Ninja Gaiden
by Tecmo
Our Price: $149.98
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $2.17 (click here)
Category: Video Games
See more product details and other editions
Product Summary
Platform: Nintendo NESPublisher: Tecmo
Product features:
- Cartridge only.
- If Like New: in perfect or minor flaw condition
- If Good: has sticker(s), sticker residue, or minor problems
- If Acceptable has one or more flaws: has stickers, label torn, yellowing, black marker on it.
Video Game Reviews of Ninja Gaiden
Customer Review: Think Castlevania--With Ninjas.
Summary: 5 Stars
When Ninja Gaiden hit the NES in 1989, gamers everywhere experienced a severe case of Deja Vu. It was as though they had seen this somewhere before. Well, it turns out they had. It wasn't but a few years earlier another soon to be legendary action/platformer franchise--Castlevania--was making gamer's "top ten" lists across the globe. Of course, Ninjas have nothing to do with Dracula, so how can people even begin to compare the two? Well, it's not such a surprising claim, especially when the games are put side by side.
Turn on the power, press start, and you're Simon Belmont/Ryu Hayabusa (Castlevania/NG respectively) armed with only his trusty whip/sword. In every area, a variety of subweapons is available, each powered by items found in the breakable objects strewn about the stage. Both games allow a single sub-weapon to be equipped at any time, with the weapon changing whenever a new one is found. The screen layouts are reflections of one another, with an "enemy" health gauge right below the player's at the top of the screen. On top of it all, the controls are identical (with the exception of the wall climb in NG), not to mention both games are incredibly difficult.
Still, the differences between the two are significant enough for NG to have it's own unique shine. Without a doubt, NG is a MUCH faster game. Unlike Castlevania's Simon Belmont who limps through each section of Dracula's castle like he twisted his ankle at the gate, NG would never work at such a sluggish pace. NG's Ryu is swift, agile, and fluid in all his movements and animation--a refreshing change from the Castlevania series.
Another difference worth noting is the cutscenes. NG is one of the first games to have what is such a common feature today. Again, unlike Castlevania (which didn't have much of a story early on), each level is followed by a short cutscene unveiling a few details about Ryu's quest. The story itself decent enough, but I personally never paid too much heed to it. Still, it's an interesting feature seeing as most games of the era had their stories printed in the instruction manuals or on the back cover of the box. NG broke the mold by allowing gamers everywhere with lost manuals/boxes to understand why the hell they're doing whatever they're doing.
Unfortunately, this doesn't help much. Ryu spends 99% of the game fighting random enemies that have no relevance to the story. You'll fight boxers, knife tossers dressed like the Fonz, dudes in camouflage sporting machine guns, guys with racing helmets and clubs, jet-pack ninjas (my personal favorite), and those freakin' hawks which are arguably more frustrating than Castlevania's infamous Medusa heads. This doesn't take away from the enjoyment, but it's moderately confusing, and you'll catch yourself saying, "What the heck was that?" pretty often. Compare the enemy randomness to that of the first NES Ninja Turtles game. Yes, it's that strange.
The boss fights range from easy to moderately difficult to impossible. As with most NES games, it's simply a matter of figuring out the pattern and getting the timing down. You can actually use the "ninja swirl" sub-weapon to take each boss out in a single blow (sometimes two), but making it to the end of any stage with that item typically requires a near photographic knowledge of the level and the skills to make it there. Oh, did I mention that every boss erupts into a massive explosion when beaten? Awesome--just awesome.
But let's cut to the basics. Here are the pros and cons that every gamer should know about this game:
Pros:
-This game will make you want to buy a sword and don some ninja garb. It truly gives the feel of being a ninja, at least as much as any NES game can.
-It's hard as hell, but makes up for it with it's fun factor and incredible soundtrack.
-With sharp, solid, responsive controls, it's like the game's watching your muscle movements to predict what you'll do next.
-Most enemies take only one hit to kill, which is as awesome as the sound they make when they explode--yes, explode--upon the blade of your sword.
-The level varieties are interesting, the game play is excellent, and the graphics are pretty decent (though they sometimes seem a little bleached).
-It's a thinking-person's game and requires lightning quick reflexes.
-It's ridiculously addictive.
Cons:
-When enemies hit, not only do they do a lot of damage, but odds are you'll be flung off a cliff more than once (see: Castlevania).
-Sometimes you'll have difficulty making simple jumps and getting to certain ledges, especially since enemies love to camp out on those already difficult to reach platforms.
-Enemies respawn so rapidly and relentlessly you'll be cursing at the screen by the end of the second stage.
-Those hawks are EVERYWHERE!
-Wall climbs can be a bit tricky (fortunately this is remedied in NGII). Still, the added challenge can be fun, especially when mastered.
Despite its flaws, NG gets 5s all around. So what if it's a Castlevania's younger brother? It's still an incredible experience. As difficult and frustrating as it is, it's fun and addictive. Pick it up if you have the chance or buy it on the Virtual Console for Wii. It's definitely worth it.
All Games
Computer and Video Games
Bestsellers in All Games
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade GameNintendo; Konami; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $139.97
Tecmo Super BowlTecmo; Tecmo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
MetroidNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $47.75
TetrisNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $129.99
Zelda II: The Adventure of LinkNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $209.99
ContraKonami; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!Nintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $23.75
Super Mario Bros. 2Nintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $18.75
Legend of ZeldaNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $78.50
Super Mario Bros. 3Nintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $29.99
Similar Video and PC Games
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade GameNintendo; Konami; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $99.99
Super Mario Bros. 2Nintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $89.97
Mega Man 2Capcom; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $399.99
Super CKonami; Konami; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $124.99
Nintendo NES System - Video Game ConsoleNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $75.00
Legend of ZeldaNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $78.50
MetroidNintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $47.75
Double Dragon (NES)Tradewest; TradeWest; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $57.25
Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!Nintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $1,499.99
Super Mario Bros. 3Nintendo; Nintendo; Nintendo NES; Video Games
Best price: $29.99