Shadow of the Ninja

aka: Blue Shadow, Yami no Shigotonin Kage
Moby ID: 23758
NES Specs

Description official descriptions

In the 21st century, the evil Emperor Garuda has taken over the city of New York, killing many of its inhabitants. You play as either Hayate or Kaede, two ninjas who are attempting to free the city from Garuda's control.

Shadow of the Ninja is a typical side-scrolling action game, consisting of running, slashing and jumping through 5 levels, each with 4 sub-stages with numerous and varied foes, and a boss enemy at their end.

Kaede and Hayate can not only jump; as ninjas, they can hang from platforms and make swift saltomortals between floors. Sometimes, canisters containing powerups can be found. Typical powerups extend range of the default sword, or they may be additional weapons such as throwing stars and a ninja weapon that looks like a big grappling hook on a string.

As with a great many NES action games, but unlike the very similar (and tangentially related) Ninja Gaiden series, the game allows two players to play cooperatively.

Spellings

  • 闇の仕事人 KAGE - Japanese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (NES version)

14 People (5 developers, 9 thanks)

Program
Graphic
Sound
Special Thanks
Super Visor

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 74% (based on 16 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 17 ratings with 1 reviews)

Learn the way of the ninja, and enjoy while at it.

The Good
Ninjas, acrobatics, sailors, robots, magicians, tanks, mechanic snakes etc. etc. Whats not to like.

Everything works well in this game. Your ninja does exactly what he/she is suppose to do. Enemies are challenging, but never cheat (as there is always a way to get away with no hits). Boss fights are intensive, and level of difficulty increases smoothly.

Also weapons are exactly what you would expect from a ninja. sword, chainsickle, different Shurikens (advances with primary weapons) and bomb. Bombs are most boring ones, but usually serve their purpose in places they are found in. Sickle and sword are primary weapons, which you can choose from time to time, and they both are equally good, which is another sign of well designed game (actually, after sword gains distance, it becomes the weapon of choice in boss fights, as it's much faster). Even though some parts give you hard time, the game is simply enjoyable from the beginning to the end.

The Bad
I liked just about everything in this game. But if I have to dig up something to complain about, I would say that ninjas in the future, is not the most creative plot. Also, since it is old NES game, there's not much replay value (although it's fun to play through couple of times).

The Bottom Line
If you like ninjas, sidescrolling action and intensive gameplay, you will love this game.

NES · by Hannu Siivonen (15) · 2007

Trivia

Music

Unlike most NES games, the PAL release of Blue Shadow has been reprogrammed so that the music does not run any slower.

Analytics

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Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 23758
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Gonchi.

Wii added by Charly2.0. Nintendo 3DS, Wii U added by Michael Cassidy. Nintendo Switch added by Rik Hideto.

Additional contributors: Alaka, Игги Друге, Rik Hideto.

Game added September 4, 2006. Last modified September 2, 2023.