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The Revenge of Shinobi
The classic that battled both enemies and lawsuits
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Shinobi!
For a while it felt like Sega’s ninja franchise was everywhere. Arcades, home consoles, magazine ads, you could not miss it back in the early 90’s.
Alongside Sonic, Shinobi stood as one of Sega’s powerhouses, a series fans adored for its fast action and gameplay. And yet, like so many once dominant franchises such as Jak and Daxter or Sly Cooper, Shinobi eventually slipped into the shadows.
After a fourteen year absence, the series finally resurfaced this year with Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, sparking memories of its golden era. For me, that always leads back to The Revenge of Shinobi on the Genesis, a game as infamous as it was beloved.
First level is so iconic. I can hear the music from this image.
Infamous not just because of its gameplay, which was amazing, but because of the copyright storm it stirred. Early versions featured bosses lifted straight from pop culture: Batman, Spider Man, The Terminator, even Godzilla, all completely unlicensed.
Sega scrambled to fix things, releasing multiple revisions and even recoloring Spider Man pink to avoid lawsuits. It is hard to believe something like this ever hit store shelves, but that wild history is part of why Revenge of Shinobi remains unforgettable.
One of the most satisfying 16 bit moves ever.
Year Released: 1989 (US, JP), 1990 (PAL)
Developer: Sega
Publisher: Sega
System: Sega Genesis
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The Revenge of Shinobi places you in control of Joe Musashi, a master ninja seeking vengeance against the criminal organization Neo Zeed.
Players navigate through eight challenging rounds of side-scrolling action, combining platforming with combat. The game demands both reflexes and strategy as you face increasingly difficult enemies and environmental hazards. It’s your normal side scrolling game… but executed perfectly.
When life kicks you down, Shinobi just double-kicks back.
Visually, the game is beautiful for an early Genesis title. Each level offered distinct visual themes, from urban landscapes to mystical temples. The animation quality particularly impressed, with Musashi's movements flowing naturally between walking, jumping, and attacking. Combat felt weighty and satisfying, and his double jump and tossing multiple projectiles never gets old.
The copyright saga of The Revenge of Shinobi is one of Sega’s strangest moments. The original release shipped with bosses that were clear imitations of famous movie and comic icons, along with a title screen that used the likeness of actor Sonny Chiba.
Terminator? Of course not. Definitely not him.
Legal pressure quickly forced Sega to revise the game four times after release. Long before the days of patches, these revisions came in entirely new cartridges being made.
Spider-Man was briefly licensed, Batman was replaced with a demon-like creature, Godzilla was redrawn as a skeletal dinosaur, and other lookalikes were toned down. By the time of digital re-releases decades later, the Spider-Man license had expired, leaving Sega to recolor him pink and quietly remove the Chiba-inspired title screen.
Definitely not Spider Man.
Years later, designer Noriyoshi Ohba admitted that the decision to use these familiar characters came from a “lack of creativity” on his part. He wanted memorable encounters, but the results borrowed too heavily from pop culture.
Yuzo Koshiro's soundtrack became legendary among Genesis owners, considered by many as one of the console's finest musical achievements. The compositions blended traditional Japanese melodies with electronic beats, creating an atmosphere that perfectly complemented the ninja theme.
Definitely not Batman… well okay, maybe. But the game is so damn good!
Sega Genesis Classics features all three Shinobi games released for the system.
Nintendo Switch Online - Genesis
Original Copies of the Game: Loose: $20, Complete: $55, New/Sealed: $130 (All prices in USD)
Cover Art
 North American |  European |  Japanese |
Concept and Game Art
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Videos
The Many Revisions of The Revenge of Shinobi - A Collector's Guide (source: The Game Hunters). Click the above image (definitely not Godzilla) to watch how the game was forced to make changes after release.
Game Audio
Track: The Revenge of Shinobi - Stage 1
Here’s a quick roundup of the latest retro gaming news I’ve dug up. Click the image or the article link to dive in!
 Nintendo Music adds Zelda 2 Famicom and NES Zelda II tracks now stream worldwide. |  Mega SmartDrive for Genesis Accessory adds region-free play, display options, and resets. |
 Retro Pixel Pocket Updated New chipset, half-price, emulates consoles up to PS1. |  Aspyr Removes AI Voiceover Tomb Raider remasters patch AI voices after lawsuit. |
The Revenge of Shinobi stands as a testament to Genesis's early dominance in the console wars. The tight controls and responsive mechanics ensure that failures feel earned rather than cheap, encouraging repeated attempts at mastery.
The game's legacy extends beyond its controversial copyright infringements, representing a pinnacle of 16-bit action design. The revision saga makes for a fascinating story, but it should not overshadow how influential the game truly was.
Side scroller rule of law: If set in modern day, it must have a train level. Or straight to jail.
Its influence can be seen in countless action games that followed, and Koshiro's soundtrack was even performed by a live orchestra at the Fourth Symphonic Game Music Concert in 2006. For retro gaming enthusiasts, it remains essential playing that showcases why the Genesis earned its reputation.
The Genesis delivered three standout Shinobi adventures, and each remains worth playing today. The Revenge of Shinobi in particular strikes a balance between timeless challenge and historical significance.
Whether you are discovering it for the first time or returning to it from childhood, the game still delivers. The platforming, combat, graphics and music… perfect. The game rises above nostalgia to offer an amazing experience and I can’t recommend this game enough.
Definitely not a Game Over screen.
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 Sega Genesis Classics I think this is the 3rd or 4th time I’ve recommended this game. It’s just that good! Includes the Shinobi Genesis trilogy. |  Shinobi 2026 Calendar A 2026 Shinobi calendar with art from the entire franchise. |
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