Play Shadow Warriors (Europe) Online

Shadow Warriors, known as Ninja Gaiden outside Europe, came out on the NES in 1990 from Tecmo. It was part of that wave of late 80s, early 90s action games that really pushed the hardware, with detailed sprites and cinematic cutscenes that tried to tell a more involved story. You weren't just jumping on mushrooms anymore; you were a ninja on a serious mission.

You control Ryu Hayabusa, a modern ninja seeking vengeance. The goal is to fight through side scrolling stages, defeating enemies with your Dragon Sword and secondary weapons like shurikens or fire wheels, all to uncover the truth behind your father's death. The game is famous for its fast, aggressive enemies that attack from off screen and its demanding platforming that requires precise jumps. It's a tough, sometimes unforgiving game where every screen demands your full attention. Finishing a difficult section after numerous tries gives a real sense of accomplishment.