The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. Digital Chumps
    Oct 23, 2019
    82
    While I would have personally preferred the addition of three player support, or even extra stages or modes, Natsume and Project Tengo did a great job of resurrecting a classic for modern audiences and adding two new playable characters. Other cool features include a timer to encourage speed runs, with online leaderboard support, and being able to unlock the soundtracks from the original and the ’94 games. Beautiful sprite art and animation, and a nostalgic-inducing soundtrack add wonderfully to the experience as well.
  2. Wccftech
    Oct 21, 2019
    80
    The Ninja Saviors needs little introduction, proving to be as faithful to the SNES classic as one can get. The updated presentation and new characters make this a one-way trip worth playing once again.
  3. PlayStation Country
    Oct 14, 2019
    80
    The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a great side-scrolling brawler. Being an arcade style title it's quite short but the desire to hit the leaderboards with a 1 Credit Clear has kept me dipping back in every now and then.
  5. Push Square
    Sep 9, 2019
    80
    The incredibly short game length is compensated by the replay value of three varied starting characters, with two unlockable ones that weren't in the SNES game -- for example, Yaksha is available after beating single-player mode on normal difficulty. Two-player couch co-op gameplay is also new and welcomed in the remake, although you both share the Armour Gauge health meter and Battery Gauge special attack. While there are online rankings for fast stage completion, there's no online co-op.
  6. PlayStation Universe
    Sep 4, 2019
    80
    The lack of massive changes to The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors bears a naked truth - there wasn't much needing to be changed in the first place. A challenging and resolutely satisfying side-scrolling slasher, fans of the IP's vintage and retro actioners in the genre at large will find much to enjoy here.
  7. Hardcore Gamer
    Oct 17, 2019
    70
    The Ninja Saviors: The Return of the Warriors is a revival of an old game in a style that is rarely seen these days. It’s a game that showcases how fun the style of game can be but also shows off all the limitations that were around in the ’90s. It’s a fun and challenging game that can be completed in an hour or two. The remake did a good job of making it look nice on modern consoles and the two player co-op mode was an essential addition. Like many retro titles, however, this is targeted to the nostalgia market and while playing it can remind people that good games existed in all decades, the limitations of its era are glaringly apparent.
  8. Destructoid
    Oct 16, 2019
    70
    A smart and slick reworking of a classic. Though 2019 sensibilities sometimes date its thin gameplay, modern characters, surprisingly varied combat, and a very welcome co-op mode breath new life into Taito's iconic title.
  9. Video Chums
    Oct 22, 2019
    60
    The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is worth playing through once or twice and after that, you've experienced all it has to offer.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 17
  3. Negative: 5 out of 17
  1. djdizzy
    Nov 12, 2021
    7
    Beautifully drawn sprites with added frames of animation over the Ninja Warriors SNES port it’s a remake of. It has a standout soundtrack andBeautifully drawn sprites with added frames of animation over the Ninja Warriors SNES port it’s a remake of. It has a standout soundtrack and has widescreen support now too. If you have nostalgia and fond memories of the arcade original or SNES re-release then you’ll want to pick this up, it’s definitively the best version. But if you’re not familiar with the originals then you may want to pass. There isn’t much material or replay value. It has unlockable characters but they all have a very limited moveset. I think the game in general is far too limited in every aspect for any newcomers.… Full Review »
  2. Alex_Pilgrim008
    Aug 28, 2021
    8
    This 2019 re-release of the SNES classic will appeal to retro fans. While not as good as Final Fight or The Revenge of Shinobi, it's anThis 2019 re-release of the SNES classic will appeal to retro fans. While not as good as Final Fight or The Revenge of Shinobi, it's an enjoyable side-scrolling beat em' up. The updates include a co-op mode, extra playable characters and unlockable bonus soundtracks. Other additions include a remixed musical score, new sprite art and attack moves. You can also tackle a Hard difficulty level and Time Attack. As a piece of nostalgia, "Return of the Warriors" is good fun. I would rate it with an 8 out of 10.… Full Review »
  3. PneumaticHat
    Oct 19, 2019
    10
    This 10/10 is not assigned lightly!

    The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a fantastic, FANTASTIC update. It's really a complete    This 10/10 is not assigned lightly!

    The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors is a fantastic, FANTASTIC update. It's really a complete package. You have eight stages. You have three characters to start and two to unlock. You have Hard Mode, which does not mess around. You have time attack with leaderboards. You have the choice of green or red. You have two extra versions of the soundtrack to unlock, from three different time periods of the series. It's only $20.

    The new sprite art looks absolutely excellent. Audio is great with some very fun updated soundtrack decisions, and a welcome return of the "uagh, hurg, breek breek, fafafoom" sound design that made Ninja Warriors: Again so satisfying (and some other audio that I won't spoil). Controls are 1:1 responsive, provided you have a low-latency television. Responsive controls are not so common these days. The ninjas all have new moves, further differentiating their already wildly different playstyles, and the enemies have some new surprises, too.

    I started my first playthrough with cautious optimism, and having completed a run, I can say the game is EXACTLY what an arcade brawler remake should be: fast, beautiful, and challenging. Enemy attacks and footwork are telegraphed just enough to allow No-Hit runs, but you'll be playing for awhile to achieve one! The AI is now very effective at seeking out and punishing careless mistakes, and enemy formations are demanding, so play well!

    I got stuck a few times on Normal -- enough to learn the boss patterns and remember how to play. Notably, the final level forced me to really memorize my attack ranges and delegate threat levels to different enemies, which I haven't had to do in a 2D beat-em-up for quite awhile. Every enemy could be the most dangerous one depending on the room setup, and I really like that. The last ten minutes of my first run began with a near-death rush through grenades and gunfire to grab a health pack, and the final boss fell after lots of concentration, to a clutch hit at 1 HP. I wouldn't have it any other way!

    If you like beat-em-ups AT ALL, get The Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors. Seriously. It's one of the greats and it's worth having. Now I have to get back to playing it, over and over and over.    … Full Review »
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