By Super Asurada 77 – Retro Joy Lab
Hello everyone, this is Super Asurada 77.
Back in elementary school, whenever I stopped by the arcade, I could always spot a game where a ninja-like hero threw shurikens across the screen.
But strangely, this ninja didn’t wear a mask — and he even fired a gun! That alone blew my young mind. When he used the clone technique, it was pure exhilaration. Of course, the game was brutally difficult. As a kid, I could barely make it past the first boss.
Now, thanks to save states and emulation magic, we can finally enjoy this classic all the way to the end.
Released by SEGA in 1987, Shinobi was a defining ninja-action arcade game.
Basic Controls:
- A Button – Throw Shuriken
- B Button – Jump
- C Button – Ninjutsu (clone technique to clear all enemies)
- ↑ + Jump – Climb up a ledge or wall
- ↓ + Jump – Drop down a level
- ↓ + ← / → – Crouch and move
Insert a coin, and the mission begins.
Mission 1: “Chase the Terrorists!”
Time to face the first boss — KEN OH.
Oops! Accidentally used the clone ninjutsu too early… but that’s fine — we’ve got infinite coins now!
To climb a wall, press Up + Jump together.
Rescue the kidnapped children before heading to the boss.
The boss launches fire attacks and retreats quickly.
Wait, is that Spider-Man?!
Back then, nobody cared about licensing. If you could draw it, it was fair game!
You find yourself surrounded — mentally, you already have a perfect strategy… but your hands betray you.
Enemies charge like something straight out of Fist of the North Star.
You think you’ll dodge and counter perfectly — but reality says otherwise.
The boss escapes again! Let’s go after him.
Avoid the flames and strike when there’s an opening.
You know the pattern — now it’s just about execution.
Use your save and load technique, modern ninja!
At last, the boss kneels before you.
Mission 1 is complete!
Bonus Stage
You’ll probably fail every time — and that’s okay.
Don’t risk your life over small things!
“Nice ninja pose!” … FAIL! 😂
Mission 2: “Infiltrate the Hideout!”
Is that Black Turtle? The boss is a helicopter?! Guess that makes sense — a “dark turtle” that flies.
Press Up + Jump to move across walls.
The same enemy placements continue to appear.
Enter the black door.
Now, color-coded ninjas attack — one hit and you’re dead.
- Green Ninja!
- Red Ninja!
- Blue Ninja!
Head into the next black door.
We’re at the harbor — looks familiar? A similar stage appears in The Super Shinobi.
Enemies jump out from the water.
Projectiles from below, bullets from above — chaos!
Forget it. Time for ninjutsu!
Boom — everything wiped clean!
Refreshing and satisfying!
Now to destroy the Black Turtle.
Helicopter plus ninjas equals nightmare difficulty.
Use save/load often.
Attack the front of the chopper.
Ninjutsu unleashed! Total destruction!
The Black Turtle explodes
Mission 2 cleared!
Mission 3: “Attack the Supply Base!”
The boss: Mandara
Bazooka soldiers appear first.
Then mortar fire — don’t jump blindly, or you’ll regret it.
Hordes of ninjas attack. Ignore them and head straight into the cave.
Casually walking into the cave like a pro.
Arnold cameo? Hang in there, buddy.
Spider-Man returns. Licensing budget = 0.
More cave interiors
this villain clearly has deep pockets.
Blue ninjas gang up — use your clone ninjutsu!
Wait, not one — an army of Mandara statues!
Destroy them quickly or they’ll trap you.
Aim carefully, or they’ll just spin in place.
Touch the electric barrier and it’s instant death.
Finally, the giant Mandara head appears.
Dodge the fireballs and throw shurikens at its forehead.
Mandara destroyed — Mission 3 complete!
Mission 4: “Defeat the Ninja Force!”
The boss: Lobster, the armored samurai.
Wave after wave of colorful ninjas — chaos again!
Their teamwork is so good, it’s almost admirable… almost.
Enter the gate to face Lobster.
His attack pattern is simple, but undeniably annoying.
Then come these strange flying bird-like enemies — odd design, yet thankfully they’re not too tough to handle.
Now it’s time to face Lobster, the armored samurai boss.
When his sword drops, throw shurikens at his helmet.
Repeat until he falls. Easy to say — harder to do!
Mission 4 cleared!
Final Mission: “Defeat the Masked Ninja!”
It’s a masked ninja — mysterious, intimidating, and clearly the final obstacle standing in your way.
Skeletons throwing bones? Check.
Once again, if you try to follow the perfect strategy running through your mind, you might die instantly.
So remember — make full use of the save-and-load technique to survive!
Head through the entrance to face the final showdown.
Blue ninjas again… my least favorite.
And those ponytail guys — I hate their swords even more.
Still, I press on — I’m going through that entrance no matter what.
Every room feels like a trap.
The enemy coordination is unreal.
Despair sets in… but we push on!
Finally, the masked ninja appears.
His first move: deadly electric shock — dodge it!
Then comes the clone barrage.
Keep throwing shurikens nonstop — survival depends on it.
Reminds me of that nightclub boss in The Super Shinobi II.
Same spirit, same chaos.
At last, the final boss is defeated.
Stay down, ninja — the game’s over!
The End
- Nakahara went on to form the terrorist group ZEED — the very organization we fight in The Super Shinobi.
And that’s how the original Shinobi ended — leading to the sequels The Super Shinobi and The Super Shinobi II.
So, enjoy your retro gaming session, and remember — save states are your true ninjutsu!
✅ Retro Joy Lab – Your daily dose of nostalgic energy!
by Super Asurada 77
Original article in Korean: [link]