Ninja Crusaders (1990-)

• Developer: NMK

• Publisher: Sammy Corporation

• Genre: Action

Ninja Crusaders for the NES was developed by NMK and released in 1990, with American Sammy Corporation serving as its publisher. The game was part of a wave of ninja-themed action titles that became popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s, inspired by martial arts films, anime, and arcade action games. It was designed specifically for the NES, and no prequels exist. The game aimed to capture the excitement of one-on-one combat and side-scrolling action, combining fast-paced gameplay with a narrative of heroism and revenge against a criminal organization.

The story follows three elite ninja warriors—Ryu, Koji, and Ken—tasked with dismantling a powerful syndicate that has taken control of a city. Players choose a character and progress through a series of stages, battling enemy ninjas, bosses, and various thugs along the way. The game’s inspiration comes from classic martial arts cinema and popular arcade brawlers, emphasizing hand-to-hand combat, agility, and the use of traditional ninja weapons. Levels include urban streets, industrial complexes, and fortress-like enemy hideouts, each presenting unique hazards and enemy patterns.

Gameplay in Ninja Crusaders combines side-scrolling action with beat-’em-up mechanics. Players can punch, kick, jump, and use special attacks to defeat enemies, and they must master timing and positioning to survive increasingly difficult waves of opponents. Boss fights punctuate each stage, requiring pattern recognition and strategic use of attacks. The soundtrack features energetic and rhythmic music that matches the pace of combat, with sound effects highlighting strikes, jumps, and enemy interactions, creating an engaging audio-visual experience despite the limitations of NES hardware.

The game did not receive a sequel or ports to other systems, remaining exclusive to the NES. Promotion was handled through video game magazines and print advertisements, which emphasized its ninja theme, fast action, and variety of playable characters. Reception at the time was mixed: critics praised the game’s challenging combat and variety of enemies, but noted that the controls could feel stiff and the graphics were modest compared to other NES action titles. Despite these critiques, Ninja Crusaders has maintained a degree of recognition among retro gaming enthusiasts for its solid action gameplay and classic ninja aesthetic.

Images from MobyGames