Shinobi (Master System) Playthrough

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Published on February 10, 2025 8:39:13 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAHfwpFl2VY

Game:

Shinobi (1987)

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Playthrough of Sega's 1987 side-scrolling hack and slash game for the Sega Master System, Shinobi.

*Shinobi*, released by Sega in 1987 for the Sega Master System, is a side-scrolling action game that puts players in the role of Joe Musashi, a highly skilled ninja on a mission to rescue kidnapped children from the clutches of the evil criminal organization Zeed. As a home adaptation of the arcade classic, this version retains much of the fast-paced action while introducing minor adjustments to better suit the Master System’s hardware and gameplay structure.

The game features multi-layered stages, each filled with enemy ninjas, gunmen, and martial artists who attempt to stop Musashi at every turn. Players must use precise jumping and positioning to navigate platforms while attacking foes with shuriken, close-range melee strikes, and powerful ninja magic, which can clear the screen of enemies when activated. Unlike the arcade version, the Master System port includes a life bar, allowing players to take multiple hits before losing a life, making it slightly more forgiving but still challenging.

Each stage concludes with a boss battle against formidable enemies that require pattern recognition and careful timing to defeat. The variety in level design, from urban environments to military compounds and secret hideouts, keeps the action fresh while gradually increasing the difficulty. Between stages, players can also take part in first-person bonus rounds where they throw shuriken at approaching enemies, earning extra lives if successful.

Graphically, Shinobi maintains a clean and colorful aesthetic, with detailed character sprites and fluid animations that bring the action to life. The music features fast-paced, traditional Japanese-inspired melodies that enhance the ninja theme and heighten the tension during combat. Despite some graphical downgrades compared to the arcade version, the Master System adaptation stands as one of the best action games on the console, delivering satisfying gameplay, tight controls, and a rewarding challenge.

With its engaging level design, responsive controls, and strategic combat, Shinobi remains one of the most iconic ninja games of its era. It helped establish Sega’s reputation for high-quality action titles and laid the groundwork for future entries in the series.