Difference between revisions of "Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi"

From Sega Retro
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[[File:Shadow Dancer MD, Shinobi and Yamato.png|left]]
 
[[File:Shadow Dancer MD, Shinobi and Yamato.png|left]]
  
−
The game is a side-scrolling action game similar. It more closely resembles its arcade progenitors than the other Mega Drive ''Shinobi'' titles do. Shinobi can be moved with {{left}} or {{right}} and can crouch with {{down}}. He can move while crouching with {{downleft}} and {{downright}}. Shinobi is armed with a sword, can throw shurikens, and can kick enemies, all performed with {{B}} depending on his proximity to the target. He has an unlimited number of shurikens. He can jump with {{C}}. {{down}}+{{C}} jumps off platforms and {{up}}+{{C}} jumps up to higher platforms; these button combinations are also used for jumping over a fence to the background and back to the foreground in one stage. Shinobi also has a special ninjutsu ability that can be used once per stage with {{A}} to eliminate all enemies on screen.
+
The game is a side-scrolling action platformer. It more closely resembles its arcade progenitors than the other Mega Drive ''Shinobi'' titles do. Shinobi can be moved with {{left}} or {{right}} and can crouch with {{down}}. He can move while crouching with {{downleft}} and {{downright}}. Shinobi is armed with a sword, can throw shurikens, and can kick enemies, all performed with {{B}} depending on his proximity to the target. He has an unlimited number of shurikens. He can jump with {{C}}. {{down}}+{{C}} jumps off platforms and {{up}}+{{C}} jumps up to higher platforms; these button combinations are also used for jumping over a fence to the background and back to the foreground in one stage. Shinobi also has a special ninjutsu ability that can be used once per stage with {{A}} to eliminate all enemies on screen.
  
 
The goal of most stages is to rescue all the hostages and reach the exit. Shinobi can only take one hit before losing a life in this game, so the player is forced to engage enemies cautiously. Shinobi takes a hit when he touches an enemy weapon; other contact with the enemy knocks him back instead, potentially leaving him vulnerable to a fatal hit. The player has a limited number of lives (but can collect more over the course of the game). If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but the player can choose to continue the game at the start of the current round if there are continues remaining.
 
The goal of most stages is to rescue all the hostages and reach the exit. Shinobi can only take one hit before losing a life in this game, so the player is forced to engage enemies cautiously. Shinobi takes a hit when he touches an enemy weapon; other contact with the enemy knocks him back instead, potentially leaving him vulnerable to a fatal hit. The player has a limited number of lives (but can collect more over the course of the game). If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but the player can choose to continue the game at the start of the current round if there are continues remaining.

Revision as of 11:04, 22 January 2022

n/a

  • NTSC-J/PAL
  • NTSC-U

ShadowDancer MD JP TitleScreen.png

Shadow Dancer- The Secret of Shinobi.png

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-Tech, Virtual Console, Steam
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Sound driver: SMPS 68000
Genre: Action[2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,0006,000 G-4043
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9549.95[5] 1114
Sega Mega Drive
US
(Classic) 		1114C
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1114
Sega Mega Drive
PT
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£39.9939.99[6] 1114
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
BR
Arcade (Mega-Tech System)
UK		 £? ?

























Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600[12]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800[8]
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800[9]
Steam
US ▼ 		$2.992.99[15] 34282
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Steam
EU ▼ 		€2.492.49[14] 34282
PEGI: 12+
Steam
UK ▼ 		£1.991.99[15] 34282
PEGI: 12+
Steam
AU ▼ 		$3.493.49[15] 34282
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam Linux
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[17] 34282
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Steam Linux
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[17] 34282
PEGI: 12+
Steam Linux
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[17] 34282
PEGI: 12+
Steam Linux
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[17] 34282
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam OS X
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[17] 34282
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Steam OS X
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[17] 34282
PEGI: 12+
Steam OS X
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[17] 34282
PEGI: 12+
Steam OS X
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[17] 34282
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (シャドーダンサー ザ・シークレット・オブ・シノビ) is a Sega Mega Drive action game developed by Sega R&D 2 and published by Sega. First released in Japan in December 1990, the game is an expanded reworking of the 1989 arcade game Shadow Dancer, featuring improved controls and more refined gameplay exclusive to this Mega Drive version.

Story

“

A.D 1997, New York City

Having vanquished the evil crime empire Neo Zeed, Shinobi was not heard from again. His combat ninja skills were not needed in a peaceful world.

But a new threat arose. In a reptilian form that lived on vicious instinct alone. The colossal monster moved slowly and quietly, and its attack was relentless. The souls unfortunate enough to live became 'hostages' mass panic swept the streets.

It remained only for Shinobi to take action. The ninja of the shadows. His weapons were stealth and quickness of attack. His only allies when facing over whelming force.

Relying on ninja weapons and magic, Shinobi fought on. Assisted by his faithful dog. This is the story of their defiance..

„


The story according to the US manual adds extra detail that Joe Musashi (following the events of The Revenge of Shinobi) decided to visit his student, Kato in New York. Shortly after Joe left, Kato learned of the Union Lizard's takeover of an elementary school, in which he decided to assist in the rescuing of the hostages. However, Kato was fatally wounded by a subordinate of Union Lizard, and when Joe raced back in to the US, it was too late — Kato died from his wounds. After this, Joe swore to Kato's mother that he and Yamato (Kato's pet dog) would avenge Kato.

The Japanese version of the backstory differs from the overseas releases, in which the protagonist is not Joe Musashi, but his estranged son Hayate, who was born in 1977 and raised in the United States after being separated from his true parents. Kato (whose full name is Dick C. Kato) was Hayate's foster father in this version and the man who trained him in the ways of ninjutsu. This backstory implies that the events of The Super Shinobi took place sometime before 1977, although there's nothing in the original game to suggest this was meant to be the case.

Gameplay

Shadow Dancer MD, Shinobi and Yamato.png

The game is a side-scrolling action platformer. It more closely resembles its arcade progenitors than the other Mega Drive Shinobi titles do. Shinobi can be moved with Left or Right and can crouch with Down. He can move while crouching with Down-left and Down-right. Shinobi is armed with a sword, can throw shurikens, and can kick enemies, all performed with B depending on his proximity to the target. He has an unlimited number of shurikens. He can jump with C. Down+C jumps off platforms and Up+C jumps up to higher platforms; these button combinations are also used for jumping over a fence to the background and back to the foreground in one stage. Shinobi also has a special ninjutsu ability that can be used once per stage with A to eliminate all enemies on screen.

The goal of most stages is to rescue all the hostages and reach the exit. Shinobi can only take one hit before losing a life in this game, so the player is forced to engage enemies cautiously. Shinobi takes a hit when he touches an enemy weapon; other contact with the enemy knocks him back instead, potentially leaving him vulnerable to a fatal hit. The player has a limited number of lives (but can collect more over the course of the game). If the player runs out of lives, the game ends, but the player can choose to continue the game at the start of the current round if there are continues remaining.

Rescuing male hostages awards bonus points and occasionally an extra life. Extra lives can also be earned in the bonus rounds that appear in between each round or are occasionally dropped by enemies. Rescuing female hostages give Shinobi enhanced attacks for the rest of the stage (or until he loses a life).

Assisting Shinobi is his loyal companion Yamato. When Yamato finds an enemy, he barks at him; he can be ordered to attack by holding B, which charges his meter at the bottom of the screen, and releasing when his meter is full. If the enemy is on the same floor and not blocking the attack, Yamato darts over to him and stuns him, allowing Shinobi to finish him off. The enemy can parry Yamato's attack and hurt him, which causes him to shrink to a puppy and become unable to attack temporarily.

There are three difficulty levels. Changing the difficulty level significantly influences enemy placements and their number (unlike Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III, where only health and lives are reduced). Bosses remain unchanged aside from a boost in health. The game gives bonuses for not using shurikens or ninjutsu spells during the stages before the boss. The game also has some secret score opportunities, such as defeating a boss with only one second on the timer remaining (using ninjutsu). There is also a "Non-Shuriken" mode where the player does not have access to shurikens at all and must engage foes in melee range. Shinobi can still use shurikens against bosses and during the bonus stages.

Rounds

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 1-1.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 1-2.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 1-3.png

Burning Downtown

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 2-1.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 2-2.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 2-3.png

Battle on the Bridge

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 3-1.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 3-2.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 3-3.png

Statue of Liberty

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 4-1.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 4-2.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 4-3.png

In the Darkness

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 5-1.png

Shadow Dancer MD, Stage 5-2.png

Union Lizard
The first stage of this round consists of five rooms, each dedicated to a particular enemy from the prior rounds, forcing the player to demonstrate mastery over the enemy. This is the only stage without a time limit. Players can exploit the respawning ninjas in rooms 4 and 5 to augment their score.

Bonus Rounds

A bonus round is played in between each round. Shinobi jumps off a skyscraper and throws shurikens at ninjas that are flying toward him. There are fifty ninjas total in each bonus round. The game gives rewards for certain results:

Ninjas Eliminated Award
50 3-Up
49 2-Up
48 1-Up
1-47 bonus points
0 1-Up

Curiously, the game awards the player an extra life for hitting no ninjas.

  • Bonus Round 1

  • Bonus Round 2

  • Bonus Round 3

  • Bonus Round 4

Ninjutsu Spells

Each stage gives the player a predetermined ninjutsu spell that can be cast once to eliminate all opponents on screen.

Shadow Dancer MD, Ninjutsu Spells.png
 Fire Columns
Conjures pillars of flame.
Shadow Dancer MD, Ninjutsu Spells.png
 Tornadoes
Summons two tornadoes.
Shadow Dancer MD, Ninjutsu Spells.png
 Meteorites
Meteorites rain from the sky.

Items

Shadow Dancer MD, Items, Extra Life.png
 Union Lizard Coin
Dropped by some enemies. Gives the player one or multiple extra lives.

History

The game is available as part of the Wii's Virtual Console service.

The game was was banned from sale in Germany[18], and still classified to be unsuitable for younger audiences in Germany. Therefore it's missing from the Sega Mega Drive Collection in PAL regions.

Versions

There are no known differences (the Japanese release also displays English text), same ROM is used for all regions. Only music is optimized for PAL system, the gameplay is slower than intended.

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits
Source:
Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[19]

Digital manuals

ShadowDancer Steam manual.pdf

PDF
Steam manual
ShadowDancer Steam manual.pdf

Magazine articles

Main article: Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1990-12: "December 1990" (1990-11-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-01: "January 1991" (1990-12-08)
Logo-pdf.svg

Artwork

  • ShadowDancer MD JP Art Cover.jpg
  • ShadowDancerSoS Art.jpg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
70
[20]
ACE (UK)
78
[6]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
73
[21]
The Complete Guide to Sega (UK)
62
[22]
Console XS (UK) PAL
89
[23]
Cool Gamer (RU)
70
[24]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
63
[25]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
80
[26]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1 (RU)
70
[27]
Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10 (RU)
60
[28]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
59
[29]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
58
[30]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[31]
The Games Machine (IT)
89
[32]
Génération 4 (FR)
82
[33]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
80
[34]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
90
[35]
Joystick (FR)
90
[36]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
84
[37]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
84
[38]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
77
[39]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
80
[40]
MegaTech (UK)
59
[41]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
60
[42]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
59
[43]
Player One (FR)
90
[44]
Power Play (DE)
79
[45]
Raze (UK)
82
[46]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
90
[47]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[48]
Sega Pro (UK)
89
[49]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
83
[50]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
68
[51]
Tilt (FR)
90
[52]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
74
[53]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[5]
Video Games (DE)
75
[54]
Zero (UK)
78
[55]
Sega Mega Drive
 76
Based on
38 reviews

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

Mega Drive, JP
ShadowDancer MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
ShadowDancer MD JP CartTop.jpg
ShadowDancer MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Shadowdancer md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
ShadowDancerSoS MD US Box.jpg
Cover
ShadowDancer MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Shadow Dancer MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US (Sega Classic)
ShadowDancer MD US Box Classic.jpg
Cover
ShadowDancer MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
ShadowDancer MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
ShadowDancer MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
ShadowDancer MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, FR

Shadow Dancer The Secret of Shinobi MD FR Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, AU (Horizontal manual)
ShadowDancer MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU (Vertical manual)

Mega Drive, BR (cardboard)

Mega Drive, BR
Secretofshinobi md br cover.jpg
Cover
ShadowDancer MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Secretofshinobi md br manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, CA
ShadowDancer MD CA Box.jpg
Cover

Mega-Tech version

Mega-Tech,

ShadowDancer MegaTech Cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Mega Drive
 ?
CRC32
MD5
SHA-1
1990-10-02 Page

External links

References

  1. ↑ https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-1
  2. ↑ File:ShadowDancer MD JP Box.jpg
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-20 09:51)
  4. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/nIoj_nzYdTo/m/yy399PAfOlcJ
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "February 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 44
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 ACE, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-08), page 68
  7. ↑ Ação Games, "Maio 1991" (BR; 1991-05-21), page 8
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/u44QhunUW7oGLY02HorOacEG6EJWz7m8 (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-22 22:47)
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/shadow_dancer_the_secret_of_shinobi (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-04 14:04)
  10. ↑ https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/Console-virtuelle-Wii-/Shadow-Dancer-The-Secret-of-Shinobi--278854.html (archive.today)
  11. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/01.html (Wayback Machine: 2017-11-23 05:03)
  12. ↑ http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_shadow/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-09 19:34)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 https://steamdb.info/app/34282/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-12 21:32)
  14. ↑ http://steamdb.info/app/34282/ (Wayback Machine: 2016-07-30 04:19)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 http://steamdb.info/app/34282/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 19:29)
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 https://steamdb.info/app/34282/history/?changeid=5755303
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 http://steamdb.info/app/34282/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-12 21:32)
  18. ↑ File:MD UK Box Back SonicEASDH Alt.jpg
  19. ↑ Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 86
  20. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 202
  21. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1990" (JP; 1990-11-08), page 28
  22. ↑ The Complete Guide to Sega, "" (UK; 1991-05-xx), page 108
  23. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
  24. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 184
  25. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "February 1991" (UK; 1991-01-16), page 44
  26. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "April 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 20
  27. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 1, "" (RU; 1999-xx-xx), page 356
  28. ↑ Entsiklopediya luchshikh igr Sega. Vypusk 10, "" (RU; 2003-10-08), page 155
  29. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 86
  30. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1990-1x-xx), page 1
  31. ↑ GamePro, "March 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 70
  32. ↑ The Games Machine, "Febbraio 1991" (IT; 1991-xx-xx), page 71
  33. ↑ Génération 4, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 96
  34. ↑ Hippon Super, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-04), page 40
  35. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1991" (ES; 1991-1x-xx), page 86
  36. ↑ Joystick, "Janvier 1991" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 122
  37. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-xx-xx), page 81
  38. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  39. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "February 1991" (JP; 1991-01-08), page 83
  40. ↑ Mega Play, "March/April 1991" (US; 1991-04-xx), page 42
  41. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 80
  42. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Septiembre 1991" (ES; 1991-0x-xx), page 27
  43. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 140
  44. ↑ Player One, "Juin 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 26
  45. ↑ Power Play, "3/91" (DE; 1991-02-15), page 139
  46. ↑ Raze, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-05-30), page 38
  47. ↑ Sega Power, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-04-04), page 32
  48. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  49. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 28
  50. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  51. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  52. ↑ Tilt, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 54
  53. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 153
  54. ↑ Video Games, "1/91" (DE; 1991-03-27), page 83
  55. ↑ Zero, "April 1991" (UK; 1991-0x-xx), page 88


Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

ShadowDancer MD JP TitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Maps | Credits | Hidden content | Development | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information | Bootlegs


Music: Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi (2022)
Sega Mega Drive
Prototypes: 1990-10-02



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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