Shinobi (game series)
| Shinobi | |
|---|---|
| developer | Sega et al. a. |
| Publisher | Sega |
| First title | Shinobi (1987) |
| Last title | Shinobi 3D (2011) |
| Platform (s) | Arcade game , Commodore 64 , Commodore Amiga , Game Boy , Game Gear , Nintendo 3DS , Nintendo Entertainment System , PlayStation , Sega Master System , Sega Mega Drive , Sega Saturn |
| Genre (s) | Jump 'n' run , beat 'em up |
Under the title Shinobi was developed by Sega a series of eleven computer games published. The first eight games in the series were also developed by Sega and can be assigned to the jump-'n'-run / action genres. The first publication took place in 1987 under the title "Shinobi" as an arcade game .
The term shinobi ( Japanese for "secret person") is another word for ninja and describes the commonality of the individual protagonists. The figure "Joe Musashi" is apart from the title Shadow Dancer , the main character in all games of the series, until the publication of the title Shinobi X . While Sega describes Musashi's son "Hayate" as the protagonist in the game Shadow Dancer , Shinobi X is about a fight between two brothers. The playable character, called "Sho" in that publication, has no recognizable connection to Musashi's background story. The Playstation 2 version Shinobi does not continue this break in the series continuity. In this sequel, the player takes on the role of "Hotsuma". In the history of the game, Hotsuma belongs to the Musashis clan, called "Oboro".
Alongside Sonic and Alex Kidd , the Shinobi series is one of the most famous Sega franchises.
Game flow
The first eight games all have a similar gameplay: The player tries to lead the main character through a number of levels and has to defeat various opponents or avoid them. At the end of a level there is a fight against a boss .
Equipment and skills
Shinobi's weapons include throwing stars, swords, and fist and foot. While the first games in the series used the throwing stars as their main weapon, later games put the sword in the foreground.
In addition to normal jumps, the character can perform a somersault. This is used to jump higher, perform special tricks or attack with several throwing stars at the same time.
Another feature is the four "magical ninjitsu attacks". These four skills "Ikazuchi", "Fushin", "Kariu" and "Mijin" can be used to kill several opponents at the same time or to temporarily strengthen one's own skills.
Games
- 1987: Shinobi (Arcade, Sega): In 1988 a port to Sega Master System and PC Engine followed , in 1989 ports to NES , C64 , Amiga , ZX Spectrum , Atari ST and Amstrad CPC followed . In each level the player has to free a certain number of hostages.
- 1989: The Revenge of Shinobi , in Japan The Super Shinobi , ( Sega Mega Drive , Sega): The game was one of the first and later most famous games of the Mega Drive. With the game the somersaults and "magical ninjitsu attacks" were introduced.
- 1989: Shadow Dancer (Arcade, Sega): The official successor to the Arcade version was ported to Amiga, Atari ST, C64, Master System and Amstrad CPC in 1991. A special feature is a husky accompanying the main character , who attacks opponents independently and on command. In 1990 there was a publication for SEGA Mega Drive. In contrast to the other ports, however, this one has been changed significantly: Almost all levels have been redesigned and the hostages known from the first part of the series have been incorporated.
- 1990: The Cyber Shinobi (Master System, Sega): Successor to the original port of Shinobi
- 1991: Shinobi ( Sega Game Gear , Sega): This exclusive release is a separate part of the series.
- 1992: Shinobi 2: The Silent Fury (SEGA Game Gear, Sega): Successor to the first Game Gear part
- 1993: Shinobi 3: Return of the Ninja Master , in Japan The Super Shinobi II (Mega Drive, Sega): Successor to The Revenge of Shinobi
- 1995: Shinobi X , in the USA Shinobi Legions , in Japan Shin Shinobi Den ( SEGA Saturn , Sega)
- 2002: Shinobi (PlayStation 2, Overworks): The first game in the Shinobi series in 3D. It can be described as an action adventure or a hack 'n slay .
- 2002: The Revenge of Shinobi ( Game Boy Advance , 3d6 Games): Although the title is the same as that of the game released in 1989 for Mega Drive, it is a completely new game.
- 2004: Nightshade (Play Station 2, Wow Entertainment): Successor to the first Shino example on PlayStation 2. The main actor is portrayed for the first time by a woman.
- 2011: Shinobi 3D (Nintendo 3DS, Griptonite Games)
Web links
- Shinobi at MobyGames (English)
- Detailed article about the entire series including reviews in German ( Memento from October 11, 2011 in the Internet Archive )