Joe Musashi
The playable ninja protagonist, sent to rescue kidnapped children and stop the criminal organization threatening them.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
D-pad | Move left or right; press down to crouch. |
|---|---|
Button 1 | Jump. |
Button 2 | Attack with the equipped weapon. The attack may be a punch, kick, or shuriken depending on position and weapon power. |
Pause | Pause the game. |
How it plays
How does Shinobi play?
Shinobi uses a two-dimensional side-view perspective. Joe moves through horizontally scrolling stages, jumps across platforms, crouches beneath attacks, and defeats enemies with punches, kicks, and shuriken.
Stages contain enemy waves, hazards, power-ups, and a boss encounter. Players progress through a fixed sequence of missions, improving their weapon strength and survival by collecting useful items and learning enemy patterns. The goal is to rescue hostages while reaching the end of each stage before exhausting the limited lives and continues.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Shinobi?
Learn enemy spawn points and avoid rushing into groups. Crouching is useful against many projectiles, while jumping attacks can clear enemies positioned on different levels.
Collect power-ups whenever it is safe, but prioritize survival over risky pickups. Save reliable attack patterns for bosses, watch their movement cycles, and use the edges of platforms to control incoming enemies.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Memorize where enemies enter from the sides and above.
- 2
Use crouching and platform height to reduce exposure to projectiles.
- 3
Do not spend lives attempting a power-up that is surrounded by enemies.
Community discussion
What are players saying? 0