A rewarding and fun platforming gem that can be thoroughly enjoyed by both young and old in equal measure.
A dastardly shogun warlord has begun creating an army of beady-eyed, gibberish-speaking Samurai henchmen at the expense of poor little forest critters, upsetting the balance of nature. A band of heroic ninjas have been sent to investigate the matter and have since disappeared, leaving only two to remain. Hiro and Futo, inexperienced greenhorns, are now our only hope in finding and rescuing the missing ninja, confronting the evil warlord, restoring Samurai henchmen back to their original animal critter forms, and saving the world from disaster. About 22 levels round out the package, ranging from dense bamboo forests, to ornery Japanese castles and mountainous cliffs. Controls handle brilliantly on the 360 controller, and you have an impressive depository of traditional ninja techniques at your disposal; such as running along walls, tightroping, and using various ninja-centric tools like caltrops, smoke bombs and shurikens. After you have made some progress in the game, you'll be given the opportunity to switch between as many as six different characters; including a Kunoichi with a cool-looking Naginata, a female Ninja with a flute that stuns enemies; even an army-camoflauged dude (seriously, a freaking army-camoflauged NINJA, for Pete's sake. How badass is THAT?) with explosive bows and arrows (well, they explode into fireworks, but it still looks pretty cool.) Though it isn't entirely necessary to use them capriciously in order to finish the game (save for Futo when he has to deal with large-scale enemies), the variety therein is a great incentive if you're tired of using Hiro all the time---cool as he is. But keep in mind-only Hiro can use ninja-specific spells.
Each of the game's 22 levels are mostly straightforward – mainly getting from Point A to Point B, but the levels are vast and expansive enough for a sizeable degree of exploration; not to mention plenty of fun platforming opportunities. Along the way, you're presented with the opportunity of finding helpful items; in fact, each level asks you to seek out a specific number of statues, potion ingredients, coins and magic scrolls; a wonderful incentive for gamers of the completionist nature. (Like myself) The most important items you will want to find are magic scrolls, which you will need to gain an edge against difficult enemies later on. Attack spells like Fireballs and Lightning Bolts are handled by a targeting cursor which you manuever using the right analog stick, giving you some degree of control over laying the elemental hurt on either heavy concentrations of enemies or a single assailant out of arm's reach. In addition to spells, you'll also hunt down ingredients for mixing helpful potions that heal injuries, restore Ki; that sort of thing. But apart from these delectable gaming intricacies, the game overall isn't too difficult, making it perfect for younger players, but it also makes it a point of maintaining a decent-enough challenge for veteran gamers; especially during later levels. And despite the brooding, notably-violent nature of Ninjas, the game is safe for the said younger demographic; enemies, technically, aren't "killed"-rather, they explode in a harmless puff of smoke and transform into little animals that scurry away instead of getting cut to ribbons in a violently bloody spectacle. It ain't Ninja Gaiden by any means, but it works for this game and is appropriate. The graphics are wonderfully detailed with nice little touches like blades of grass that go up to your waist, intricate Japanese villas and dynamic water effects. The music is, given the nature of Mini Ninjas, serenely Japanesque with resounding Taiko drum accompaniments and the soothing menagerie of flutes.
This was a game I held off buying many long months from its initial release date; a decision I regret somewhat-seeing how enormously charming it turned out to be. The upside to my unintended procrastination is that Mini Ninjas dropped to a very reasonable price, and it should prove beneficial to anyone looking either for a fun platforming exercise to play on their own accord or investing in something safe and enticing for their impressionable younger ones. No, it isn't Super Mario Galaxy. But for the money, you get an equally rewarding and fun experience. Whatever category you fall into, Mini Ninjas is right up your alley, if not a worthy addition to any ambitious game library.