77
MONSTER
This trailblazer in ninja action games is returning after 33 years. The original title was released on the Japanese Nintendo Family Computer by Natsume Inc. in 1990. At the time, it was one of the most polished Family Computer action games and rated as one of the best two-player coop games. It was also the first of a series of titles that solidified Natsume’s reputation as a master of action games. Released as Shadow of Ninja in North America and Blue Shadow in Europe, this classic is finally returning in a completely new production.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
72
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a 90s-style arcade brawler with a cheesy, action-first narrative and cyberpunk twists, trading depth for fast-paced fun and co-op thrills—perfect for retro purists, but its clichéd plot may leave others wanting more.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
72
Positive Reviews (80-100)
31%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
69%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a 90s-style arcade brawler with a cheesy, action-first narrative and cyberpunk twists, trading depth for fast-paced fun and co-op thrills—perfect for retro purists, but its clichéd plot may leave others wanting more.
Gameplay Mechanics
Expand for full analysis
81
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a tough, technically brilliant 2D action-platformer that masters nostalgia with modern flair—fluid controls, expanded movesets, and addictive co-op make it a rewarding, nuanced challenge. While some critics gripe about pixel-perfect jumps, clunky climbing, and a punishing save system, the majority praise its strategic combat, fresh level designs, and 'tough but beatable' difficulty. A love letter to classics, it’s hard but fair, testing skill and patience but ultimately satisfying for fans of the genre.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
81
Positive Reviews (80-100)
83%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
17%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a tough, technically brilliant 2D action-platformer that masters nostalgia with modern flair—fluid controls, expanded movesets, and addictive co-op make it a rewarding, nuanced challenge. While some critics gripe about pixel-perfect jumps, clunky climbing, and a punishing save system, the majority praise its strategic combat, fresh level designs, and 'tough but beatable' difficulty. A love letter to classics, it’s hard but fair, testing skill and patience but ultimately satisfying for fans of the genre.
Graphics and Visual Design
Expand for full analysis
88
Critics rave Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn as a stunning visual revival—modern HD pixel art, vibrant 16-bit spritework, and anime flair elevate its 8-bit roots into a nostalgic triumph, with outlets like Forbes and Nintendo Life calling it "breathtakingly gorgeous" and "absolutely splendid." Minor gripes about screen clutter fade against its flawless blend of retro charm and polished aesthetics.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
88
Positive Reviews (80-100)
100%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
0%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Critics rave Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn as a stunning visual revival—modern HD pixel art, vibrant 16-bit spritework, and anime flair elevate its 8-bit roots into a nostalgic triumph, with outlets like Forbes and Nintendo Life calling it "breathtakingly gorgeous" and "absolutely splendid." Minor gripes about screen clutter fade against its flawless blend of retro charm and polished aesthetics.
Music and Sound Design
Expand for full analysis
82
Critics hailed Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn's sound design as a retro-meets-modern triumph, with Iku Mizutani's revitalized rock-chiptune score praised for its catchy, immersive energy and dynamic atmosphere—a standout revival that blends nostalgia with innovation, though a few noted minor tracks fell short of the hype.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
82
Positive Reviews (80-100)
92%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
8%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Critics hailed Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn's sound design as a retro-meets-modern triumph, with Iku Mizutani's revitalized rock-chiptune score praised for its catchy, immersive energy and dynamic atmosphere—a standout revival that blends nostalgia with innovation, though a few noted minor tracks fell short of the hype.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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64
Hard-hitting Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a nostalgic throwback with technical cracks. Nintendo Switch shines with stability, PS5 impresses with smooth controls and a polished remaster, and PC offers adaptable controls. But PS5’s input lag, clunky menus, and steep difficulty spikes, plus PC’s twitchy controls and Xbox’s save quirks, create a jarring mix. While retro charm and core mechanics hold strong, inconsistent performance across platforms highlights a critical need for tighter optimization—nostalgia alone can’t mask these flaws.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
64
Positive Reviews (80-100)
30%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
60%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
10%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Hard-hitting Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a nostalgic throwback with technical cracks. Nintendo Switch shines with stability, PS5 impresses with smooth controls and a polished remaster, and PC offers adaptable controls. But PS5’s input lag, clunky menus, and steep difficulty spikes, plus PC’s twitchy controls and Xbox’s save quirks, create a jarring mix. While retro charm and core mechanics hold strong, inconsistent performance across platforms highlights a critical need for tighter optimization—nostalgia alone can’t mask these flaws.
Replay Value
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76
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn thrives on hard-hitting replayability, packing co-op, speedrun-friendly mechanics, unlockables, and a retro challenge that rewards skill mastery. Critics praise its difficulty, customization, and multiplayer focus, calling it a must-play for enthusiasts. But flaws linger: Arcade Mode’s unclear saves, no practice mode, a brief 1-3 hour campaign, and minimalist design may frustrate newcomers or casual players. While retro charm hooks fans, its streamlined approach and technical hiccups risk limiting broader appeal. Still, dedicated players will find a satisfying loop of competition and progression.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
50%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
50%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn thrives on hard-hitting replayability, packing co-op, speedrun-friendly mechanics, unlockables, and a retro challenge that rewards skill mastery. Critics praise its difficulty, customization, and multiplayer focus, calling it a must-play for enthusiasts. But flaws linger: Arcade Mode’s unclear saves, no practice mode, a brief 1-3 hour campaign, and minimalist design may frustrate newcomers or casual players. While retro charm hooks fans, its streamlined approach and technical hiccups risk limiting broader appeal. Still, dedicated players will find a satisfying loop of competition and progression.
Overall Verdict
77
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
48%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
52%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a hard-hitting nostalgia bomb with stunning visuals, a killer soundtrack, and brutal 90s-style combat—yet its punishing difficulty, clunky controls, and short campaign alienate modern players. A faithful, if flawed, homage that’s a must-play for retro purists, but its old-school quirks may limit its appeal.
77
MONSTER
Reviews
55 reviews found95
Gaming Age
Aug 29, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a fantastic remake that expands on the classic title without losing its essence. Highly recommended for its challenging gameplay, great visuals, and memorable soundtrack.
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90
Forbes
Aug 29, 2024
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Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is praised as an all-new and lovingly crafted game that excels in technical gameplay and stunning visuals, offering a refreshing challenge and high enjoyment.
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90
GamingTrend
Sep 24, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is praised for its meticulous design and high replayability, successfully evolving an NES classic into a modern platformer.
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86
Impulsegamer
Sep 4, 2024
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Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is a faithful remake that offers challenging gameplay, improved graphics, excellent sound design, and high replay value. Despite some minor issues like clunky item changing, it is well worth trying for fans of the original.
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80
PlayStation Country
Sep 12, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is praised for its retro remake done right, with gorgeous visuals, great music, and challenging gameplay, but criticized for its horrid inventory system and lack of features.
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80
Nintendo Life
Aug 29, 2024
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Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn expertly builds upon the original NES classic, offering retro charm and a tough challenge that stands tall even among modern 'neo-retro' platformers. Recommended for fans of early Nintendo games.
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79
Vandal
Sep 3, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn successfully modernizes a classic NES platformer with excellent graphics, addictive gameplay, and enhanced replay value. While it retains some outdated design elements and technical issues, it remains a highly enjoyable experience for fans of the original and newcomers alike.
79
Hobby Consolas
Aug 29, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is praised for its faithful remake, beautiful pixel art, powerful music, and additional content. Criticisms include the game's challenging nature, limited lives, and short duration.
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75
Pure Nintendo
Sep 4, 2024
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Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is an exceptionally difficult arcade-action game best enjoyed with a friend, appealing to those familiar with challenges from early '90s NES action games.
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75
GameGrin
Sep 5, 2024
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a challenging game that updates the original while maintaining its essence, offering a good experience for fans of challenging platformers.
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