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Ryu, Ninja extraordinaire, has just discovered that his father has been killed by his arch rival. Stopping only to pick up his Massa, he goes off to get his revenge.

The mission involves travelling deep into the heart of enemy country across a series of long horizontally scrolling landscapes. Each level is packed with baddies, and Ryu has to run, slash and jump his way to victory, making sure that his energy bar isn't completely worn down by enemy hits, and taking care not to fall down the many bottomless pits that are scattered across the scenery.

At the end of each level is a big guardian, who Ryu fights until either he, or the baddy, is dead. At the end of the final level is Ryu's arch eemy, and there they have a duel to the death. Will Ryu avenge his father's death? That's up to you...

At the beginning of every level, a chapter of the Ninja Gaiden story unfolds, shown as an almost film-like series of still and animated screens. At the start of the game you see Ryu's father and his arch rival fight together, and then Ryu's discovery of the incident.

On level two Ryu enters his arch rival's lair and is then anaestetised by a mystery woman, who gives him a strange statue and then disappears, leaving an even greater mystery.

The only way you can see the rest of the story, and its conclusion is to battle all the way through the game - it's tough, but it's worth it!!!

Ryu is able to pick up a variety of extra weapons to supplement his swords. These include shuriken stars, yo-yo style metal plates which fly forward and then viciously spin back, scything all in its path, and Ninja flames, which spin around Ryu and protect by destroying everything that tries to get near him.

Unfortunately this magic doesn't last very long, but while Ryu's got it he's practically invincible!

Ninja Gaiden is very much like a simplified version of the Shadow Warriors coin-op, with the hero running around beating the seven shades out of the baddies and using the backdrop to climb and leap to seemingly inaccessible parts of the screen.

The graphics are great, with varied, well-drawn backdrops and some great sprites. A special mention must go to the brilliant cartoon-like intermission screens between levels, which unfolds a mysterious story as you progress through the game.

The sound doesn't quite match up to the standards of the graphics, but what's there is atmospheric and suits the action. Speaking of which, the game itself is pretty frantic, with a whole host of baddies to destroy, and some very nasty end-of-level guardians.

It seems pretty tough at first, but once you get used to the combat moves you'll find yourself cutting a swathe through the enemy, swords and shurikens flying!

Ninja Gaiden is a thoroughly enjoyable beat-'em-up and is highly recommended to combat fans.

Presentation 94%
Superb in-game presentation, with cartoon-style intermission screens which tell you the Ninja Gaiden story.

Graphics 89%
Excellent in-game graphics and stunning, beautifully animated cut scenes.

Sound 78%
Racy tune and some good effects.

Playability 91%
Tough to begin with, but very addictive nevertheless.

Lastability 88%
Plenty of levels to keep a ninja fan slashin' 'n dashin' for quite some time.

Overall 88%
A superb game, very similar to the Shadow Warriors coin-op. Highly recommended to Nintendo beat-'em-up fans.