Shinobi

 3DS
  • Publisher: Sega
  • Release Date: Nov 15, 2011
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 33
  3. Negative: 2 out of 33
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  1. Eurogamer Italy
    Dec 9, 2011
    70
    Shinobi is the modern version of an old classic. This action platform grants to every player a crazy difficulty level and the basic gameplay is quite good to play against the leaderboard. If you're looking for a hard challenge, this could be a good choice for you.
  2. GamesRadar+
    Dec 5, 2011
    70
    When all's said and done, Shinobi is a solid, old-fashioned 2D action game on a platform that has been surprisingly devoid of them so far.
  3. Cubed3
    Nov 29, 2011
    70
    Shinobi is by no means a showcase of Nintendo 3DS' abilities despite making use of nearly all of them, but with a compelling old-school gameplay structure, a rewarding sense of achievement and a difficulty level bordering on the psychopathic, it is a viable option for those wanting a challenging pick-up-and-play title.
  5. Pocket Gamer UK
    Nov 25, 2011
    70
    Only the hardcore need apply. Shinobi is tough as old boots, and if you have the patience to master its ways, you'll find a very satisfying platformer.
  6. Cheat Code Central
    Nov 21, 2011
    70
    Shinobi is certainly not a game for everyone, and definitely too much of a burden for Nintendo's regular audience.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Nov 14, 2011
    70
    If you take it for what it is, this isn't a bad game, and the fun of dashing through the earlier levels mostly outweighs the bad. Griptonite has certainly captured the spirit of Shinobi games in this release, but falls short of creating an all-time classic to revitalise the canon.
  8. Gamekult
    Nov 14, 2011
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  9. Games Master UK
    Dec 17, 2011
    61
    We'd rather play something with a bit more honour. [Jan 2012, p.97]
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  10. Nintendo Gamer
    Dec 7, 2011
    61
    A delightfully tacky ninja fantasy. [Dec 2011, p.71]
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  11. Eurogamer Portugal
    Jan 3, 2012
    60
    Shinobi is far from a game for the general public, the game is "old school", designed to recreate the feeling that the original brought.
  12. Metro GameCentral
    Nov 25, 2011
    60
    Inspired at times but also badly inconsistent, this is certainly the best Shinobi game since the Mega Drive era but still not really it's own game.
  13. Joystiq
    Nov 22, 2011
    60
    Rather than variety, Shinobi embraces the daunting challenge leitmotif seen in games like Super Meat Boy, but it does so absent any particular charm.
  14. Eurogamer
    Nov 28, 2011
    50
    To call this a bad game would be grossly unfair, but it's a truly unexceptional one. For a series like Shinobi, that is dishonour enough.

Awards & Rankings

30
#30 Best 3DS Game of 2011
26
#26 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2011
16
#16 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 38
  3. Negative: 5 out of 38
  1. lustrofuria
    Dec 19, 2011
    9
    Good game, excelent gameplay. Very good ideas in game. Reutilization of some of better ideas in the serie. But a game with a very highGood game, excelent gameplay. Very good ideas in game. Reutilization of some of better ideas in the serie. But a game with a very high dificult. This make the the life of the game long. But it can piss off you too.
    The game have many unlockable: characters, weapons, musics, stages. And have a ranking system for the stages you have played. To a action game, no bad. If you dont scare yourself with hard games, can go for it.    … Full Review »
  2. EBGeer
    Nov 28, 2011
    8
    Casual players need not apply, nor buy this game. If you are looking for a rough game that requires dedication and perseverance--this may beCasual players need not apply, nor buy this game. If you are looking for a rough game that requires dedication and perseverance--this may be a game for you. I found the visuals quite attractive and that they worked well with the 3D without any framerate issues. The story is fairly forgettable, but that's kind of how shinobi has been raised over the years. The difficulty comes in both quick reflexes as well as memory--you will need to play levels multiple times in order to beat them. You will also need to learn the buttons quite well in order to have the reflexes timed just right and practice practice practice. Even on the easy difficulty this game will still challenge you.

    2 issues that I have found that I am a bit frustrated and disappointed in are:
    --Cutscenes are not in 3D--for whatever reason all the game play is in 3D but where most games shine in 3D is the cutscenes and this one basically tossed them aside for your usual 2D comic cutscenes.

    --StreetPass challenges---these things are for those that are really looking for a challenge. Good luck finding anyone to test your best completion times and score--you probably won't find many people that even bother completeing them as they are just tough as nails. I have not completed the game yet, but plan to do so when I have some time to really spend with it. This is not a game you can recommend to everyone--but if you want to be a virtual ninja master--this game will test your skills.    … Full Review »
  3. tdunster
    May 31, 2012
    9
    It's hard make no mistake about that - but it's not ghosts and goblins hard. Yet, the difficult is part of the attraction as well. Sure youIt's hard make no mistake about that - but it's not ghosts and goblins hard. Yet, the difficult is part of the attraction as well. Sure you might die plenty of times trying to complete a level and at times frustration may get the better of you.

    However, unlike many games the more you play this one the more you learn. And as you learn you develop the skills necessary to complete the levels. And trust me, when you do complete a level you feel a sense of achievement because unlike a lot of games - you really earn it.

    So Forget the crap scores given by magazine reviews. Those clowns are faced with time constraints and as such cannot give brilliant games such as Shinobi the time they need.

    Anyone that liked previous Shinobi games should get this and anyone that likes a challenge should also grab a copy.

    Those who think playing The Sims makes them hardcore should probably look elsewhere    … Full Review »
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