Play Blue Shadow :Shadow of the Ninja Online

Blue Shadow, known as Shadow of the Ninja in North America, came out on the NES in 1990 from developer Natsume. It arrived late in the console's life, when action platformers were plentiful, but it stood out with its sharp controls and cohesive visual style. The game presents a dystopian near-future setting, a departure from the typical feudal Japan backdrop many ninja games used.

You control one of two ninjas, Iga or Kureha, navigating a series of side-scrolling urban and industrial stages. Your goal is to fight through enemy forces and defeat the tyrannical emperor Garuda. You use a sword for close combat and a limited supply of shurikens for ranged attacks; you can also grab overhead pipes and bars to swing across gaps or avoid hazards. The pacing is brisk, with frequent enemy encounters and screen-by-screen progression, and the difficulty is substantial but fair. It feels responsive and deliberate, demanding quick reflexes and careful movement through each hazardous environment.