The Legend of Kage 2

 DS
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
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  1. Worth Playing
    85
    Engaging gameplay, a plethora of unlockables, and above-norm production values really give this title a boost to propel the franchise into this millennium. It's true: Ninja don't need orange jumpsuits to be cool.
  2. GameShark
    83
    It’s just enormously cool that this title exists, despite the fact that the only other title in the series is a 22-year old NES game. It’s stylish, fun, and offers a very solid retro experience.
  3. Nintendo Power
    80
    The DS has given us plenty of solid side-scrollers, but Legend of Kage 2 is something special. [Nov 2008, p.104]
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  5. GamesRadar+
    80
    With the bounty of acrobatics at your disposal, Legend of Kage 2 should fill your ninja-fix. That is, if you can handle being bitch-slapped by the difficulty.
  6. GameZone
    80
    It’s not the sort of game that’s to everybody’s tastes, but for the old-school gamer who’s finished Contra 4, Legend of Kage 2 delivers a dose of good old-fashioned platforming action. Don’t worry if you don’t have nostalgia for the original — Kage 2 deserves to be played based on its own merits.
  7. AceGamez
    80
    The Legend of Kage 2 won't be to everyone's liking due to its 16-bit sensibilities and challenging difficulty level, but if you're eager for something more like a traditional game than Yet More Bloody Brain Training* and nintendogs: The Lady and the Tramp Edition*, Taito's return to an era of skilful, fast-paced, unforgiving gameplay will seem like a godsend to many disenchanted gamers this Christmas.
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Cubed3
    80
    The beauty in Legend Of Kage 2 is that it can be conquered and the game lets you know this and teases you with it - you've just got to be good enough to do it.
  9. GameSpot
    75
    The Legend of Kage 2 is a good sequel with great boss battles and plenty of action.

Awards & Rankings

57
#57 Best DS Game of 2008
55
#55 Most Discussed DS Game of 2008
51
#51 Most Shared DS Game of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 1 out of 8
  1. Yojimbo2015
    Jun 4, 2023
    6
    Reboot of a prehistoric NES game that's nicely presented but very old fashioned - it has virtually the same gameplay mechanics as Revenge OfReboot of a prehistoric NES game that's nicely presented but very old fashioned - it has virtually the same gameplay mechanics as Revenge Of Shinobi on the Genesis. An inoffensive little diversion but there's not much meat to it.… Full Review »
  2. Patbumbo
    Sep 9, 2017
    9
    I disagree with a lot of the reviews for this game, and I believe it to be one of the most underrated DS games I have seen. I find the game toI disagree with a lot of the reviews for this game, and I believe it to be one of the most underrated DS games I have seen. I find the game to be fairly challenging at first, but once you learn the mechanics and timing of your actions, things begin to make sense. The :flow" of the game was very smooth and the actions of the characters and bosses were dynamic and looked great. The music was very nice and made helped illustrate the world this game takes place in. The design and format of the bosses are so creative and unique that it brings the game to life. It did not need hyper-dynamic characters or stunning dialogue. The game levels and mechanics, along with the creative design are what drives it. People don't play Mario games for the story or for the characters, but many of those games are critically acclaimed. What makes Mario games fun is what makes the Legend of Kage 2 fun as well. I remember being fascinated by the boss designs and the art of the game. (I mean, the game even has unlockable concept art). This game also has the option of playing as a different character with different mechanics, making the experience different and even more challenging. The game can be found for a very cheap price, and I would highly recommend this game to anyone who is still interested in DS games. I love this game. I wish more 2D platformers were like this one. This is one of few 2D platformers that I actually wanted to finish and complete. I give this game a 9/10.… Full Review »
  3. cliffdsixx
    Mar 26, 2016
    0
    Who has been paying these reviewers? I tried so hard to find something to like in this game. There is nothing. Soundtrack is boring.Who has been paying these reviewers? I tried so hard to find something to like in this game. There is nothing. Soundtrack is boring. Characters are about as dynamic as a sheet of cardboard. They somehow even managed to make the better-than-you-rival character bad--still not sure if that's embarrassing or impressive. Bosses are idiotic and try to hit you out of their range, while they're still in yours. Others willingly back themselves into corners. Final boss phase 1's battle strategy is so random and unexplained. Phase 2 is the single most un-fun, dry, boring, and straight up painful game experience I have sat through. I don't get what it is with this game and vertical boss battles, but they are awful. Minions are easily avoidable and hardly worth stopping to fight in general, minus a few that lock progress for reasons unknown. Higher level jumping become erratic because you can't see as high as you'll go. The female character's range weapon is objectively inferior, leaving her pointless to use except for a slightly more interesting story--as if more interesting than dog sh*t counts. The special powers weren't even that useful. Overall, this is the worst experience I have had playing a game since Mega Man X7 and only second to Star Fox Adventures, and I wish we could give this the E.T. treatment. TL;DR, awful.… Full Review »
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