allabout japan
allabout japan

The Top 10 Ninja Video Games

The Top 10 Ninja Video Games
www.tacticalgaming.net

Throwing stars, silent-but-deadly stealth maneuvers, and cool clothes—ninja are possibly one of the most romanticized aspects of Japanese culture. Video games, of course, are happy to maintain that image and let us live out our wildest ninja fantasies. We've picked out our 10 best ninja games (or game series) of all time. See if you agree!

By Jessica Famularo
10. Mini Ninjas

http://gamingsnack.com/mini-ninjas-pc/

10. Mini Ninjas

Mini Ninjas is a little indie game from 2009 that pays tribute to all things ninja with its charming art style and simple mechanics. The game foregoes the typical blood and gore of many early ninja games to present something a tad more whimsical.

- www.ign.com

9. Bushido Blade

http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/8/5791256/e3-sequels-that-should-happen

9. Bushido Blade

Bushido Blade was one of the first ninja games rendered in 3-D, and also one of the toughest thanks to its Body Damage System. Where most fighting games have health bars, Bushido Blade was the exception. This more realistic system allowed players to cripple their opponents by targeting legs or arms—or causing death with a single, well-placed blow.

- www.ign.com

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

http://www.rantgamer.com/2015/03/24/15-things-you-didnt-know-about-tmnt-for-nes/

8. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles first appeared in Japanese arcades as a coin-op game by Konami before making its way to the NES. This side-scrolling beat 'em up let '90s kids realize their wildest dreams playing as all four of the eponymous turtles.

- www.rantgamer.com

7. Fruit Ninja

http://2p.com/game/U00502/Fruit-Ninja.htm

7. Fruit Ninja

No ninja game is quite as satisfying as Fruit Ninja, with its sloppy, tactile sound effects and bright colors. This is a game that delights in making a mess, made all the more fun because you're wielding a katana.

- halfbrick.com

6. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

http://www.mobygames.com/game/playstation/tenchu-stealth-assassins/screenshots/gameShotId,136231/

6. Tenchu: Stealth Assassins

Most ninja games before Tenchu were all about the hack-and-slash mechanics. Tenchu revolutionized ninja games by focusing on the stealthier aspects of ninja tactics. Your principal goal? Go unseen across rooftops, then drop down to take out your target instantly from behind.

- www.gamespot.com

5. Mark of the Ninja

5. Mark of the Ninja

Another stealth-heavy ninja game, and one of the more recent titles on our list, Mark of the Ninja is truly a work of art. Its moody, cartoon-style graphics are stunning, truly capturing the game's conflict between tradition and modernization.

- www.kleientertainment.com

4. Shinobi

http://www.sega-mag.com/images-SEGA+Vintage+Collection++Shinobi-XboxLiveArcade-3293-2.htm

4. Shinobi

Shinobi is one of the most enduring names in video games, and for good reason. The series was well-known for its advanced enemy AI and punishing difficulty.

- www.hardcoregaming101.net

3. Ninja Gaiden

http://teamninja-studio.com/ng3re/us/top.htm

3. Ninja Gaiden

The Ninja Gaiden series has consistently offered over-the-top ninja fun, from its inception in arcades and in the 8-bit NES era to its most recent entries on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The games generally center on ninja Ryu Hayabusa as he takes on baddies and hunts down sweet, ultra-powerful ninja swords.

- www.ign.com

2. Arc the Lad

http://www.polygon.com/2016/1/11/10748466/ps2-games-on-ps4-arc-the-lad-januar-2016

2. Arc the Lad

Arc the Lad is a series of tactical RPGs, making it a more cerebal, slow-paced entry on a list otherwise full of stabby action. If it's an excellent story and solid gameplay you seek, Arc the Lad is the ninja throwback game for you.

- www.giantbomb.com

1. Mortal Kombat

http://www.gamesradar.com/the-evolution-of-scorpion-and-sub-zero/

1. Mortal Kombat

What ninja list is complete without Mortal Kombat? Most of us have fond memories playing this game when the parents weren't paying attention. If they caught a glimpse of you punching holes through people's abdomens, that would be the end of your fun! Mortal Kombat shocked and awed when we found out just how violent 16-bit graphics could be.

- www.giantbomb.com

Jessica Famularo

I’m a freelance writer who has lived in Japan for three-and-a-half years. I cover an eclectic mix of video games, pop culture and travel. Outside of writing I enjoy hiking, exploring the world, and liberal amounts of karaoke.