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Ninjara Hoi!

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Ninjara Hoi! is an RPG made in the style of the more well-known Dragon Warrior, which itself spawned a number of clones back in the '80s and '90s. It's known as a bit of a humorous game in same vein as Tengai Makyou, with much of its humor centered around on various pop and historical figures of ...

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Developer
ASCII

Released on
1990

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Role-Playing

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Ninjara Hoi! is an RPG made in the style of the more well-known Dragon Warrior, which itself spawned a number of clones back in the ’80s and ’90s. It’s known as a bit of a humorous game in same vein as Tengai Makyou, with much of its humor centered around on various pop and historical figures of Japanese culture.

This game, along with a number of other Famicom titles by ASCII, uses an expansion plug-in for the Japanese Famicom known as a Turbo File. This Turbo File is essentially a memory card, compatible with a number of other ASCII titles at the save time to store save data from the game. Those attempting to play this game on an actual non-Japanese NES or most emulators will not be able to save their game in the traditional ways as intended by the game; you will have to leave the console on or use save-states, respectively, to retain game progress.

Ninjara Hoi!

Overview & History

Released exclusively in Japan in 1990 by Sanmyaku and published by Asmik, Ninjara Hoi! is a vibrant and quirky role-playing game infused with traditional Japanese folklore and ninja lore. Developed during the golden era of the Famicom, the game follows the adventures of a young, big-headed ninja apprentice named Sarutobi, who must journey across whimsical mythological landscapes to thwart an evil warlord’s plot. Unlike standard fantasy RPGs of its time, Ninjara Hoi! embraces a lighthearted, comedic tone, featuring eccentric non-player characters, absurd monsters, and colorful pixel art that pushes the aesthetic boundaries of the 8-bit hardware. Though it never received an official localization outside of Japan, it remains a cult classic among retro enthusiasts who appreciate niche, story-driven Famicom curiosities.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The gameplay loop bridges traditional overhead exploration with turn-based tactical combat. Players navigate Sarutobi through bustling villages, dense bamboo forests, and treacherous feudal castles, interacting with townsfolk to gather crucial clues and upgrade gear. Random encounters transition the screen into a combat grid where battles are waged using a menu-driven command system. Alongside standard physical strikes, Sarutobi utilizes an array of mystical ninja techniques known as "Ninjutsu." These elemental spells allow players to unleash fireballs, summon wind gusts, or deploy illusions to confuse yokai and rival shinobi. Managing currency (Zeni), experience points, and equipment durability is vital for survival, as enemies become increasingly relentless in later provinces. The game also introduces unique minigames and item-crafting mechanics that add depth to the traditional 1990s JRPG formula.