3 Ninjas Kick Back (video game)

3 Ninjas Kick Back is a beat 'em up platform game for the Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Sega CD platforms. It was released in 1994[1] and was developed by Malibu Interactive. The Genesis version was published by Psygnosis while the SNES version was published by Sony Imagesoft.

3 Ninjas Kick Back
North American SNES boxart
Developer(s)Malibu Interactive
Publisher(s)Psygnosis (Genesis)
Sony Imagesoft (SNES)
Platform(s)Genesis, SNES, Sega CD
ReleaseSega Genesis
  • NA: June 1, 1994
SNES
  • NA: June 19, 1994
Sega CD
Genre(s)Beat 'em up, platform
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The game is based on the film of the same name.[1]

Story

Fifty years ago, the master samurai fought in a ninja tournament to win a magical dagger that together with an ancient samurai sword, is believed to be the key to unlocking a secret cave laden with riches. After winning the tournament and rightfully gaining the dagger, it was stolen by the master's archrival, Koga. Though the master searched far and wide, he never found any trace of Koga or the dagger. Now, too old to continue searching, the master sends his three young apprentices, the young ninja brothers, Rocky, Colt, and Tum-Tum, to assist him in retrieving the prized dagger.

Once it has been restored to its rightful owner, the dagger shall once again be passed along to younger generations, through the winners of the ninja tournament.

Gameplay
Colt fighting in The Woods zone.

There is an initial character screen, where one of the three brothers must be chosen as the main character. The game itself is a very standard side scrolling platform game. Each of the characters has their own unique weapon. Rocky has a bo, Colt uses a katana, and Tum-tum wields twin sai. Enemies consist of rebel ninjas working for Koga, wild animals such as dogs and bats, and hazards such as moving boulders and spikes.

There are several levels to the game, each one made up of smaller zones. The game progresses by running the character through each zone, and arriving at the other end. Each level has a minor boss, with the character having to defeat Koga as the final boss. Upon retrieval of the dagger, the character rejoins the master in Japan, returning to him his stolen dagger.

System

The game was published on three different systems: Sega CD, Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The Sega CD port includes a bonus game: Hook.

Reception

Reviewing the Super NES version, Tommy Glide of GamePro called the game a "below-average platform adventure", citing the last-generation character graphics and sometimes troublesome controls, though he did praise the sound effects and the two-player cooperative gameplay and acknowledged that "Fans of the film might like it".[2]

References
  1. "Chronic Games - 3 Ninjas Kick Back". Chronic Games. Chronic Games. Retrieved 2012-03-13.
  2. "3 Ninjas Kick Back". GamePro. No. 68. IDG. March 1995. p. 74.
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