Ninja Gaiden?

[Flippy8490]

Which is your favorite of the original 3 for the NES? Im particularly fond of the second one ;)

[CastlevaniaDude]

Which is your favorite of the original 3 for the NES? Im particularly fond of the second one ;)

I was always a fan of 2, also. It just seems to play the best, IMO.

[ButtonMasher123]

I think 2 is the best, but 1 is not that far behind. One thing that always bugged me about NG2 though is how they changed the wall jump move to make it easier for casual players. I took pride in climbing up walls manually in NG1 and all of a sudden that skill became useless in NG2 because anyone could do it.

Ninja Gaiden 2 does has better level design and bosses though which makes up for it and makes it the better overall game.

Ninja Gaiden 3 is a great game on its own, but doesn't quite measure up to other gaidens because of the weaker music/storyline and the floatly controls

[Superman]

I can't give an opinion on part 3 because the only time I played it is when I rented the trilogy on the SNES.

Even deciding between part 1 and 2 is tough.

Part 1 is just a classic and I thought it was cool (actually I still do) to jump back-and-forth, between walls to climb them; or on a more limited scope up one wall. However, that was my issue with the first part. I wasn't that good at jumping up the single walls. So when I found myself in that position, it was more often then not, the loss of a life.

Part 2 solved my issue of going up (or down) single walls. Of course that took some of the challenge out of it and it took a little something away from the game to me.

Besides those issues, both games (part 1 and 2) were really comparable. I don't know if I could even pick one. Maybe I need to pull those games out and give them another go.

[sidnotcrazy]

The first one all the way. With the wall climbing that forces you to jump up the walls made this game so much more fun. Its like a technique, like throwing a fireball in SFII.

All of the games were great. I loved part III too. The music and the visuals were killer for the time!

[xDerekRx]

Ninja Gaiden 2 will always be in my TOP 10 games of all time. Its fun. Its challenging but not so much that you couldnt easily beat it after a while. So it wasnt frustrating. Fantastic game. I always loved the simple ninja storylines in these games too!

Ninja Gaiden 1 was also excellent but I couldnt beat it :). I never got to play 3 for some reason, maybe I got a Genesis by then?

[bangtango]

I can picture all of Ninja Gaiden's levels and bosses in my head and I haven't played the game in a long time.

I can't do the same for Ninja Gaiden 2.

That says all you need to know.

[xDerekRx]

I can picture all of Ninja Gaiden's levels and bosses in my head and I haven't played the game in a long time.

I can't do the same for Ninja Gaiden 2.

That says all you need to know.


Bang, Ill be honest I kind of agree with you. In my mind Ninja Gaiden 1 backgrounds and bosses pop up much quicker. But I guess I still think of NG2 as the cleaner more enjoyable game? I dnno even know what that means but ya :)

[Tron 2.0]

NG2 to me good plot and blance gameplay not to hard or easy either.

[bangtango]

Bang, Ill be honest I kind of agree with you. In my mind Ninja Gaiden 1 backgrounds and bosses pop up much quicker. But I guess I still think of NG2 as the cleaner more enjoyable game? I dnno even know what that means but ya :)

Depends on how you look at it, I guess.

I'll agree with you about NG2 being cleaner. The graphics are certainly better and the gameplay is smoother. I think the music in both games is about equal, my favorite theme from either game is Level 1 from NG2. Awesome stuff.

My biggest problems with NG2 would be the following.....

1. The game was too easy, at least compared to the first.

2. The levels and bosses were a little more bland or forgettable.

3. The power-ups were a big letdown compared to the original. The new ones weren't very good and I don't think the "clone" ninjas were necessary either (watered down the challenge too much), though it was fun to use them. Also the old power-ups from NG1 that made it into NG2 felt like they were severely watered down, especially the Jump and Slash.

4. This is the most important to me........I felt NG2 started leaning towards more of a sci-fi vein, albeit slightly. Stuff like the Baron Spider boss and a few other things. Then Tecmo went whole hog with the sci-fi bend in NG3.

So what's the problem with that? My point is that the original Ninja Gaiden looked and felt far more like an "authentic" ninja theme/game compared to the two NES sequels.

That authentic ninja style and feel, in my opinion, was one of the reasons why NG1 was so popular. It was something lacking from NG3 and as a result, you didn't see much out of the series for a long time until it was rebooted. I think there is a direct link there.

Don't get me wrong, though. NG2 is still a great NES game and I'd even put it in my top 20 on that system. It may sound like I am dogging it but I certainly don't intend to.

[kupomogli]

Ninja Gaiden 2 is my favorite. Level design was the best out of the series in my opinion. Great level design combined with upgraded Ninja Gaiden gameplay and easily the best Ninja Gaiden soundtrack and one of the best soundtracks for NES games period, it deserves my favorite.

[The 1 2 P]

Picking between NG1 and NG 2 is hard. I've never played NG3 yet(despite having four copies of it) and NG2 is the only one I'll actually beaten. I could get all the way to the second to last room on NG1 but it was almost impossible making it to the final boss's room.

[bangtango]

Picking between NG1 and NG 2 is hard. I've never played NG3 yet(despite having four copies of it) and NG2 is the only one I'll actually beaten. I could get all the way to the second to last room on NG1 but it was almost impossible making it to the final boss's room.

It isn't easy to do but have you tried reaching the final boss rooms with the Jump and Slash powerup? That power up ices most bosses with a mere 2-3 hits

[The 1 2 P]

It isn't easy to do but have you tried reaching the final boss rooms with the Jump and Slash powerup? That power up ices most bosses with a mere 2-3 hits

When I was younger I actually made it to the final boss of NG1 once or twice. It's been so long though and I haven't tried it in awhile. I intend on going back and trying to beat my Japanese famicom versions soon so I'll try to use that move when I get there.

[Blanka789]

I'm gonna have to go with NG1, probably because I have so many memories of playing it when I was younger.

[suppafly]

NG2 is my favorite.

Next is NG1 (It was too hard for me)

NG3 comes last (pretty hard too and some of the later levels have ugly colors)

[guitargary75]

I think that Ninja Gaiden II is the best. III just doesn't stand up to the first two, but it's still good though.

[rbudrick]

I really can't choose between 1 and 2. Both are just too awesome. 3 blows, though.

-Rob

[XYXZYZ]

I like the first one the most, the characters were cool and the story was great. Ninja Gaiden II was a good game, but the story blew ass. It didn't even have a story, it was just Ashtar saying "Here I am, come and get me!" after every level.

[XYXZYZ]

It isn't easy to do but have you tried reaching the final boss rooms with the Jump and Slash powerup? That power up ices most bosses with a mere 2-3 hits

The problem is that when you beat Mogru (the masked devil) you lose all your powerups. Then you have to fight Jaquio using only your sword. I've beaten him, but his patterns are really hard for me to keep up with.

[Astrocade]

All three are pretty much interchangeable to me. I spent way more time playing the first one, and actually beat it as a kid. The other two I was never able to finish without a game genie.

[nickerous]

The problem is that when you beat Mogru (the masked devil) you lose all your powerups. Then you have to fight Jaquio using only your sword. I've beaten him, but his patterns are really hard for me to keep up with.

Yeah, using the slash power up requires you to play through the last level 3 times (1 for each boss). I've got save states on my emulator of choice for each boss with the slash.

I always thought 1 was better than the others, but I absolutely love the intro to 2. Also, I never could beat 2 without using slow motion on my NES Advantage. When I finally beat 1, I was so happy. The feeling of acomplishment was overwhelming to me. This is why I choose 1 as my favorite. 3 is not even close. 3 really stinks up the trilogy in my opinion.

[swlovinist]

I'm gonna have to go with NG1, probably because I have so many memories of playing it when I was younger.

Same with me. I remember as a child having a love/hate relationship with the first one


I loved playing it, but I hated beating it(never did). I got the end boss once, and when it started me all the way back I said "nope, not doing that again".


I have since then tried to beat it again, only to have the same feeling when I got to near the end once


The other two I have played alot less, but I tend to feel enjoying both when I did play them.


For nostalgia, Ill stick with one.

[Nesmaster]

I'd have to say 3, even if getting only 5 continues sucks and it gets really difficult near the last few stages. I'd much prefer if we got the famicom version with less enemies and unlimited continues. My favorite music is in 3 as well. They're all great games though, and part of the handful of titles I kept when I liquidated my NES collection. :)

[Flippy8490]

haha. Yeah. I have a soft spot for the second one, its the first I played. So, you know, nostalgia and all XD.

[hellfire]

the second one has always been my favorite

[JackElam'sEyes]

I'd have to go with Ninja Gaiden III. Although I could live without the floaty jumping the music was top notch.

[kainemaxwell]

2nd, with the 1st one a close runner-up. The 2nd game is the most refined in every way- graphics, music, gameplay, etc. Though the 1st is great too with the mystery theme depicted in the cut scenes.

and who would have thought after Irene shoots Ryu when they first meet that they would hook up.

[bangtango]

2nd, with the 1st one a close runner-up. The 2nd game is the most refined in every way- graphics, music, gameplay, etc. Though the 1st is great too with the mystery theme depicted in the cut scenes.

and who would have thought after Irene shoots Ryu when they first meet that they would hook up.

From NG2: The level with the wind and the dark level with the occasional lightning were nice touches that I wouldn't have minded seeing in the first game.

If the same general storyline from the NES games were used in today's edgier climate, perhaps the developers would have had Ryu hook up with Robert T.S.

[The 1 2 P]

From NG2: The level with the wind and the dark level with the occasional lightning were nice touches that I wouldn't have minded seeing in the first game.

I agree. That wind level is one of my all time favorites.


If the same general storyline from the NES games were used in today's edgier climate, perhaps the developers would have had Ryu hook up with Robert T.S.

I don't think Itagaki san would approve. Even though he's no longer with Tecmo he still wouldn't approve.

[Mr. Smashy]

Ninja Gaiden II is an awesome game but I prefer #1, if only slightly. Finishing the first still feels like a greater gaming accomplishment. The jump & slash technique is still one of my favourite classic videogame power-ups.

[exile]

I think one was better because of the plot. i remember playing hooky from school trying to beat that game. then when you relize your father is still alive, man i thought he was the final boss. what a great gaming experience.

[bangtango]

Irene Lew was the first video game character I was ever smitten with. So either installment is good by me.

I find it interesting that people comment on how NG2 allows you to climb the walls without jumping back and forth from one to the other like in the first one.

In my opinion, I believe Tecmo would have included that same feature in the first Ninja Gaiden but it probably never occured to them at the time. I bet nobody ever thought about it until after the fact.

I will add this. I think it is a damn shame the NES storyline was forgotten about in the wake of the last gen reboot.

[kainemaxwell]

Out of NG1 and 2, I always got the farthest in 2. The 1st one I think I always got slaughtered heading to the fight with the final 3, NG2 I think I made it to the 1st or 2nd of the final bosses.

Heck, now I have the urge to play them again via my NES or NES-on-DC...whichever i hook up first. How's NG Trilogy?

[jb143]

This was one of my favorite series growing up but I don't think I ever beat the final boss on any on them. I think I liked the 1'st best for the story but the ability to climb walls and new cool powerups added in the later games is enough to cloud any 12 year olds judgement. So I can't say for sure which I liked the best. I'm going to have to revisit them some day.

Even though it's vastly different, my love for these games is the main reason I bought a Ninja Gaiden arcade cabinet a few months ago.

[Auzlander]

Ninja Gaiden 2 all the way!

[Nirvana]

I loved the original one for the whole nostalgia feeling. It was also the first one I played and I remember playing it non stop at my uncle's house when I was little.

[kainemaxwell]

This topic needs a poll attached. :)

[skaar]

2 was the only one I really played. Funny thing was, it was one of my "demo" carts (I think I got Solstice, NG2 and Mega Man 3 around the same time - might be wrong on MM3 but I remember Solstice was in that batch)

We had a small TV and NES on the boat back then and that's where I kept most of the funny label games ;)

Anyway, since it was a demo I never figured out until years later that you could go down the ladder at the end of the first level - I just figured the game ended there since I kept jumping down into the pit and dying.

When I finally figured that out I played it all the way through until I got to the "COMING SOON" part - and was so pissed off that I never went back to it other than to play the intro once in awhile... best intro EVER on the NES :D

Tried NG1 a few years later and I didn't like it as much. I'd like to get a copy of 3 and try that at some point.

[The 1 2 P]

When I finally figured that out I played it all the way through until I got to the "COMING SOON" part - and was so pissed off that I never went back to it other than to play the intro once in awhile... best intro EVER on the NES

Do you still have that demo cart? And I agree that the Ninja Gaiden series(atleast 1 and 2) had the best cinamatics/movie cut scenes on the Nes.