The naming conventions in the Shinobi series sort of got a little confused on the Mega Drive / Genesis. Shinobi III is actually a sequel to the Mega Drive launch title Revenge of Shinobi and shares many similarities with the legendary game. Shadow Dancer is Sega’s second 16-bit Shinobi game so it all sort of makes sense in a strange way even though the Japanese names are different.
Nasty Neo Zeed is back causing trouble again. It’s up to our hero Joe Musashi to teach them a lesson they won’t forget with his supreme ninja skills. Unlike the original arcade classic there are no hostages to be rescued and you have an energy bar to spare you from one-hit kills. You have a limited amount of shurikens but there are ample replacements in crates along the way, if you do happen to exhaust your supply you can always get up close and personal with your sword.
No ninja game would be complete without ninja magic and Shinobi III does not disappoint. You select between spreading fire across the screen, gaining temporary invincibility, jumping much higher than normal or committing suicide! The last ninja magic sounds bizarre but you do inflict a devastating amount of damage on your opponent even if you have to sacrifice a life for doing so (recommended for some of the later tougher bosses!).
There are a number of improvements made on Revenge of Shinobi. This isn’t just a soul less update like Sega’s Golden Axe II. You can now block projectile attacks and do a double-tap on the D-pad to run! The running ability is a great addition to the game and can be combined with a slice attack so you can take out unsuspecting foes with style. For the first time Shinobi Joe can wall-bounce as well much like Ninja Gaiden. The new technique is used to great effect in the intricate level design and helps create a feeling of interaction with the environment.
There are all the usual cliqued backdrops for the action to unfold such as forests, caves and industrial areas. To break up the action there are sections where you get to ride a horse and even show off your surfboarding skills! This might sound silly but variety is the spice of life, you can’t blame Sega for trying something new.
The difficulty level is very balanced so you will find this game puts up a good challenge. However if you do find the going too tough then you can go against the path of the ninja and select the EASY option giving you nine lives.
Graphically this is one of the best games on the Mega Drive with detailed backgrounds and beautifully drawn sprites. Despite rumours at the time that the music was arranged by legendary Yuzo Koshiro this appears to not be the case. As a result none of the game’s music feels as memorable or epic as Revenge of Shinobi but it does its job well still. It was always going to be a hard act to live up to!
Shinobi III is really the best sequel you could ask for. It’s one of the best examples of a action/platform game there is and has enough variety and challenge to keep you coming back for more time and time again. A must buy on the Virtual Console, highly recommended.
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1. tattooman
30 Jun 2007, 05:27 GMT
This is one of the best games for the Mega Drive!!! So when is the USA getting this game????
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2. RMA
30 Jun 2007, 21:56 GMT
Great game...have to agree with Dazza...best Shinobi on MD
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3. Spore
05 Jul 2007, 20:57 GMT
This looks great. I should go find a copy.
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4. Dark_Jedi
03 Aug 2007, 12:39 GMT
Revenge of Shinobi is better IMO, this is a close 2nd though.
RoS would last you longer as it's no push over, this on the other hand is quite easy.
Lets hope Revenge is out soon.
Still a recommended download.
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5. Mendez
03 Aug 2007, 15:07 GMT
Looks good, I'll consider a download when I have a job/training place with money coming in!
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6. Ian Daemon
20 Aug 2007, 16:14 GMT
This game is awesome. I can't wait to download it when I get home...
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7. Ian Daemon
20 Aug 2007, 16:20 GMT
This game is awesome. I can't wait to download it when I get home. Tough only in certain places. Really fun platformer! Well worth your Wii Points!
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8. GumbyX84
20 Aug 2007, 16:39 GMT
This was a great game I was never able to buy for my Genesis. I am SOOO happy it is coming out today. Makes this day ever better (just got hired for a great internship). And we STILL get Super Metroid today!!
The game is great. IMO, its one of the best Ninja games of the time period. Its like the current Ninja Gadiens: Its not only has the graphics, but the gameplay and control needed to be a great game. I am happy we got this so quickly.
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9. Jadelouise
20 Aug 2007, 23:19 GMT
After watching the clip I just realised I played this a lot at the time, I rented it from a moblie game van that came outside of the house often. Im off to download this now.
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10. Craig H
23 Sep 2007, 13:18 GMT
I was a bit disappointed with this game. It seems almost identical to Revenge of the Shinobi.
I get the feeling while playing it that the PAL conversion has damaged the speed and timing of the game somewhat.
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11. deggs
02 Oct 2007, 15:49 GMT
Honestly, this game is sooooo much more fun than Revenge of Shinobi (which I had as a kid). I truly enjoy playing it this one so much more (better level design and great, fun bosses. you get the sense that they actually put a lot of effort into this one where as, Revenge always kinda felt like it was a rush-to-launch title with a massive hodge podge of unbeatable levels and little story explaining how you got from point A to point B).
The controls in this one though have that fairly fragile feeling to them a lot of the time which is fine for a game like this because I always pictured ninja masters being all about the balance and subtle attacks. This is by far the best shinobi game i have ever played (though all I know is this, Revenge of, Shadow Dancer and the tengen cart for the nes which was gawdawful)... if i could give it 4.5, i would. this is still one of the genesis games that I still play over 10 years later...
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12. alvieao
15 Oct 2007, 18:58 GMT
The sequel to Revenge of Shinobi, which is also a classic but difficult. Shinobi III is more refined and balanced as you can run, wall jump and kick on the enemies. However, the game is still challenging even with the refinements. There is also good variety with the levels, especially the horse riding and surfing ones. The best game in the Shinobi series, despite the lack of Yuzo Koshiro's involvement with the music this time around. It is worth downloading...
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13. kalle3004
23 Dec 2007, 16:13 GMT
This game owns! I'm definetly gonna get this.
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14. Villain
24 Jan 2008, 10:08 GMT
My best recommendations for this game. WONDERFUL action platforming with sweet gameplay, controls, music and graphics. Perfect for wasting away a Saturday with a cuppa coffee and a bowl of udon. Get this game, alright? You'll thank me (and Daz and everybody else who has posted positive comments about this) later!
And you know what's sick? I've never played any of the sequels or prequels.
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15. Mixer152
27 Jan 2008, 12:55 GMT
Just downloaded this on my Wii recently, just had a really quick playtrhough so cant really judge but it seems fun. Bearing in mind I couldnt even get past the second level in Revenge of Shinobi lol (but that was many years ago).
Speaking of Revenge, Yuzo didnt do the music for this game which doesnt please me but hey, I'll give it a chance
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16. President_Leever
30 Jan 2008, 14:54 GMT
Excellent ninja action with smooth controls. This time it really felt like you wee controlling a ninja. The dark atmosphere of RoS isn't quite there anymore though.
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17. Will
03 Feb 2008, 02:14 GMT
Remember the level where shinobi is standing on falling rocks, and hes jumping upscreen to more falling rocks? Isnt that level just fantastic?! I remember playing that level and thinking, Shinobi, how the hell did you get yourself into this situation?!!!! Fantastic game.
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18. Dazza
03 Feb 2008, 08:42 GMT
For some reason I find that falling rock level really tricky. I get about 90% through it and make a really silly mistake and have to do it all over again. It's still good fun though. My thoughts exactly, how does Shinobi Joe get himself into these pickles??!
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19. Nigel
06 Feb 2008, 01:23 GMT
I haven't made it to the falling rocks, I've gotten as far as stage 5. This is my first ninja game -- I've never played Ninja Gaiden. I like this one alot so maybe I'll try Ninja Gaiden sometime. I'm a little afraid of it's high difficulty though.
Fun! 5 stars for sure.
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20. Pwnage
17 Feb 2008, 19:58 GMT
WOW looksstupendously fun:-)
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21. Tony
25 Feb 2008, 20:30 GMT
I enjoyed this much better than Revenge of Shinobi. Its worth the 800 points. Awesome graphics
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22. loudogsgonetothemoon187
11 Mar 2008, 22:46 GMT
does this game have a save feture or do you start over at the begining every time you get a game over
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23. Villain
20 Mar 2008, 10:00 GMT
@Last poster...: It's a linear action game that does NOT allow you to save...other than the Wiis Suspend Save feature, at least.
This game is greater than Alexander. I must disagree with the review, there's lots of great action music in here. Everything else is just about right.
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24. DDR Paladin356
10 Apr 2008, 15:46 GMT
I think the reviewer might have gotten the game history mixed up a bit.
This actually was the third game in the main Shinobi series. The first one was titled simply as Shinobi. It was on Arcade and SMS. Revenge of Shinobi was the second in the series. Shadow Dancer was more of a side story (it deals with a different organization called union lizard and not Zeed/Neo Zeed). So, Shinobi III is indeed Shinobi III (or it could be considered Shinobi IV)
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25. Damo
10 Apr 2008, 16:41 GMT
Paladin - explain why it's called Super Shinobi 2 in Japan then
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