Ninja Saviours upgrade is a real hot TAITO
IF YOU’RE looking for a thick slice of nostalgia to go with your ample serving of action, then can allow me to recommend this new release. Technically a remaster of a remake, this 16-bit, sidescroller started life way back in 1987 as The Ninja Warriors, a fairly groundbreaking arcade game due to its unusual screen set-up.
Remade in 1994 as The Ninja Warriors Again for the SNES, while it sold well in Europe it’s still not one of TAITO’s better known games.
And it’s doubly exciting as this game is the first time, in a very long time that TAITO has released a new game – and Bubble Bobble 4 Friends is hot on its heels.
If you’ve never gone three rounds with these android ninjas, now is your opportunity for redemption.
Beautifully remastered for new generation consoles, you play as one of five android ninjas brawling your way through waves of enemy hordes in a dystopian future.
At first it seems worryingly easy – after all it’s a 25-year-old game, and fighters have come on a bit, but don’t let the graphics fool you, this can be unexpectedly difficult.
As you progress the character’s special attacks become more creative and complex, and it’s incredible how different each character feels when you play them. To activate the attack you have to fill the Special Attack Gauge, which takes less time than you’d think, but it can feel like forever when you are at the mercy of swarms of enemies pouring into the arena.
Be warned though, take a hit and the gauge instantly empties.
There are eight levels to work through and, to be honest, once you’ve hit your stride you can blitz through them, but the boss levels are still surprisingly challenging – especially if you use the wrong fighter.
Another new feature is local co-op mode, adding some extras 90s co-op fun into the mix – especially on the Switch.
Fingers crossed this isn’t just the start of a side-scrolling revival.
Hopefully it’s the first of many new TAITO releases – I’m crossing everything for a Rainbow Islands remaster. HHHHH
■ Buy it: £25.99 from 365games.co.uk