Team Ninja (the developers) loved to end the cutscenes on cliffhangers, which enhances the sense of tension and makes curious players want to see what will happen after the next stage. Perhaps this is, because Ninja Gaiden plays its cards with a straight face, which makes it feel like the old comics and movies I mentioned earlier. Of course there are plenty of goofy ideas floating around the plot, like demons trapped in statues and ninjas working for the CIA, but the story is told in such a way that it feels consistent. The result is a narrative style that holds up in its own quaint way to this very day. Each portion of the story is told through cutscenes that are similar in style to Manga, but the dialogue reads a bit like something out of an 80’s action movie. Over the course of the game, Ryu uncovers a mystery that involves everything from CIA agents to demonic cults. After reading a letter his father left him, Ryu takes the family sword and sets out to find his dad who was last seen in the United States. In the opening cutscene, Ryu’s father is bested in a duel with a mysterious ninja and vanishes. Ryu is the last heir of an ancient lineage of ninjas known as the Dragon Clan. In fact, I’ve always been under the impression that it was created with a certain niche of player in mind, which is why it is often misunderstood.

In my opinion, Ninja Gaiden’s virtues eclipse its quirks, but those who wish to enjoy this title will need some skill and patience. People also tend to remember this game for its rather high difficulty level, which has likely resulted in a lot of broken controllers. As a result, it stands out in the NES library and has often been cited as one of the console’s top titles. Ninja Gaiden is famous its cinematic cutscenes, which were a novelty when it was released. Putting aside the controversy surrounding this ninja action game, there’s no denying the impact it has had on the industry. My advice to anyone interested in this title is to try it you might just like it. This game has been accused of being cheap and overly harsh, perhaps rightfully so, but it is also a quality platformer that was made by a passionate team. I happen to enjoy both Ninja Gaiden and coconut, but I understand that they are acquired tastes. And much like coconut, you really can’t be sure which category you fall into until you try it.

Ninja Gaiden is kind of like coconut: some people hate it, others love it, and a few of us are deathly allergic to it. Click here to view the Ninja Gaiden (NES) description page for screenshots, walkthroughs, and more information.

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