Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn Review: Sharper Than Ever

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is the right kind of remake. It keeps the heart of the original game firmly in place while improving everything around it. And it’s the kind of effort that will truly give old-school fans a run for their money.

The original game wowed on the NES back in “the day.” Alas, it didn’t pick up in popularity as well as Ninja Gaiden and the Ninja Turtles did. As a result, it remained in obscurity, though dedicated fans still appreciated its values. And the game was worthwhile enough to end up in Nintendo Switch Online’s library, regenerating interest in it.

Now, courtesy of Tengo Project, we have the remake. And what a treat it is. What’s more, its gameplay improvements – and insistence on keeping the useful co-op – make it better than expected. If you can get over the difficulty curve, you’ll find yourself in ninja heaven. (Or hell, depending on your perspective.)

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn Brings the Pain

The game puts you in the shoes (sandals?) of Hayate and Kaede. They’re a pair of warriors assigned the task of destroying a vicious dictator. But wouldn’t you know he, he has all sorts of pesky evil forces. From wave-riding spirit warriors to heinous hench-monkeys (there is such a thing), everything is thrown at you.

Fortunately, no matter which character you select, you’re ready for the job. Along with a sweet sword attack, you also have a lengthy chain. This enables you to hit enemies from afar, though not as strongly as with the sword. There are also secondary upgrades to use as well, including throwing stars – particularly useful during boss fights.

We’ll say it right off the bat. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a tough cookie. You’ll die often, mainly due to your own mistakes. (The platform isn’t going to miss itself, after all.) But the good news is the game is lenient with continues, as well as restart points. You won’t come back instantly to the spot you died, but you’ll be close enough to make up for your previous error. That sure beats nothing.

The game does come to a conclusion all too quickly. However, the journey is action-packed, and the controls keep you hooked with every step. The precision movement is nicely nailed by Tengo, and the attacks are fun to unleash on enemies. You’ll also appreciate the secondary tools, which add a small but helpful degree to the gameplay.

Finally, the co-op is excellent. Though not online supported, playing alongside a friend on the couch is a sheer delight. The only struggle is who will get to play as the hot Kaede. She’s really something. (Not that Hayate is a bum or anything.)

So, if you don’t mind getting a little (okay, a lot) dirty with a challenge, Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn brings the old-school skills. And just at the right time, might I add. We’ve been missing this for a bit.

Killing It With the Presentation

Tengo Project didn’t just slap Shadow of the Ninja’s engine into a small contemporary project. They appear to have built it from the ground up with all new tools. And, boy, it shows.

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn looks remarkable with its side-scrolling visuals and lovingly refreshed art style. Even the enemy characters look like they’ve been given grand attention. And the weapon effects are groovy, particularly the glow of your sword as you slash it in the air. It’s like you’re slicing oxygen. The backgrounds also look great with their multi-scrolling, and their variety certainly keep things looks interesting.

I’ll also note that there are secondary filters available in case you want to go for an old-school approach. It would’ve been nice to have something from the old-school 8-bit game, but there’s enough here to soak in.

As for the music, original composer Iku Mizani returns with all new remixed tunes. They match up with the 8-bit game’s soundtrack just about perfectly, and will trigger instant nostalgia with fans. The sound effects are good too, as if they were lifted straight from the source material.

Overall, this is a remake done right. No heavy issues to worry about, just good ol’ hack-and-slash restored like a fine automobile. Hell yes.

Indeed, Shadow of the Ninja Is Reborn

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn doesn’t just serve as a fine side-scrolling adventure. It’s a blueprint that shows just how you do a remake right. It’s loaded with fan service with its gorgeous visuals, trailblazing soundtrack and exciting gameplay. And the fact you can play alongside a buddy is a delectable treat.

Once you accept the lack of certain extras and the somewhat punishing difficulty, you’ll find this Ninja well to your liking. Even if you never played the original game. These heroes still cut deep.