Ninja Kid

Ninja Kid

Overview & History

Released by Taito for the Famicom in Japan in 1986 and later brought to the North American Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, Ninja Kid (known originally as *Gegege no Kitaro: Yokai Daimakyo* in its Japanese prototype roots, then *Ninja Kun: Ashura no章*) is a charming yet punishing single-screen platformer. Developed by Aicom, the game casts players as a pint-sized, chibi-style shinobi named Sasuke on a mythical quest to rescue a captured princess from the clutches of the demonic warlord, Ashura. Unlike standard side-scrolling adventures of the era, Ninja Kid adopts a vertical, multi-tiered arena design where clearing specific enemies on static screens unlocks the path upward toward the ultimate boss confrontation.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Sasuke relies on agile acrobatics and projectile weaponry rather than close-quarter combat. Players navigate environments by running, climbing chains, and leaping between platforms while tossing an endless supply of shurikens at a bizarre menagerie of folkloric Japanese monsters, flying tengu, and rival shinobi. Collecting hidden scrolls unleashes devastating mystical ninjutsu spells, transforming Sasuke temporarily into a fire-breathing dragon, a flying bird-man, or granting invincibility. Precision is mandatory; missing a platform often drops Sasuke back to the bottom of the stage, leaving him vulnerable to relentless enemy counterattacks.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move Sasuke left/right, climb chains, and duck
• Action Keys: Attack with shurikens / Jump and perform aerial flips
• Enter: Start / Pause the game