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Shinobi is a side-scrolling action game developed and published by Sega for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1987. It was released in Japan as Super Shinobi, and was the first entry in the Shinobi series. The game follows Joe Musashi, a ninja of the Oboro clan who must rescue his kidnapped students from the terrorist organization Zeed.
The player controls Joe Musashi through six levels filled with enemies, obstacles, and bosses. The player can attack enemies with shurikens or a sword, jump to avoid hazards, and use special techniques like running on walls or throwing fireballs. At certain points in each level, the player can find a bell which grants an extra life when collected. Power-ups such as health recovery items and additional shurikens can also be found throughout each stage.
The game features two difficulty settings: Novice and Expert. Novice mode allows for unlimited continues whereas Expert mode limits continues to five per game; however, it also grants access to an additional sixth level which is not available on Novice mode. There is also an alternate version of Expert mode known as Hard Mode which increases enemy strength significantly but still allows for five continues per playthrough.
The graphics in Shinobi are vibrant and detailed while the music is catchy and upbeat; both elements contribute to creating an immersive atmosphere that draws players into its world. The controls are tight and responsive making it easy to execute precise maneuvers during gameplay; however, they do take some time to get used to due to their complexity. Despite its age, Shinobi remains one of the most enjoyable action games on the NES thanks to its challenging yet rewarding gameplay that stands up well against modern titles even today.