Ninja Commando

About

Ninja Commando is a side-scrolling shooter with platforming challenges that puts you in control of a lone ninja. Navigate levels by leaping over traps, avoiding moving obstacles, and battling waves of enemy ninjas that flood through doors. Early on you can only defeat foes by stomping them but string together three kills to unlock new weapons like shurikens bombs and a flamethrower. The levels mix simple jumps with timed dodges as you balance between combat and survival. Beyond regular ninjas the game throws in golems worms and birds to keep things unpredictable. The weapon progression adds a layer of strategy as you decide when to conserve upgrades or unleash explosive attacks. With just four enemies on screen at once it maintains a tight pace even as challenges escalate. Released in 1989 it still holds up as a brisk action game with straightforward mechanics and escalating difficulty. The retro pixel art and chiptune soundtrack complete the package for fans of old school side-scrollers.