Double Take: The Revenge of Shinobi

[Melf]

Today we kick off a new feature series! Double Take gives readers a chance to take a second look at those special titles that made a major impact. Instead of the standard review fare, the series seeks to offer a better look at the overall experience a particular game offers. We start things off with that first of great Genesis action/platformers: The Revenge of Shinobi. Sega really got the 16-bit ball rolling. Read the full article to experience one man's journey into ninja heaven.

[Genesis Knight]

Looks like a promising new feature series. Since I didn't experience the Genesis back in the day, it's a treat to be able to share in the original perspective of the time, without all the influence of a decade's worth of gaming in-between.

[David J.]

This game is easily in my top 3 genesis games. It's that good.

[Genesis Knight]

Although this article helped a little in the nostalgia area, I still don't understand why everybody loves it so much. I mean, it's a good game, don't get me wrong. But David - top three? Top *three*?

Shinobi III is almost universally considered to be superior, and yet people still rave about Revenge. It's just a matter of opinion, I suppose.

[Joe Redifer]

Neither ending is a good ending. Both are short and severely lacking.

[Genesis Knight]

I thought the good ending was picturesque, however. I think I mentioned that in my Stories feature on RoS.

[108 Stars]

Shinobi III is almost universally considered to be superior, and yet people still rave about Revenge. It's just a matter of opinion, I suppose.

Yes it is. I for my part love Revenge of Shinobi much more than Shinobi III; I even love Shadow Dancer more than Shinobi III, because it offered cool new ideas.

1.One obvious reason: nostalgia. My mother bought me a Mega Drive because she was amazed about how awesome Revenge of Shinobi looked. Cool mom, ey?
So this game obviously has a special place in my heart.

2.RoS was truly ahead of it´s time. All gamers of the time when it was released considered this the greatest thing since the wheel was invented. It showed the superior hardware power of the Mega Drive combined with superb controls.

3.atmosphere. I think the atmosphere is just much better in RoS. Joe Musashi has a more realistic look which I prefer to the somewhat cartoonish Shinobi III-Joe. And the Yuzo Koshiro soundtrack serves the purpose very well. Not to mention the crazy ideas like the Godzilla and Spider-Man; things no gemer expected to happen in a Ninja-game.

Shinobi III was good, it had some nice backgrounds (the burning woods and the falling rocks levels) and gave Joe Musashi the ability to run; this is the most important advantage for me. But somehow, the style lacked for me. I disliked the horse-riding and surfing-levels; those felt more like the Ninja Turtles than Joe Musashi to me. Also by the time it was released, there were many more competitors than when RoS was released. It was nothing that spectacular anymore.

About the widely considered superior-thing:
Yes, I noticed that when I began looking into the MD in the www like 2 years ago. Funny thing is I was surprised; in Germany´s most popular Sega-magazine of the time, RoS was rated with a A- while Shinobi III only got a C+ as I recall (in school marks). The game was reviewed by Julian Eggebrecht of Factor-5 I believe who called III somewhat uninspired and disappointing. Of course the rating itself was agreed commonly by the staff. So I never knew that it is regarded as superior by many people. And although I would not rate Shinobi III a C+ (more like a B), I find it less fun than RoS too.

So, it is in my MD-top 3 as well.

[Rusty Venture]

RoS is good, but I like "III" more simply because they tightened up Joe's moves.

I'm a huge proponent for tight control. You can have the best looking game ever but if that control is sloppy as shit then the game is worthless to me.

Plus "III" had some non-Yuzo music that I enjoy a lot.

[Zebbe]

Awesome new article series! Thanks for making a reference to my PLAY! feature.

The game itself is a top 10 for me.

[megabomberman]

God what a few weeks sega-16 is having, the boards have been really lively with some great threads going on..

People are motivated to push things to an even higher level (zebbes suggestions)

The new database is on its way

And a fantastic new feature section has been started.. Very exciting times.

Great choice of game first up as well Melf, that was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Welldone

[Genesis Knight]

I've said it before, but RoS still has floaty 8-bit controls and physics. III is the only one that makes me feel like a master ninja instead of a walking helium balloon.

[108 Stars]

I've said it before, but RoS still has floaty 8-bit controls and physics. III is the only one that makes me feel like a master ninja instead of a walking helium balloon.

Now you´re exagerating (how do I spell this?). The controls in RoS are very tight imho. Shinobi III is no worse, but the hanging passages felt kinda akward imho

@megabomberman
How dare you post without stating that you agree with my opinion?

[Alianger]

While RoS conrols are pretty tight, it feels like you're controlling Robocop, not a ninja. He happens to be a good jumper, but those somersaults can be tricky to pull off when you really need them, making it easy to fall into pits and such..

III was better in most areas, but it had too many autoscrolling segments. I don't think the atmosphere was much different in any of the games, they've always had that b-movie action vibe to them and I actually like that.

Nice feature though, made me really nostalgic (;

[Elusive]

This is an excellent feature, Melf. It's obvious you've put a lot of thought into this, and avoided simply reviewing the game again.

It's like someone describing the best bits of the title, plus what makes the game fun, rather than simply outlining the ups and downs then giving it a score out of five. Great work.

[Melf]

Thanks for the kudos guys! I'm glad you all like the new feature so much. I've been thinking of a way to allow contributors and staff to go back and re-examine those great games that have already been reviewed but without actually going and reviewing them again. I wanted to convey the actual experience of playing, instead of just going over the gameplay mechanics and presentation again.