Ninja Gaiden Famicom review
8.5/10
Ryu Hayabusa climbs walls and slashes through cutscenes in a fast, demanding action game.
Ninja Gaiden combines acrobatic platforming with a sword that can be upgraded through power-ups. Ryu can cling to walls and jump between them, which gave the game a fast, vertical feel that stood out at the time.
The cutscenes between stages tell a story that feels cinematic for a Famicom title. The bosses are demanding, and the difficulty requires you to learn enemy patterns and recover quickly.
It is a tough game with excellent momentum. Once you learn its rhythm, each stage flows like a well-choreographed fight.
Pros
- Excellent wall-climbing mechanics
- Cinematic story scenes
- Tight, fast combat
Cons
- Very difficult
- Some bosses are frustrating