The Revenge of Shinobi

"Sega + Yuzo Koshiro = Good Stuff"

There are very few ninja games worth playing. There are even fewer I'd admit to liking. Here is one.
Revenge of Shinobi is a fairly bland action game at 1st view, then you realize you were quick to judge. Excellent programming on all sides makes this title an excellent choice.

Graphics: 7
An eye full of colors from the title screen, this game does what nothing of it's time did. Some stages may seem a little lacking in substance though the main points of focus are nice. Animation on the main character seems a little stiff, though I think it may be his charm. Enemies look good, it's especially fun to fight Spiderman and the Terminator look a like (an enemy that is undoubtedly on the line of copyright infringement).

Sound/Music: 8
Two words: Yuzo Koshiro. One of the few outstanding video game music composers. The music throughout the game is a wonderful mix of techno/jazz written with unparalleled talent. Never before or after could another company reproduce the sound quality that Yuzo makes with the Genesis' sound chip. Bass thumps and resonates, high hats open and close and piano solos flow so nicely you might find yourself stopping to think, ''Why don't my other games sound like this?''. The sound effects are good, nothing too flashy but seem to be fitting for their respective environment.

Control: 8
Nothing shy of excellent. I've read a few reviews here and there about poor play control. I feel this is unjustified and is likely coming from gamers who frustrate easily and blame the control rather than their own inadequacies. I think a good example here is Street Fighter 2. When I 1st tackled this game in the arcades in 1991, I was intimidated by the extraordinarily difficult joystick motions needed to execute ''special moves''. Initially I just thought ''this is stupid, it's too difficult to play''. 2 years later however, I was the one holding the absurd winning streak with others lining up to play me. When you press a button, the action occurs. In this game, timing of presses is crucial to your survival. Practice makes perfect.

Fun Factor: 7
While this game may be dated and somewhat simple in design overall (how complicated should a ninja game be anyway?), I feel it's an excellent title. Boasting great music, good graphics, tight play control and some enjoyable enemy encounters, ROS is a 2d gamer's game. As you approach the later levels, the design really starts to shine. From inside a moving airplane to walking along a freeway, Shinobi is a treat.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 12/28/02, Updated 12/28/02