The Ninja Warriors

Released by Taito in 1988, this side-scrolling action game is set in a nation devastated by the dictator Banglar. It depicts the battle of two ninja-type cyborgs, "NINJA" and "KUNOICHI," sent by the revolutionary army. The game left a lasting impression on players of the era with its innovative use of an extra-wide, triple-screen display to showcase massive tanks, as well as its original musical score incorporating the shamisen. From a technical standpoint, the game features unique arcade-era quirks, such as the idiosyncratic use of a third button to pause the game—a trait carried over from the original hardware—and its distinct method of rendering character shadows. The story’s emotional conclusion moved many fans to tears, cementing the title's legacy as a masterpiece that continues to be discussed in the history of gaming.

The story is set in 1993, in a nation devastated by the ruthless rule of the dictator Banglar. To put an end to his tyrannical regime, Marc, the leader of a revolutionary army, constructs two ninja-type cyborgs. Players choose to control either "NINJA" or "KUNOICHI" and take on the armies standing in their way to defeat Banglar.