Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi Master System box art

Sega Master System · Action

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

SystemSega Master System
GenreAction
DeveloperSEGA
PublisherSEGA
Players1 player
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
SeriesShinobi
LegacyDeep cut

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is an action game released for the Sega Master System, developed by SEGA.

It is part of the Shinobi series; on the Master System you can also try Shinobi, Shadow Dancer and The Cyber Shinobi. The series also appears on other systems with Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master (Genesis) and The Revenge of Shinobi (Genesis). SEGA also made Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star and Hang-On for the Master System.

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 fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you've played the Master System hits and want something less obvious

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests
  • you are looking for something to play with friends

What playing Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi gameplay screenshot on Master System
In-game screenshot (Master System)

If you like Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi, the Matrix also picks…

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Shinobi Master System · 1988 · Action Classic

Playing Master System games today

The Master System library is full of colorful arcade-style games that are easy to pick up. Many titles also appear in Sega's official compilations.

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi FAQ

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 an action game, 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.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you