Shadow of the Ninja

Interview with anonymous-villain of Shadow of the Ninja

Welcome, anonymous-villain. It’s a pleasure to have you with us. Let’s get straight to the point—why take over New York? Couldn’t you have picked a quieter city?

Ah, the Big Apple. Why settle for anything less than the grandest stage? I mean, taking over Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan just doesn’t have the same ring to it, does it? Besides, New York has all those tall buildings perfect for dramatic rooftop confrontations.

Fair enough! Now, Hayate and Kaede have been quite the thorn in your side. What do you have to say about their relentless pursuit to topple your reign?

Ah, those meddlesome ninjas. Always skirting about with their flashy jumps and fancy somersaults. Honestly, they do keep things interesting. But really, what kind of hero spends their days climbing walls and hanging from platforms? Sounds more like an overenthusiastic gymnastic duo than saviors of a city.

Speaking of which, players often find the platforming quite challenging. Any thoughts on that?

Oh, absolutely! It’s beautiful, isn’t it? You see, those narrow ledges and tricky jumps were designed with precision to weed out the feeble from the resilient. It’s not my fault if players didn’t excel in their virtual gym class. And don’t get me started on those power-ups—who leaves weapons lying around in canisters? Not a very efficient army if you ask me.

You seem to have a good grasp of game mechanics. Is it true you had a hand in hiding some of the game’s secrets?

Ah, you’ve caught me! Yes, I might have misplaced a few helpful items in obscure places. It’s called adding a touch of elegance to the chaos. For instance, certain canisters only appear if you backtrack a bit or jump in just the right spot. You could call them my little Easter eggs for the truly astute player.

Ha! Defeat Emperor Garuda?

What’s your take on the game’s difficulty? Some players say Shadow of the Ninja is punishing, even by NES standards.

Punishing? Oh, you flatter me! It’s crafted to be a gauntlet, a test of true skill and courage. A real Emperor doesn’t just hand over his empire without a struggle. If you want easy, might I suggest a leisurely game of Tetris?

Let’s talk about the endgame. For those who’ve actually managed to beat the game, what’s your message to them?

Hayate or Kade

To the valiant few who overcame my labyrinthine designs, I must offer a begrudging nod of respect. It takes more than mindless button-mashing to best me—it takes cunning, precision, and a touch of madness. But I assure you, even in your victory, I remain unconquered in spirit.

Can you share any inside trivia about the game’s development? What little-known secrets might players be surprised to learn?

Ah, a peek behind the curtain! Did you know the game’s cooperative mode was added as a desperate measure to give players a fighting chance against my well-oiled machine of destruction? It’s true! Yet, instead of toppling me with friendship and teamwork, many players just ended up accidentally slashing each other. Which, honestly, was the most entertaining oversight.

originally released in Japan as Yami no Shigotonin Kage and later released in Europe and Australia as Blue Shadow

Lastly, any parting words for your fans—or your foes?

Fans? Hah! Perhaps one or two of you appreciate a well-dressed villain with a flair for drama. Foes? Keep training, keep trying. Who knows? I might make a return in a sequel or a grand reboot. After all, a city like New York, and a villain like myself, deserve a second act. Until then, stay sharp, stay swift—and do try to avoid my unforgiving traps!

Thank you for the amusing insights, anonymous-villain. We look forward to your next move!

Ahh, the Big Apple

Always a pleasure. Remember, in the shadows of the ninja, the Emperor still rules.

You can also read the Classics conversation for Shadow of the Ninja here!

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