Overview
Joe Musashi is Shinobi. The criminal organisation Zeed has kidnapped the children of the Oboro ninja clan. Across five missions, Shinobi combined precise platforming with varied weaponry—shurikens for distance, sword for close combat, and devastating ninja magic that obliterated everything on screen.
Fast facts
- Developer: Sega.
- Protagonist: Joe Musashi.
- Missions: Five, each with multiple stages.
- Sequel: The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis).
Combat system
| Weapon |
Use |
| Shuriken |
Ranged attack |
| Sword |
Close combat (power-up) |
| Ninja magic |
Screen-clearing attack |
| Kicks |
Basic melee |
Mission structure
| Mission |
Setting |
| 1 |
Slums |
| 2 |
Harbour |
| 3 |
Factory |
| 4 |
Airport |
| 5 |
Zeed headquarters |
Gameplay elements
| Feature |
Purpose |
| Hostage rescue |
Free all children per stage |
| Bonus stages |
First-person shuriken throwing |
| Power-ups |
Sword upgrades, magic refills |
| Boss battles |
End each mission |
Ninja magic types
| Spell |
Effect |
| Tornado |
Damages all enemies |
| Shield |
Brief invincibility |
| Jump boost |
Enhanced mobility |
| Lightning |
Powerful attack |
| Version |
Notable feature |
| Arcade |
Original experience |
| Master System |
Strong conversion |
| Revenge of Shinobi |
Genesis sequel, expanded |
| Shinobi III |
Genesis pinnacle |
See also