The second instalment of the Last Ninja trilogy transports Armakuni to New York, where he must confront the evil Shogun Kunitoki once more. Your travels are once again displayed in a flip screen isometric format, as you explore the unfamiliar surroundings of Central Park and downtown Manhattan, whilst progressing towards your final goal.
Gameplay remains much the same as the first instalment – you have to deal with an assortment of bad guys out to stop you, ranging from general thugs to cops and (later on) the Shogun’s henchmen. Fortunately you have weapons to hand, once you’ve found them, which can make short work of your enemies. Combat takes some getting used to, but you soon start to develop little tricks that can help you defeat some opponents almost unscathed. Shurikens are great for taking out someone in one hit, but be careful with your aim – they are too useful to waste!
Occasionally you will have a simple puzzle to solve, but the emphasis is generally on combat or exercising your acrobatic ability and somersaulting over or onto things. The control system certainly feels strange at first, but half an hour into the game and you don’t really notice anymore. Jumping can still be a trial, with water continuing to prove lethal to our hero.
Unlike the first game, many enemies require beating twice in order to be defeated. After they crumple to the ground from your first victory, their energy will slowly recoup (whether you are on or off screen) and they will get up for more. Second time around though, they stay down for good. It is still possible to avoid enemies in a bid to conserve your health, and this is a wise tactic if you want to live to see the later levels.
Some of the improvements on the first game are subtle, but noticeable. The controls feel a bit more responsive when fighting (and even moving), and the already excellent animation is also improved. Enemy health is now displayed in a similar way to yours (a square spiral that reduces in length as you lose health), which makes it easier to decide whether to fight or flee!
Other enhancements are more obvious. The graphics were terrific first time around, but are packed with even more detail and variety than before. Each level has it’s own distinctive look too, whereas previously they were a bit samey. The first instalment’s music was fantastic but, arguably, this time it’s even better. Some of the frustrations present are helped by the fact you are enjoying the music, so don’t mind attempting a section again!
There are six levels, averaging around 20 screens each, but patience and determination is needed if you are to see them all. Mapping the game is a good idea, to save revisiting screens that you might not need to, and thus avoiding a battle you could do without.
Last Ninja 2 is not perfect, but still ranks amongst the finest games to be found on the system. Visually and aurally stunning, with some decent (and challenging) gameplay to boot, this is a thoroughly good game and one that represents great value for your 500 point investment. Bring on the final chapter!
1. timp29
13 Jun 2008, 00:47 GMT
This game was years ahead of its time on C64. I would say this is a must download for everyone (older than 25 anyway)
Just a question I am throwing out to some serious fan boys. Did anyone ever hear the remix cd of a band called White Zombie - Super Sexy Swinging Sounds. That cd had a blatant rip off of the soundtrack from the streets levels of last ninja 2. (Thats also an indication of how good the music in this series was!!)
2. Corbie
13 Jun 2008, 00:49 GMT
I was a big fan of these two games. In fact, of the Commodore 64 action titles, only Forbidden Forest and Karateka would rank above The Last Ninja titles.
3. Cooldued59
13 Jun 2008, 03:12 GMT
It kinda is weird that they could make the gave so advanced for the C64 and make the ninja in the bottom left blink his eyes.
EDIT; Oops bottom right.
4. koresh1959
13 Jun 2008, 10:34 GMT
Cooldued59: That'd be the bottom right, surely?
5. Mr 64
13 Jun 2008, 12:06 GMT
Good to see another classic System 3 game out on Virtual Console. Last Ninja 2 is rock solid to play but very rewarding and the graphics and soundtrack are amazing for an 8-bit game.
Fingers crossed for Flimbo's Quest, Myth, Tusker and Turbo Charge now!
6. Will
13 Jun 2008, 13:20 GMT
Music for these games is just freakin brilliant!!!!
7. Dehumanizer
13 Jun 2008, 14:08 GMT
A great game indeed, with fantastic music (I sometimes fire up Sidplay to listen to this game's soundtrack while working).
One note of warning: the video above acts as a spoiler for the entire 1st level and more, so avoid watching it too closely.
The player gets all the secrets in the first level and plays almost perfectly, and it's more fun to discover things on your own. You have been warned... 
8. Falk Sturmfels
13 Jun 2008, 14:21 GMT
I downloaded the first part. Its much more better playing these great classics with the cube controller. This second Ninja I don`t have to buy, because I own it for my original C64. If part three shows up, I will be Mr. Download again.
9. Terranigma
13 Jun 2008, 21:52 GMT
Did not expect this so soon. I'll probably get this soon as i'm buying some points for either Lostwinds or if it's released here, which it probably will now, Super Mario RPG
10. Jon
14 Jun 2008, 06:46 GMT
Childhood memories!
11. Junichi
14 Jun 2008, 11:10 GMT
Ninjas can't swim. That's why pirates will always be cooler than them.
12. Dazza
14 Jun 2008, 11:34 GMT
@Junichi - Guess you haven't played Ninja Gaiden II then! Ryu can not only swim, but he can walk on water!
Ninjas > Pirates - end of! lol
13. Adamant
14 Jun 2008, 12:31 GMT
"Fingers crossed for Flimbo's Quest"
Oh hell yeah. First console game I played in my life (on the C64GS), I need to see this again.
14. PRP
14 Jun 2008, 14:21 GMT
If you find the controls on the D-pad a little difficult here's a useful tip: pressing "J" on the virual keyboard will change the control scheme so that you don't have to press on the diagonals anymore, for example pressing up instead of up-right to move in that direction. This makes things a lot easier, especially jump sections. Alternatively you can use the GC controller (the analogic stick of the Classic Controller doesn't work).
15. 2hip2beskware
14 Jun 2008, 22:47 GMT
Analogic? lolwut...
16. koresh1959
14 Jun 2008, 23:02 GMT
He's Italian, cut him some slack. =|:¬P
17. PRP
15 Jun 2008, 21:29 GMT
excuse my bad english...
18. Dion
16 Jun 2008, 07:14 GMT
Your English is far better than my Italian!
Thanks for the tip PRP; it's worth trying out if you can't get on with the default controls.
19. Atlantis1982
16 Jun 2008, 11:08 GMT
Still waiting for C64 support. >.>
20. Mr 64
16 Jun 2008, 11:42 GMT
It'd be great if someone released a Competition Pro or Zip Stick controller for use on the old 8-bit games! That'd be mint!
21. Dehumanizer
16 Jun 2008, 14:31 GMT
As an "old timer" who's played this game back in the late 80s, I'm curious. For anyone who's never played this game either on the C64 or on the (inferior) ports... if you've downloaded it now for the VC and played it for the first time... what do you think of it? Have you completed it, or anything near that? Is it too difficult? Too easy? Do you find it fun, or just something for nostalgic old farts?
Really, I'd like to know...
22. KeeperBvK
16 Jun 2008, 17:03 GMT
Is it still possible to miss crucial items for later stages, meaning you would have to restart the whole game?
23. timp29
17 Jun 2008, 04:44 GMT
yeah, in the office level there is a code you have to obtain to be able to complete the game. Id recommend writing it down if you get to that bit!
24. Lost Heaven
20 Jun 2008, 23:30 GMT
The soundtrack is ace, I can't stop listening to it! ^ ^
25. Chipmunk777
25 Jun 2008, 06:44 GMT
@Dehumanizer
It definitely looks interesting. It's before my time (I'm only 19, I was born in the late 80s!
) but I'd love to give it a try! From watching the video, the puzzles seem very unique. They aren't complex, unrealistic puzzles, from what I saw. It honestly seems like this game does a lot of things that I've never seen in a game before (things I wouldn't think to DO in a game, like waiting for a stoplight to turn green before crossing a street, waiting for a boat to come by instead of just jumping straight into the water)
C64 support for the US would be awesome, I've never played any C64 games in my life
26. Outrunner
10 Jul 2008, 18:17 GMT
Woot! Other Flimbo's Quest fans exist!!! I've never come across anyone who's played it before. It'd be an instant download for me if it ever appears.
27. stephen c
21 Jul 2008, 10:02 GMT
Flimbo's Quest would be added to my download list too!!
Ninja 2 is every bit as good as the first, if not better and certainly can be more frustrating.
Specially as KeeperBvK commented above if you miss some items then you get stck later in the game.
28. Apocalypse
13 Sep 2008, 08:47 GMT
Hmm, I'm not interested in C64 games at all, but this game looks kind of interesting. I may give it a shot someday.
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