Japanese arcade rankings in December 1987 and becoming the leading arcade conversion kit in the United States in 1988. It maintained a spot within the top five throughout 1989. Building on this momentum, Sega released versions for the Master System, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC Engine, and several home computer systems. Subsequently, the game was reissued as downloadable emulated editions on platforms such as the Wii, Xbox 360, and later appeared on the Nintendo Switch via the Sega Ages collection in January 2020. The game's robust sales performance laid the groundwork for numerous sequels and spin-offs within the Shinobi franchise.

Gameplay

In Shinobi, players use an eight-directional joystick combined with three buttons dedicated to attacking, jumping, and activating special ninjutsu powers known as "ninja magic." The protagonist, Joe Musashi, wields infinite shurikens alongside hand-to-hand combat moves like punches and kicks. Successfully rescuing particular hostages enhances his arsenal, granting access to a firearm and katana strikes. The ninjutsu abilities, which can be employed once per level, serve to eliminate groups of enemies or inflict substantial damage on bosses; examples include lightning storms, tornadoes, and creating a doppelganger.

Opponents range from street punks and mercenaries to rival ninjas and Mongolian swordsmen protecting captives. Musashi sustains damage solely from enemy attacks or by falling into traps; upon losing a life, the current stage restarts but previously freed hostages remain safe. Additional credits allow players to continue except during the final mission. Each level imposes a three-minute timer, with bonus rewards awarded for rapid completion, sparing ninjutsu usage, or relying exclusively on melee combat. Extra lives can be earned through accumulating points, completing bonus challenges, or rescuing particular hostages.

Bonus stages involve a first-person perspective where players throw shurikens at enemy ninjas to gain extra lives.

Plot

Joe Musashi's objective is to thwart Zeed, an evil organization kidnapping children from his ninja clan. The game consists of five missions divided into multiple stages where Musashi liberates hostages and faces a boss battle at each mission’s conclusion. Prior to each mission, players receive briefings featuring enemy photographs and maps outlining objectives.

Master System

Sega developed a version of Shinobi for the Master System, launching it in Japan on June 19, 1988, followed by releases in North America and Europe. This adaptation introduced a health bar replacing instant death from a single hit and made hostage rescues optional; these rescues enhance weapons and restore health. Unlocking specific hostages grants access to bonus stages that appear after standard levels instead of boss battles, offering new ninjutsu abilities.

In October 1992, Atari Corporation filed a lawsuit against Sega alleging patent violations related to Genesis and Game Gear technologies. The dispute was resolved in 1994 through a cross-licensing deal permitting each company to publish up to five games annually until 2001. Although the Master System version was among the earliest titles authorized for conversion to the Atari Jaguar console, it ultimately never saw release.

Home computers

In 1989, Shinobi was adapted for several home computer platforms, including the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. These versions were developed by The Sales Curve and published by Virgin Mastertronic across Europe, while Sega handled North American distribution—excluding the Amstrad and Spectrum editions. Additionally, an IBM PC port was created by Micromosaics Inc. and released in North America under Sega's banner.

PC Engine

The PC Engine saw a Japan-exclusive release of Shinobi on December 8, 1989, through Asmik. Although the visuals and gameplay closely mirrored the arcade original, certain features such as close-range attacks and power-ups were removed. Instead, players gained extra lives based on their score rather than encountering bonus rounds. This version also omitted the life gauge, time constraints, and the second mission from the arcade game.

Nintendo Entertainment System

In 1989, an unlicensed edition for the Nintendo Entertainment System was launched solely in North America by Tengen. Drawing inspiration from the Master System adaptation, this iteration excluded close-combat weapons and grenades. Moreover, stages that originally featured vertical scrolling were redesigned to scroll horizontally.

Wii and Xbox 360

The original arcade Shinobi was reissued on the Wii's Virtual Console and the Xbox 360's Live Arcade. These versions included minor graphical alterations due to licensing restrictions concerning a character resembling Spider-Man.

Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection

Within Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Shinobi can be unlocked after successfully completing the first stage of Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master without using continues.

Reception

In December 1987, Game Machine ranked Shinobi as the leading table arcade game in Japan. In the United States, it achieved blockbuster status, becoming the top-grossing arcade conversion kit of 1988 and maintaining a position among the five highest earners in 1989.

Critics lauded Shinobi's rapid gameplay and vibrant visuals. Clare Edgeley from Computer and Video Games emphasized its demanding action sequences and engaging bonus stages, describing it as "well worth playing." Nick Kelly of Commodore User awarded it an 8 out of 10 for its effective blend of shoot'em up and beat'em up mechanics. Retrospective assessments, such as those from Black Belt, regard it as one of the premier martial arts arcade titles of the 1980s.

The Master System port received positive recognition for its graphical fidelity, audio quality, and gameplay experience. Computer and Video Games praised its visual presentation and sound design; meanwhile, Computer Entertainer gave it a perfect rating, calling it "the best martial arts-themed game" available on any platform; Dragon awarded it four stars out of five. Later reviews acknowledge it as a classic title, though somewhat eclipsed by its more advanced 16-bit sequel.

In 2020, Zach Gass from Screen Rant included Shinobi and its follow-ups among ten standout hack-and-slash games.

Legacy

As noted by Den of Geek, "Shinobi is arguably the most ‘important’ and influential ninja game, launching the genre’s longest-running franchise."

Sequels and related games

Sega followed up in 1989 with The Revenge of Shinobi, known as The Super Shinobi in Japan, which served as a launch title for their Mega Drive console. That same year saw the release of arcade sequel Shadow Dancer, which introduced a dog companion while maintaining core gameplay elements.

Further entries in the series appeared on platforms such as Game Gear, Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo 3DS. The 1990 Master System title Alex Kidd in Shinobi World offered a parody of Shinobi, starring former Sega mascot Alex Kidd.

External links

Official site