The Ninja Kids (Arcade) Playthrough

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Longplay Center

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Published on April 21, 2025 12:00:00 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM010w3JTEI

Game:

The Ninja Kids (1990)

Duration: 0:00

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Playthrough of Taito's 1990 side-scrolling beat-’em-up for the Arcades, The Ninja Kids.

The Ninja Kids is a 1990 side-scrolling beat-’em-up arcade game developed and published by Taito, known for its over-the-top violence, cartoonish visuals, and bizarre sense of humor. The game puts players in the role of four color-coded puppet ninjas sent by a master to defeat a sinister cult and stop an evil demon from resurrecting. Though it follows the traditional beat-’em-up formula, The Ninja Kids distinguishes itself with surreal aesthetics, rapid-fire pacing, and gleefully absurd enemies.

The art style is strikingly stylized, with characters and enemies rendered in a flat, puppet-like fashion that almost resembles paper cutouts. This exaggerated visual approach complements the game’s wild and violent tone—enemies explode into chunks, blood splashes across the screen, and massive bosses take the form of demonic statues, mutant monks, and even a giant Abraham Lincoln possessed by dark forces. Despite the gore, the game maintains a tongue-in-cheek vibe that makes it feel more like a black comedy than a grim battle.

Combat is fast and satisfying, with each ninja wielding a distinct weapon such as swords or clubs, and unleashing powerful attacks against mobs of grotesque cult members, killer dolls, and possessed animals. The controls are simple but responsive, emphasizing speed over depth, and the action rarely lets up, propelling players through graveyards, temples, and hellish dreamscapes with relentless energy. Power-ups and special attacks occasionally drop, giving players brief but necessary advantages in the chaotic swarms of enemies.

While not as well-remembered as genre staples like Final Fight or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Ninja Kids stands out for its unapologetic weirdness and unique art direction. It blends ultra-violence and slapstick comedy in a way that few beat-’em-ups dared to try, making it a cult favorite among arcade enthusiasts. Its brisk pace, surreal enemy design, and outrageous boss fights give it a distinctive personality that still resonates with fans of quirky and offbeat arcade titles.