Ninja Crusaders NES box art

Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer

Ninja Crusaders

SystemNintendo Entertainment System
Released1990
GenrePlatformer
DeveloperNMK
PublisherSammy Studios
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 6

Ninja Crusaders is a platformer released in 1990 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by NMK and published by Sammy Studios.

It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Dr. Mario and Mega Man 3.

NMK also made Arkista's Ring and Saiyūki World for the NES.

Ninja Crusaders supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

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 have a friend to play against

Maybe skip it if…

  • you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives

What playing Ninja Crusaders 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.

Ninja Crusaders gameplay screenshot on NES
In-game screenshot (NES)

Ninja Crusaders cheats & codes

45 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:

1 LifePEOZEALA
6 LivesTEOZEALA
9 LivesPEOZEALE
Infinite LivesSLKKAOVS
Mega-Jumping NinjasIZNXNTZP
Start On Stage 1-2PAEPTGAA

See all Ninja Crusaders cheats

Ninja Crusaders walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ninja Crusaders.

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Playing NES games today

NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.

Ninja Crusaders FAQ

When did Ninja Crusaders come out on the NES?

Ninja Crusaders was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.

Who made Ninja Crusaders?

It was developed by NMK and published by Sammy Studios.

Is Ninja Crusaders multiplayer?

Yes. Ninja Crusaders supports up to 2 players.

How long does Ninja Crusaders take to play?

As a platformer, Ninja Crusaders 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.

Read more about Ninja Crusaders on Wikipedia. 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