Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

German Index

Although originally rated "Ages 16 and up", on March 31, 1999 Tenchu was put on the infamous German index by the BPjS (as published in BAnz. Nr. 62 - Liste A). For more information about what this means and to see a list of games sharing the same fate, take a look at: BPjS/BPjM indexed games.

Involvement of Sho Kosugi

Japanese actor and martial artist Sho Kosugi is responsible for the main character Rikimarus motion capture, as well as providing all of his Japanese voice work. His son Kane Kosugi was also involved, but as to which capacity, official accounts vary: Shos official bio states that Kane provided the motion capture for the second main character Ayame, although in the games closing credits, he is only credited with providing the motion capture for the antagonist character Onikage.

While this fact is virtually unknown in the west - other than for astute readers of the games credits - it was heavily promoted in its native Japan, going so far as to even include a pretty rare "Making Of"-CD with snippets of the motion capture sessions as a special bonus to people who pre-ordered the original Japanese release in early 1998.

Awards

Tenchu: Stealth Assassins was voted #54 in the Top 100 Games of All Time poll published by Game Informer Magazine (Issue 100, August 2001).

Pirate release

Before the U.S. (text and voices in English) version was released, there were some pirate copies of the Japanese version circulating with the title 'Ninja Condemned By God' printed on the booklet cover. There are some differences between the U.S. and Japanese versions; one example is the animated sequence for the first boss and his bodyguard.