Ninja Gaiden (Game Gear)

From Sega Retro

For other games with the same name, see Ninja Gaiden.

n/a

  • US/EU
  • JP

NinjaGaiden GG title.png

NinjaGaiden GG JP Title.png

Ninja Gaiden
System(s): Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Tecmo
Genre: Action[2][3][4]

















Number of players: 1
Official in-game languages:
  • English
  • 日本語
  • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Game Gear
    JP
    ¥3,5003,500 G-3215
    Sega Game Gear
    US
    $39.9539.95[5][6] 2312
    Sega Game Gear
    EU
    2312
    Sega Game Gear
    UK
    £24.9924.99[11][12] 2312
    Sega Game Gear
    BR
    013470

    Ninja Gaiden (忍者外伝) is a 1991 side-scrolling action game published by Sega for the Game Gear. It is based on the series of the same name originally produced by Tecmo, this is an original creation by a different developer. Despite the "reprogrammed by Sega" line on the title screen, this game is not directly based on any previous Ninja Gaiden title.

    While the Ninja Gaiden series was traditionally known as Ninja Ryuukenden (忍者龍剣伝) in Japan and Shadow Warriors in Europe, this game was released under the Ninja Gaiden name in all regions.

    Story

    The Dragonsword is an ancient and magical blade that imbues its wielder with special powers. It has been passed down through the generations and is now in the possession of the ninja Ryu Hayabusa. One day, the sword is almost stolen, which sets Ryu on a journey to discover who is behind the attempted theft and what their motivations are.

    Gameplay

    The game is an side-scrolling action game. Ryu moves with Left and Right and crouches with Down. The screen follows him as he moves right through the level (called "acts"), but the screen does not move left, so the player cannot backtrack. Ryu can swipe his sword with 1 and jump with 2. He can use his sword while running or jumping. He clings to walls when he jumps on them and can scale them with Up or descend them with Down.

    Ryu can gain a special ability by picking up a Ninjutsu item. He can only hold one Ninjutsu item at a time; the current Ninjutsu item is shown as an icon in the top-center of the screen. Ryu uses his Ninjutsu ability with Down+1, which also works in midair. Ninjutsu abilities cost a certain amount of Force each time they are used. The amount of Force varies depending on the ability. Ryu gains Force from finding items; his current amount of Force is shown as a number in the top-right of the screen. He can have a maximum of 99 Force units.

    Ryu's vitality is shown as a gauge in the top-left of the screen. He has 16 health markers total. He loses health whenever he takes damage from an enemy. When he loses all of his health, he loses a life. Each act is timed, and Ryu also loses a life if time runs out. The game ends if Ryu loses all of his lives. Ryu starts each act with full health and no Ninjutsu item. Ryu has a very short period of invulnerability after taking damage, so it is possible to take multiple successive hits from a single foe if Ryu cannot move out of the damage.

    As with the other games in the Ninja Gaiden series, the story unfolds through cutscenes in between each act.

    Items

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Item Container
    Destroy to release an item. Collect the item by walking over it before it disappears.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Blue Power Ball
    Increases Ryu's Force by 5 units.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Red Power Ball
    Increases Ryu's Force by 10 units.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Scroll
    Increases Ryu's Force by 30 units.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Blue Pot of Herbs
    Heals Ryu by 4 health markers.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Red Pot of Herbs
    Heals Ryu by 8 health markers.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Shuriken
    Gives Ryu the Shuriken ability.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Wave
    Gives Ryu the Wave ability.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Enemy-Seeking Ring
    Gives Ryu the Enemy-Seeking Ring ability.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Scatter Bomb
    Gives Ryu the Scatter Bomb ability.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    Circling Flame
    Causes flames to encircle Ryu for a duration. Flames defeat enemies that they touch and render Ryu invulnerable.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Items.png
    1-Up
    Gives the player an extra life, up to a maximum of 9.

    Ninjutsu Abilities

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Weapons.png
    Shuriken
    Ryu throws a shuriken horizontally for 2 Force units.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Weapons.png
    Waves
    Ryu emits a wave that travels directly above him for 3 Force units.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Weapons.png
    Enemy-Seeking Ring
    Ryu shoots a ring that seeks and destroys the nearest enemy for 5 Force units.
    Ninja Gaiden GG, Weapons.png
    Scatter Bomb
    Ryu fires a scattershot of three fireballs for 7 force units.

    Acts

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 1.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 1 Boss.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 1.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 1 Boss.png

    Assault
    Map: 1️⃣ 
    Ryu fights through the hills of Kyoto to find the leader of the attempted thieves, the Monk of the Red Tiger Cult.

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 2.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 2 Boss.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 2.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 2 Boss.png

    Smuggling
    Map: 1️⃣ 
    The Monk tells Ryu that he was hired by a man named Totenkof, who can be found at Kobe Harbor. Ryu infiltrates the boat to battle Captain Totenkof.

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 3.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 3 Boss.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 3.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 3 Boss.png

    Skyscraper
    Map: 1️⃣ 
    Ryu learns that Totenkof is dealing arms to a man named Mr. Tsin, so he travels to Mr. Tsin's office building in Hong Kong.

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 4.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 4 Boss 1.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 4 Boss 2.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 4.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 4 Boss 1.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 4 Boss 2.png

    Counterattack
    Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
    Ryu is captured and taken to India.

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

    Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5 Boss 3.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

    • Ninja Gaiden GG, Stage 5 Boss 3.png

    Final
    The person who wants the Dragonsword reveals himself to be Shiragane, a demon capable of mind control who has been manipulating the nations of the world into a catastrophic final war.

    Production credits

    • Executive Producer: Pi
    • Producer: Birdie
    • Director: Monty
    • Editor: Tenchin
    • Chief Programmer: Ed.SRX GBC00462
    • Assistant Programmer: Q.Py, Kumaisan
    • Chief Designer: Wozl
    • Assistant Designer: Auau
    • Writer: P
    • Screenplay: Paison
    • Subtitles: Bobby
    • Music Composition: Yama
    • Sound Effects: At.At
    • Performed by: Game Gear
    • Special Makeup: Ampa
    • Costume Design: Nova
    • Computer Graphics: Croquette
    • Optical Effects: Liar
    • Matte Paintings: Potato
    • Casting: Carrot
    • Test Play: Yuta, Tomocya, Momonga, Megucya
    • Special Thanks: Pentan, Kaba, Revo
    • Presented by: Sega Enterprises
    Source:
    Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[13]
    Source:
    Uncredited

    Magazine articles

    Main article: Ninja Gaiden (Game Gear)/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-10: "October 1991" (1991-09-07)
    Logo-pdf.svg

    Physical scans

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    ACE (UK)
    80
    [11]
    Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
    55
    [14]
    Console XS (UK) PAL
    74
    [15]
    Computer & Video Games (UK)
    89
    [16]
    Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
    68
    [17]
    Game Mania (UK)
    84
    [18]
    GamePro (US) NTSC-U
    72
    [6]
    Games-X (UK)
    80
    [19]
    Génération 4 (FR)
    91
    [20]
    Game Zone (UK) NTSC-J
    74
    [21]
    Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
    60
    [22]
    Hobby Consolas (ES)
    82
    [23]
    Joypad (FR)
    89
    [24]
    Joystick (FR)
    84
    [25]
    Mega Force (FR) PAL
    85
    [26]
    Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
    86
    [27]
    Player One (FR)
    80
    [28]
    Play Time (DE)
    67
    [29]
    Power Play (DE)
    68
    [30]
    Score (CZ)
    40
    [31]
    Sega Power (UK) PAL
    81
    [32]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    71
    [33]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    70
    [34]
    Sega Pro (UK) PAL
    84
    [35]
    Sega Force (UK) PAL
    71
    [36]
    Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
    45
    [37]
    Sega Game Gear
    74
    Based on
    26 reviews

    Ninja Gaiden (Game Gear)

    Game Gear, JP
    NinjaGaiden GG JP backcover.jpgNospine-small.pngNinjaGaiden GG JP cover.jpg
    Cover
    NinjaGaiden GG JP cart.jpg
    Cart
    Game Gear, US
    NinjaGaiden GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngNinjaGaiden GG US cover.jpg
    Cover
    NinjaGaiden GG EU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Ninja Gaiden GG US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, EU
    NinjaGaiden GG EU Box Back.jpgNinja Gaiden GG EU BoxSpine.jpgNinjaGaiden GG EU cover.jpg
    Cover
    NinjaGaiden GG EU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Ninja Gaiden GG EU Manual.jpg
    Manual
    Game Gear, FR (Blister pack)
    NinjaGaiden GG FR blister front.jpg
    Cover
    Game Gear, BR
    NinjaGaiden GG BR back.jpgNospine.pngNinjaGaiden GG BR Box.jpg
    Cover
    Ninjagaiden gg br cart.jpg
    Cart

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 20ef017a
    MD5 51458678cbdc2405483b202786512afe
    SHA-1 acedddaa928a96085544440c2bec2685a6cdf501
    128kB Cartridge (JP)
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 c578756b
    MD5 764388b8b5dc2e762fab9badd0eca6ba
    SHA-1 1a5c44e76a0e913d76f590affae3b2e24fbd0f59
    128kB Cartridge (US/EU)

    References

    1. http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Biox
    2. File:NinjaGaiden GG EU Box Back.jpg
    3. File:NinjaGaiden GG JP cover.jpg
    4. 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
    5. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "January 1992" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 80
    6. 6.0 6.1 GamePro, "December 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 124
    7. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-12-09), page 27
    8. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-01-13), page 19
    9. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1991-12-09), page 27
    10. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-01-13), page 19
    11. 11.0 11.1 ACE, "February 1992" (UK; 1992-01-08), page 76
    12. Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 20
    13. Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 87
    14. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-08), page 39
    15. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 148
    16. Computer & Video Games, "February 1992 (Go! Issue 4)" (UK; 1992-01-15), page 6
    17. Electronic Gaming Monthly, "November 1991" (US; 1991-1x-xx), page 28
    18. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
    19. Games-X, "14th-20th November 1991" (UK; 1991-11-14), page 35
    20. Génération 4, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 156
    21. Game Zone, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-18), page 58
    22. Hippon Super, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 91
    23. Hobby Consolas, "Abril 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 96
    24. Joypad, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1991-12-1x), page 104
    25. Joystick, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 173
    26. Mega Force, "Janvier 1992" (FR; 1992-01-15), page 45
    27. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
    28. Player One, "Février 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 81
    29. Play Time, "4/92" (DE; 1992-03-04), page 84
    30. Power Play, "2/92" (DE; 1992-01-xx), page 168
    31. Score, "Květen 1994" (CZ; 1994-05-01), page 57
    32. Sega Power, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-05), page 49
    33. Sega Pro, "Christmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 42
    34. Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 26
    35. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
    36. Sega Force, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 80
    37. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88


    Ninja Gaiden (Game Gear)

    NinjaGaiden GG title.png

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    Ninja Gaiden games for Sega systems
    Sega Game Gear
    Ninja Gaiden (1991)
    Sega Master System
    Ninja Gaiden (1992)
    Sega Mega Drive
    Ninja Gaiden (unreleased)
    Sega Dreamcast
    Ninja Gaiden (unreleased)