The Shinobi series has been on hiatus for a long time. The last official game in the series was Shinobi Nightshade for Playstation 2, and while the game tried to revive the franchise, gamers were frustrated by the combo system and dodgy camera angles.
Shinobi for Nintendo 3DS marks the return of the Musashi family and the introduction of Jiro Musashi, the father of Joe Mushasi (the protagonist of earlier Shinobi games). While the plot is thin, the story keeps it simple: a group of ninjas attack Jiro’s ancient hometown. Without hesitation, Jiro springs into action to find the source of the attack, but instead gets swallowed up by a time vortex. This sets the stage for Shinobi and the locations he will visit during his adventure.
The Nintendo 3DS version of Shinobi is a 2.5D side-scroller that utilizes the system’s 3D capabilities. Even though the backgrounds give the illusion of 2D, the eye-popping 3D effects add real depth to the environments. Jiro, the white-cladded ninja hero of the story, is armed with a katana blade (a trademark weapon of all ninjas), throwing knives, and ninja magic (which first appeared in The Revenge of Shinobi for Sega Genesis).
As you race through each level, you must navigate high platforms by double-jumping and use the ceilings to reach areas that are otherwise inaccessible.
You will notice right away that Shinobi for 3DS borrows most of its features from The Revenge of Shinobi, like the ability to double-jump and use magic. While more of a re-imagining than a remake, Shinobi plays very similar to its predecessors.
The gameplay is based on combo attacks and the ability to block. Blocking is an important part of combat that requires precise timing. Each incoming attack must be blocked in timed succession by pressing the R button.
Holding down the R button will have no effect. The combo system, like in any action game, rewards the player with bonuses if the combo can be maintained. It is possible to integrate magic into your combos as finishers.
The sensitive platforming elements in Shinobi can be frustrating. Jiro will sometimes cling to the side of an object instead of jumping, resulting in a platform crumbling and sending him to his death. During maze levels where spikes and platforms are present, it is difficult to control where you will land. This can cause you to land in spikes or fall off platforms.
Jiro’s grappling hook is a vital tool in surviving most of the levels. When you’re not flipping between the roof or the ceiling of a building, you’re using the grappling hook to pull yourself from danger. The grappling hook’s range is limited, so in some areas, you are forced to double-jump over a chasm to attach the hook to the ceiling. This is responsible for many heart-pounding moments.
Bonus games range from horseback riding in heavy wooded areas to fighting on the roof of an SUV. While entertaining to some degree, it can be difficult to judge the distance of incoming objects. During the horseback riding sequence, trees that are slightly off to the left suddenly appear right in front of you. It’s hard to tell whether the Nintendo 3DS is at fault or the game itself.
Not everything in Shinobi is trial-and-error. Boss battles are some of the most challenging encounters in the game. Like the original Shinobi games, the bosses are menacing and powerful, but have patterns that can be easily learned.
The first boss, Yuki Onna, hesitates after firing projectiles. When this happens, she is vulnerable to attack. Once she is weakened, an icon indicating a button press will appear over her head. Executing this move will inflict enormous amounts of damage.
Shinobi is chalk full of bonus features, including achievements and Shinobi history tidbits. Additional bonus features unlock soundtracks, movies (in-game cinemas), and conceptual artwork. There is something for everyone.
Shinobi’s graphics are a mixed bag. Instead of using sprites, developer Griptonite decided to use 3D models on a 2.5D play field. The end result is decent, if not a bit blocky, for most of the characters and backgrounds. The fully animated, hand drawn cinemas between levels are a real treat, though. These unlock later and can be viewed anytime.
While this may not be the Shinobi game fans were hoping for, it does a lot of things right by offering an immeasurable amount of bonus content and challenging boss battles. If you plan on purchasing at least one game for your Nintendo 3DS this Holiday season, make it Shinobi; it’s still a great platformer despite some of the issues mentioned.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Griptonite
Publisher: Sega
ESRB: T (Teen)
Price: $39.99
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| Decent graphics that could benefit from less pixelization. | |
| Sound | |
| Epic music keeps your adrenaline pumping. | |
| Gameplay | |
| Once you overcome the controls, Shinobi is addictive and challenging. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| While not perfect, Shinobi for Nintendo 3DS is a worthy addition to the Shinobi series. | |
#1
Makayla Merrell…
Awesome review!