History VideoGame / NinjaSpirit

''Ninja Spirit'', or ''Saigo no Nindou'' (''Last Way of the Ninja'') in Japan, is a 1988 side-scrolling [[PlatformGame platforming]] ActionGame from Creator/{{Irem}}. It's most well-known for its port on the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 console as well as later re-release on the Nintendo Wii's virtual console, but also appearing as an arcade game and other consoles.

* ClassicCheatCode: In the UsefulNotes/PCEngine version of the game ''Mr. Heli no Daibouken'', also by Irem, the code for up to 99 continues was I, II, II, I, Select. Entering the same code in ''Ninja Spirit'' would just display the message "Do you play Mr. Heli?" This confused some American players, since ''Mr. Heli'' was released in the U.S. only as an UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame under the MarketBasedTitle ''Battle Chopper''.

* EnemyRollCall: There is a review of bosses at the end of the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 version. However, the names are in kanji even in the US version.

* OneHitPointWonder: In the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 version, Moonlight has five hit points in PC-Engine mode, but only one hit point in Arcade mode.

Tsukikage ("Moonlight"), a young genin in an order of shinobi headed by a "Blind Priest", has recently had RecurringDreams of a mystic beast in the presence of his father as the latter is killed by some mysterious being. Deciding to investigate what could lie behind the dream, he ultimately makes a horrifying discovery--shortly after his birth, his parents tried to leave the order with him, [[ResignationsNotAccepted only to be killed]] [[SinisterMinister by the Blind Priest himself]], who proceeded to have Tsukikage raised to be an implement of sowing discord in Japan. Tsukikage [[YouKilledMyFather tries to confront him in a ruined temple]], only for the Priest to escape and send the ''rest'' of the order--demons and undead included--to dispatch him...

* SinisterMinister: [[BigBad The Blind Priest.]] [[spoiler: As you find near the end of the last stage, the Priest that Tsukikage interacted with throughout his life is actually a RemoteBody, the actual Priest having long ago become [[OurLichesAreDifferent a monstrous form of sokushinbutsu]] secreted deep within the cavern you're in.]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: Some consider this to be a worthy successor to ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfKage'' despite being made by completely different developers.

* {{Youkai}}: A number of these pop up, such as the inugami-like entities divebombing you in stage 2. [[spoiler: Tsukikage himself is actually one, his okuri-okami form sealed by the Blind Priest from his infancy.]]

* AsLongAsThereIsEvil: [[spoiler:The ending text notes that the presence of malice in the minds of people means that evils like the Blind Priest will periodically appear in the future, but Tsukikage will always be around to help thwart them in turn.]]

* EpilepticFlashingLights: An unusually prolonged case of screen flashing appears in the ending (at least in the arcade and [=TurboGrafx-16=] versions), where TheHero [[spoiler:recovers his okuri-okami form]].

* OneHitPointWonder: In the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 version, Moonlight has five hit points in PC-Engine mode, but only one hitpoint in Arcade mode.

Tsukikage ("Moonlight"), a young genin in an order of shinobi headed by a "Blind Priest", has recently had RecurringDreams of a mystic beast in the presence of his father as the latter is killed by some mysterious being. Deciding to investigate what could lie behind the dream, he ultimately makes a horrifying discovery--shortly after his birth, his parents tried to leave the order with him, [[NoResignationsAccepted only to be killed]] [[SinisterMinister by the Blind Priest himself]], who proceeded to have Tsukikage raised to be an implement of sowing discord in Japan. Tsukikage [[YouKilledMyFather tries to confront him in a ruined temple]], only for the Priest to escape and send the ''rest'' of the order--demons and undead included--to dispatch him...

* DefectorFromDecadence: Tsukikage's parents, with the Blind Priest [[NoResignationsAccepted severely disapproving]]. [[spoiler: Given Tsukikage's actual okuri-okami nature, one or both had probably been enslaved by the Blind Priest in the first place.]]

The young ninja Tsukikage ("Moonlight"), journeys through 7 stages, slashes his way through numerous enemies to face the bosses at the end of each. He primarily uses a [[CoolSword versatile katana]] but has access to shuriken, explosives, and ''kusarigama'' over the course of the game, as well as a number of power ups.

* EpilepticFlashingLights: An unusually prolonged case of screen flashing appears in the ending (at least in the arcade and [=TurboGrafx-16=] versions), where TheHero [[spoiler:transforms back into a wolf]].

* {{Ninja}}: The main character is one [[spoiler: or rather is taking the place of a deceased one]], as are most of the opponents.
* OneHitPointWonder: In the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 version, Moonlight has five hitpoints in PC-Engine mode, but only one hitpoint in Arcade mode.

* OurLichesAreDifferent: The FinalBoss, the Dai Sokushinbutsu, seems to be a variation on this. Sokushinbutsu were Japanese Buddhist monks who underwent self-mummification to ascend to a particular heaven where they could better aid humanity. ''This'' one seems to be more interested in controlling the souls of dead ninja to cause various disasters--and isn't in ''any'' heaven or hell.

* SpreadShot: There's a power-up that allows you to throw three shurikens in an arc with each throw.

* StealthPun: Probably unintentional, but Moonlight can create up to three "shadow clones" which follow his every move. Moonlight is casting shadows!
* VariableLengthChain: The Rising Dragon is a ''kusarigama'' whose chain can be extended and spun to sweep across the screen.
* WolfpackBoss: The end of the sixth stage involves Ochimusha manifesting one after another.

* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: The second boss is named Soufuki--"Twin Axe Demon". They're a tall, white-haired demon who constantly dashes at you with [[AnAxeToGrind their twin axes leading the way]].

''Ninja Spirit'', or ''Saigo no Nindou'' in Japan, is a 1988 side-scrolling [[PlatformGame platforming]] ActionGame from Creator/{{Irem}}. It's most well-known for its port on the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 console as well as later re-release on the Nintendo Wii's virtual console, but also appearing as an arcade game and other consoles.

The young ninja Tsukikage ("Moonlight"), journeys through 7 stages, slashes his way through numerous enemies to face the bosses at the end of each. He primarily uses a [[CoolSword versatile katana]] but has access to shurikens, explosives, and ''kusarigama'' over the course of the game, as well as a number of power ups.

* GiantMook: The boss Hanzo the Fiend is an enemy ninja twice as tall as the PlayerCharacter, wielding an equally oversized sword with ease.

* KiteRiding: The Stage 5 Boss Battle is with the Tribe of the Nine Wind Demons, all nine of whom are arranged on a giant flying kite emblazoned with the kanji 影 ("shadow"). Smaller kites carrying individual enemy ninja appear in the following stage.
* {{Ninja}}: The main character is one, as are some of the opponents.

* VariableLengthChain: The Rising Dragon is a ''kusarigama'' whose chain can be extended and spun to sweep across the screen.

''Ninja Spirit'', or ''Saigo no Nindou'' in Japan, is a 1988 side-scrolling [[PlatformGame platforming]] ActionGame from Irem. It's most well-known for its port on the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 console as well as later re-release on the Nintendo Wii's virtual console, but also appearing as an arcade game and other consoles.

The young ninja Tsukikage ("Moonlight"), journeys through 7 stages, slashes his way through numerous enemies to face the bosses at the end of each. He primarily uses a [[CoolSword versatile katana]] but has access to shurikens, explosives, and kusarigama over the course of the game, as well as a number of power ups.

'''This page is still heavily under construction. More examples are forthcoming, and feel free to add any you see fit.'''

* StealthPun: Probably unintentional, but Moonlight can create up to three "shadow clones" which follow his every move. Moonlight is casting shadows!

* ClassicCheatCode: In the UsefulNotes/PCEngine version of the game ''Mr. Heli no Daibouken'', also by Irem, the code for up to 99 continues was I, II, II, I, Select. Entering the same code in ''Ninja Spirit'' would just display the message "Do you play Mr. Heli?" This confused some American players, since ''Mr. Heli'' was released in the U.S. only as an ArcadeGame under the MarketBasedTitle ''Battle Chopper''.

* EnemyRoleCall: There is a review of bosses at the end of the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 version. However, the names are in kanji even in the US version.
* FollowTheLeader: ''Ninja Spirit'' followed ''TheLegendOfKage'', and while it was mostly overlooked, some consider it to be superior.

* SpiritualSuccessor: Some consider this to be a worthy successor to ''TheLegendOfKage'' despite being made by completely different developers.

''Ninja Spirit'', or ''Saigo no Nindou'' in Japan, is a 1988 action {{platformer}} from Irem, most well-known for its port on the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 console as well as later re-release on the Nintendo Wii's virtual console.

* OneHitPointWonder: In the UsefulNotes/TurboGrafx16 version, Moonlight has five hitpoints in PC-Engine mode, but only one hitpoint in Arcade mode.

''Ninja Spirit'', or ''Saigo no Nindou'' in Japan, is a 1988 action {{platformer}} from Irem, most well-known for its port on the TurboGrafx-16 console as well as later re-release on the Nintendo Wii's virtual console.

* OneHitPointWonder: In the TurboGrafx-16 version, Moonlight has five hitpoints in PC-Engine mode, but only one hitpoint in Arcade mode.