Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou

Game Details:

Ninja-Kid II (Ninja-kun: Ashura no Shou) was officially released to the arcade market by UPL in the summer of 1987 as the second main installment in the Ninja-kun series. The story follows a young ninja who ventures into an otherworldly realm teeming with Japanese yokai to save his village from the curse of the demon leader, Ashura. Breaking away from the single-screen constraints of its predecessor, the game introduced multi-directional scrolling maps featuring complex terrains such as underwater areas, caves, and volcanoes. Renowned for its unique physics-based jumping, diverse weapon system, and high level of challenge, it remains highly regarded among action arcade enthusiasts of the era.

Game Guide:

The core gameplay centers on utilizing verticality and hit stun mechanics. The young ninja possesses the ability to climb walls, dive, and stomp on enemies.

Pro Tips & Walkthrough:

Standard shurikens have limited range. By breaking specific treasure chests or defeating elite enemies, you can obtain the powerful "3-Way Fire Shot," the terrain-piercing "Scythe," and "Bombs" that can freeze enemies. The most critical combat tactic is the "Head Stomp"—landing on an enemy's head from a height puts them into a brief stun, allowing you to quickly deliver a follow-up attack for a safe kill. When facing the giant Fire Kite boss in Stage 3, avoid fighting on the ground. Utilize the walls on both sides for consecutive wall jumps (triangle jumps) to seize the high ground. The moment the boss dives, switch to the 3-Way Fire Shot and fire downward from mid-air, using the dense spread to take it down quickly.