Difference between revisions of "Ninja Gaiden (Master System)"

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{{OtherPage|desc=other games with the same name|page=Ninja Gaiden}}
 
{{Bob
 
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| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| developer=[[Sega CS]], [[SIMS]]
 
| developer=[[Sega CS]], [[SIMS]]
 +
| licensor=[[Tecmo]]
 
| system=[[Sega Master System]]
 
| system=[[Sega Master System]]
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
−
| genre=Action
+
| genre=Action{{fileref|NinjaGaiden SMS EU Box.jpg}}{{fileref|NinjaGaiden SMS KR backcover.jpg}}
 
| releases={{releasesSMS
 
| releases={{releasesSMS
−
| sms_date_eu=1992-07
+
| sms_date_eu=1992-06{{magref|segapower|33|11}}
−
| sms_rrp_uk=29.99{{magref|cvg|130|30}} <!-- 32.99{{fileref|SegaForce UK 08.pdf|page=85}}-->
 
 
| sms_code_eu=7101
 
| sms_code_eu=7101
 +
| sms_date_uk=1992-07-16{{magref|ctw|395|13}}<!--1992-06{{magref|segapower|33|11}}-->
 +
| sms_code_uk=7101
 +
| sms_rrp_uk=32.99{{magref|sfuk|8|85}}{{magref|gz|11|27}}<!--29.99{{magref|cvg|130|30}} -->
 
| sms_date_br=199x
 
| sms_date_br=199x
 
| sms_date_kr=1992
 
| sms_date_kr=1992
 
| sms_code_kr=GB2019JG
 
| sms_code_kr=GB2019JG
 +
| sms_date_au=199x
 +
| sms_date_pt=199x
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{sub-stub}}'''''Ninja Gaiden''''' (忍者外伝) for the [[Sega Master System]] is a platform action game developed by [[SIMS]] and published by [[Sega]] in 1992. Aside from the name and brand, it is unrelated to [[Ninja Gaiden|the other two Sega "Ninja Gaiden" games]]. This game also bears a "reprogrammed by Sega" line, though it is a unique game from any previous ''Ninja Gaiden'' work.
+
'''''Ninja Gaiden''''' (忍者外伝) for the [[Sega Master System]] is a platform action game developed by [[SIMS]] and published by [[Sega]] in 1992. Though the game bears a "reprogrammed by Sega" line, it is a unique game from any previous ''Ninja Gaiden'' work. While considered tame in terms of difficulty compared to the other releases in the series, the Master System version is still considered one of the finest games in the Master System library.
  
−
Even though considered "tame" in terms of difficulty compared to the other releases in the series, Master System version is still considered one of the finest games in the Master System library.
+
The Master System version takes place in an alternate timeline and is not considered a part of the official ''Ninja Gaiden'' continuity.
−
 
 
−
Master System version takes place in an alternate timeline and is not considered a part of the official Ninja Gaiden continuity.
 
−
 
 
−
There seems to be two versions of the game; the first version tells the story through the eyes of Ryu himself, explaining his experiences in great detail and the second version is narrated from an outside source, but some details of the plot are not explained as much. Furthermore, certain dialogue and names vary between the two versions as well, such as names of chapters. For example, samurai in the third chapter is not named in the second version and is simply called "Kendo Samurai". In the first version, name of the game is also mispronounced between the chapters as "Ninjya Gaiden".
 
  
 
==Story==
 
==Story==
−
{{quote|Ryu Hayabusa is a descendant of clan of Dragon Ninjas who have kept the peace in Japan for generations. One day he received the news that his home village, the Dragon Village, was attacked by someone. He hurried home to take care of things.
+
Ryu Hayabusa is a member of the Dragon Clan, who have protected Japan for generations. One day he is away from home, he receives a message that the Dragon Village, home of the Dragon Clan, has been brutally massacred. He rushes home finding that all but one of the village members have been killed. The last survivor of the village tells Ryu with his dying breath that the sacred Bushido scroll has been stolen. The Bushido is a scroll of power so strong that its owner can control the world. As the last ninja of the Dragon Clan, the fate of the world is in its hands. He embarks on a trip to regain the Sacred Scroll of Bushido from the hands of the evil Shogun of Darkness and his minions.
  
−
But he returned home only to find that he was too late. He could do nothing but stare at the rubble that was once his village.
+
==Gameplay==
 +
''Ninja Gaiden'' is a platforming action game. Ryu walks with {{left}} and {{right}}. He crouches with {{down}} and jumps with {{2}}. He can grab higher platforms with {{up}} while jumping up to them and then pull himself up them with {{up}}+{{2}}. Ryu can climb and move along the ceiling. He cannot climb vertical walls as he did in the [[NES]] versions, but he can do wall jumps by pressing {{2}} when touching a wall. He can also climb through horizontal walls. He uses ladders with {{up}} and {{down}}.
  
−
Ryu found the sole survivor in the village. With his last few words, the survivor told Ryu that the Bushido had been stolen.
+
Ryu swings his sword with {{1}} to attack. Pressing {{up}}+{{1}} uses the special weapon, which drains the energy meter. Ryu can find different special weapon items throughout the levels. Each weapon attacks differently and costs a different amount of energy to use. All weapons can be used while crouching or jumping. Pressing {{1}}+{{2}} at the same time performs a "desperation attack" that kills all enemies on the screen but also takes a quarter of Ryu's health.
  
−
The Bushido is an ancient scroll that have been handed down through generations of Dragon Ninjas. This document contains secrets about ways to summon the powers of this world. According to Ryu's ancestors whoever summoned these powers could even conquer the world.
+
Ryu has 20 health points, shown as a gauge in the top-right of the screen. 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 he also loses a life if time runs out. The game ends if Ryu loses all of his lives. Many levels contain various hazards in addition to the enemies (though they are easier to navigate compared to the other games in the series).
  
−
Ryu whipped out his Dragonsword which is also endowed with such powers. He swore to himself that he would regain the Bushido and take revenge for his village.|Intro sequence}}
+
A staple of the ''Ninja Gaiden'' series, the story is narrated through manga-style panel illustrations between each level.
  
 +
===Items===
 +
{{InfoTable|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Scroll
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Destroy to release an item. Collect the item by walking over it before it disappears.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Heal
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=80 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Heals Ryu for 10 health points.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Blue Combat Point Counter
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Increases Ryu's special weapon energy by 50.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Red Combat Point Counter
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Increases Ryu's special weapon energy by 100.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Blue Bonus
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player 5,000 bonus points.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Red Bonus
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player 10,000 bonus points.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
== Gameplay ==
+
===Weapons===
 +
{{InfoTable|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Shuriken
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Ryu throws a shuriken horizontally. Costs 5 energy.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Super Shuriken
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Ryu throws a larger, stronger shuriken. Costs 10 energy.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Four-Way Whirlwind
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Ryu shoots small vortexes in four directions (directly upward, downward, in front, and behind). Costs 20 energy.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Fireballs
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Ryu releases four fireballs that home in on enemies. Costs 40 energy.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Dragonfire
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Ryu surrounds himself in a ring of fireballs, which renders him invulnerable to damage and destroys any enemies it touches. Costs 50 energy.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
Ninja Gaiden is a platforming action game. Hayabusa can use his sword with button 1 to attack and can jump with button 2. Pressing Up with button 1 uses the special weapons which will drain the energy meter.
+
===Chapters===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=256|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Escape in a Forest
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter1.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-EscapeinaForest.png
 +
| desc=With his village in ruins, Ryu attempts to escape to the nearby forest to evade the enemy force who wants to hunt down the last survivor of the Dragon clan. At the end of the level, Ryu faces a large sumo wrestler.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Pursuit in Tokyo
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter2.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-PursuitinTokyoPart1.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-PursuitinTokyoPart2.png
 +
| desc=Ryu travels to Tokyo to face off a powerful Yakuza Oyabun who might have information about the enemy. Fight on top of the streets and rooftops of the capital and fight armed thugs. Boss of the chapter is a yakuza leader who is surrounded by his army of henchmen.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Samurai in Tsutenkaku
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter3.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-SamuraiinTsutenkakuPart1.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-SamuraiinTsutenkakuPart2.png
 +
| map3=NinjaGaiden-SMS-SamuraiinTsutenkakuPart3.png
 +
| desc=Ryu heads for Osaka to find location of a samurai who is in league with the enemy and faces him, wondering why a honorable man like him would side with bunch of murderers. Fight through slums and ruined buildings to reach your objective.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Rescue Geisha
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter4.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-RescueGeishaPart1.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-RescueGeishaPart2.png
 +
| map3=NinjaGaiden-SMS-RescueGeishaPart3.png
 +
| desc=In his last breath, Samurai admits that his daughter was kidnapped by a man who calls himself, "Shogun of Darkness" in order to force his cooperation and begs Ryu to save her. Ryu resolves to honor the last request of an honorable warrior and heads off to Mt. Fuji. Navigate through waterfalls and pitfalls to fight a jetpack equipped soldier.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Land of the Enemy
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter5.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-TheLandofEnemyPart1.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-TheLandofEnemyPart2.png
 +
| map3=NinjaGaiden-SMS-TheLandofEnemyPart3.png
 +
| desc=After being rescued, Geisha informs Ryu that Scroll has been taken to a place called the "Castle of Darkness" in the far north of Japan. Covered by snow and ice, Ryu travels through treacherous, cold terrain and faces off a man with uniform called "ice monster" capable of controlling cold.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Raid
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter6.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-RaidPart1.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-RaidPart2.png
 +
| map3=NinjaGaiden-SMS-RaidPart3.png
 +
| desc=Ryu goes through a dark cave filled with traps, molten hot lava and creatures from darkness. While Ryu defeats a stone golem brought to life by the heinous powers of the Shogun, Geisha is captured again.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Overcome
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter7.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-OvercomePart1.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-OvercomePart2.png
 +
| map3=NinjaGaiden-SMS-OvercomePart3.png
 +
| desc=Finally reaching the Castle of Darkness, Ryu battles all sorts of enemies from samurai troops to ninjas. At the end of the level he faces off with a kabuki dancer who is heavily armed with heat seeking paper fans and a radar guided kabuki mask(?).
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=A Decisive Battle
 +
| screenshot=NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter8.png
 +
| map=NinjaGaiden-SMS-ADecisiveBattlePart2.png
 +
| map2=NinjaGaiden-SMS-ADecisiveBattlePart1.png
 +
| desc=Wounded by a surprise attack from the Shogun, Ryu receives an unexpected help and enters the final battle with his nemesis, with the fates of himself, Geisha and potentially the entire world hanging in balance.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
Hayabuse can climb and move along the ceiling but cannot climb vertical wall as he did in the NES versions. He can however do wall jumps. He can also climb through the horizontal walls.
+
==Versions==
−
 
+
There seems to be two versions of the game: the first version tells the story through the eyes of Ryu himself, explaining his experiences in great detail, and the second version is narrated from an outside source, but some details of the plot are not explained as much. Furthermore, certain dialogue and names vary between the two versions as well, such as the names of chapters. For example, the samurai in the third chapter is not named in the second version and is simply called "Kendo Samurai". In the first version, the name of the game is also mispronounced between the chapters as "''Ninjya Gaiden''".
−
Pressing both buttons at the same time will make a "desperation attack" that will kill all enemies on the screen but also take a quarter of Hayabusa's health.
 
−
 
 
−
Many levels contain stage hazards in addition to the enemies but as stated above, they are much easier to navigate compared to the other games in the series.
 
−
 
 
−
A staple of the Ninja Gaiden series, story is narrated through manga style panel illustrations between each level.
 
−
 
 
−
At the title screen, holding Up on the first controller, Down on the second, and pressing 1 + 2 on both will open up a cheat menu, with a level select, sound test, and settings for lives, infinite ninja power, and invincibility.
 
−
 
 
−
== Chapters ==
 
−
 
 
−
'''Level 1: Escape in a Forest'''
 
−
 
 
−
With his village in ruins, Hayabusa attempts to escape to the nearby forest to evade the enemy force who wants to hunt down the last survivor of the Dragon clan. At the end of the level, Hayabusa faces a large sumo wrestler.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 2: Pursuit in Tokyo'''
 
−
 
 
−
Hayabusa travels to Tokyo to face off a powerful Yakuza Oyabun who might have information about the enemy. Fight on top of the streets and rooftops of the capital and fight armed thugs. Boss of the chapter is a yakuza leader who is surrounded by his army of henchmen.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 3: Samurai in Tsutenkaku'''
 
−
 
 
−
Hayabusa heads for Osaka to find location of a samurai who is in league with the enemy and faces him, wondering why a honorable man like him would side with bunch of murderers. Fight through slums and ruined buildings to reach your objective.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 4: Rescue Geisha'''
 
−
 
 
−
In his last breath, Samurai admits that his daughter was kidnapped by a man who calls himself, "Shogun of Darkness" in order to force his cooperation and begs Hayabusa to save her. Hayabusa resolves to honor the last request of an honorable warrior and heads off to Mt. Fuji. Navigate through waterfalls and pitfalls to fight a jetpack equipped soldier.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 5: Land of the Enemy'''
 
−
 
 
−
After being rescued, Geisha informs Hayabusa that Scroll has been taken to a place called the "Castle of Darkness" in the far north of Japan. Covered by snow and ice, Hayabusa travels through treacherous, cold terrain and faces off a man with uniform called "ice monster" capable of controlling cold.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 6: Raid'''
 
−
 
 
−
Hayabusa goes through a dark cave filled with traps, molten hot lava and creatures from darkness. While Hayabusa defeats a stone golem brought to life by the heinous powers of the Shogun, Geisha is captured again.
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 7: Overcome'''
 
−
 
 
−
Finally reaching the Castle of Darkness, Hayabusa battles all sorts of enemies from samurai troops to ninjas. At the end of the level he faces off with a kabuki dancer who is heavily armed with heat seeking paper fans and a radar guided kabuki mask(?).
 
−
 
 
−
'''Chapter 8: A Decisive Battle'''
 
−
 
 
−
Wounded by a surprise attack from the Shogun, Hayabusa receives an unexpected help and enters the final battle with his nemesis, with the fates of himself, Geisha and potentially the entire world hanging in balance.
 
  
 
==Production credits==
 
==Production credits==
Line 107: Line 191:
 
{{gallery
 
{{gallery
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
−
|MegaForce ES 03.pdf|megaforcees|3|47
+
|megaforcees|3|47
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
 
|{{galleryPrintAd
−
|MegaForce ES 11.pdf|megaforcees|11|61
+
|megaforcees|11|61
−
|HobbyConsolas ES 018.pdf|hobbyconsolas|18|15
+
|hobbyconsolas|18|15
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|SMS}}
−
| icon=SMS
 
−
| asm=75
 
−
| asm_source={{magref|asm|1992-11|149}}
 
−
| consolesplus=87
 
−
| consolesplus_source={{magref|consolesplus|12|130}}
 
−
| cvg=81
 
−
| cvg_source={{magref|cvg|130|30}}
 
−
| esg=83
 
−
| esg_source={{magref|esg|1|147}}
 
−
| gz=86
 
−
| gz_source={{num|11|page=26-27}}
 
−
| hobbyconsolas=67
 
−
| hobbyconsolas_source={{magref|hobbyconsolas|12|84|printpage=84-85}}
 
−
| joypad=90
 
−
| joypad_source={{magref|joypad|11|68|printpage=68-69}}
 
−
| joystick=85
 
−
| joystick_source={{magref|joystick|29|180}}
 
−
| micromania2=65
 
−
| micromania2_source={{num|52|page=84}}
 
−
| mm=83
 
−
| mm_source={{magref|mm|24|86|printpage=86-88}}
 
−
| playerone=93
 
−
| playerone_source={{magref|playerone|23|94|printpage=98-99}}
 
−
| smf=90
 
−
| smf_source={{magref|smf|2|12}}
 
−
| segapower=53
 
−
| segapower_source={{num|34|page=34-35}}
 
−
| segapro=90
 
−
| segapro_source={{num|11|page=58-59}}
 
−
| segapro_1=90
 
−
| segapro_source_1={{num|13|page=25}}
 
−
| segaprode=90
 
−
| segaprode_source={{magref|segaprode|1|28|printpage=28-29}}
 
−
| sfm=90
 
−
| sfm_source={{magref|sfm|7|80}}
 
−
| sfuk=90
 
−
| sfuk_source={{magref|sfuk|8|84|printpage=84-85}}
 
−
| supersonic=89
 
−
| supersonic_source={{magref|supersonic|2|20}}
 
−
| videogames=66
 
−
| videogames_source={{magref|videogames|1992-09|97|printpage=99}}
 
−
| zero=90
 
−
| zero_source={{magref|zero|35|36|printpage=36-37}}
 
−
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Master System
 
| console=Master System
Line 168: Line 208:
 
| cart=NinjaGaiden SMS EU Cart.jpg
 
| cart=NinjaGaiden SMS EU Cart.jpg
 
| manual=NinjaGaidenSMSEUManual7L.pdf
 
| manual=NinjaGaidenSMSEUManual7L.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Master System
 +
| region=PT
 +
| cover=NinjaGaiden SMS PT cover.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Master System
 
| console=Master System
 
| region=AU
 
| region=AU
−
| cover=
+
| cover=NinjaGaiden SMS AU cover.jpg
 
| cart=NinjaGaiden SMS AU Cart.jpg
 
| cart=NinjaGaiden SMS AU Cart.jpg
 
| manual=NinjaGaidenSMSAUManual.pdf
 
| manual=NinjaGaidenSMSAUManual.pdf
Line 192: Line 236:
 
===ROM dump status===
 
===ROM dump status===
 
{{romtable|
 
{{romtable|
−
{{rom|SMS|sha1=4C65DB563E8407444020AB7FD93FC45193AE923A|md5=2CD25B3D9A1CED329A551D7FC3C0F01E|crc32=1B1D8CC2|size=256kB|date= |source=Cartridge (EU)|comments=|quality=|prototype=}}
+
{{rom|SMS|sha1=4c65db563e8407444020ab7fd93fc45193ae923a|md5=2cd25b3d9a1ced329a551d7fc3c0f01e|crc32=1b1d8cc2|size=256KB|date= |source=Cartridge (EU)|comments=|quality=good}}
 +
{{rom|SMS|sha1=c67db6539dc609b08d3ca6f9e6f8f41daf150743|md5=b070dc2ba3f106e89d1e9551f49a0027|crc32=761e9396|size=256KB|date= |source=|comments=|quality=good|prototype=yes|protoname=prototype}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
 +
{{NinjaGaidenSMSOmni}}
 +
{{NinjaGaiden}}

Latest revision as of 16:20, 29 December 2023

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

n/a

NinjaGaiden SMS title.png

Ninja Gaiden
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Licensor: Tecmo
Genre: Action[1][2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Master System
EU 		7101
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK 		£32.9932.99[5][6] 7101
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
Sega Master System
KR 		GB2019JG

Ninja Gaiden (忍者外伝) for the Sega Master System is a platform action game developed by SIMS and published by Sega in 1992. Though the game bears a "reprogrammed by Sega" line, it is a unique game from any previous Ninja Gaiden work. While considered tame in terms of difficulty compared to the other releases in the series, the Master System version is still considered one of the finest games in the Master System library.

The Master System version takes place in an alternate timeline and is not considered a part of the official Ninja Gaiden continuity.

Story

Ryu Hayabusa is a member of the Dragon Clan, who have protected Japan for generations. One day he is away from home, he receives a message that the Dragon Village, home of the Dragon Clan, has been brutally massacred. He rushes home finding that all but one of the village members have been killed. The last survivor of the village tells Ryu with his dying breath that the sacred Bushido scroll has been stolen. The Bushido is a scroll of power so strong that its owner can control the world. As the last ninja of the Dragon Clan, the fate of the world is in its hands. He embarks on a trip to regain the Sacred Scroll of Bushido from the hands of the evil Shogun of Darkness and his minions.

Gameplay

Ninja Gaiden is a platforming action game. Ryu walks with Left and Right. He crouches with Down and jumps with 2. He can grab higher platforms with Up while jumping up to them and then pull himself up them with Up+2. Ryu can climb and move along the ceiling. He cannot climb vertical walls as he did in the NES versions, but he can do wall jumps by pressing 2 when touching a wall. He can also climb through horizontal walls. He uses ladders with Up and Down.

Ryu swings his sword with 1 to attack. Pressing Up+1 uses the special weapon, which drains the energy meter. Ryu can find different special weapon items throughout the levels. Each weapon attacks differently and costs a different amount of energy to use. All weapons can be used while crouching or jumping. Pressing 1+2 at the same time performs a "desperation attack" that kills all enemies on the screen but also takes a quarter of Ryu's health.

Ryu has 20 health points, shown as a gauge in the top-right of the screen. 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 he also loses a life if time runs out. The game ends if Ryu loses all of his lives. Many levels contain various hazards in addition to the enemies (though they are easier to navigate compared to the other games in the series).

A staple of the Ninja Gaiden series, the story is narrated through manga-style panel illustrations between each level.

Items

Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png
 Scroll
Destroy to release an item. Collect the item by walking over it before it disappears.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png
 Heal
Heals Ryu for 10 health points.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png
 Blue Combat Point Counter
Increases Ryu's special weapon energy by 50.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png
 Red Combat Point Counter
Increases Ryu's special weapon energy by 100.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png
 Blue Bonus
Gives the player 5,000 bonus points.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Items.png
 Red Bonus
Gives the player 10,000 bonus points.

Weapons

Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png
 Shuriken
Ryu throws a shuriken horizontally. Costs 5 energy.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png
 Super Shuriken
Ryu throws a larger, stronger shuriken. Costs 10 energy.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png
 Four-Way Whirlwind
Ryu shoots small vortexes in four directions (directly upward, downward, in front, and behind). Costs 20 energy.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png
 Fireballs
Ryu releases four fireballs that home in on enemies. Costs 40 energy.
Ninja Gaiden SMS, Weapons.png
 Dragonfire
Ryu surrounds himself in a ring of fireballs, which renders him invulnerable to damage and destroys any enemies it touches. Costs 50 energy.

Chapters

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter1.png

Escape in a Forest
Map: 1️⃣ 
With his village in ruins, Ryu attempts to escape to the nearby forest to evade the enemy force who wants to hunt down the last survivor of the Dragon clan. At the end of the level, Ryu faces a large sumo wrestler.

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter2.png

Pursuit in Tokyo
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Ryu travels to Tokyo to face off a powerful Yakuza Oyabun who might have information about the enemy. Fight on top of the streets and rooftops of the capital and fight armed thugs. Boss of the chapter is a yakuza leader who is surrounded by his army of henchmen.

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter3.png

Samurai in Tsutenkaku
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Ryu heads for Osaka to find location of a samurai who is in league with the enemy and faces him, wondering why a honorable man like him would side with bunch of murderers. Fight through slums and ruined buildings to reach your objective.

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter4.png

Rescue Geisha
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
In his last breath, Samurai admits that his daughter was kidnapped by a man who calls himself, "Shogun of Darkness" in order to force his cooperation and begs Ryu to save her. Ryu resolves to honor the last request of an honorable warrior and heads off to Mt. Fuji. Navigate through waterfalls and pitfalls to fight a jetpack equipped soldier.

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter5.png

Land of the Enemy
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
After being rescued, Geisha informs Ryu that Scroll has been taken to a place called the "Castle of Darkness" in the far north of Japan. Covered by snow and ice, Ryu travels through treacherous, cold terrain and faces off a man with uniform called "ice monster" capable of controlling cold.

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter6.png

Raid
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Ryu goes through a dark cave filled with traps, molten hot lava and creatures from darkness. While Ryu defeats a stone golem brought to life by the heinous powers of the Shogun, Geisha is captured again.

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter7.png

Overcome
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Finally reaching the Castle of Darkness, Ryu battles all sorts of enemies from samurai troops to ninjas. At the end of the level he faces off with a kabuki dancer who is heavily armed with heat seeking paper fans and a radar guided kabuki mask(?).

NinjaGaiden SMS Chapter8.png

A Decisive Battle
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ 
Wounded by a surprise attack from the Shogun, Ryu receives an unexpected help and enters the final battle with his nemesis, with the fates of himself, Geisha and potentially the entire world hanging in balance.

Versions

There seems to be two versions of the game: the first version tells the story through the eyes of Ryu himself, explaining his experiences in great detail, and the second version is narrated from an outside source, but some details of the plot are not explained as much. Furthermore, certain dialogue and names vary between the two versions as well, such as the names of chapters. For example, the samurai in the third chapter is not named in the second version and is simply called "Kendo Samurai". In the first version, the name of the game is also mispronounced between the chapters as "Ninjya Gaiden".

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits


Uncredited

Magazine articles

Main article: Ninja Gaiden (Master System)/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #3: "Julio 1992" (1992-xx-xx)
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Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
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Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Ação Games (BR)
94
[8]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
75
[9]
Consoles + (FR)
87
[10]
Computer & Video Games (UK) PAL
81
[11]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
83
[12]
Game Power (IT)
79
[13]
Game Zone (UK) PAL
86
[14]
Hobby Consolas (ES)
67
[15]
Joypad (FR)
90
[16]
Joystick (FR)
85
[17]
Mega Force (FR)
80
[18]
Micromanía (segunda época) (ES)
65
[19]
Mean Machines (UK) PAL
83
[20]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
83
[21]
Player One (FR)
93
[22]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
53
[23]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[24]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[25]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
90
[26]
Sega Force (UK) PAL
90
[27]
Sega Master Force (UK) PAL
90
[28]
Supergame (BR)
76
[29]
Supersonic (FR)
89
[30]
User (GR) PAL
77
[31]
Video Games (DE)
66
[32]
Zero (UK)
90
[33]
Sega Master System
 82
Based on
26 reviews

Ninja Gaiden (Master System)

Master System, EU
NinjaGaiden SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
NinjaGaiden SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
NinjaGaidenSMSEUManual7L.pdf
Manual
Master System, PT
NinjaGaiden SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
NinjaGaiden SMS AU cover.jpg
Cover
NinjaGaiden SMS AU Cart.jpg
Cart
NinjaGaidenSMSAUManual.pdf
Manual
Master System, BR
NinjaGaiden SMS BR cover.jpg
Cover
NinjaGaiden SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
NinjaGaiden SMS BR Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, KR
NinjaGaiden SMS KR backcover.jpgNospine.pngNinjaGaiden SMS KR cover.jpg
Cover
NinjaGaiden SMS KR cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
✔
CRC32 1b1d8cc2
MD5 2cd25b3d9a1ced329a551d7fc3c0f01e
SHA-1 4c65db563e8407444020ab7fd93fc45193ae923a
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Master System
✔
CRC32 761e9396
MD5 b070dc2ba3f106e89d1e9551f49a0027
SHA-1 c67db6539dc609b08d3ca6f9e6f8f41daf150743
256kB Page

References

  1. ↑ File:NinjaGaiden SMS EU Box.jpg
  2. ↑ File:NinjaGaiden SMS KR backcover.jpg
  3. ↑ Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 11
  4. ↑ Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-07-13), page 13
  5. ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 85
  6. ↑ Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 27
  7. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 15
  8. ↑ Ação Games, "Outubro 1992" (BR; 1992-10-01), page 28
  9. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "November 1992" (DE; 1992-10-09), page 151
  10. ↑ Consoles +, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 130
  11. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-15), page 30
  12. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 147
  13. ↑ Game Power, "Ottobre 1992" (IT; 1992-xx-xx), page 64
  14. ↑ Game Zone, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-19), page 26
  15. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 84
  16. ↑ Joypad, "Août/Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-07-1x), page 68
  17. ↑ Joystick, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 180
  18. ↑ Mega Force, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-06-05), page 90
  19. ↑ Micromanía (segunda época), "Septiembre 1992" (ES; 1992-0x-xx), page 84
  20. ↑ Mean Machines, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-27), page 86
  21. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 135
  22. ↑ Player One, "Septembre 1992" (FR; 1992-09-10), page 98
  23. ↑ Sega Power, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-06), page 34
  24. ↑ Sega Pro, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 28
  25. ↑ Sega Pro, "November 1992" (UK; 1992-10-08), page 25
  26. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 71
  27. ↑ Sega Force, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-09), page 84
  28. ↑ Sega Master Force, "September 1993" (UK; 1993-07-22), page 12
  29. ↑ Supergame, "Outubro 1992" (BR; 1992-10-xx), page 38
  30. ↑ Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 20
  31. ↑ User, "Aprílios 1993" (GR; 1993-0x-xx), page 52
  32. ↑ Video Games, "9/92" (DE; 1992-08-26), page 99
  33. ↑ Zero, "September 1992" (UK; 1992-08-13), page 36


Ninja Gaiden (Master System)

NinjaGaiden SMS title.png

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


Sega Master System
Prototypes: Prototype



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)
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