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Ninja Jajamaru-kun

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Take on the role of a ninja called Jajamaru and rescue the captured Princess Sakura from the evil Namazu Dayuu in this action-packed game. Jajamaru must use his throwing stars to defeat the monsters lurking in each of Dayuus many hideouts. Jajamaru has to be careful though, as each monster has...

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Developer
TOSE

Released on
1985

Size
1–2 Players

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Action

Publisher
Jaleco

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Take on the role of a ninja called Jajamaru and rescue the captured Princess Sakura from the evil Namazu Dayuu in this action-packed game.

Jajamaru must use his throwing stars to defeat the monsters lurking in each of Dayuus many hideouts. Jajamaru has to be careful though, as each monster has its own unique weapon and method of attacking. The only way for him to advance is to break the floor bricks above him and move up and down between the levels of each round, defeating monsters as he goes. To help him, broken bricks sometimes reveal items that Jajamaru can use to his advantage, possibly leading to him getting the ultimate power-upa ride on Gamapakun, the giant frog!

Ninja Jajamaru-kun

Overview & History

Released by Jaleco in 1985 for the Famicom before making its way to the NES via various classic compilations, Ninja Jajamaru-kun is a quintessential single-screen platformer that laid the groundwork for a massive, long-running franchise. The storyline casts players as the titular young shinobi, JaJaMaru, on a perilous rescue mission to infiltrate a feudal Japanese fortress and save Princess Sakura from the clutches of the wicked evil warlord, Lord Namazuda. Unlike sprawling side-scrollers of later eras, this game channels the arcade-style intensity of fixed-screen action, blending vertically layered platforms with chaotic enemy swarms inspired by Japanese folklore, including hopping kappa, fire-breathing frogs, and skull-mask specters.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core gameplay loop requires JaJaMaru to clear each multi-tiered stage by defeating all standard enemies before a strict countdown timer expires. Our hero is armed with an infinite supply of throwing shuriken, though players can also employ a devastating sliding tackle to shatter weak floor tiles and knock enemies off-balance. Destructible blocks hide essential power-ups, such as speed-boosting potions, red shuriken for rapid-fire attacks, and medicinal herbs that grant temporary invincibility. Collect all eight hidden pink flower medallions scattered throughout a level, and JaJaMaru instantly summons his loyal, giant wooden toad, Pakkun, leaping onto its back to trample foes while breathing devastating fireballs. Players must also rescue trapped helpers and avoid the shadowy ninja Kurobei, who attempts to steal accumulated score bonuses.