History VideoGame / MiniNinjas

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game from Creator/{{Eidos}}, the same company behind the ''Franchise/TombRaider'' franchise (and developed by Io Interactive, makers of ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}''). While the cute title and ads set the game up as an AffectionateParody of the "swords and black suits" genre, [[NeverTrustATrailer the game is actually a straightforward Japanese fantasy.]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

'''This game provides examples of:'''

* AnnoyingArrows: Both played straight ''and'' averted. Played straight in that enemy arrows aren't very damaging to you, and are easily warded off with your hat or a Flask of Arrow-Shield. ''Averted'' in that Shun's arrows ''are'' as deadly as their real-life counterparts, unless (of course) fired in melee combat.

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game from {{Eidos}}, the same company behind the ''Franchise/TombRaider'' franchise (and developed by Io Interactive, makers of ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}''). While the cute title and ads set the game up as an AffectionateParody of the "swords and black suits" genre, [[NeverTrustATrailer the game is actually a straightforward Japanese fantasy.]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

* {{Youkai}}: Your primary allies are the Tengu, though here, they literally look like [[LionsAndTigersAndHumansOhMy giant anthropomorphic crows.]] This is actually [[ShownTheirWork mythologically accurate,]] as mythological tengu were often said to protect deep forests and mountains, and were said to have instructed ninja.

* PartyInMyPocket: I am a little girl with a wooden flute. Poof! Now I am a giant with a barrel on a stick!

* OohMeAccentsSlipping: The Tengu and the Ninja Master speak with a sort of "kung-fu movie" accent, but they occasionally lapse into a more genuine Japanese accent.
* PressXToNotDie: Quick Time Events figure heavily in all of the boss fights except for the [[BigBad final one]].

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Fear Suzume, and the beatdown she hands out with her mighty... flute? Subverted. [[spoiler: It's really a blowgun.]]

* PressXToNotDie: All of the boss fights are based around Quick Time Events.

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game from {{Eidos}}, the same company behind the ''TombRaider'' franchise (and developed by Io Interactive, makers of ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}''). While the cute title and ads set the game up as an AffectionateParody of the "swords and black suits" genre, [[NeverTrustATrailer the game is actually a straightforward Japanese fantasy.]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

* [[HeroesPreferSwords Hiro Prefers A Sword]]

* TheArcher: Well, Shun uses a bow, but otherwise, he averts pretty much every archer-related trait in the book by being the most wild and erratic ninja. Except for the "Being lousy in melee combat" bit.

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game from {{Eidos}}, the same company behind the ''TombRaider'' franchise (and developed by Io Interactive, makers of ''{{Hitman}}''). While the cute title and ads set the game up as an AffectionateParody of the "swords and black suits" genre, [[NeverTrustATrailer the game is actually a straightforward Japanese fantasy.]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

* HundredPercentCompletion: When you finish a level, you're ranked on your completion of it, including herbs collected and money found. But while things like Jizo statues and spells stay collected, herbs and money respawn. Thank goodness, or else there'd be a lot of InventoryManagementPuzzle going on.

* MeaningfulName: The main character's name is Hiro. [[{{Anvilicious}} Very subtle.]]

* NoArcInArchery: Averted, actually--both for Shun's arrows and the enemies'.

Or... what they thought was forever. Natural disasters of unnatural magnitudes are suddenly returning. And what are these mysterious samurai-like soldiers appearing everywhere? The wise old Ninja Master decides to send out his pupils one by one to investigate, and one by one, they vanish. Soon, he is left with only two ninja: Promising but untrained Hiro, and clumsy but strong Futo. They are not truly ready for the world, but given the dire straits, they're the only hope the world has. Luckily, although their friends have been taken hostage, they're unharmed, and can be rescued. And they'll have to be if the balance of nature is to be restored!

* BigEater: Futo, even as a baby, was known for his monsterous appetite. Tora is one as well.

* FiveManBand:
** TheHero - Hiro
** TheLancer - Tora
** TheChick - Suzume/Kunoichi
** TheSmartGuy - Shun
** The BigGuy - Futo

* HundredPercentCompletion: When you finish a level, you're ranked on your completion of it, including herbs collected and money found. But while things like Jinzo statues and spells stay collected, herbs and money respawn. Thank goodness, or else there'd be a lot of InventoryManagementPuzzle going on.

* BadAssAdorable: Ninjas.

* CoolBoat: Your ''hat'' actually becomes one, and is easier than swimming.
* DemonicSpiders: The Hatted Samurai. They are very hard to beat due to having their weapons close to their torso for easy blocking, they can avoid cherry bombs and Kuji spells thanks to their short bursts of super speed, and they will not stop chasing you if you run. Also, Suzume's Power Attack does nothing to help you.

* [[FiveManBand]]:

Three hundred years ago, a dark force rose up and attempted to TakeOverTheWorld. Abusing a mystical force known as [[KiAttacks Kuji Magic,]] it transformed innocent forest animals into dark soldiers and ravaged the land. The abuse of this force also imbalanced the forces of nature, causing natural disasters. But he was defeated, and his dark magic [[SealedEvilInACan sealed away forever.]] Peace reigned.

Or... what they thought was forever. Natural disasters are suddenly returning. And what are these mysterious samurai-like soldiers appearing everywhere? The wise old Ninja Master decides to send out his pupils one by one to investigate, and one by one, they vanish. Soon, he is left with only two ninja: Promising but untrained Hiro, and clumsy but strong Futo. They are not truly ready for the world, but given the dire straits, they're the only hope the world has. Luckily, although their friends have been taken hostage, they're unharmed, and can be rescued. And they'll have to be if the balance of nature is to be restored!

The game combines action-adventure combat and exploration with platforming, with a large number of weapons, spells, and items to use, as well as six different ninja characters, each with different abilities. And despite what you might think, [[NonIndicativeName they're all normal-sized, thank you very much.]] (Well... except for [[TheBigGuy Futo.]])

** These become far more annoying later on, where the enemies launch rocket arrows at you, which do more damage and knocks you on your back.

* ArrowsOnFire: The enemies can do this, and an ''exploding'' arrow is Shun's special move. However, enemies also have explosive arrows, and they can become quite annoying, as they can effectively juggle you with hits.

* BullfightBoss: The first boss.

* DoorstopBaby: Most of the ninja, except for Hiro, were left by the entrance to Ninja Mountain and raised by the Ninja Master.

* {{Fartillery}}: The second boss.

* HundredPercentCompletion: When you finish a level, you're ranked on your completion of it, including herbs collected and money found. But while things like Jinzo statues and spells stay collected, herbs and money respawn. (Thank goodness, or else there'd be a lot of InventoryManagementPuzzle going on.)

* KungFuProofMook: Pike-using Samurai are nearly impossible to melee attack without stunning them first, and go down better to long-range weapons, anyway.

* NiceHat: It's your shield, essentially. And it doubles as your CoolBoat.

* KungFuProofMook: Pike-using Samurai can't be melee attacked at all without stunning them first, and go down better to long-range weapons, anyway.

* {{Animorphism}}: Hiro can become animals by possessing them with his Spirit Form. They're not all ''useful,'' but they can at least all find herbs.

* ActionGirl

* AnnoyingArrows: Both played straight ''and'' averted. Played straight in that enemy arrows aren't very damaging to you, and are easily warded off with your hat or a Flask of Arrow-Shield. ''Averted'' in that Shun's arrows ''are'' as deadly as their real-life counterparts, unless (of course) fired in melee combat.

* ArrowsOnFire: The enemies can do this, and an ''exploding'' arrow is Shun's special move.

* BigEater: Futo, even as a baby, was known for his monsterous appetite.