Play Last Ninja, The Online

The Last Ninja came out for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1987, published by System 3. It was part of that wave of games trying to bring more complex, exploratory action to the console, standing out with its particular style and ambition.

You control the ninja Armakuni, moving screen by screen through a fixed world. Your goal is to defeat the evil shogun Kunitoki, which involves navigating environments, fighting guards with your sword or shurikens, and figuring out how to progress by finding keys or solving simple puzzles. The isometric perspective makes judging jumps and attacks a constant challenge, and the combat requires precise timing to land a hit without getting struck yourself. It is a difficult game that demands patience, but successfully clearing an area and uncovering a new path provides a real sense of accomplishment.