History VideoGame / MiniNinjas

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.

* KiAttacks: Kuji magic utilises Ki energy.

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game developed by Creator/IOInteractive (yes, ''that'' [[VideoGame/FreedomFighters IO]] [[VideoGame/KaneAndLynch Interactive]]), and published by Creator/{{Eidos}} for UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, and UsefulNotes/Playstation3 on September 8th, 2009, with a UsefulNotes/MacOS port developed by Creator/FeralInteractive releasing July 8th, 2010. 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 hack 'n slash game....]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game developed by Creator/IOInteractive (yes, ''that'' [[VideoGame/FreedomFighters IO]] [[VideoGame/KaneAndLynch Inter]][[VideoGame/Hitman active]]), and published by Creator/{{Eidos}} for UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, and UsefulNotes/Playstation3 on September 8th, 2009, with a UsefulNotes/MacOS port developed by Creator/FeralInteractive releasing July 8th, 2010. 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 hack 'n slash game....]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game developed by Creator/IOInteractive (yes, ''that'' [[VideoGame/FreedomFighters IO]] [[VideoGame/KaneAndLynch Interactive]]), and published by Creator/{{Eidos}} for UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, and UsefulNotes/Playstation3 on September 8th, 2009, with a UsefulNotes/MacOS port developed by Creator/FeralInteractive releasing July 8th, 2010. 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 hack 'n slash game....]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

* InfiniteSupplies: Shun and Suzume never have to reload their ammo supply with arrows and darts respectively. Averted hard with consumables, such as potions and the like, as you require certain floral ingredients to make healing potions and such.

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game developed by Creator/IOInteractive (yes, [[Franchise/Hitman that]] [[VideoGame/FreedomFighters IO]] [[VideoGame/KaneAndLynch Interactive]]), and published by Creator/{{Eidos}} for UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, and UsefulNotes/Playstation3 on September 8th, 2009, with a UsefulNotes/MacOS port developed by Creator/FeralInteractive releasing July 8th, 2010. 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 hack 'n slash game....]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game developed by Creator/IOInteractive, makers of VideoGame/{{Hitman}}, and published by Creator/{{Eidos}} for UsefulNotes/{{Steam}}, UsefulNotes/Xbox360, UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}, and UsefulNotes/Playstation3 on September 8th, 2009, with a UsefulNotes/MacOS port developed by Creator/FeralInteractive releasing July 8th, 2010. 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 hack 'n slash game....]] [[LighterAndSofter For kids.]]

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game developed Creator/IOInteractive, makers of ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}'', and published by Creator/{{Eidos}} in 2009. 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.]]

%%** Kunoichi

* {{Animorphism}}: Hiro can control animals by possessing them with his Spirit Form. Problem is, not all animals are that useful to take control, as very few of them can actually attack enemies (grizzly bears being one of the few that can), with the attack button on most other animals being replaced with a "animal doing an action associated with said animal", such as a fox howling, or a Rabbit stomping its foot on the ground. All animals, however, can find herbs and Jizo Statues, and can sneak around as good as the Ninja's can (even bears, amusingly). Later Kuji Magic levels let you impersonate small samurai's!

* BeneathNotice: Much like that [[Franchise/{{Hitman}} other game series IOI makes]], you are able to impersonate guards, in this case mini samurai's. Crosses over with GoingNative and BecomingTheCostume as you don't just take their outfit, you take their body and their health pool too.

* WilhemScream: A mini samurai lets one out while crossing a bridge in a cutscene from the mission "The Big Jump". They fall into a massive hole in the bridge a meteorite makes.

* BeneathNotice: Much like that [[Franchise/{{Hitman}} other game series IOI makes]], you are able to impersonate guards, in this case mini samurai's. Crosses over with Goingnative and BecomingTheCostume as you don't just take their outfit, you take their body and their health pool too.

* {{Animorphism}}: Hiro can control animals by possessing them with his Spirit Form. Problem is, not all animals are that useful to take control, as very few of them can actually attack enemies (grizzly bears being one of the few that can), with the attack button on most other animals being replaced with a "animal doing an action associated with said animal", such as a fox howling, or a Rabbit stomping its foot on the ground. All animals, however, can find herbs and Jizo Statues, and can sneak around as good as the Ninja's can (even bears, amusingly).

* InstrumentOfMurder: Suzume uses her flute as a dartgun of sorts. She can also play the flute like normal to distract enemies as her super move.

* MeaningfulName:
** The main character's name is Hiro, which means "prosperous".
** There's also the tiger-like [[BilingualBonus Tora.]]

* WithCatLikeTread: You can sneak in grass and get behind enemies with anyone/ any animal you control, no matter your size. Smaller animals, such as rabbits and foxes, and most of the mini ninja's make sense (they are...y'know...mini) as they can hide in the grass and bushes and be concealed from view. But controlling a bear, a boar, or by playing as Futo looks and plays as ridiculous as it sounds, and yet, your enemies are none the wiser.

* KiAttacks: Kuji magic utiliizes Ki energy.

* OneManArmy: Suzume is the last Ninja you rescue in the game, and is said to be very acrobatic and sneaky. Throughout the game, you can find notes pinned onto doors and trees left by Suzume for you to find. As soon as she gets to the snowy mountains, she backtracks back home, and gets captured, requiring you to save her.

* PartyInMyPocket: Look! I'm a small boy with a sword! '''[[SmokeOut Poof!]]''' Now i'm a little girl with a wooden flute. '''[[SmokeOut Poof!]]''' Now I am a giant ninja with a massive hammer '''[[RuleOfThree Poof!]]''' Now i'm another girl with a pointy stick! '''[[SmokeOut Poof!]]''' Now i'm a boy with WolverineClaws '''[[OverlyLongGag Poof!]]''' Now i'm a ninja with a bow and arrow!

** The main character's name is Hiro, which means "prosperous"

* PartyInMyPocket: I am a little girl with a wooden flute. [[SmokeOut Poof!]] Now I am a giant with a barrel on a stick! [[SmokeOut Poof!]] Now i'm a small boy with a sword!

* ArcherArchetype: Shun uses arrows to take out foes that can't easily be killed by melee-range weapons.

* ImprobableAimingSkills: Shun.

%%** Kunoichi

* CoolBoat: Your ''hat'' actually becomes one, and is easier than swimming.

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Fear Suzume, and the beatdown she hands out with her mighty... flute? Subverted, as it's really [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz431i5GFys a blowgun]].
* InevitableWaterfall: One level ends in you riding your hat-boat over one. Which would be fine (SoftWater is in full effect here), but its appearance is heralded by PsychoStrings.
* InstrumentOfMurder: Suzume uses her flute as a dartgun of sorts. She can also play the flute like normal to distract enemies.

** The main character's name is Hiro.

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

* PressXToNotDie: Quick Time Events figure heavily in all of the boss fights except for [[BigBad the final one]].

* InstrumentOfMurder

* DropTheHammer: Futo. According to his backstory, it was the only weapon that seemed to suit his fighting style and body type.

* ImprobableWeaponUser: Fear Suzume, and the beatdown she hands out with her mighty... flute? Subverted. [[spoiler: It's really [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tz431i5GFys a blowgun]]. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen Now if only she could do that in-game...]]]]

Eidos got dissolved into Creator/SquareEnix in 2009, with IOI being brought on as a developer studio, until they themselves went independent in 2017, after Square Enix cut business ties with IO Interactive. This was due to poor sales of ''VideoGame/Hitman2016'', and as part of IOI and Square Enix's agreement, the Mini Ninjas and ''VideoGame/KaneAndLynch'' [=IP's=] went to Square Enix, and the ''VideoGame/FreedomFighters'' and ''Franchise/{{Hitman}}'' [=IP's=] were given to IO Interactive. This makes IOI making Mini Ninja sequels highly unlikely.

* {{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 and Jizo Statues.

* BadassAdorable: Ninjas.

* FishingMinigame

* GratuitousJapanese: Though, given the setting, maybe not ''that'' gratuitous.
* HeroicMime: The characters do talk from time to time (e.g. cast a spell or Suzume's idle chatter), but not during cutscenes.
* HyperactiveMetabolism

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

[[caption-width-right:350:(R-L) Hiro, Suzume, and Futo [[note]]They're not really particularly "mini."[[/note]]]]

An [[ActionAdventure Action Adventure-y]], [[PlatformGame Platformer-y]] game from Creator/{{Eidos}}, the same company behind the ''Franchise/TombRaider'' franchise (and developed by Creator/IOInteractive, 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.]]

* AnnoyingArrows: Played with. Enemy arrows aren't very damaging to you, and are easily warded off with your hat or a Flask of Arrow-Shield. Shun's arrows ''are'' as deadly as their real-life counterparts, unless fired in melee combat.

* CharacterSelectForcing: Given that Hiro is the only magic-user, it seems reasonable that you'd rely on him a lot. But why is he the only character who can ''fish?''

* MeaningfulName: The main character's name is Hiro.