Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master Overview
Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master concludes the Genesis/Mega Drive series, following ninja Joe Musashi as he returns to Japan after a prior victory. His recovery is interrupted when he detects the resurgence of the Neo Zeed organization, prompting him to confront them again.
The core experience is a side-scrolling action game with platforming. Musashi's primary arsenal includes a sword and throwing knives, known as kunai, which can be enhanced via power-ups found in crates. These containers also hold items like health, extra lives, time bombs, and ninjitsu abilities. His mobility extends beyond running and jumping to include a double jump, during which he can unleash kunai in multiple directions. New combat techniques introduced here are a projectile block, a bouncing drop-kick, a dashing sword slash, and the ability to jump between walls.
Progression is organized into seven rounds, typically each containing two stages culminating in a boss fight, with the final round having a single boss. While most stages scroll horizontally from left to right, some incorporate vertical movement. Three specific stages feature forced scrolling: one on horseback, another on a surfboard, and a third requiring ascent on falling rocks. Level design is generally linear but often includes concealed items off the main path, and one stage is structured as a multi-section door maze where incorrect choices reset progress.
Four ninjitsu techniques provide strategic options: temporary invincibility, a full-screen fire attack, enhanced jumping, and a costly self-destruct move that damages all on-screen enemies. The game offers four difficulty settings, with the standard mode providing three lives and three continues. A scoring system rewards specific playstyles, such as completing stages without using kunai or ninjitsu, and awards an extra life for every 50,000 points earned.
