Video Game Review: Shadow of the Ninja Reborn

Developer: Tengo Project

Publisher: ININ Games

Genre: Action/Arcade

Reviewed For: Nintendo Switch

Also Available On PlayStation, Xbox, PC

In the early 90s, Shadow of the Ninja offered a solid alternative to Ninja Gaiden for NES players seeking tough games. Now, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn brings that experience back with tons of modern enhancements. The updated visuals and gameplay tweaks create a faithful yet refreshed version of the classic, offering both nostalgia for long-time fans and a brutal challenge for newcomers to the retro action genre.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn commits to the brutal difficulty of the original NES release, offering fast-paced platforming and combat. Players control either of the two ninjas, each equipped with a katana for close combat and a kusarigama for long-range attacks. A revamped weapon system now lets players upgrade both weapons as they progress, making each encounter more dynamic. The addition of sub-weapons and power-ups adds a nice amount of variety. Boss fights provide steep difficulty spikes, but learning enemy attack patterns and timing leads to satisfying wins.

The game’s levels are packed with environmental hazards and relentless enemies, testing your reflexes at every turn. Divided into short sub-stages, the game alleviates frustration with its generous checkpoint system. Deaths can be frequent, but restarts from these checkpoints help prevent too much backtracking. The local co-op mode shines here, allowing players to team up without worrying about damaging each other. Co-op makes the Shadow of the Ninja’s intense difficulty a little more manageable and the game is just more fun with a friend.

Visually, Shadow of the Ninja–Reborn impresses with its beautiful remaster of the original graphics. The environments are vibrant and full of atmosphere, far beyond what the original 8-bit version could offer. The detailed sprites, particularly for bosses look wonderful. The soundtrack, a blend of rock and chiptune, is just fun from start to finish.

In the early 90s, Shadow of the Ninja was a tough but rewarding alternative to Ninja Gaiden. With Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn, Tengo Project revives this gem, blending modern enhancements with the original’s punishing difficulty. Updated visuals, gameplay tweaks, and co-op mode make this an excellent addition to the retro-action genre.