Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (SNES) Playthrough
4Playthrough of Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, as included in the 1995 Super NES Tecmo game compilation Ninja Gaiden Trilogy.
Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, as included in the 1995 Super NES compilation Ninja Gaiden Trilogy, is a port of the original NES sequel with updated visuals and slightly altered gameplay elements. The game continues the story of Ryu Hayabusa, the ninja protagonist, as he battles a new threat led by the villainous Ashtar, who wields the powerful Dark Sword of Chaos. The narrative picks up shortly after the events of the first game, maintaining the series’ dramatic tone and cinematic cutscenes, which were groundbreaking at the time for console storytelling.
The gameplay remains focused on fast-paced platforming and combat, with tight controls that emphasize quick reflexes and mastery of enemy patterns. A major feature introduced in this installment is the ability to summon shadow clones—phantom versions of Ryu that mirror his movements and attacks—adding a layer of strategy and power to combat scenarios. Players navigate through a series of stages filled with traps, enemy ninjas, and challenging boss fights, all while managing limited health and special weapon energy.
In the Ninja Gaiden Trilogy version, the visuals are slightly enhanced over the NES original, with cleaner sprites and redrawn backgrounds adapted to the Super NES’s capabilities. However, the color palette is more subdued compared to the vivid look of the NES version, and some animations feel less crisp. The soundtrack has also been reworked using the SNES sound chip, resulting in music that sounds smoother but arguably loses some of the sharper, punchier tones of the original chiptune compositions.
Overall, this SNES version of Ninja Gaiden II serves as a solid way to experience the classic game. The core experience of Ninja Gaiden II remains intact, offering players the intense action and complex level design that the series is known for. It offers a more accessible and visually polished take on one of the most memorable entries in the Ninja Gaiden series.