Play The Last Ninja Online

I first played The Last Ninja on the Nintendo Entertainment System back in 1987. It was developed by System 3, and at the time, it stood out for its isometric perspective and methodical pace compared to the faster run-and-gun games that were common on the platform. The presentation felt ambitious, even if the hardware sometimes struggled to keep up.

You control Armakuni, a ninja on a quest to avenge his clan by defeating the evil shogun Kunitok. The game is structured screen by screen, requiring you to explore environments, solve environmental puzzles, and fight enemies using a mix of sword strikes, kicks, and limited-use projectiles like shurikens. The combat is deliberate and timing-based, not a button-masher, and the levels are filled with traps and obstacles that demand careful navigation. It's a challenging game, sometimes frustratingly so, but landing a perfect jump or clearing a room of enemies with a well-placed throw offers a real sense of accomplishment. Playing it feels like a tense, thoughtful puzzle wrapped in a martial arts adventure.