NINJA COMMANDO is a top-down action shooter developed and released by ADK in April 1992. Originally launched on the Neo Geo, this vertically scrolling title tasks players with controlling one of three elite ninjas to stop the villainous Spider, a merchant of death wielding a time machine to wreak havoc across history. The game blends run-and-gun mechanics with strategic positioning, offering a chaotic and explosive experience that defined ADK's contribution to the fighting and action gaming landscape.

Gameplay Mechanics

Players choose from a trio of distinct combatants, each bringing unique attack patterns to the screen. Joe, an American ninja and descendant of the Koga clan, wields shuriken that fan out as his power increases. Rayar, a British kunoichi trained in the Iga style, fires a line of arrows straight upward. Ryu, the 23rd descendant of the legendary Fuma Kotaro, unleashes pairs of powerful fireballs. A core mechanic involves the fire button; tapping it repeatedly increases the intensity and power of your projectiles, rewarding aggressive playstyles.

Strategic Combat

Positioning is paramount since characters can only fire upwards. Players must dodge to navigate the screen effectively, but the dodge button also hides a tactical trick: pressing the attack button while dodging flings a projectile in the opposite direction. This allows for creative crossfire setups. Each hero also possesses special ninja-arts that require specific input commands, as well as a devastating ultimate move known as the "shape of the beast," which becomes available after collecting three scrolls.

NINJA COMMANDO Story and Time-Traveling Settings

The narrative propels the heroes through seven distinct time periods, ranging from the Stone Age and the Egyptian era to the Japanese Civil War and modern-day times. The antagonist, Spider, plans to use his time machine to bring chaos to the world, forcing the ninjas to intercept him across the ages. The game features deep lore connections, including a scene where Ryu avenges his ancestor by confronting Nobunaga Oda. The cast also includes the time-traveling enthusiast Dr. Brown, who serves as the ninjas' advisor.

Notable Features

  • Destructible Environments: Almost every object on screen is susceptible to explosion, from pillars and buildings to glass containers, delivering a vibrant and chaotic visual style characteristic of ADK's hardware prowess.
  • Two-Player Cooperation: The game supports simultaneous two-player cooperative play, allowing friends to team up and tackle the time-traveling threat together.
  • Virtual Console Enhancements: Rereleases, including versions on the Wii Virtual Console, retain memory card functionality. This feature allows players to save their progress and restart from specific levels even after exhausting their continues, adding significant length to the gameplay.

Platform Availability

NINJA COMMANDO was originally released for the Neo Geo arcade and home console systems. Over the years, it has been made accessible to modern audiences through various digital platforms. The title is available on PC and has been featured on the Wii Virtual Console service, bringing classic Neo Geo action to contemporary systems. These ports preserve the intense gameplay while offering quality-of-life features like save states.

Who It Appeals To

Fans of classic run-and-gun shooters and arcade action will find NINJA COMMANDO to be a compelling title. Its unique top-down perspective, combined with the requirement to manage positioning while firing only forward, offers a strategic twist on the genre. The game appeals to enthusiasts of the Neo Geo era who appreciate detailed graphics and explosive set pieces. Additionally, the co-op mode makes it an excellent choice for players looking to share the chaotic fun of taking down waves of enemies across different eras of history.