Joseph Luster
September 24, 2024 
There are video game glow-ups, and there are video game glow-ups. You can spot the difference from a mile away. The former, less emphatic version takes an existing game, gives it a slapdash coat of paint and calls it a day. Shadow of the Ninja Reborn falls into the latter category, however. The magic NatsumeAtari and ININ have cast on the original Shadow of the Ninja—a tough, underrated side-scrolling action game that first launched on NES back in 1990—is not to be understated. Shadow of the Ninja Reborn took that action and expanded it to an intense modern arcade experience that’s a real audio-visual stunner.
When you look back at Shadow of the Ninja today, it’s still kind of impressive how much atmosphere they managed to jam into each 8-bit level. The devs at NatsumeAtari stayed true to that aesthetic, filling in all those black spaces that previously left the rest of the level up to the players’ imaginations. Rain slicks the rooftops, grimy sewer water unleashes metallic beasts, and fires roar in the distance of the city backdrop. You won’t have much time to appreciate it all, though, because Shadow of the Ninja Reborn has harnessed the essence of the quarter-cruncher in its reimagining.
From the start, you can choose between Hayate and Kaede as your playable heroes, making Shadow of the Ninja ideal for those who dig two-player co-op. As you progress through each stage—often memorizing enemy and obstacle placement so you can make it just a few screens further each time—you’ll pick up various items and ninja abilities to help you overcome the next set of challenges. There are massive spiked clubs, shuriken that hone in on enemies, and some much-needed health refills, among others. Knowing when to hold on to what you have and when to put them to good use is one of the key on-the-fly strategies you’ll need to implement to survive.
Like any good side-scroller, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn keeps you motivated thanks to a combination of its music, stellar animation and tight controls. When you mess up, it’s usually because you jumped the gun on a particularly tricky platforming section. Or maybe you forgot that colossal samurai mech was waiting right around the corner yet again. Thankfully, Shadow of the Reborn keeps track of your progress, so you’ll have plenty of time to master all the stages as you gradually make your way through the main game.
The aforementioned music comes from composer Iku Mizutani, who returns from the NES original and cranks out some sick tunes alongside fellow legend Hiroyuki Iwatsuki. Both previously worked on incredible soundtracks ranging from Shatterhand to Choujin Sentai Jetman, Pocky & Rocky and many more. As for the art, Reborn also brought back Dynamic Productions, helping contribute to the dynamic (hey, it’s in the name!) style that makes this version stand out while still very clearly showing a connection to and respect for the original Shadow of the Ninja.
If you’re looking for a challenging but fair side-scroller to add to your collection, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn should definitely make the list. Its action has kept me coming back well after completion, and I don’t see it leaving the front page of my Switch home screen anytime soon.
Publisher: ININ
Developer: NatsumeAtari
Systems: PS4, PS5, Xbox Series, PC
Available: Now
Rating: T
This review is based on a retail build provided by the publisher
