Shinobi

Shinobi is a side-scrolling action game starring Joe Musashi, a modern-day ninja sent to rescue hostages kidnapped by a criminal organization. The game is divided into five missions, each consisting of several stages and ending with a boss battle. In most stages, Joe must locate and rescue every hostage before he can proceed to the exit.

Joe attacks distant enemies by throwing shuriken, but automatically switches to punches, kicks, or other close-range attacks when an opponent approaches. Rescuing certain hostages grants a temporary weapon upgrade, replacing his shuriken with a firearm and strengthening his melee attack with a sword. He may also use a powerful ninjutsu technique once per stage, eliminating most ordinary enemies on the screen or inflicting heavy damage on a boss. Completing stages without using ninjutsu, or under other special conditions, can award additional bonus points.