Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
tbd

No user score yet- Be the first to review!

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: The acclaimed two-player side-scrolling ninja action returns. Players can choose between two characters, male or female, each with their own unique abilities, and work together to overcome formidable foes.

    Tengo Project's dedication to 16-bit pixel art as seen in its highly acclaimed
    The acclaimed two-player side-scrolling ninja action returns. Players can choose between two characters, male or female, each with their own unique abilities, and work together to overcome formidable foes.

    Tengo Project's dedication to 16-bit pixel art as seen in its highly acclaimed previous title Pocky & Rocky Reshrined continues on in KAGE Shadow of the Ninja. Painstakingly crafted pixel art graphics formulate the game's aesthetic.
    Expand
Buy Now
Buy on
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 8
  2. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Aug 30, 2024
    93
    Tengo Project strikes again, this time with its most ambitious work yet. A far cry from being a simple update of an old classic, Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a full-fledged remake made with inventiveness and respect for the source material, a true rewrite of an eight-bit game that has passed somewhat under the radar in the West. It could not have received a better redemption.
  2. Aug 29, 2024
    90
    Overall, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is much more than a remake. This is an all-new and lovingly crafted game that is both refreshingly technical and gorgeous to look at. Whatever they are feeding the team at Tengo Project is clearly very special. I just hope the powers that be get out of the way and let them make more games as good as this.
  3. Sep 4, 2024
    86
    For a remake Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is everything a fan of the original could ask for, the addition of an extra stage and the addition of a Time Attack mode gives the game plenty of replayability. Whilst the overall difficulty may put off a lot of casual gamers I do believe this game is well worth the try; even if its just to soak in the visuals and audio which I will say again are close to perfect. The only real downside I had was the item changing which could have been implemented better, whilst clunky is does not massively take away from the overall game.
  4. Aug 29, 2024
    80
    Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn offers a tough and enjoyable return to this NES classic, expertly building upon what came before without erasing what made the original release great to begin with. Though it is a bit on the short side, there’s enough replayability here to stretch out the experience for another few hours. We’d recommend this to anyone who’s looking for a callback to the tough challenge of early Nintendo games—Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn has retro charm in spades and still stands tall even among modern 'neo-retro' platformers like Panzer Paladin and Gravity Circuit.
  5. Sep 4, 2024
    75
    Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is an exceptionally difficult arcade-action game that’s best enjoyed when shared with a friend. This release’s gameplay and visual tweaks modernize the experience a bit, but it’s still likely to appeal solely to those accustomed to the challenges of early ’90s NES action games.
  6. 70
    There are certainly sections of Reborn that made me question how much fun I was actually having, but in truth I was largely enjoying myself. I wish Arcade Mode had a better and/or better explained save system, and it’s entirely too easy to get overwhelmed with enemies and environmental hazards, but if tough as nails combat platformers are your thing, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a good time. And it’s just so pretty.
  7. Sep 4, 2024
    70
    Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is another solid effort from Tengo Project, and in some ways is the most substantial improvement over its predecessor of any of their releases yet. Whether or not you should pick it up is really going to depend on how you feel about that original game, because the core is still very much in line with that NES title. Those without any prior experience will find an enjoyable but not essential action game here, one that very much subscribes to an 8-bit design sensibility.

See all 8 Critic Reviews