Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon blends overhead action with light RPG mechanics to deliver a varied and engaging experience. Players control a colorful quartet—Goemon, Ebisumaru, Sasuke, and Yae—each with unique abilities and playstyles. Goemon wields his trusty pipe for close combat, Sasuke deploys shurikens at range, Yae dashes with a kunai for quick strikes, and Ebisumaru clobbers foes with his hefty club. This diversity keeps encounters fresh and encourages switching characters to tackle different challenges.

The game world is divided into distinct areas—Gadget Castle, The Black Ship Skull, The Demon Cave, and Skeleton Island—each featuring its own enemies, puzzles, and hidden treasures. Exploration is rewarded with treasure chests containing currency, items, and helpful power-ups. Along the way, players can visit towns to rest at inns, stock up on healing items in shops, or stumble upon quirky townsfolk offering hints and mini-quests. These light RPG elements add depth without overwhelming action-focused players.

Combat is intuitive yet dynamic. Standard attacks feel weighty, and enemy patterns range from basic troopers to cunning pirate officers. Between levels, mini-games—collectively known as “The Surprise Match”—provide a welcome change of pace. These button-mashing or memory-based challenges unlock special rewards or advance the story, preventing the gameplay loop from becoming repetitive and showcasing the title’s sense of humor.

Graphics

For a title released on the Nintendo 64, Mystical Ninja’s visuals remain charming and vibrant. Character sprites are rendered in chunky, low-polygon models that perfectly capture the game’s whimsical tone. Goemon’s trademark blue hair and Ebisumaru’s expressive grin pop against richly textured environments, while subtle animations—like flickering lanterns or swaying bamboo—bring towns and dungeons to life.

Each area boasts a distinct palette: Gadget Castle is awash in brass and steel hues, The Black Ship Skull drips with pirate décor and stormy skies, The Demon Cave glows with molten lava veins, and Skeleton Island’s eerie mist and bone-strewn pathways feel suitably menacing. Attention to detail extends to interactive elements—breakable barrels, destructible walls, and environmental hazards—adding visual feedback that amplifies the satisfying feel of discovery and combat.

Performance remains stable throughout, with minimal frame drops even when several enemies swarm the screen. Draw distances are handled gracefully, preventing pop-in from disrupting immersion. Though not a graphical showcase by modern standards, the art direction and technical execution combine to deliver a cohesive and appealing aesthetic that still resonates with retro gaming enthusiasts today.

Story

The central narrative pits our heroes against the nefarious Skull King and his army of evil pirates, who vow to conquer Ancient Japan by spreading fear and chaos. As Goemon and his friends journey from Gadget Castle to Skeleton Island, they unravel dark plots and rescue villagers in peril. The stakes feel suitably high, yet the story never takes itself too seriously—witty dialogue and cartoonish cutscenes keep the tone light-hearted.

Character interactions provide much of the game’s charm. Goemon’s unflappable heroism contrasts with Ebisumaru’s boastful antics, while Sasuke’s stoicism and Yae’s determined bravery round out the dynamic. NPCs peppered throughout towns deliver comedic relief and side-story tidbits, fleshing out the world and encouraging players to engage with every corner. This playful storytelling approach makes each destination feel like a living community rather than a mere dungeon hub.

Boss encounters act as story beats, culminating in the grand showdown against the Skull King himself. While foes range from mechanical contraptions in Gadget Castle to formidable pirate captains aboard the Black Ship Skull, every climax is prefaced by a quick mini-game test—The Surprise Match—ensuring that narrative progression never stalls. These interludes, though simple, reinforce the game’s whimsical identity and break up standard action sequences with memorable, screen-filling spectacles.

Overall Experience

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon offers a delightful blend of action, exploration, and humor that has stood the test of time. While its N64-era hardware imposes some visual and audio limitations, the game’s engaging mechanics and eclectic cast more than compensate. The balanced mix of dungeon crawling, town exploration, and boss-focused mini-games provides a varied pace that keeps players invested from start to finish.

Replay value is bolstered by hidden secrets, optional side-quests, and multiple characters to master. Finding every treasure chest and unlocking all mini-game challenges can extend playtime well beyond the main story. Additionally, the cooperative two-player mode allows a friend to join the adventure, doubling the fun as you tackle enemies and puzzles together.

For fans of classic action-RPG hybrids and anyone seeking a light-hearted romp through a fantastical version of feudal Japan, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon remains a compelling choice. Its charming visuals, memorable characters, and steady stream of varied gameplay segments ensure that newcomers and returning players alike will find plenty to love in this timeless Nintendo 64 gem.

Retro Replay Score

5.8/10