Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Ninja Gaiden
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Tecmo |
| Publisher | Tecmo |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Ninja Gaiden |
| ESRB | T |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 17 |
Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989, Ninja Gaiden is a platformer developed by Tecmo.
It landed about 4 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1989 include Mother, Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse and DuckTales. Among the 191 NES platformers in our database, it ranks #12 by legacy score.
It is part of the Ninja Gaiden series; on the NES you can also try Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos, Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom and Shadow Warriors: Ninja Gaiden. The series also appears on other systems with Ninja Gaiden: Dragon Sword (DS) and Ninja Gaiden Shadow (Game Boy). Tecmo also made Rygar, Mighty Bomb Jack and Tecmo Cup Soccer Game for the NES.
This is a solo experience: one player, no waiting on anyone else.
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 want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Ninja Gaiden 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 Gaiden cheats & codes
80 codes on file (Game Genie, Emulator memory codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SZETPGVG |
|---|---|
| Start With 9 Lives | AAUVLIZE |
| Start With 6 Lives | IAUVLIZA |
| Start With 1 Life | AAUVLIZA |
| Use Windmill Throwing-Star Without Losing Spiritual Strength | AEXVVYIA |
| Use Fire-Wheel Without Losing Spiritual Strength | AAETUYIA |
Ninja Gaiden walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Ninja Gaiden.
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Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
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Mighty Bomb Jack Classic
Super Mario Bros. Classic
Battletoads Classic Co-op
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 Gaiden FAQ
When did Ninja Gaiden come out on the NES?
Ninja Gaiden was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989.
Who made Ninja Gaiden?
It was developed by Tecmo.
Is Ninja Gaiden multiplayer?
No. Ninja Gaiden is a single-player game.
How long does Ninja Gaiden take to play?
As a platformer, Ninja Gaiden 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 Gaiden 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.