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Ninja is a beat 'em up game developed by Sculptured Software and released by Mastertronic in 1986 for the Atari 8-bit family, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, then in 1987 for the Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS.[2] An arcade version of the game was released in 1987 for Mastertronic's Arcadia Systems which is based on Amiga hardware.[3] The Amiga, Atari ST, and Arcade versions were released as Ninja Mission. As a Ninja, the player attacks a fortress made of individual fixed screens which can be explored non-linearly.
| Ninja | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sculptured Software |
| Publisher(s) | Mastertronic |
| Designer(s) | Steve Coleman[1] |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Arcade, Atari 8-bit, Atari ST, C64, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Beat 'em up |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Ninja was written by Steve Coleman, who previously created the Atari 8-bit games Rainbow Walker and The Pharaoh's Curse.[1]
Gameplay edit
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The player controls a ninja who has to penetrate a Japanese fortress by fighting enemy ninjas with karate moves and by throwing shurikens and daggers. On his way, he has to collect all of the idols. The fortress is a series of horizontal, flip-screen segments that are stacked vertically. The player is not forced along a specific route, but can explore both sides of a branching path and also backtrack to earlier screens.
Reception edit
| Publication | Award |
|---|---|
| Computer and Video Games | C+VG Hit[4] |
Ninja received mixed reviews. Bob Chappell writing for Atari User found the game very good with "first rate animation and sound. [...] For the low price, an unmissable bargain".[5] Computer Gamer reviewer praised graphics, animation and sound of the game.[6] On the other hand Zzap!64 reviewers found the Commodore 64 version awful and boring and gave it an overall rating of 25% concluding "One of Mastertronic's weakest releases."[7]
Commodore User gave the game a rating of 4/10.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b Hague, James. "The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers".
- ^ Ninja at mobygames.com
- ^ Ninja Mission (Arcade) at gamesdbase.com
- ^ Game review, Computer & Video Games issue 65, March 1987, page 72
- ^ "Eastern bash away". Atari User: 17. October 1986.
- ^ "Sport Reviews". Computer Gamer: 64. October 1986.
- ^ "Zzap! test". Zzap!64: 118. November 1986.
- ^ Ninja Mission review at amr.abime.net
External links edit
- Ninja at Atari Mania
- Ninja Mission at Atari Mania
- Ninja at Lemon64