Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn delayed to Summer 2024, “Comparison” trailer

KAGE Shadow of the Ninja is a ninja-themed side-scrolling action game released by the Japanese game developer Natsume on August 10, 1990, for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). At that time, the game received high praise from players and the industry for its excellent controls, innovative hanging and climbing actions, well-designed levels, and adrenaline-pumping background music, especially in the action game genre and cooperative gameplay. Now, after 33 years, this game, considered a classic by many players, is being remastered once again by the original team. Even though the average age of the team members is now 55, their passion for game development remains strong.

While maintaining the 16-bit retro art style, this remake utilizes new technologies to enhance the visuals with finer details and richer content. The two ninja protagonists, Hayate and Kaede, have been completely redesigned, and all the level scenes and enemies have been redrawn. It is believed that these carefully crafted characters and scenes will provide players with a visually stunning experience.

In addition to the usual weapons like ninja swords and chains for direct attacks, this remastered version adds new throwing ninja tools such as the gunpowder gun, cannonball, and shurikens for long-range assaults, as well as powerful weapons like the giant club and machete for close combat, and auxiliary tools like iron caltrops and healing rice balls. Players can make full use of these weapons and ninja tools to engage in battles.

As a brand-new remastered work based on KAGE Shadow of the Ninja, this game continues the classic cooperative mode. Of course, you can also choose to play solo with one of the two characters or team up with a friend to face the challenges and defeat formidable enemies.

Regarding the music production, in addition to the contributions of Tengo Project’s Hiroshi Iwatsuki, the renowned composer Iku Mizutani, who has created many excellent music tracks for KAGE Shadow of the Ninja and various classic NES games, once again participates in creating the game’s music. The re-arranged classic melodies will be presented in a more modern way, providing players with a more immersive and adrenaline-pumping experience.

As with the original version, Dynamic Pro handled the illustrations!

The key visuals/character illustrations are also by Dynamic Productions, as was the case with the first version in 1990.

• Dynamic Production – Since its establishment in 1969, Dynamic Productions has been engaged in the management of manga artists, novelists and manga authors, including Go Nagai, as well as producing newly drawn manga, planning various events and managing the copyrights of its artists.
• Mikio Tachibana – Born 11 May 1976 in Saitama Prefecture. After working as an assistant to Go Nagai, he made his debut in 2004 and has since published serialized works such as Mazinger Otome and Mazinger Otome Taisen. He continues to publish short manga, newly drawn manga and illustrated works in all genres.