1984 · Universal Entertainment · Action · Ninja

Ninja-Kid

Nintendo console exclusive

An action platformer for the Arcades. It is the first of the Ninja-kun series.

Released: 1984
Platforms: Arcade MSX NES Nintendo Switch
Genres: Action Ninja Platformer
Developers: Universal Entertainment UPL
Publishers: UPL Taito
Modes: Multiplayer Single-player
Perspective: Side view
Themes: Action
Country: Japan

About

Ninja-kun: Adventure of Devil Castle is a 1984 platform video game developed by UPL and published by Taito for arcades. It was later ported to the Famicom and MSX in 1984. Initially released only in Japan, a MSX version developed by Jaleco was released in Europe under the name Ninja.

Keywords

martial arts
ninja
youkai

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

Ninja-kun's Demon Castle Adventure features three upward scrolling levels that repeat and become more difficult. The objective is to defeat the enemies on each screen and advance to the next screen. The player can attack with shurikens and jump on enemies' heads to stun them. Occasionally, an orb will appear and if the player collects three, a bonus level will be unlocked.

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Ninja-Kid on their November 15, 1984 issue as being the second most-successful table arcade unit of the month.

Legacy

After Jaleco had ported the game and its sequel to the Famicom and MSX in Japan, the company created a spinoff game, Ninja JaJaMaru-kun and created a series of the same name. The Ninja JaJaMaru-kun series would feature several games released on various consoles and handhelds, many of the games are different genres like role-playing video game gameplay.

Hamster Corporation acquired the game's rights alongside UPL's intellectual property; they released the game as part of their Arcade Archives series for the PlayStation 4 in May 2014 and Nintendo Switch in April 2018 by the name of Ninja-Kid.