Play Shinobi (Unl) Online

You slash through waves of enemies as Joe Musashi, tossing shurikens between jumps while hostages just stand there like mannequins—then suddenly you're in first-person nailing bullseyes between brutal side-scrolling stages. That NES difficulty hits hard, but nailing a perfect run feels so good.

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Game Overview

Shinobi was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, developed and published by Sega. It arrived during a period when the NES library was dense with action platformers, offering a distinct ninja-themed alternative to the more common fantasy or sci-fi adventures of the time.

You control the ninja Joe Musashi, moving through side-scrolling stages to rescue captured children from a criminal syndicate. Your primary tools are a limited supply of shurikens for ranged attacks and a close-range sword slash, with the ability to perform a jumping slash for extra reach. The game is structured screen by screen; you must clear all enemies in an area before you can proceed. Between main stages, first-person bonus rounds test your accuracy with thrown weapons. The pacing is relentless and the difficulty is steep, demanding precise jumps and quick enemy prioritization. Successfully navigating a hectic stage without losing a life provides a genuine sense of accomplishment.