

Kamen No Ninja - Akakage is one of those classic NES side-scrollers that feels like it was ripped straight from an old-school anime. You play as Akakage, this red-masked ninja dude, slashing through enemies with a sword and tossing shurikens like they're going out of style. The levels are pretty straightforward—run, jump, fight—but there's something satisfying about the way the combat flows.
At first, I thought it was just another generic brawler, but the little details pulled me in. The way Akakage flips when he jumps, the way enemies explode into smoke when you take them down—it’s got that cheesy 80s ninja charm. Some of the platforming can be a little janky (this is an NES game, after all), but if you grew up on stuff like Ninja Gaiden or Shadow of the Ninja, it’s a fun little time capsule. Just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.
It’s short, it’s simple, and it’s definitely a product of its time. But if you’re into retro ninja action, it’s worth a playthrough.
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