M2’s port turns 1987’s quarter-killer into a $7 rewind-ready gem. Rescue kids, rack scores, repeat.
| Title | SEGA AGES: Shinobi |
| Released | Jan 23, 2020 |
| Developer | M2 |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Platform |   |
| Genre | Retro, Action, Platformer |
| Rating | E10+ |
| Pricing | $6.99 |
Completed on Switch 2 in Docked Mode, International Arcade version on Normal
HowLongToBeat Time: Main Story (1 Hour) | My Clear Time: 1hr 30min
SEGA AGES Shinobi Background
SEGA AGES Shinobi Switch is a 2019 Nintendo Switch re-release of SEGA’s 1987 arcade classic Shinobi. Players take control of Joe Musashi, slicing through Zeed’s criminal syndicate with fast-paced combat, strategic stage transitions, and modern features like rewind, save states, and display filters that preserve the original arcade feel.
The game was announced in 2018 as part of the SEGA AGES lineup, following successful ports like Sonic the Hedgehog and Virtua Racing, and launched on December 12, 2019, for the Nintendo Switch eShop.
The development team for SEGA AGES: Shinobi includes:
- Yosuke Okunari (Supervisor): Virtua Racing, Sonic The Hedgehog, Sega Genesis Mini
- Naoki Horii (Director): Virtua Racing, Megaman X: Legacy Collection
- Yasuhiro Kawakami (Composer): Shinobi, Tetris, R-Type
- Reiko Kodama (Producer): Virtua Racing, Deep Fear
SEGA AGES Shinobi Experience
Prior to playing this SEGA AGES version of Shinobi, I had only played parts of The Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi III a long time ago. Recently, I tried the demo for Shinobi: Art of Vengeance and wanted to play the original to better appreciate how far the series has come, to the point of including both PS2 entries (Shinobi and Nightshade) on my backlog.
No quarters needed this time.
SEGA AGES Shinobi Impressions
Introduction
New tricks optional.
SEGA AGES: Shinobi brings the 1987 arcade classic to the Nintendo Switch with a modern twist, putting you in the ninja boots of Joe Musashi as he slices through Zeed’s criminal syndicate to save kidnapped students. The vibrant pixel art and pulse-pounding action capture SEGA’s arcade era, while new features like rewind and customizable visuals make it accessible yet challenging.
It’s a nostalgic trip that tests reflexes and strategy, but does it live up to its legacy?
Gameplay & Mechanics
A ninja always finds his way.
Stage Transitions
Most stages in Shinobi have a foreground and background, allowing traversal between them by pressing up and jump to move to the background, or down and jump to return to the foreground. This tactical mechanic lets you dodge projectiles or flank enemies strategically.
One hit decides it all.
Combat System
Combat is simple yet precise, relying on throwing shurikens, jumping to avoid ground-level projectiles, and using stage transitions to evade attacks. Controls are responsive, but the one-hit-death mechanic demands precision, especially in later stages.
Zeed never stood a chance.
Super Attack
Rescue all kids in a stage to earn one Super, a screen-clearing ninjutsu that also gives 3 seconds of invincibility. Best saved for bosses, it adds depth to the fast-paced action.
Your dojo, your rules.
Difficulty Settings
Adjustable difficulty tweaks enemy aggression or damage to suit skill levels, making the game approachable for newcomers while retaining arcade challenge for veterans.
Their scores do.
Leaderboards
Online leaderboards track high scores, encouraging global competition, though their impact is limited for solo-focused players.
Art & Audio
The art retains the 1987 arcade’s vibrant pixel aesthetic, with detailed sprites for Joe Musashi and enemies like samurai and gunmen set against urban rooftops and bamboo forests. SEGA AGES enhances this with optional scanlines and smoothness, giving either a retro CRT feel or sharper visuals. Screenshots using scanlines + smoothness capture the arcade vibe effectively.
Retro never looked this sharp.
Yasuhiro Kawakami’s soundtrack delivers high-energy chiptune tracks, with driving beats for battles and quieter tones for stealthy moments. Sound effects, like shurikens hitting targets and enemy grunts, provide satisfying feedback, though the music doesn’t reach the iconic heights of SEGA classics like OutRun.
Standout tracks:
Main Theme
A pulsing chiptune track that sets the ninja vibe from the opening stage.
Shinobi – Boss BGM 1 (Arcade)
Fast-paced track heightening stakes during boss encounters.
Shinobi – BGM 3 (Arcade)
Melodic, stealthy tune capturing tension while infiltrating Zeed’s bases.
Unique Features & Mechanics
Rewinding time even brings defeated enemies back to life.
Rewind
Players can rewind time, allowing you to undo any mistakes you might have made.
Joe strikes at full strength.
SEGA AGES Mode
Sega AGES mode is exclusive to this incarnation of Shinobi, and changes Joe’s clothes to white and increases your damage to maximum.
Or start fresh with a button hold.
Save States
Sega AGES version has save/load functionality, allowing you to create up to 8 save states and load from them.
Filters and modes at your command.
Image Options
The aesthetics of the game can be changed from adding scanlines and smoothness, to original graphics, having the resolution of the game fit the window, create an arcade cabinet for the game to be inside of and other options like changing the background around the game window. All of the screenshots I took are with scanlines + smoothness option selected.
SEGA AGES Shinobi Switch Verdict
SEGA AGES: Shinobi is both a snapshot of late-’80s arcade design and a showcase of M2’s preservation work. The one-hit deaths and steep spikes, especially stage 3’s boss, can be frustrating, but the addition of save states balances out those quarter-munching roots without dulling the challenge.
Playing docked with smoothness and scanline filters gave the visuals a convincing CRT look on a modern display, and the soundtrack, while very much of its time, fit the action perfectly.
It’s not the best action platformer I’ve ever played, but it captures the strengths and flaws of the original while adding just enough accessibility to make it worth revisiting today.
Availability Note: Delisted from the North American eShop (still live in Europe and Japan). Digital codes are still sold at GameStop, Best Buy, and Amazon.
Recommendation: Easy recommendation at ~$7 for 2-3 playthroughs.
SEGA AGES Shinobi Switch TLDR
SEGA AGES: Shinobi (Switch 2)
8
Great
Summary: SEGA AGES: Shinobi preserves the classic arcade gameplay while adding features that make it accessible and visually appealing today.
Frustrating moments remain, but save states and visual options create a polished, fun experience for fans and newcomers alike.
