Joystiq [Xbox]

Ninja Gaiden II (NES)

Release: 1990
Platform: NES

One year after the event in the first game, Ryu Hayabusa learns, with the help of a Special Forces agent, his one-true love (Irene Lew) has been taken by an evil wizard Ashtar. Once Ryu follows Ashtar to his shrine, Irene is stabbed in the back by the mysterious Dark Sword of Chaos--which Ashtar uses in an attempt to open a gate to the Realm of Chaos. In the realm Ryu comes face-to-face with his, once thought dead, rival Jaquito and must destroy him to save the world and the woman he loves once and for all.

Adding new elements to the already fan favorite formula, Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos allowed Ryu to climb up and down walls (he was only able to stick to them in the first NES title) and introduced the ability of the "Shadow Clones." Using the new found ability, Ryu could mimic himself and the player would have control of two on screen heroes (the mimic was a holographic orange) that would mirror each other's every move.

Ninja Gaiden II was also known as one of the most censored games of its time due its violence both in game and in cut scenes.

Also available on: NES, SNES, PC, Amiga, Virtual Console

03/06/08