Return of the Ninja

"Return of the incredibly crappy games is more like it..."

I ''borrowed'' this game from my friend and after playing the first level, I found it ''gaggadelic'' because, hey, it just plain made me gag! Need a hint? Look below!

Graphics: 4/10
Odd, confusing, and yet somehow they keep above 1 or 2. The graphics are not eye-appealing, but they are somewhat good. The sword, however, just doesn't look like a sword! It makes no sense! The minions... look... like... SANTA CLAUSE! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!

Sounds and Music: 6/10
I simply can't bash on this; this is the one thing that makes the game good. The music is nicely varied from level to level and makes it simple enough to know when you reach different levels. The sounds are pretty good for a GBC game; the sounds of shuffling ninja feet, the slash of a sword... amazing. Just above average though. Um, I make no sense. Yeah, just read on.

Gameplay: 7/10
The gameplay is original, and that's why it scores high. You first start out in the first level, trying to reach a village. After that, you have a choice between the other 4 levels. As you traverse these levels and cleanse them of evil, you get useful gadgets to help you. It's easy enough to understand, yet makes for a great game. There's also collectible cards for you to trade with your friends. Some cartridges will have different cards, so it's good to trade with everyone.

Controls: 10/10
I thought the game would do horrible here, but I was wrong. Your chosen Ninja moves with exact timing, and nothing is delayed. You can perform a backflip easily, and the controls for the gadgets are wonderful. It's amazing that a game I scored for average does so well in this category.

Replay Value: There was replay value??/10
Horrid. The game is hard in it's own right, and even then it'll be easy the second time through. At least there's the collectible cards, but even that quest can be done with ease. Horrid.

Buy or Rent? Play Keep Away
Unless you're doing reviews on the worst GBC action games we've ever known, stay back. Run like mad if it chases you, begging in the soft ninja voice, ''buy me... BUY ME!!!''

Final Score: 5/10
It's a half-and-half game, something unworthy of the title series it comes from, which isn't even well known anyway. Now, if only I could find the time to give the cartridge back to my friend... Ah, well, anyways, thank you for reading.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 08/14/02, Updated 08/14/02