One of the greatest action games ever to be experienced on the ill-fated Turbo Grafx 16.
The game is comprised of seven stages--ranging from ruined Japanese temples, creepy forests, moonlit wheatfields and foreboding caverns. You're a lone ninja on a journey to avenge the murder of your father. To assist you, you'll have access to a myriad of different weapons in your arsenal which you can switch readily at will any time--your standard katana, shurikens, a rope hook and bombs that explode on impact. You can collect power-ups along the way, including a bevy of shadow clones that mimic your every move. There are two modes of play--the PC Engine mode which grants you a life bar and is geared towards beginners, and the challenging Arcade Mode (one hit, you're dead).
The graphics are nicely done given the Turbo Grafx 16's limitations, bearing as faithfully close to its arcade source as it can get. Music is traditional Japanese fare with a hint of creepiness thrown in to fit the mood of the game, and you can listen to the game's tracks from the main menu.
What else can I say about Ninja Spirit? In my humble opinion, it is one of the greatest action games ever made--one that tragically fell through the cracks and never got the recognition it was due. Maybe now it will--amongst today's gamers.