7th Anniversary! Ninja in Video Games
This week on Heroes Three podcast we're celebrating our 7th anniversary! The Summer of Ninja continues as we take a look at some of our favorite ninja in video games.
Check out some H3 art and merch! - https://www.teepublic.com/user/kf_carlito
Ninja in Video Games
Since we're talkin' games here's a li'l visual companion covering what we discussed. Enjoy!
Ninja Hayate - Taito - 1984
A LaserDisc game following in the footsteps of 1983's Dragon's Lair. Japanese developer Taito teamed up with Toei Animation to produce this ninja themed arcade game. You'll need the reflexes of a ninja to survive the enemies and traps that await.
NinjaJaJaMaru-Kun - Jaleco - 1985
This action platformer from Jaleco put you in the tabi of JaJaMaru as he fights all sort of yokai to rescue Princess Sakura from the evil NamazuDayu. It's...not that great, BUT you gotta love the adorable sprites they made for this game.
More recently JaJaMaru received a retro revival that gets the Carlos seal of approval. Ninja JaJaMaru: The Great Yokai Battle smooths out the rough edges of the original and adds a whole lot more.
The Legend of Kage - 1985 - Taito
Play as Kage as you fight ninja forces and attempt to save Kirihime. Even ninja were stuck saving princesses in 80's video games. A high flying action game that really didn't feel like anything else at the time, ninja attacked you from all directions as you climb, jump, and dash through forests and castles.
Mr. Goemon - 1986 - Konami
Mr. Goemon is Konami's first take on what would become one of their flagship characters alongside Simon Belmont, Twinbee, and Solid Snake. This version is much more in line with the historical Ishikawa Goemon's feudal origins, in look and in theme. You steal from the rich and give to the poor, all with a kabuki-like vibe that Raizo Ichikawa might have appreciated.
As the series continued, it turned more into a cartoon mischief situation, and explored more than just action with some RPG elements, and even a giant robot! We love giant robots here, so please enjoy Impact and his theme song by anime song legend, Ichiro Mizuki!
Ninja - 1986 - Sculptured Software
This beat 'em up on the C64 is probably as good as it gets for punchy action on the console. I can see how nostalgia would probably hold this up higher for some people, but I am a ninja and I am not burdened with emotional attachments.
The Last Ninja is more of the C64 experience I expected. Looks pretty ambitious and has some nice tunes(also obligatory isometric view)!
The Ninja Master - 1986 - Tron Software
This game takes the Olympic format and lets you participate in a handful of ninja themed sporting events such as intercepting oncoming projectiles, board breaking, and even a blow dart skeet shoot!
"You have qualified!"
The Ninja Warriors - 1987 - Taito
The Ninja Warriors was a commanding arcade experience from Taito. The game uses three monitors to display the action as you slowly move forward and decimate any enemy that is in your way. As you take damage it is revealed that you are more than human. Amazing graphics for the time, and in my humble opinion some of the best arcade music of the era as well.
Check out the cabinet at Galloping Ghost Arcade outside of Chicago if you get the chance!
Final Fantasy - 1987 - Square
The role playing game that saved Square and helped pave the way for role playing video games worldwide began with a ninja in its midst. As you progress through the game your characters level up and evolve. If you choose the Thief he becomes a Ninja in the late game.
Ninja have made a handful of appearances throughout the series. FF4 includes Edge, a brash young ninja come from royalty. FF5 includes ninja as a job class that any party member can take on. FF6 has Shadow and his dog Interceptor jump in and out of our party, always staying on his own terms yet with a mysterious connection to the party at large.
Take a look at some of the classic ninja in Final Fantasy.
This is a good stopping point. You can listen to us talk about all these and more in the episode! I'll return to round out are examples later with part two pf this post later in the week!
🥷🥷🥷
Comments
Post a Comment