Bionic Ninja Longplay (C64) [QHD]
80Game Info
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Developer: Shock Developments
Publisher: Zeppelin Games
Year of Release: 1989
Game Review & Impressions
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To say ninjas were popular in the 1980s is an understatement. The clandestine assassins had permeated every avenue of popular culture, with no less than 30 'Ninja' related games gracing the C64 games library alone.
One game bearing the ninja moniker which most definitely should have stuck to the shadows is Bionic Ninja, a budget game published by Zeppelin Games. Zeppelin had a solid reputation for publishing decent quality budget games at pocket money prices, but this represents an uncharacteristic misstep for the company.
The game itself was created by Rob Toone and Simon Phipps under the guise of Shock Developments. Although I have much respect for the pair's later work at Core Design, it would have been more apt if they'd have called themselves Shocking Developments, because I'm afraid that's what Bionic Ninja is. It's a dull and uninspired clone of Shinobi that's clearly unfinished, or at least that's the only explanation I can think of for why there's no sound in the main game at all. The only audio at all is a bit of gurgly white noise on the main menu, but that's your lot.
So, the crux of the game itself is move the titular Bionic Ninja to the right and punch, kick, stab, or throw shurikens in the face of the enemies blocking your path. I found it preferable to navigate between upper and lower levels to avoid combat where possible because it was the least boring option available; not exactly a ringing endorsement for a game whose raison d'etre is destroying things.
The only redeeming feature this game has is the graphics which, I have to say, are really rather spiffing. Even the incongruous inclusion of the ever popular, not to mention copyright-infringing, representation of H.R. Geiger's famous xenomorphs in the last couple of levels look really impressive. Simon Phipps definitely showcased his talent as an artist here, but it's a tragic shame these visuals should have been lumbered with this cackhanded bore-fest masquerading as a game.
Despite being released in 1989, the game wasn't reviewed by Zzap!64 magazine until late 1992, where it showed up as part of Zeppelin Games' 'Combat Pack 3' bundle. The fact Zzap awarded this poop 82% doesn't say much about the mag's journalistic integrity, and does much to explain its waning popularity. Bionic Ninja should never have been released, and anyone who paid actual cash for this would have been sorely disappointed.
Chapters
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00:00 Intro & credits
03:43 Stage 1
06:54 Stage 2
10:15 Stage 3
15:31 Stage 4
10:15 Stage 5
24:29 Ending