Distributor(s) Sega
Nintendo Publisher Sony Imagesoft Mode Single-player video game | Initial release date 1994 Genre Beat 'em up | |
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Release date(s) Sega Genesis
NA: June 1, 1994
SNES
NA: June 19, 1994
Sega CD
NA: 1994 Platforms Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Sega CD Developers Malibu Interactive, Psygnosis Similar Sony Imagesoft games, Platform games | ||
3 Ninjas Kick Back is a beat 'em up video game for the Super NES, Sega Genesis/Mega Drive and Sega CD platforms. It was developed by Malibu Interactive, published by Sony Imagesoft and was released in 1994.
Contents
The game is based on the motion picture of the same name.
Story
Fifty years ago, the master samurai fought in a ninja tournament to win a magical dagger that together with an ancient samurai sword, is believed to be the key to unlocking a secret cave laden with riches. After winning the tournament and rightfully gaining the dagger, it was stolen by the master's archrival, Koga. Though the master searched far and wide, he never found any trace of Koga or the dagger. Now, too old to continue searching, the master sends his three young apprentices, the young ninja brothers, Rocky, Colt, and Tum-Tum, to assist him in retrieving the prized dagger.
Once it has been restored to its rightful owner, the dagger shall once again be passed along to younger generations, through the winners of the ninja tournament.
Gameplay
There is an initial character screen, where one of the three brothers must be chosen as the main character. The game itself is a very standard side scrolling platform game. Each of the characters has their own unique weapon. Rocky has a bo, Colt uses a katana, and Tum-tum wields twin sai. Enemies consist of rebel ninjas working for Koga, wild animals such as dogs and bats, and hazards such as moving boulders and spikes. As shown below, the game menu is a system representation of the poster used for the movie of the same name.
There are several levels to the game, each one made up of smaller zones. The game progresses by running the character through each zone, and arriving at the other end. Each level has a minor boss, with the character having to defeat Koga as the final boss. Upon retrieval of the dagger, the character rejoins the master in Japan, returning to him his stolen dagger.
System
The game was published on three different systems: Sega CD, Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The Sega CD port includes a bonus game: Hook.
Reception
Reviewing the Super NES version, GamePro called the game a "below-average platform adventure", citing the last-generation character graphics and sometimes troublesome controls, though they did praise the sound effects and the two-player cooperative gameplay and acknowledged that "Fans of the film might like it".