Ninja Five-O Reviews
Ninja Five-O was a great game when it was released in 2003 and it remains one today. Thankfully, this underrated Konami classic is now widely available and can be experienced by all. It’s one of Hudson Soft’s hidden gems and this is a lovely port of it that has some cool features and quality-of-life upgrades.
It doesn’t have a ton of extras that make this package feel as premium as it should, but the game makes up for it. This is a game that deserves to be played, so if you enjoy classic ninja action, this game would make Michael Dudikoff proud.
Players now have the golden opportunity to try one of the better games on GBA without taking out a second mortgage to do so. Before they do, though, they should understand that this is essentially an enhanced port, not a remaster or remake. If they reconcile themselves with that reality, and prepare for the game's short running time and old-school level of difficulty, they'll be in for a very good time.
The gameplay is pretty standard for what it is, but for its time, it would have been incredible to have an action game like this on a portable like the Gameboy Advance. Ninja Five-O was never truly worth the insane eBay prices. Curious gamers will finally get closure and play it to see what they were missing out on. As it turned out, it was just pretty good.
I enjoyed my brief time with Ninja Five-O. If you're feeling nostalgic for the heyday of the GBA, this is a great way to experience an apparently rare entry in its library.
I'm very happy to have finally experienced Ninja Five-O and if you enjoy retro 2D ninja-based action games, you're sure to love it, too. 🗡️
Ninja Five-O emerges as a triumphant revival of a bygone classic, weaving together a potent blend of ninja finesse, heart-pounding action, and a narrative that pulls you in with subtle magnetism.
Ninja Five-O does an unexpected and much worthy rescue of an excellent title from the Game Boy Advance early days that ended up obscured by other big names that came out at the same time. Fans of Joe Musashi and Ryu Hayabusa who give a chance to Joe Osugi will definitely not disappoint.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Overall, Ninja Five-O on Switch is a great re-release of a fun and uncomplicated Game Boy Advance game. With an easy-to-learn gameplay, but challenging enemies and creative stages, this game is great to play in small doses, making it perfect for quick leisure moments. Not counting the fact that it's absurdly short, the additional content implemented in this version perfectly preserves a rare and obscure Game Boy Advance game that would be easily forgotten with time.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Ninja Five-O makes a welcome return, reviving a cult-favorite GBA action platformer. With tight controls, satisfying ninja gameplay, and a retro aesthetic that holds up well, this re-release preserves the original’s charm while adding minor extras. However, the lack of significant visual enhancements and limited accessibility options may leave some players wanting more.
Ninja Five-O delivers fast combat, grappling hook action, and modern features. Short but satisfying, it’s the best way to play this classic.