Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon blends action-platforming with light RPG mechanics to create an experience that feels both familiar and fresh. You begin by controlling Goemon himself, whose standard moves include his trusty pipe attack and the ability to hurl coins at enemies from a distance. As you progress through Oedo Town and the surrounding regions of Ancient Japan, you’ll switch between party members to exploit their unique skills, turning each new area into a strategic puzzle as much as a combat gauntlet.

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The game structure alternates between open-town exploration and more linear stage-based challenges. In villages you can chat with NPCs, pick up side quests, and interact with quirky characters like the deranged fortune teller who randomly shouts “PLASMA!” These sections feel reminiscent of classic Zelda titles, offering shops, minigames, and dialogue trees that deepen immersion without slowing the pace. Once you leave town, levels ramp up with platforming challenges, enemy gauntlets, and environmental puzzles that require character-specific abilities to solve.

Each hero’s special power unlocks new secrets: Goemon’s “Sudden Impact” moves massive blocks, Ebisumaru can shrink to slip through narrow passages, Sasuke gains a super-high jump, and Yae transforms into a mermaid for underwater exploration. This gradual acquisition of skills gives the game an appealing Metroidvania-like feel, encouraging backtracking and rewarding thorough exploration. Additionally, you occasionally pilot the roller-skating mecha Impact in destructive demo reels and engage in first-person boss fights that evoke the classic Punch-Out!! style, providing welcome variety to the core action segments.

Graphics

For its time on the Nintendo 64, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon delivers vibrant, cartoonish visuals that capture the whimsical spirit of its source material. Character models are blocky by modern standards, but they boast charming animations—Goemon’s victory poses and Ebisumaru’s exaggerated shrugs emphasize the game’s comedic tone. Environments range from bustling Edo markets to serene bamboo groves, each rendered in bright palettes that stand out on the console’s hardware.

Texture detail is often simple, yet it serves the game’s overall aesthetic well. Architectural set pieces—such as the grand gates of Oedo Castle—feel appropriately monumental, while smaller objects like lanterns or barrels pop against the terrain. Draw distances can be limited, particularly in open fields where fog rolls in to mask distant geometry, but this technical constraint rarely hinders gameplay or breaks immersion.

Boss encounters and mecha sequences showcase some of the game’s strongest visual moments. The roller-skating robot Impact is larger than life, gleaming with metallic highlights as it crushes scenery beneath its feet. First-person boss fights incorporate health bars and camera angles that mimic arcade cabinets, proving that the developers understood how to balance graphical flair with functional clarity. Overall, the presentation remains one of the title’s most enduring charms.

Story

The narrative kicks off with the Peach Mountain Shoguns arriving in Oedo Town via a colossal peach-shaped UFO. This delightfully absurd premise sets the stage for a plot that never takes itself too seriously. As the Shoguns transform Oedo Castle into their own theatrical amphitheater, the townsfolk slip into panic—everyone, that is, except for our hero Goemon, who initially treats the invasion like just another day of sightseeing.

Dialogue is peppered with slapstick humor and witty one-liners, delivered by an ensemble cast that includes the small but fearless Yae, the rotund Ebisumaru, and the ninja automaton Sasuke. Each chapter unfolds like an episodic adventure, introducing colorful side characters—shopkeepers, monks, and even benevolent ghosts—who provide cryptic hints or comedic relief. While the overarching quest to defeat the Peach Mountain Shoguns is straightforward, several subplots and hidden boss encounters reward players who delve deeper into the world.

Although the writing occasionally relies on gaming clichés—fetch quests and “talk to everyone” objectives—it compensates with memorable scenarios and unpredictable boss designs. The fusion of traditional Japanese settings and outlandish sci-fi elements (giant mecha peach UFO, anyone?) gives the story a unique flavor that distinguishes it from other platform-adventure titles of its era. In essence, the plot’s silliness is very much part of its charm.

Overall Experience

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon remains a standout title for collectors and newcomers alike, thanks to its infectious personality and innovative level design. The balance between town exploration, side activities, and action-packed platform levels keeps the pacing brisk, rarely allowing the game to feel repetitive. Character-swapping mechanics and gradual ability unlocks ensure that even well-worn areas feel fresh upon revisiting.

Despite its dated polygon count and occasional camera hiccups in tight spaces, the game’s joyful sense of adventure transcends technical limitations. The soundtrack—filled with traditional Japanese instrumentation and upbeat rhythms—further elevates the experience, making each stage a delight to traverse. Boss battles, especially those in the Impact robot, break the routine just when you might grow comfortable with Goemon’s pipe or coin attacks.

By combining action, light RPG progression, quirky humor, and a vividly realized world, Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon delivers an overall package that has aged surprisingly well. Whether you’re after a nostalgic trip to late-’90s 3D platformers or seeking a unique blend of genres, this title offers hours of engaging gameplay and a memorable journey through a delightfully off-beat vision of Ancient Japan.

Retro Replay Score

7.9/10