Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master

The Good
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master, is not only the best in the series, but quite possibly the best ninja game ever made. Furthermore it is one of the best games of the 16-bit era. In Shinobi III, the evil syndicate Neo Zeed is back and out for our favorite ninja’s blood, it’s up to Joe Musashi, to stop there evil schemes and save Neo Tokyo.

The game play’s wonderfully, even 10 years later. Shinobi, runs, jumps, casts magic, slices, and dices. It all controls perfectly. And even gets to ride a horse and surf. In classic Shinobi style you fight your way through stages that all end with a boss battle. And a cool manga style scene of Joe finishing the job.

The music and sound is all good, while the score is not composed by Yuzo Koshiro, it is still good, the sound effects are all on track as well.

The graphics were good for the time and are still impressive. It is one of the best looking Genesis games and 16-bit games in general.

The Bad
The bad, well other it being to short and particularly tough in some spots, nothing else stands out.

The Bottom Line
The one ninja game to rule them all. Shinobi III, was and still is a blast to play, if you own a Genesis and do not own this game then you have to pick it up. Play the rom if you have to just play it.