Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Platformer
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi
| System | Sega Genesis / Mega Drive |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | SEGA |
| Publisher | SEGA |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Shinobi |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is a platformer released in 1991 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by SEGA.
It landed about 2 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1991 include Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage and Shining in the Darkness.
It is part of the Shinobi series; on the Genesis you can also try Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master and The Revenge of Shinobi. The series also appears on other systems with Shinobi (Master System) and Shinobi (NES). SEGA also made Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Tetris for the Genesis.
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the Genesis hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi cheats & codes
1,089 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:
| Large Amount of Lives | 01029E:7200 |
|---|---|
| Unlimited Magic | 00ADD2:13C1 |
| Invincible | FF13A8:8000 |
| Infinite Lives P1 | FF13DE:09 |
| Infinite Time | FF0F03:89 |
| Infinite Magic | FF13E4:07 |
If you like Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi, the Matrix also picks…
Sonic the Hedgehog Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Classic Co-op
Sonic & Knuckles Classic
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Classic Co-op
Playing Genesis games today
Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi FAQ
When did Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi come out on the Genesis?
Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1991.
Who made Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi?
It was developed by SEGA.
Is Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi multiplayer?
No. Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is a single-player game.
How long does Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi take to play?
As a platformer, Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.