Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ninja Commando delivers a fast-paced side-scrolling beat ’em up experience that keeps you on your toes from start to finish. You choose from three distinct commandos—each with their own attack style and unique “ninja trick” superpower—to battle through a series of time-warped stages. Controls are responsive, letting you chain light and heavy attacks, perform somersault kicks, and unleash devastating special moves when your power gauge fills up.

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The game’s level design shines through its varied time periods, ranging from the Primitive Age to the Japanese Civil War Era. Enemies are themed appropriately—club-wielding cavemen give way to armored samurai and mummified warriors in quick succession. Along the way, you smash crates and containers to uncover weapon upgrades such as shuriken spread, fire-drenched kunai, and thrusting spears that add depth to the combat loop.

Boss battles are a highlight, pitting you against super-powered historical figures like a rampaging dinosaur, a regal Egyptian pharaoh, and a master samurai. Each boss has telegraphed attacks and unique patterns that challenge you to learn their tells and react accordingly. The difficulty curve is well-tuned: novice players can rely on regular combos and special moves, while veterans will aim for higher scores by chaining hits and strategically using power-ups.

Cooperative play further elevates the fun, inviting a friend to join in as the second commando. Teamwork is encouraged as you can perform tag-team attacks that deal massive damage. The co-op mode also compensates for any single-player difficulty spikes, making it a great party game for arcade-style sessions.

Graphics

Ninja Commando’s pixel art is a vibrant showcase of early ’90s arcade craftsmanship. Character sprites are bold and well-animated, each commando sporting distinctive attire and fluid motion frames. The enemies and bosses are equally detailed—watch out for the dinosaur’s spiked tail and the pharaoh’s glowing scepter.

The backgrounds transport you convincingly through time: smoky volcanic landscapes in the Primitive Age, golden-hued temples of Ancient Egypt, and lush bamboo forests during the Japanese Civil War. Parallax scrolling adds depth to each stage, immersing you further into the historical settings.

Cut-scenes between stages break up the action with hand-drawn panels that reveal bits of the plot. Though simple, these interludes add a sense of continuity and reward progression. The use of bold colors and dynamic poses makes the story beats feel more dramatic, even when the narrative itself is light on detail.

Special effects are punchy, from the flash of a kunai hitting its mark to the explosive burst when a boss takes heavy damage. Screen-shaking impacts and brief slow-motion moments heighten the punch-per-hit, ensuring each strike feels weighty and satisfying.

Story

The narrative of Ninja Commando revolves around the Mars Corporation’s tampering with the time continuum. Their leader, Spider, has unleashed chaos throughout history, and it falls upon the trio of Ninja Commandos to set things right. While the premise is straightforward, it provides a fun backdrop for the nonstop action.

Between each era, cut-scenes reveal Spider’s sinister plot to rewrite history in favor of the Mars Corporation. Though the dialogue is minimal, it’s delivered with dramatic flair and helps contextualize the jump from caveman camps to medieval battlefields. Players are motivated to push onward not just for high scores, but to foil Spider’s time-hopping reign of terror.

Character development is sparse but effective: each ninja commando has a brief introduction highlighting their fighting style and personal reasons for joining the mission. These short vignettes give players a sense of investment in their chosen hero, even if the game’s focus squarely remains on combat.

The inclusion of real and mythical figures as bosses—ranging from a prehistoric T-Rex to an ancient Egyptian pharaoh endowed with supernatural powers—adds a playful twist to the story. It’s less about historical accuracy and more about delivering memorable set-pieces that keep the pacing brisk.

Overall Experience

Ninja Commando strikes a satisfying balance between arcade simplicity and depth. Its pick-up-and-play combat is immediately accessible, while the variety of weapons and combos reward players who invest time mastering each commando’s moveset. The learning curve feels fair, encouraging repeated runs to uncover hidden power-ups and polish your technique.

The game’s aesthetic charm—lively sprites, dynamic backgrounds, and stylized cut-scenes—creates a cohesive package that’s as fun to watch as it is to play. Each time period offers fresh visual and enemy designs, so the action rarely feels repetitive. The boss encounters serve as thrilling milestones that keep players engaged throughout the roughly 30-minute arcade journey.

Replay value is strong thanks to multiple characters, branching weapon pickups, and an arcade scoring system that incentivizes high-hit combos and speedy completions. Cooperative mode further extends longevity, offering a shared experience that’s perfect for local multiplayer sessions with friends.

For fans of classic beat ’em ups or those seeking a vibrant time-travel adventure, Ninja Commando delivers a spirited ride. Its blend of tight controls, explosive special moves, and era-hopping stages ensure an entertaining experience that stands up to repeated plays. Whether you’re battling dinosaurs or pharaohs, the thrill of saving history never gets old.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10