Ninja Gaiden

[jcalder8]

I've found one for what I would call a reasonable price of $200. But I'm wondering what other people think of the cost and if it's worth it. I'll be checking it out on Friday but I've been told that it's in very good condition.

Does anyone on here have one and if so how is the gameplay.
Thanks

[Fuyukaze]

For $200, if I could afford it and had the room I'd be all over it. Then again I loved the arcade game.

[XYXZYZ]

Does anyone on here have one and if so how is the gameplay.
Thanks

www.mame.net

[TheDomesticInstitution]

$200 is a good price, if it's not all hacked to hell on the inside. Is it an original Ninja Gaiden, or is it a conversion? Is it a good conversion? Does it have good side art?

Do you have a link to pictures?

Check KLOV's website.

Ninja Gaiden (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8881)
Ninja Gaiden Playchoice (http://www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=8882)

I agree with XYXZYZ, you should play it in MAME before you buy it. You may end up not liking it.

Anyway hope this helps.

[Arcade Antics]

Ninja Gaiden was a kit only game with no side art, there isn't a dedicated cabinet for it.

$200 is a fair price if the cabinet is clean and in good condition, and it includes the correct marquee, bezel, and joysticks. If you buy it, you can swap in other horizontal JAMMA Boards.

IMO the arcade game is far superior to the completely different NES version.

[jb143]

That's the game I have. It's pretty fun. It's nothing like the NES game. The gameplay is like almost any other 2 player beat em up from that era. The gimmic though, is the button on top of the joysticks for grabbing poles so you can swing and kick the enemies.

$200 does seem like a good deal for a cabinet in good shape. Most of the ones I've ever seen are more like $400-$600. And I think Arcade Antics is right, I'm pretty sure it was a conversion kit only. Just the kit alone can go for up to $100 if it includes everything.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Yeah he's right. I didn't know much about the game. But even so, it could still be a bad conversion. My last cabinet I got (for free), had multiple speakers, multiple switchers, multiple JAMMA harnesses, and all sorts of weird buttons and switches hacked into the wires inside the cab. Some ops, really didn't give a shit I guess.

[jcalder8]

www.mame.net (http://www.mame.net)
Ok, total newb time. I have installed it and I got to dos and the dir and all that but when I try to run the rom I get lost. So then I installed mameUI and I put the rom into the rom dir and then I have it search for it and it can't find it. Any help would be great, or even any more user friendly options.

Thanks for the opinions. I've owned a couple of machines in the past but I had to get rid of them so I'm excited to check this one out. I've never owned a beat'em up before and I'm hoping it'll hold my interest better than the last two.

[TheDomesticInstitution]

Ok, total newb time. I have installed it and I got to dos and the dir and all that but when I try to run the rom I get lost. So then I installed mameUI and I put the rom into the rom dir and then I have it search for it and it can't find it. Any help would be great, or even any more user friendly options.

Thanks for the opinions. I've owned a couple of machines in the past but I had to get rid of them so I'm excited to check this one out. I've never owned a beat'em up before and I'm hoping it'll hold my interest better than the last two.

which version of mame are you running? I've found that certain versions of MAME won't show certain ROMs. If you're new to MAME I recommend running UI to save a lot of configuration headaches.

Download some older versions, and copy the rom to their rom folders and try for there.

With MAME you can download multiple versions and run them all, just make sure to create seperate folders to house the various versions folders. Does that make sense?

Like if you have .112, .132, .090... make sure you have a dedicated folder for each, to house everything. And you need to copy your roms for each version. Then of course make a shortcut to each to your desktop, so you don't have to go digging around in sub folders to open the program.

Here's a website that allows you to download older versions of MAME UI which was formerly called MAME 32.

http://www.joymonkey.com/

[Ed Oscuro]

UI versions of MAME (including MAME Plus!) have an easy-to-set-up folders configuration option. I just point the front ends to my MAME directories (first ROMs and then I insert the CHD directory) and leave the others to default (screenshots kept locally with each version), it works well. There really isn't any reason for most people to be fooling around with command line versions of MAME, unless they really need an up-to-date version of a specialized MAME for competitive play or whatever (I think maybe WolfMAME is like this).

Back to Ninja Gaiden...I'm in agreement with Arcade Antics.

Astrodan88, who I just bought Top Gunner (Jackal!) from (and Last Duel before that), has a copy of the US Ninja Gaiden board for sale here (http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27314) for $40 shipped (tell him I sent ya if you take it please :D ). Another Shmups member, Bloodflowers, has the European version Shadow Warriors for sale for a bit more I believe.

Love the classic Tecmo music sound as usual, although all the songs seem to be heavily "inspired by" classic hit songs. The track listing is pretty funny stuff.

[jcalder8]

UI versions of MAME (including MAME Plus!) have an easy-to-set-up folders configuration option. I just point the front ends to my MAME directories (first ROMs and then I insert the CHD directory) and leave the others to default (screenshots kept locally with each version), it works well. There really isn't any reason for most people to be fooling around with command line versions of MAME, unless they really need an up-to-date version of a specialized MAME for competitive play or whatever (I think maybe WolfMAME is like this).

Back to Ninja Gaiden...I'm in agreement with Arcade Antics.

Astrodan88, who I just bought Top Gunner (Jackal!) from (and Last Duel before that), has a copy of the US Ninja Gaiden board for sale here (http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=27314) for $40 shipped (tell him I sent ya if you take it please :D ). Another Shmups member, Bloodflowers, has the European version Shadow Warriors for sale for a bit more I believe.

Love the classic Tecmo music sound as usual, although all the songs seem to be heavily "inspired by" classic hit songs. The track listing is pretty funny stuff.
Thanks for mentioning Mame Plus. I was finally able to get it to work with this one but I also had to download the rom for Shadow Warrior to get it to work. I tried playing a bit of it but I couldn't really figure out the controls. It doesn't seem like there is any kind of a block button, which could get really frustrating, but I also couldn't figure out what the buttons were so it could just be that I am missing it.

When I go and check it out I'm going to offer 175 for it. I've already talked her down to 200 from 250 so I don't know if there will be much wiggle room but I'm hoping to save a bit more.

Thanks for all the input!

[Arcade Antics]

I tried playing a bit of it but I couldn't really figure out the controls. It doesn't seem like there is any kind of a block button, which could get really frustrating, but I also couldn't figure out what the buttons were so it could just be that I am missing it.
There isn't a block button, it's a Double Dragon style game. You only have three buttons, attack, jump, and grab. The grab button is on the joystick and allows you to grab onto the bottom of signs and other hanging objects to kick the enemy, avoid pitfalls, etc.

[PC-ENGINE HELL]

Its a pretty fun game, esp if you never played it before, but its not a long game and the last boss is really fucking weak. The only thing that really would make the game long for you is if you try to beat it in 1 player mode, as dying causes resets back to check points or something along those lines. Been forever since I played it. As a 2 player game though its way easy. Worth $20 though in a fully working cab? Sure, buy it.

[OMF2097]

If you're buying the machine and it's a generic cab in semi-good condition, then I'd go for it if it's your first cab. As TheDomesticInstitution stated, as long as the wiring inside isn't a rat's nest it should be fine for $200. Make sure the monitor's in good condition.

I personally like the grab button not on the joystick as it made the beginning of level 2 likable. A standard jamma/3 button set up would be just fine.

[jb143]

I set mine to easy mode using dip switches because it is pretty tough. Die too many times and it's game over(I think). To really make it fun, you'll want to learn to throw the enemies. You can throw them into things to uncover swords and the like. I found it hard to play on MAME because it was harder to use the grab button. Same for the Lynx version. I'd make sure make sure the cabinet uses the actual joysticks at any rate, but it could just be a personal thing. The joysticks can go for a bit more on just their own. One site I saw was selling them used for about $25 for the pair. EBay wasn't too much cheaper all the times I saw them on there.

To make sure you get a complete game, here is everything that came with the kit(that I know of). The PCB, a manual, the marquee, the artwork that goes around the monitor, 2 joysticks(with a button on top), and 6 buttons.

Also, since Ed mentioned others for sale I figured I'd also mention...I did recently put my kit up for sale on craigslist (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/vgm/1547498499.html) if anyone is intersted. I've got it at $100 OBO for everything but if anyone on here is interested I'll gladly work out something better for you.

[Ed Oscuro]

There isn't a block button, it's a Double Dragon style game. You only have three buttons, attack, jump, and grab. The grab button is on the joystick and allows you to grab onto the bottom of signs and other hanging objects to kick the enemy, avoid pitfalls, etc.
That sounds kind of nonstandard (although probably necessary to fit into common two-button machines of the time). Did the original kit come with a special joystick?

[jb143]

That sounds kind of nonstandard (although probably necessary to fit into common two-button machines of the time). Did the original kit come with a special joystick?

I was going to say to see my above post but it wasn't as clear on the issue as I though it was. The kit did come with special joysticks though.

I checked the manual. I was missing a few things from my list before(and mine isn't isn't quite complete) Here's the complete list from the manual:

Kit Contents
2 - 8 Way Top Fire Joysticks
2 - Joystick Adapter Plates
1 - TECMO Printed Circuit Board
1 - Ninja Gaiden Marquee Plex
1 - Control Panel Overlay
1 - Player 1 Sticker
1 - Player 2 sticker
2 - Side Decals
1 - Wiring Harness
4 - White Buttons
2 - Red Buttons
1 - Instruction Manual
1 - F.C.C. Sticker
1 - Ninja Gaiden Monitor Card
1 - "Attack" stickers (I'm pretty sure this is a typo and should be 2)
1 - "Jump" stickers (Same for this one)
2 - "Grab" stickers

I'm not sure if I have the right control panel overlay or not. It's just a regular metal Tecmo one that flips outwards. It looks just like the one on klov though.

[jcalder8]

...
Kit Contents
2 - Side Decals...
So there was side art to it? I've tried looking online and I haven't been able to find any pictures of side art or decals, unless I'm misunderstanding what side decals means.

[jb143]

Mine doesn't either, nor have I seen any pictures. The manual does mention painting the side art if the decals don't cover up what's already there though. I'm sure a lot of arcade operators just didn't care.

[vandy160890]

I have enjoyed this awesome game & the gameplay is just superb with great graphics.

[GOLDEN KEYS]

i have a ninja gaiden machine that was once a defender cabinet. i was considering converting it back to a defender cabinet but gave up on that pretty quickly. it really is a fun game, especially with two players. though, the joysticks and buttons are crammed way too close together for two people to play comfortably for an extended period of time.

check out some pictures, here...

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=135726

[jcalder8]

I went and checked it out today and I guess her definition of "excellent condition" includes a monitor that is turning black on one side and washed out on the other. Such a waste of time and gas.

Thanks for all the input though.

[jb143]

Sorry to hear that. It's possible you could have offered even less and fixed or replaced the monitor. That's how mine was when I got it and I got it for really cheap.

Also, having looked at more pictures, I'm almost positive that the control panel overlay and side art that came with the kit are just generic Tecmo designs.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii12/jeremy_burk/tecmo.jpg