Difference between revisions of "The GG Shinobi"

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{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=GGShinobi Title.png
 
| bobscreen=GGShinobi Title.png
−
| screenwidth=
+
| publisher={{company|[[Sega Enterprises, Ltd.]]|system=GG}} {{company|[[Sega Corporation (2000-2015)|Sega Corporation]]|system=VC3DS}}
−
| title=
+
| developer={{Company|[[Sega R&D 2]]|system=GG}} {{company|[[M2]]{{ref|https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4}}|system=VC3DS}}
−
| publisher=[[Sega]]
+
| distributor={{company|[[Tec Toy]]|system=GG|region=BR}}
−
| developer=[[Sega]]
+
| system=[[Sega Game Gear]], [[Palm OS]], [[Virtual Console]]
−
| system=[[Sega Game Gear]]
+
| sounddriver=    
−
| romsize=256kB
 
−
| sounddriver=
 
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
−
| genre=Action
+
| genre=Action{{fileref|GGShinobi GG EU Box Back.jpg}}{{fileref|GGShinobi GG JP Box Front.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045745/https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html}}
−
| europe=1991
+
| releases={{releasesGG
−
| usa=1991
+
| gg_date_jp=1991-04-26{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045745/https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html}}
−
| japan=26 April 1991
+
| gg_code_jp=G-3302
−
| australia=
+
| gg_rrp_jp=3,800
−
| benelux=
+
| gg_date_us=1991-06{{magref|egm|23|27}}
−
| brazil=
+
| gg_rrp_us=39.95{{magref|gamepro|26|46}}
−
| germany=
+
| gg_code_us=2402
−
| scandinavia=
+
| gg_date_eu=1991-06-29{{fileref|DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png}}<!--1991-07{{magref|segapower|20|20}}-->
−
| southkorea=
+
| gg_code_eu=2402
−
| china=
+
| gg_date_uk=1991-06-29{{fileref|DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png}}<!--1991-07{{magref|segapower|20|20}}-->
−
| rrp_us=
+
| gg_code_uk=2402
−
| rrp_jp=3,800
+
| gg_rrp_uk=24.99{{magref|cvg|116|97}}{{magref|segapower|20|20}}
−
| rrp_uk=
+
| gg_date_br=199x
−
| rrp_eu=
+
| gg_code_br=012110
−
| rrp_au=
+
}}
 +
{{releasesMobile
 +
| palm_date_us=2003-04-14{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20030417044727/http://www.sega.com/palm/purchase/buy_select_shinobi.jhtml}}
 +
| palm_rrp_us=19.95
 +
}}
 +
{{releases3DS
 +
| vc3ds_date_jp=2012-03-14{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20171029065835/http://vc.sega.jp/3ds/ggshinobi/}}
 +
| vc3ds_rrp_jp=286 (''300''){{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20171029065835/http://vc.sega.jp/3ds/ggshinobi/}}
 +
| vc3ds_rating_jp=b
 +
| vc3ds_date_us=2012-03-15{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20120309021740/http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/us4h9rLO3WTM2ZjsLYfadJ_OielVrsMW}}
 +
| vc3ds_rrp_us=3.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20120309021740/http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/us4h9rLO3WTM2ZjsLYfadJ_OielVrsMW}}
 +
| vc3ds_rating_us=e
 +
| vc3ds_date_eu=2012-03-29{{ref|https://archive.is/OQciu|http://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/Console-virtuelle-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html}}
 +
| vc3ds_rrp_eu=4.00{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170704151329/http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/shinobi}}
 +
| vc3ds_rating_eu=12
 +
| vc3ds_date_uk=2012-03-29{{ref|https://archive.is/2QPvj|https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html}}
 +
| vc3ds_rrp_uk=3.60{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170704151329/http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/shinobi}}
 +
| vc3ds_rating_uk=12
 +
| vc3ds_date_de=2012-03-29{{ref|https://archive.is/G5p4n|https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html}}
 +
| vc3ds_rrp_de=4.00{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170704151329/http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/shinobi}}
 +
| vc3ds_rating_de=12
 +
| vc3ds_date_au=2012
 +
| vc3ds_rrp_au=
 +
| vc3ds_rating_au=pg
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (Ｔｈｅ ＧＧ忍), also referred to simply as '''''Shinobi''''' on Western game covers, is an entry to the ''[[Shinobi (series)|Shinobi]]'' series. Released exclusively on the [[Sega Game Gear]] in 1991, it sees the player rescue differently coloured Shinobi characters, each playable with their own special skills.
 +
 
 +
==Story==
 +
Terror and destruction have made their way to Ninja Valley. The Master of the Oboro school of shinobi sends his best students to investigate the suburban areas. They return with news of a powerful dark force that has established a base within Neo City.
 +
 
 +
The Master knows that only a warrior trained in the arts of ninjutsu can stand against this menace. One by one his greatest pupils enter Neo City to locate and destroy the source of the evil. Ninja Valley has lost contact with each of them. All are believed to be captured.
 +
 
 +
Now Joe Musashi, the Red Shinobi, must carry out this dire mission. As the oldest and strongest of his ninja disciples, Musashi must use his special skills in the art of ninjutsu to free his fellow shinobi. With their combined strength, they can destroy the City of Fear.
 +
 
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
{{ScreenThumb|GG Shinobi, Pause Menu.png|width=160|Pause menu}}
 +
''The GG Shinobi'' is a hack-and-slash action game with mechanics similar to ''[[The Revenge of Shinobi]]'' but with the addition of a character-switching system. The player starts the game as the Red Ninja, whose goal is to rescue four kidnapped allies who are being held captive in different rounds. The first four rounds can be played in any order; the final round is unlocked after the others have been completed. Each ninja character has a unique weapon, ninjutsu, and ability.
 +
 
 +
The ninja can be moved around with {{left}} or {{right}} and can crouch with {{down}}. He can move while crouching with {{downleft}} and {{downright}}. He can enter doorways with {{up}}. He can jump with {{2}} and jump off a platform with {{down}}+{{2}}. The {{1}} button strikes with the ninja's primary weapon. The {{Start}} button invokes up a menu that allows the player to change the currently played ninja or use the current ninja's ninjutsu ability by selecting '''忍術'''. The player can use ninjutsu abilities a finite amount of times; the player starts with no uses available but can gain opportunities by finding the Ninjutsu item throughout the game. The number of uses of ninjutsu is retained between rounds but not if the player loses a life.
 +
 
 +
The ninjas share a life gauge, which is diminished each time a ninja takes damage from an enemy weapon. It can be replenished by finding a Heart item. Each round (except the last) contains a Power-Up item that permanently augments the player's life gauge. Touching an enemy but not a weapon knocks the ninja back without doing damage. If a ninja loses the entire life gauge, the player loses a life. If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but it can be continued.
 +
 
 +
===Ninjas===
 +
The Red Ninja is initially available, but the others must be unlocked by completing rounds.
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=64|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Red Ninja
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Characters.png | crop_width=32 | crop_height=144 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=<nowiki> </nowiki>
 +
* '''Main Weapon:''' Short-ranged, 180-degree sword slash towards the front.
 +
* '''Special Technique:''' None.
 +
* '''Ninjutsu:''' Earthquake. Damages all enemies on the screen and destroys cracked boulders.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Blue Ninja
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Characters.png | crop_width=32 | crop_height=144 | crop_x=96 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=<nowiki> </nowiki>
 +
* '''Main Weapon:''' Manriki-kusari. Blade with a long chain. Powerful and medium range.
 +
* '''Special Technique:''' Swinging from grappling points by hitting them with the end of his weapon.
 +
* '''Ninjutsu:''' Tatsumaki. Turns into a whirlwind and flies around the screen. Can be controlled. Use it to reach high places. Also damages enemies it touches while flying.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Yellow Ninja
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Characters.png | crop_width=32 | crop_height=144 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=<nowiki> </nowiki>
 +
* '''Main Weapon:''' Chi blasts. Medium-ranged weak projectiles fired from hands. Holding the attack button allow firing a more powerful blast.
 +
* '''Special Technique:''' Walking over water.
 +
* '''Ninjutsu:''' Ikazuchi. Creates a lightning barrier that protects the user from damage until it takes enough damage or disappears.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Pink Ninja
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Characters.png | crop_width=32 | crop_height=144 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=<nowiki> </nowiki>
 +
* '''Main Weapon:''' Short-ranged but powerful bombs.
 +
* '''Special Technique:''' Walking on ceilings by jumping and holding {{2}} on the ceiling. Release {{2}} to drop off the ceiling. The ninja cannot attack while on a ceiling.
 +
* '''Ninjutsu:''' Flash. Creates a blinding light that stuns the enemies and illuminates dark areas.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Green Ninja
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Characters.png | crop_width=32 | crop_height=144 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=<nowiki> </nowiki>
 +
* '''Main Weapons:''' Shurikens, long range but weak power.
 +
* '''Special Technique:''' Double jump by jumping and pressing {{2}} again at the height of the jump. Pressing {{1}} during the double jump fires 5 shurikens towards the ground, similar to the special attack in ''[[Revenge of Shinobi]]'' and ''[[Shinobi III]]''.
 +
* '''Ninjutsu:''' Mijin. Creates a powerful blast that will kill all enemies on the screen and cause heavy damage to bosses. Costs one life.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Items===
 +
Items are revealed by breaking open item boxes and then can be collected by moving onto them.
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Heart
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Replenishes two points on the player's life gauge.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Ninjutsu
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player another opportunity to use a ninja's ninjutsu ability.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Power-Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Permanently increases the player's life gauge by two points. There is one hidden in each of the first four rounds.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=1-Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player an extra life.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Bomb
 +
| sprite={{sprite|GG Shinobi, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Explodes and damages the player if in range.
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Rounds===
 +
The first four rounds are available immediately and can be played in any order. Each of them unlocks a different ninja as a playable character once completed, and Neo City is unlocked once they have all been completed. Some of the rounds contain obstacles and hazards that are trivialized by a ninja's abilities, so there is an element of strategy in selecting the optimal order in which to play the rounds. Additionally, each of the initial four rounds contains a Power-Up item, which permanently extends the player's life gauge by two points, and some of them can only be accessed by certain ninjas.
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=240|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Highway
 +
| screenshot=GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway 2.png
 +
| screenshot3=GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway Boss.png
 +
| map=GGShinobi-GG-HighwayArea1.png
 +
| map2=GGShinobi-GG-HighwayArea2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Unlocks the Pink Ninja upon completion.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Harbor
 +
| screenshot=GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 2.png
 +
| screenshot3=GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 3.png
 +
| screenshot4=GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor Boss.png
 +
| map=GGShinobi-GG-HarborArea1.png
 +
| map2=GGShinobi-GG-HarborArea2.png
 +
| map3=GGShinobi-GG-HarborArea3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Unlocks the Yellow Ninja upon completion.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Valley
 +
| screenshot=GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley 2.png
 +
| screenshot3=GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley Boss.png
 +
| map=GGShinobi-GG-ValleyArea1.png
 +
| map2=GGShinobi-GG-ValleyArea2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Unlocks the Blue Ninja upon completion.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Woodland
 +
| screenshot=GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland 2.png
 +
| screenshot3=GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland Boss.png
 +
| map=GGShinobi-GG-WoodlandArea1.png
 +
| map2=GGShinobi-GG-WoodlandArea2.png
 +
| map3=GGShinobi-GG-WoodlandArea3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Unlocks the Green Ninja upon completion.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Neo City
 +
| screenshot=GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 2.png
 +
| screenshot3=GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 3.png
 +
| screenshot4=GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 4.png
 +
| screenshot5=GG Shinobi, Stages, Final Boss 1.png
 +
| screenshot6=GG Shinobi, Stages, Final Boss 2.png
 +
| map=GGShinobi-GG-MetroCityArea1.png
 +
| map2=GGShinobi-GG-MetroCityArea2.png
 +
| map3=GGShinobi-GG-MetroCityArea3.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=Unlocked once the other four rounds are completed. A series of trap rooms, each requiring the skills of a particular ninja character in order to pass it. Almost all rooms have two exits which lead to further distinct trap rooms. The player encounters the bosses of the previous rounds, eventually finishing with the final one.
 +
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''''The GG Shinobi''''' (Ｔｈｅ ＧＧ忍), also referred to simply as '''''Shinobi''''' on western game covers, is an entry to the [[Shinobi (series)|''Shinobi'' series]]. Released exclusively on the [[Sega Game Gear]] in 1991, it sees the player rescue different coloured Shinobi characters, each completely playable with their own special skills.
 
  
 +
==History==
 +
===Legacy===
 
''The GG Shinobi'' was followed by ''[[Shinobi II: The Silent Fury]]'' (''The GG Shinobi II'' in Japan), another exclusive Game Gear game.
 
''The GG Shinobi'' was followed by ''[[Shinobi II: The Silent Fury]]'' (''The GG Shinobi II'' in Japan), another exclusive Game Gear game.
  
−
==Physical Scans==  
+
The game was re-released for [[Palm OS]] in 2003 and for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] [[Virtual Console]] service in 2012. It was included as one of the four games pre-installed on the red model [[Game Gear Micro]] in 2020.
 +
 
 +
==Production credits==
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Planning:''' [[Katsuhiro Hasegawa|The Hase]], [[Masahide Kobayashi|K.O.B.]]
 +
*'''Program:''' [[Lunarian SG]], [[Yuichi Matsuoka|Yuichi.M]]
 +
*'''Artwork:''' [[Ryo Kudou|Kudor-Yo]], [[7July Big King]]
 +
*'''Sound:''' [[Yuzo Koshiro]]
 +
*'''Sound Management:''' [[Takayuki Nakamura|TN]]
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' [[LLG]], [[Hiroshi Aso|Asohy]], [[B.Back Stage]]
 +
*'''Presented by:''' [[Sega]]
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=GG Shinobi GG credits.pdf
 +
| console=GG
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
One of these aliases is [[Yukio Futatsugi]].
 +
{{hr}}
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Japanese cover & manual artist:''' [[Sega Research and Development Dept.]]
 +
| source=[[Sega TV Game Genga Gallery]]
 +
| pdf=Sega TV Game Genga Gallery.pdf
 +
| pdfpage=71
 +
| console=GG
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|bemega|1991-05|140
 +
|mdfan|16|140
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|pixel|96|2-3|
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Artwork==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:GGShinobi GG US Box Front.jpg|US front cover
+
GGShinobi logo.png|Logo
−
File:GGShinobi GG EU Box Front.jpg|EU front cover
+
GGShinobi banner.jpg|Virtual Console banner
 +
GGShinobi keyart.jpg|US cover
 +
GGShinobi JP Art.jpg|JP cover
 +
SegaForeverYT GGShinobi 2184x2784.jpg|JP cover
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
−
{{Clear}}
+
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
{{ratings|GG}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=JP
 +
| front=GGShinobi GG JP Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=GGShinobi GG JP Box Back.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=GGShinobi GG JP Cart.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=US
 +
| front=GGShinobi GG US Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=GGShinobi GG US Box Back.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| cart=GGShinobi GG US Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Shinobi GG US Manual.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=EU
 +
| front=GGShinobi GG EU Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=GGShinobi GG EU Box Back.jpg
 +
| spine=Shinobi GG EU BoxSpine.jpg
 +
| cart=GGShinobi GG US Cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Shinobi GG EU Manual.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=BR
 +
| front=Shinobi GG BR Box.jpg
 +
| cart=Ggshinobi gg br cart.jpg
 +
| manual=Shinobi gg br manual.pdf
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Technical information==
 +
===ROM dump status===
 +
{{romtable|
 +
{{rom|GG|sha1=C5E1C2329F94F0804140792A3E3D5BE2AC0D5D0D|md5=21D2E4E7C508E6ABBB12BB96C7AAC868|crc32=83926BD1|size=256kB|date=|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|quality=good}}
 +
{{rom|GG|sha1=2e7303f82d885cb84fa557e211954808c8ebe779|md5=8fa7438dec1403f2e9d7b1ca60b29f1a|crc32=30f1c984|size=256kB|date=|source=Cartridge (World)|comments=Revision A|quality=good}}
 +
{{rom|GG|sha1=9ad7313da97ef00463800199ab9e4e6f39fbcb0d|md5=a0c373a38ec4271ac42ec99afa2a6be3|crc32=b62d934a|size=256kB|date=|source=3DS Virtual Console (World)|comments=Revision A|icon=VirtualConsole GGShinobi 3DS World Icon.png|quality=good}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==External links==
 +
* Sega of Japan 3DS VC catalogue pages: [http://vc.sega.jp/3ds/ggshinobi/ Game Gear]
 +
* Nintendo catalogue pages: [https://www.nintendo.co.jp/titles/50010000009324 JP], [http://web.archive.org/web/20120309021740/http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/us4h9rLO3WTM2ZjsLYfadJ_OielVrsMW US], [https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html UK], [https://web.archive.org/web/20130901214833/http://www.nintendo.com.au/catalogue/shinobi AU]
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{GGShinobiOmni}}
 
{{Shinobi}}
 
{{Shinobi}}
−
 
+
{{TheTitle}}
−
{{DEFAULTSORT:GG Shinobi, The}}
+
[[Category:Game Gear Micro games]]
−
[[Category:1991 Game Gear Games]]
 
−
[[Category:Game Gear Games]]
 
−
[[Category:Game Gear Action Games]]
 

Latest revision as of 02:22, 9 November 2024

n/a

GGShinobi Title.png

The GG Shinobi
System(s): Sega Game Gear, Palm OS, Virtual Console
Publisher:
Sega Game Gear
Sega Enterprises, Ltd.
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Sega Corporation
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Game Gear
Tec Toy (BR)
Genre: Action[2][3][4]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Game Gear
JP 		¥3,8003,800 G-3302
Sega Game Gear
US 		$39.9539.95[6] 2402
Sega Game Gear
EU 		2402
Sega Game Gear
UK 		£24.9924.99[8][9] 2402
Sega Game Gear
BR 		012110
Palm OS
US 		$19.9519.95
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		¥286 (300)286 (300)[11]
CERO: B
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
US ▼ 		$3.993.99[12]
ESRB: Everyone
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		€4.004.00[14]
PEGI: 12+
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
DE ▼ 		€4.004.00[14]
USK: 12
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
UK ▼ 		£3.603.60[14]
PEGI: 12+
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
AU ▼
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)

The GG Shinobi (Ｔｈｅ ＧＧ忍), also referred to simply as Shinobi on Western game covers, is an entry to the Shinobi series. Released exclusively on the Sega Game Gear in 1991, it sees the player rescue differently coloured Shinobi characters, each playable with their own special skills.

Story

Terror and destruction have made their way to Ninja Valley. The Master of the Oboro school of shinobi sends his best students to investigate the suburban areas. They return with news of a powerful dark force that has established a base within Neo City.

The Master knows that only a warrior trained in the arts of ninjutsu can stand against this menace. One by one his greatest pupils enter Neo City to locate and destroy the source of the evil. Ninja Valley has lost contact with each of them. All are believed to be captured.

Now Joe Musashi, the Red Shinobi, must carry out this dire mission. As the oldest and strongest of his ninja disciples, Musashi must use his special skills in the art of ninjutsu to free his fellow shinobi. With their combined strength, they can destroy the City of Fear.

Gameplay

GG Shinobi, Pause Menu.png

Pause menu

The GG Shinobi is a hack-and-slash action game with mechanics similar to The Revenge of Shinobi but with the addition of a character-switching system. The player starts the game as the Red Ninja, whose goal is to rescue four kidnapped allies who are being held captive in different rounds. The first four rounds can be played in any order; the final round is unlocked after the others have been completed. Each ninja character has a unique weapon, ninjutsu, and ability.

The ninja can be moved around with Left or Right and can crouch with Down. He can move while crouching with Down-left and Down-right. He can enter doorways with Up. He can jump with 2 and jump off a platform with Down+2. The 1 button strikes with the ninja's primary weapon. The  START  button invokes up a menu that allows the player to change the currently played ninja or use the current ninja's ninjutsu ability by selecting 忍術. The player can use ninjutsu abilities a finite amount of times; the player starts with no uses available but can gain opportunities by finding the Ninjutsu item throughout the game. The number of uses of ninjutsu is retained between rounds but not if the player loses a life.

The ninjas share a life gauge, which is diminished each time a ninja takes damage from an enemy weapon. It can be replenished by finding a Heart item. Each round (except the last) contains a Power-Up item that permanently augments the player's life gauge. Touching an enemy but not a weapon knocks the ninja back without doing damage. If a ninja loses the entire life gauge, the player loses a life. If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but it can be continued.

Ninjas

The Red Ninja is initially available, but the others must be unlocked by completing rounds.

GG Shinobi, Characters.png
 Red Ninja
  • Main Weapon: Short-ranged, 180-degree sword slash towards the front.
  • Special Technique: None.
  • Ninjutsu: Earthquake. Damages all enemies on the screen and destroys cracked boulders.
GG Shinobi, Characters.png
 Blue Ninja
  • Main Weapon: Manriki-kusari. Blade with a long chain. Powerful and medium range.
  • Special Technique: Swinging from grappling points by hitting them with the end of his weapon.
  • Ninjutsu: Tatsumaki. Turns into a whirlwind and flies around the screen. Can be controlled. Use it to reach high places. Also damages enemies it touches while flying.
GG Shinobi, Characters.png
 Yellow Ninja
  • Main Weapon: Chi blasts. Medium-ranged weak projectiles fired from hands. Holding the attack button allow firing a more powerful blast.
  • Special Technique: Walking over water.
  • Ninjutsu: Ikazuchi. Creates a lightning barrier that protects the user from damage until it takes enough damage or disappears.
GG Shinobi, Characters.png
 Pink Ninja
  • Main Weapon: Short-ranged but powerful bombs.
  • Special Technique: Walking on ceilings by jumping and holding 2 on the ceiling. Release 2 to drop off the ceiling. The ninja cannot attack while on a ceiling.
  • Ninjutsu: Flash. Creates a blinding light that stuns the enemies and illuminates dark areas.
GG Shinobi, Characters.png
 Green Ninja
  • Main Weapons: Shurikens, long range but weak power.
  • Special Technique: Double jump by jumping and pressing 2 again at the height of the jump. Pressing 1 during the double jump fires 5 shurikens towards the ground, similar to the special attack in Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III.
  • Ninjutsu: Mijin. Creates a powerful blast that will kill all enemies on the screen and cause heavy damage to bosses. Costs one life.

Items

Items are revealed by breaking open item boxes and then can be collected by moving onto them.

GG Shinobi, Items.png
 Heart
Replenishes two points on the player's life gauge.
GG Shinobi, Items.png
 Ninjutsu
Gives the player another opportunity to use a ninja's ninjutsu ability.
GG Shinobi, Items.png
 Power-Up
Permanently increases the player's life gauge by two points. There is one hidden in each of the first four rounds.
GG Shinobi, Items.png
 1-Up
Gives the player an extra life.
GG Shinobi, Items.png
 Bomb
Explodes and damages the player if in range.

Rounds

The first four rounds are available immediately and can be played in any order. Each of them unlocks a different ninja as a playable character once completed, and Neo City is unlocked once they have all been completed. Some of the rounds contain obstacles and hazards that are trivialized by a ninja's abilities, so there is an element of strategy in selecting the optimal order in which to play the rounds. Additionally, each of the initial four rounds contains a Power-Up item, which permanently extends the player's life gauge by two points, and some of them can only be accessed by certain ninjas.

GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway 1.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway 2.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway Boss.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway 1.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway 2.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Highway Boss.png

Highway
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Unlocks the Pink Ninja upon completion.

GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 1.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 2.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 3.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor Boss.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 1.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 2.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor 3.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Harbor Boss.png

Harbor
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Unlocks the Yellow Ninja upon completion.

GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley 1.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley 2.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley Boss.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley 1.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley 2.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Valley Boss.png

Valley
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Unlocks the Blue Ninja upon completion.

GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland 1.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland 2.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland Boss.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland 1.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland 2.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Woodland Boss.png

Woodland
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Unlocks the Green Ninja upon completion.

GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 1.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 2.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 3.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 4.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Final Boss 1.png

GG Shinobi, Stages, Final Boss 2.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 1.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 2.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 3.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Neo City 4.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Final Boss 1.png

  • GG Shinobi, Stages, Final Boss 2.png

Neo City
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Unlocked once the other four rounds are completed. A series of trap rooms, each requiring the skills of a particular ninja character in order to pass it. Almost all rooms have two exits which lead to further distinct trap rooms. The player encounters the bosses of the previous rounds, eventually finishing with the final one.

History

Legacy

The GG Shinobi was followed by Shinobi II: The Silent Fury (The GG Shinobi II in Japan), another exclusive Game Gear game.

The game was re-released for Palm OS in 2003 and for the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console service in 2012. It was included as one of the four games pre-installed on the red model Game Gear Micro in 2020.

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
GG Shinobi GG credits.pdf
[17]


One of these aliases is Yukio Futatsugi.

Source:
Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[18]


Magazine articles

Main article: The GG Shinobi/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-05: "May 1991" (1991-04-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Pixel (GR) #96: "Fevrouários 1993" (1993-0x-xx)
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

  • Logo

  • Virtual Console banner

  • US cover

  • JP cover

  • JP cover

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)
70
[20]
Ação Games (BR)
92
[21]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
83
[22]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
63
[23]
Consoles + (FR)
91
[24]
Console XS (UK) PAL
84
[25]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
94
[26]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
92
[27]
Excalibur (CZ)
88
[28]
Game Mania (UK)
90
[29]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
96
[6]
Gamers (DE)
73
[30]
Games-X (UK)
78
[31]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
80
[32]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
92
[33]
Joystick (FR)
97
[34]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
72
[35]
Mean Machines (UK)
90
[36]
Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL
91
[37]
Power Play (DE)
83
[38]
Raze (UK)
82
[39]
Sega Power (UK)
73
[40]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
100
[41]
Sega Pro (UK)
79
[42]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
93
[43]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
84
[44]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
76
[45]
User (GR) PAL
92
[46]
Video Games (DE)
84
[47]
Zero (UK)
90
[48]
Sega Game Gear
 85
Based on
30 reviews

The GG Shinobi

Game Gear, JP
GGShinobi GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngGGShinobi GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
GGShinobi GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
GGShinobi GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngGGShinobi GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
GGShinobi GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Shinobi GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
GGShinobi GG EU Box Back.jpgShinobi GG EU BoxSpine.jpgGGShinobi GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
GGShinobi GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Shinobi GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, BR
Shinobi GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Ggshinobi gg br cart.jpg
Cart
Shinobi gg br manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Game Gear
✔
CRC32 83926bd1
MD5 21d2e4e7c508e6abbb12bb96c7aac868
SHA-1 c5e1c2329f94f0804140792a3e3d5be2ac0d5d0d
256kB Cartridge (JP)
Sega Game Gear
✔
CRC32 30f1c984
MD5 8fa7438dec1403f2e9d7b1ca60b29f1a
SHA-1 2e7303f82d885cb84fa557e211954808c8ebe779
256kB Cartridge (World) Revision A
Sega Game Gear
✔
CRC32 b62d934a
MD5 a0c373a38ec4271ac42ec99afa2a6be3
SHA-1 9ad7313da97ef00463800199ab9e4e6f39fbcb0d
256kB 3DS Virtual Console (World) Revision A VirtualConsole GGShinobi 3DS World Icon.png

External links

  • Sega of Japan 3DS VC catalogue pages: Game Gear
  • Nintendo catalogue pages: JP, US, UK, AU

References

  1. ↑ https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4
  2. ↑ File:GGShinobi GG EU Box Back.jpg
  3. ↑ File:GGShinobi GG JP Box Front.jpg
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
  5. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "June 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 27
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 GamePro, "September 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 46
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 File:DailyMirror_UK_1991-06-29_08.png
  8. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 97
  9. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 20
  10. ↑ http://www.sega.com/palm/purchase/buy_select_shinobi.jhtml (Wayback Machine: 2003-04-17 04:47)
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 http://vc.sega.jp/3ds/ggshinobi/ (Wayback Machine: 2017-10-29 06:58)
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/us4h9rLO3WTM2ZjsLYfadJ_OielVrsMW (Wayback Machine: 2012-03-09 02:17)
  13. ↑ http://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/Console-virtuelle-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html (archive.today)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/shinobi (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-04 15:13)
  15. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html (archive.today)
  16. ↑ https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/Virtual-Console-Nintendo-3DS-/Shinobi--275825.html (archive.today)
  17. ↑ File:GG Shinobi GG credits.pdf
  18. ↑ Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 71
  19. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 140
  20. ↑ ACE, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-07-08), page 73
  21. ↑ Ação Games, "Setembro 1991" (BR; 1991-09-xx), page 53
  22. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "August/September 1991" (DE; 1991-07-26), page 122
  23. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-08), page 28
  24. ↑ Consoles +, "Tilt Hors-Serie" (FR; 1991-07-xx), page 117
  25. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 149
  26. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-15), page 102
  27. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 169
  28. ↑ Excalibur, "" (CZ; 1993-05-10), page 14
  29. ↑ Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 70
  30. ↑ Gamers, "Februar/März 1992" (DE; 1992-xx-xx), page 35
  31. ↑ Games-X, "14th-20th June 1991" (UK; 1991-06-14), page 35
  32. ↑ Hippon Super, "May 1991" (JP; 1991-04-04), page 43
  33. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Octubre 1991" (ES; 1991-xx-xx), page 56
  34. ↑ Joystick, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 124
  35. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 80
  36. ↑ Mean Machines, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-29), page 58
  37. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 143
  38. ↑ Power Play, "8/91" (DE; 1991-07-1x), page 122
  39. ↑ Raze, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-07-25), page 44
  40. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1991" (UK; 1991-08-01), page 12
  41. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 61
  42. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 28
  43. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 27
  44. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
  45. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  46. ↑ User, "Mártios 1992" (GR; 1992-0x-xx), page 86
  47. ↑ Video Games, "3/91" (DE; 1991-09-06), page 80
  48. ↑ Zero, "August 1991" (UK; 1991-0x-xx), page 71


The GG Shinobi

GGShinobi Title.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Hidden content | Magazine articles | Reception


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Games in the Shinobi series
Arcade
 Shinobi (1987) | Shadow Dancer (1989)
Sega Master System
 Shinobi (1988) | The Cyber Shinobi (1990) | Shadow Dancer (1991)
Amiga
Atari ST
Amstrad CPC
Commodore 64
ZX Spectrum
IBM PC compatibles
MSX
 Shinobi (1989)
Sega Mega Drive
 The Revenge of Shinobi (1989) | Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (1990) | Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (1993)
Sega Game Gear
 The GG Shinobi (1991) | The GG Shinobi II: The Silent Fury (1992)
Sega Saturn
 Shinobi Legions (1995)
Game Boy Advance
 The Revenge of Shinobi (2002)
Sony PlayStation 2
 Shinobi (2002) | Nightshade (2003)
Nintendo 3DS
 Shinobi 3D (2011) | 3D Shinobi III (2013)
Nintendo Switch
 Sega Ages Shinobi (2019)
Shinobi related media
Music
 The Super Shinobi & Works (1989) | Shinobi Original Soundtrack (2002) | Legend of Joe Musashi: Shinobi Music Collection (2009) | Shinobi 3D Original Soundtrack (2012) | Kunoichi Original Soundtrack (2014) | Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (2015) | The Revenge of Shinobi (2016) | Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (2022)
Book
 Shinobi: The Fear Pavilion (1994) | Shin Shinobi Den Hisshou Kouryaku Hou (1995) | Prima's Official Strategy Guide: Shinobi (2002) | Shinobi: The Rise of Hotsuma (2002) | Shinobi: The Complete Guide (2002) | Shinobi the Wide Ilustration Archive (2003) | Kunoichi Koushiki Guide Book (2003) | Kunoichi Perfect Guide (2004)
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