Super Shinobi II is one of those classic Genesis ninja action games that feels way ahead of its time. You’re tossing shurikens, slashing through enemies with a quick sword, and pulling off these slick wall jumps that still feel satisfying decades later. The beta version’s got some rough edges—enemy placements feel a little off in spots, and the music cuts out sometimes—but it’s wild seeing how much of the final game’s speed and style was already here.

First level drops you right into a neon-lit cityscape, dodging gunfire while you flip between rooftops. I kept getting wrecked by the second boss until I realized you can actually deflect bullets if you time your sword swing just right. Little details like that make it stick out from other ninja games of the era.

Definitely more of a curiosity than the polished final release, but worth a look if you’re into prototype hunting.