You might be forgiven for dismissing this mysterious game at first glance, but give it a chance and you might find a fantastic game with amazing depth. Kid Ying and Dr. Yang are on an adventure to save Princess Yuki who has been kidnapped by counterfeiters. By traveling through different Warlock Zones in Japan, Kid Ying and Dr. Yang are faced with crazy enemies and funny bosses. On their quest, they meet strange creatures and shady enemies all over ancient Japan.
There are two viewing modes. The first mode is when you're exploring the village. You see everything from the top and one or two players can play at a time. Both players must be in the same screen, so it requires extra teamwork but double the crime-fighting! The second mode is when you are going through the final stage in one area and it scrolls from left to right. After completing each stage, you get more clues about the Princess' whereabouts.
Every time you club enemies, you can either get coins, weapon upgrades, or scrolls. Coins are used to buy food, armour, and important story items. When needed, coins can serve as ninja stars - very cool and useful! Food replenishes your health, and armour serves as defence. Weapon upgrades give the character more reach to kill enemies. For example, Kid Ying gets an awesome yo-yo and Dr. Yang gets a flute. Scrolls are used to increase your power level.
Each stage has its own feel, and you get to go to a variety of places such as a hotel to rest, the race track, the store, the lottery, the quiz show, the maze, and of course, the houses of the locals where you can learn information! You can write a "logbook entry" at the travel agency, which serves as your save. The one annoying thing about this game is the tedious manner in which you enter your journal entry. It comprises of 55 symbols that you have to manually enter when you want to continue a saved game at the start screen. Still that problem is nicely solved with the Virtual Console’s ability to pick up from where you left off!
There are a total of nine stages. At the bottom of the screen, you can see your total amount of money, and the items you have such as sandals, pizzas (for rejuvenation), armour, and other story items.
You may also encounter a mini-arcade, which allows you hours of fun. Likes most arcades, it requires money, but you get to play some great classics. You can hit moles, paint, or throw a ball into a top and get prize money. In another place, you can play hockey, Gradius, or knock the wall down. These mini-games serve as a nice diversion from the main game and will have you coming back for more.
Graphically speaking, Mystical Ninja was very colourful and inventive. From the goofy expressions on the character’s faces to sweet slumber in the hotel, it's all great fun! The ending scenes after you've beaten a boss are particularly good. It's a goofy little cartoon about Kid Ying and Dr. Yang's travels to the next world. The characters are very nicely drawn, and quite cute. The soundtrack is also excellent, distinctly Japanese and very catchy.
Although this is a simple game, it may be hard for beginners. The later stages are especially challenging, but don’t let that put you off. Each boss has unique way of attacking you and it'll have you strategizing its demise.
The Legend of Mystical Ninja is a fun SNES classic although not widely known. The music and characters are very distinct and different from other games. Back in the early 90's this was a real breath of fresh air, and amazingly it still feels the same today - there's not too many games out there like this. If you want to try something a bit different, you should give this a try.
1. DjinnFighter
28 Feb 2007, 21:28 GMT
This game was so wonderful, I'm happy to see it for VC. It's the SNES game I play the most. A great game for multiplayer ! Konami haven't released new Goemon games since the n64, I'm sad
2. that videogame guy
04 Mar 2007, 00:02 GMT
your wrong djinn, there was a mystical ninja starring goemon for the NDS, its in japanese but still excellent
3. Don-Bon
04 Mar 2007, 19:01 GMT
YES! I never got a chance to play this game but the "Mystical Ninja" titles for the N64 rocked. Looking forward to this one.
4. Mysterio
13 Mar 2007, 15:59 GMT
Can't beleive this games is gonna make it to VC. My childhood would have never been the same without that game ;D
5. diablos79
14 Mar 2007, 19:27 GMT
Oh yes! i love this game. I had it on american import when it was first released and spent countless weekends on it. My friends loved it, i loved it and the humour and gameplay were top-notch. An absolute must. ;D
6. Harry
15 Mar 2007, 13:13 GMT
please come out this game is fantastic love the 2 player aswell i wonder when it will be resleased the sooner the better
7. Jaunty
21 Mar 2007, 11:33 GMT
Hopefully, they get around to porting the N64 game to the VC. I never got to play that despite owning an N64 (I think it was called mystical ninja - starring Goemon).
8. Harthacnut
21 Mar 2007, 23:44 GMT
Ganbare Goeman games have always been good (with the possible exception of Goemon 2 on N64 which was v disappointing). But defintely one of the best SNES games of all time, can't wait
9. Deckers
30 Mar 2007, 16:19 GMT
Actually i've been hunting on the Ganbare Goemons 2,3,4 for years now (AKA mystical ninja's) and i got them like alst year when my friend went to japan, and he bought them for me like new for like 25 a piece and now my collection is complete
Mystical ninja is that kind of game that makes you cry,
off those times lost in the past -_-
Co-op games never get any better then this
10. Mako
31 Mar 2007, 19:14 GMT
Does anybody know if this game runs at 50hz or if it's been updated to run at 60hz?
11. danstan
03 Apr 2007, 13:28 GMT
The N64 title "Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon" is one of my favourite games ever, so I just had to download the prequel.
What can I say? Well deserving of 5 stars.
12. NINTENDOHUNTERX
08 Apr 2007, 02:23 GMT
Crap, not in USA... the 2.5D game was my second game for 64... still the best platformer ever made (-besides Castlevania
-).
13. kojan
09 Apr 2007, 05:13 GMT
It's wonderful to see so much love for Ganbare Goemon, as it is one of my favorite series ever. Can't wait for this one to come to the North American VC.
14. Mendez
11 Apr 2007, 12:58 GMT
Do I download this tonight, or get super mario 64 again? I have mario on n64, and DS, but I want it on VC too, the DS ones different!
This game looks good, but I'm really not sure what to expect, so I'm nervous about downloading. What should I do?
15. DJ LINK
15 Apr 2007, 10:04 GMT
Everyone should get this game - so don't delay. There is loads to it and it will keep you occupied for ages and is really fun - especially in two player co-op! I had the original and I am looking forward to going through it again. Some of the later platform levels are amazing!
16. Bass X0
15 Apr 2007, 20:56 GMT
I'd love the sequels on the Super Famicom to be translated for Virtual Console.
17. Masuyo
30 Apr 2007, 23:09 GMT
5/5 perfect rating. Agreed! I have the cart lol.
18. DjinnFighter
02 May 2007, 16:22 GMT
There are more than 20 Ganbare Goemon video games released in Japan. But only five of them were released all around the world. This one is the first. The others are two on N64 and two on GB (with one only in a Konami GB Collection Volume). It was my favorite video games series when I was younger and if Konami had continued to release Goemon games in America, it would perhaps always be my favorite series.
19. Rage
05 May 2007, 05:57 GMT
ah, Mystical Ninja, I loved the N64 version as a kid, and still do, I actually still have Goemon's Great Adventure, I just beat it. This game is awesome, 5/5, I prayed for this game to be on the VC.Now for the N64 version...
20. Dusk
20 May 2007, 22:50 GMT
Can't wait to download. I own the N64 game and that was really fun back in the day.
21. sonde
11 Jun 2007, 08:18 GMT
The dialog in the opening sequence had me rolling on the floor laughing. This game is really fun and creative. You have to love the facial expressions the characters make when they attack or get hit.
22. SKTTR
12 Jun 2007, 02:17 GMT
Mystical Ninja 2 Starring Goemon (N64) was bad because it was cut! That was such a disappointment since the greatest thing about the first Game for N64 AND the second game were the great songs and their performance cutscene! The second game had none of them (US/PAL).
If it ever comes for VC I pray it has all the cutscenes and songs in it like the 1st one.
But anyway, while the 1st one was a very fun action/ adventure the 2nd installment was a super fun co-op-platfomer/ adventure.
This SNES-Mystical Ninja is more like the second N64-game. And it's the first Mystical Ninja ever released in US/PAL.
It's very funny! but this first game is the hardest one.
23. Brett Celinski
22 Jun 2007, 03:31 GMT
I love the Goemon character, but I long thought that this game did not look appealing. The site review makes it seem like a Pocky and Rocky kind of game (Pocky and Rocky 2 for SNES is a sick little game) so I'm going to gamble my Wii bling and try it out. I'll 'review' it more later.
24. Cacatua
30 Jun 2007, 17:07 GMT
This game is a MUST it has plenty of mini-games, playing styles and it's sense of humor make it a great game, I loved the first one for the n64 and it was great!,sadly never got a chance to play the second one for the n64, but I'd love to see them being released on the Wii vc.
25. TBoneTony
10 Aug 2007, 09:06 GMT
Cool, but I hope that the N64, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon, comes out as well as I am looking forward for that one.
26. Mii be you
19 Oct 2007, 03:02 GMT
I love this game. It's not as good as DKC, but still worth a download! (Is there a Castlevania minigame? If so, where is it?)
27. ice-nine
17 Dec 2007, 16:40 GMT
One of the greatest games ever for the SNES! Too bad they didn't release more like they did in Japan...
28. what
01 Jan 2008, 23:36 GMT
Is that an octorok in the second screen?
29. Mad Bomber
22 Jan 2008, 20:04 GMT
Not so legendary.
Kinda boring and repetitive with some truly fantastic gameplay moments thrown in here and there. If you can wade through the muck you may find a few choice catches here, but it’s not really worth the time or the points in my opinion. Not with so many other great choices on the VC.
Are you sure Nintendo won't accept refunds?...
30. Roo
26 Jan 2008, 16:58 GMT
Initially, the Legend of the Mystical Ninja may have you nodding off to sleep, but like some bizarre, surreal dream it'll creep up on you and mess with your head. Mental, weird, inexplicable, eccentric and positively mad! Yet inventive, challenging, exciting and downright fun! Don't miss out!
Sorry to go overboard with the adjectives!
31. WaddleWave
05 Feb 2008, 20:08 GMT
Somethings that make this game unique are: mini-games available(a small version of Gradius is included!), unique songs for every stage, shops, secret entrances, every boss fight is different and unique. Trust us, spending $8 on this is worth the every penny. Since its very japanese gameplay...where's my two Pocky and Rocky SNES games?
32. Nigel
06 Feb 2008, 02:11 GMT
I don't have much experience with arcade-style games but I found this one to be pretty fun. I like the music and the general look of the game. I haven't made it very far though, someday I'll start again and just try and plough my way through it. Getting yourself positioned just right for a hit in these kind of games is always kind of tricky.
33. ttfp
21 Feb 2008, 17:41 GMT
What's the co-op mode like? I have hazy memories of playing this on someone else's SNES back in the day, and fondly remember the side-on platforming sections...
34. Jupiter Adept
25 Feb 2008, 00:23 GMT
And just how much would the original get me on ebay?
35. sirmatt
29 Feb 2008, 15:04 GMT
Can anyone offer any insights for a man and wife team playing this versus, say, playing Kirby's Dream Course?
Or how about this versus Bomberman '93 two player?
Please advise...I am looking for cutesy-and-addictive games to lure my wife in with.
Thank you.
36. FirebrandMustDie
05 Mar 2008, 12:47 GMT
I've just downloaded this as I'm having a "sick day" and intend to finish before the night is out!
I loved this game back in the day
37. FirebrandMustDie
07 Mar 2008, 10:10 GMT
Just completed the game. I must admit that while this is an excellent game, it's a bit short.
38. MrLopez
22 Mar 2008, 16:04 GMT
I love this game!
I hope the N64 game comes!!
39. MrLopez
22 Mar 2008, 16:06 GMT
I love this game!
I hope the N64 game comes to the VC!
40. Kingston
04 Apr 2008, 00:07 GMT
Boring, not as humorous as I was lead to believe, and somewhat tough. I didn't understand the password system. I played for about 2 hours and was disappointed. 3/10
41. aut0matic
09 Apr 2008, 05:15 GMT
agree 100% with kingston. i was SO pissed when i thought i saved my game, only to come back to it and learn that i had to start from the beginning of the game. what were they thinking when they came up with that save system?
i can't recommend this game to anyone, i'm so very sorry i wasted 8 dollars on this game, i only did so because of all the positive feedback i got from this forum.
42. aut0matic
09 Apr 2008, 05:20 GMT
should have added: get wonder boy in monster world for the sega genesis if you like this kind of game, it's leaps and bounds better than this one.
43. WaddleWave
15 Apr 2008, 15:20 GMT
@aut0matic-Yeah, the password is a pain. Start from the beginning? There's two kind of stages, the exploring stage(where you start, buy, mini-games and save) and the 2D side scrolling one. To get to the side scrolling is a cake walk from the exploring part. To save, find the password receptionist, tell her to make note of your adventures, it will give you the password screen, exit the game by "Home menu" then clicking "Wii Menu", when you start the rom again, there should be a sentence at the main menu saying "Continue" and it will ask you from where. If you dont exit properly from the game after "making a note of your adventure"(saving),like turning off the Wii, it will not save, this apply to all games.
44. couthedman92
04 May 2008, 05:05 GMT
I don't see all the hype. Cheesy, but wasn't that funny. Also, the developers overlooked the fact that the game was unplayable.
Gameplay: 3.6/10
Audio:6/10
Graphics: 6/10
Humor: none/10
Lasting Appeal: You must be kidding me/10
Total: <0/10
45. link64
04 May 2008, 17:31 GMT
unplayable couthedman92 what are you talking about is your controller not plugged in.
46. lockelocke
06 May 2008, 06:53 GMT
Haha, "overlooked the fact that the game was unplayable", thats funny shit.
Hate me, but I kind of agree. Always gawked over this game in Nintendo Power when I was young, so I bought it first thing when it dropped on VC. But, alas...boring, too many shops...
47. captain-banana
23 May 2008, 09:57 GMT
@ couthedman... I agree completely! but graphics AND audio 6/10??? considering that Dk country came out much earlier (right?) and had much much better of both... audio ~0/10 and graphics? just beats Kirby. the NES one. play time? until u game-over 'bout 4 times (Max) and the fact it can't save reeeeaaaaly gets 2 u.
this sonufabitch of a game wasted my last 800 points... so i have only 200 points left!!! Not enough to by Majoras Mask or Pilotwings64 wich i was saving up for... so I need to somehow get more money off of my ageing relatives who live in different sides of the world to me!
48. Maxime St. Rasse
10 Jun 2008, 17:36 GMT
yeah this games no great shakes.. i thought itd be a fun co-op game but unless you and your partner are real good at the game and dont mind wasting a bunch of time walking around in shops and playin the lottery then its not that fun.... i hate how you lose your weapon and your sandals when you get hit... by the time me and my buddy would get upgraded enough to where we could go play a level we would get hit and lose all our stuff on the way to it...
49. Kingston
19 Jun 2008, 06:19 GMT
Keep on preachin' couthedman92, keep on preachin'.
50. couthedman92
22 Jun 2008, 04:23 GMT
Just doin' my job, Kingston, just doin' my job.
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