Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn Reviews

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is ranked in the 71st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
82 / 100
Sep 10, 2024

Do you remember the old arcade games that graced neighborhood bars and arcades? Regardless of your answer, don't be discouraged by the initial learning curve and difficulty that Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn presents. Once you've mastered it, you'll realize that not only were the games of my time great, but yours aren't too bad either.

Review in Italian | Read full review

60%
Sep 9, 2024

Do I recommend Shadow of the Ninja Reborn? Well it depends. While they did make a few good improvements like the variety of sub-items, they made levels too long, with an unforgiving checkpoint/continue system, and forces players, as ninjas, to take it slow. Bottom line is if you played the original and loved it, this will feel like a completely unnecessary re-imaging. But if you haven’t played the original, this is a decent action game if you can get around its flaws.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn successfully modernizes a classic title while retaining its nostalgic charm. The vibrant pixel art and energetic soundtrack create an engaging atmosphere that draws you into the game.

Read full review

5.7 / 10.0
Oct 8, 2024

Although this old school approach to game design might be a perfect fit for some gamers, for most the difficulty might be a bit much. Unfortunately, the stunning pixel art and catchy music are not enough to keep me playing.

Read full review

Sep 24, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a remarkable achievement that perfectly captures the spirit of the original game while introducing modern enhancements that elevate the experience. This is not a long game, and neither was the original, but even with the additional stage it’ll be over quickly. The controls can be imprecise at times, but it doesn’t detract from the fun it brings. Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a must-play for fans of the original game and anyone looking for a fun and challenging retro-style experience.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Ultimately, Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn knows what it wants to be and doesn’t deter from the path. It is meant to exist within the era of the original while having a brand new visual look that really is breathtaking in its execution. While I personally would have loved to see some changes to the movement system, and a better method to use your items, I can respect the developer’s choice to maintain the appeal of the original and what games of that era played like, even if I feel it makes for more frustration than anything else. Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is a gorgeous remake meant to appeal to those looking for a challenge and to dive into the love those players have for this type of game.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Sep 9, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn can be infuriating at times, due to clunky platforming and a borderline irritating level of difficulty, but if you take it as one of those challenging arcade games which want you to memorize pattern recognition and enemy placements, you can have quite a bit of fun with it. If you have the patience, that is. As a fun arcade pasttime, meant to be played in shorter bursts, and also thanks to its pretty good presentation, Shadow of the Ninja: Reborn is a pretty decent recommendation.

Read full review

7.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Difficulty spikes and sluggish controls detract from the experience in an otherwise enjoyable game. However, the gameplay fundamentals are solid and the game looks and sounds amazing.

Read full review

8.3 / 10.0
Sep 6, 2024

Everything that made Shadow Of The Ninja a NES classic is present in this new installment and that makes this reboot put the cult game from Nintendo's 8-bit back in the spotlight.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

No Recommendation / Blank
Aug 30, 2024

Another classic escapes the clutches of time, this time with a visually and mechanically exciting remake that revitalizes what could have been a forgotten game in the history of video games.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

3.75 / 5.0
Aug 30, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a great remake of the original 1990 game, but its difficulty spikes can scare some players away. Still, if you’re looking for a fun challenge, this remake is for you.

Read full review

Sep 4, 2024

It's not a remake of the 8-bit original, but it's not far off given all the improvements made, especially in terms of graphics and the atmosphere. The shorter length may disappoint, but while you're playing it's exciting.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9.5 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja – Reborn is a perfect example of taking a classic title, expanding on it just enough to not ruin the legacy, and making a fantastic game.

Read full review

Loved
Sep 28, 2024

One of the NES’ best action adventure side-scrollers, Shadow of the Ninja, is back and you shouldn’t miss it.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Even with the frustrating cycle of losing and restarting, there's an enormous satisfaction in getting through that annoying part after learning [how to deal with it] that tough games can offer. If you manage to find someone else to play with, the experience is even more fun. It's not a history-making remake but it's inoffensive and can provide some moments of fun.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Still, this ride is worth clearing once for that stellar presentation, even if maybe you’ll have to leave a friend behind to do so.

Read full review

8 / 10.0
Aug 30, 2024
undefined video thumbnail
4 / 5.0
Aug 29, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a snazzy platformer beat-em-up that combines satisfying combat with a dazzling setting and visuals. The occasional clunky aspect does stand out, but for the most part, this is an exciting and well-made remake for anyone fond of the beat-em-up genre.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Aug 29, 2024

Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn offers an intense action-platforming experience that revisits a classic with revamped graphics and new mechanics. However, the insistence on keeping old elements compromises the gameplay, resulting in frustrating challenges that require patience and memorization. Despite its flaws, the game stands out with its fast-paced action and colorful pixel art settings, although the limited content leaves something to be desired. Ultimately, Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn is a competent homage to the past that could have benefited from a more careful modernization.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Liked
Aug 29, 2024

In the end, Shadow of the Ninja Reborn is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s a love letter to the challenging, no-nonsense games of the NES era, complete with all the frustrations and triumphs that come with that territory. The beautiful new graphics and satisfying ninja action make it a pleasure to look at and play, at least for those who have the patience to see it through. However, it’s not without its flaws. The controls could have been modernized, particularly when it comes to the more complex ninja moves, and the decision to force players to manage items in real-time during combat feels like an unnecessary nod to retro difficulty. A younger version of myself, with more time and patience, would have adored this game and relished the challenge of mastering its every nuance. But as I’ve grown older, I find myself with less tolerance for games that demand such a high level of dedication. That said, I still appreciate what the developers have achieved here, and I believe that retro purists will love this game for its authenticity and challenge. Casual players, however, might want to think twice before diving in.

Read full review