Play Ninja Kun - Ashura no Shou (Japan) [En by Spoony Bard v1.0] (~Ninja Kid 2) Online

Ninja Kun: Ashura no Shou came out in 1987 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by UPL. It's a side-scrolling action game that fits right in with the era's platformers, offering a straightforward but challenging experience without a lot of frills.

You control a small ninja who moves screen by screen, fighting off enemies with a short-range sword and throwing shurikens. The goal is to rescue a princess by navigating through themed stages, each with environmental hazards like disappearing blocks and tricky jumps. The pace is fast, and the difficulty is high, with enemies often swarming from both sides. Getting through a tough section by timing your attacks and jumps just right gives a real sense of accomplishment.