Ninja Gaiden Shadow
Reviewed by Ty Massei
Graphics: 6.5 out of 10
Sound: 7 out of 10
Gameplay: 7 out of 10
Hardness factor: 6 out of 10
Overall: 6.5 out of 10
Graphics: The graphics were done really well (for its time). The
enemies are original, and they even have a cut-scene after every
(original) boss. The color schemes and the details were also done
very well.
Sound: I really, really liked the sound. This is about as good as you
can get on a Gameboy game. The songs are original and sound a lot
like their regular Nintendo counterparts. The sound effects are also
quite original, though aren't the best. Nice detail for the Gameboy.
Gameplay: If you're at least 15, then shame on you if you've never
played Ninja Gaiden. It was a series (three on the NES, one for the Gameboy)
where you played as a ninja in a pretty basic sidescroller. In the Nintendo
game, there are different scrolls that give you different powers, but in
this one I only think there is one power (flame). However, unlike the
previous Ninja Gaiden's, instead of sticking to walls, you use a grappling
hook to get reach ropes above your head. This game was really good,
although not as high a quality as the Nintendo's. The controls are very
reasonable, but the best part of this game would be that the bosses
are original.
Hardness factor: This game wasn't nearly as hard as the other three
(two especially). Enemies were easy and some of them actually got
knocked back after getting hit. It just seemed like there wasn't anything
especially hard about this. Even bosses barely gave me any trouble.
Overall: 6.5 out of 10. This game was done very well and was kind of
early in the Gameboy's career. Pick this up if you've ever played any
of the original Ninja Gaiden games, since you'll really like it.