__ ___ __ __ __________ __ _ _ __ _ __ ____ /==/|===\ /==\ |==\_ /==========\_ |==\ |=||=||==\ |=| |==| |====| <===||====||===\ /====/\=============| |== \|=||=||== \|=| |==| |====| |===-=====||====\_ /====/ /|________//__ |====|=||=||====|=| |==| |====| |===/\===/ |======|====/ |__===========/ |======||=||======| __ |==||==||==| |==/ /==// |===\==|_/==| /==| |-|----||-||-|----||--||--||--11--| |/| /--// |---|\-| \--| /--/ __\\\ |-|\---||-||-|\---||--11--||------| /---/ |---| |--\ |---|__/-----\ |_| \__||_||_| \__||______||__||__| //// //\/\ <_|\_||________|\__/ ___ _ _ ___ ___ _ | __ /_\ | | \ |___ |\ | |__| / \ | |__/ |___ | \_| @@@ @@@@ @@@@@ @@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@ @@ @@ @@@ @ @ @@@ @@@@ @@@ @@@ @@ @@@ @ @@@ @@ @@@@ @@ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @@@@@ @@@@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @ @ @ @ @@ @ @ @@ @ @ @@@@@@ @@ @@@@@@ @@ @@@ @@ @ @ @@ @ @@ @ @@ @ @@@@@@ @@@@ @@@@@@ @ @ @@@ @@@ @@@ @ @@ @ @@ @@@@@ @@@ @@ @ @ @ @ @@ @ @@@@ @@ @ @ @@@@ @@ @@ @@ @ @@@@@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @@ @ @@@@@@ @ @@@@ @@ @ @@@@@ @@@ @@@@ @@@@@@@ @@ @@@@@@@ @@ @@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@@@@@ @@ @@ @@@@@ @@@ @@@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@@@@@ @@@ @@ @ @@@ ASCII Art By: SkedarJanitor _____________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________ NINJA GAIDEN SHADOW FAQ/Walkthrough Author......................Raging_DemonTEN Console.....................Gameboy "NINJA GAIDEN SHADOW" Copyright 1991 Tecmo FAQ/Walkthrough Copyright 2002 Raging_DemonTEN E-Mail Address..............eagle25_100@yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ =================== ( Version History ) =================== Version 1.0 - FAQ/Walkthrough Completed ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ This FAQ is copyright Raging_DemonTEN. It is for private use only, and cannot be reproduced or sold without strict permission from the author. Permission can be asked for by e-mailing me with the title "NGS Permission" at: eagle25_100@yahoo.com. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ =================== ( Table Of Contents ) =================== ___________________________________________________ / \ | 1)................| Introduction | | 2)................| Overview And Controls | | 3)................| = Walkthrough = | | o Stage 1 | | o Stage 2 | | o Stage 3 | | o Stage 4 | | o Stage 5 | | 4)................| Items | | 5)................| Expanded Version History | \___________________________________________________/ _____________________________________________________________________________ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Introduction ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ninja Gaiden, the epic action game of yore on the good ole NES, became pocket-sized in 1991 when Tecmo bought the rights to a Natsume game called Shadow Of The Ninja and did some touch-ups to feature our good friend Ryu Hayabusa instead of just some generic ninja. In the transfer, however, Tecmo didn't add any of those somewhat interesting cut-scenes, and also only left one Ninja Power-Up in, Art Of The Fire Wheel. While these can be considered some pretty big setbacks, it's still classic Ninja Gaiden action on the go, and that's all we Ninja Gaiden fanatics can ask for. The guide below should help you get through the game with nary a laser beam burn or shruiken cut on you. However, memorization is key in all Ninja Gaiden games, so try and die gameplay might have to be used, especially on Stage 5, if your thumbs aren't up to the task. It's a short game, so you won't have to stuff too much into your brain. Well, that's the end of the intro (doubt you read this part anyways), and away we goes! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Overview And Controls ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ The events in this story occur three years before the events in the first Ninja Gaiden supposedly. A sorcerer named Garuda is feeding off the anger and sadness of the citizens of New York, so Ryu takes up his father's Dragon Sword to defeat him. There are a few differences between Shadow and the other games in the Ninja Gaiden series. Ryu only has six bars of life, and only one power-up, Art Of The Fire Wheel. You can use the Art Of The Fire Wheel once per unit of Spirit Energy you collect from the globes on the level, for a maximum of five at a time. Ryu didn't learn to climb walls yet, but he does have a neat little grappling hook to climb on to hard-to-reach ledges. And finally, Ryu can jump at two different heights now, but it is hardly noticeable. ============ | Controls | ============ D-Pad - Moves Ryu left and right B Button - Swings the Dragon Sword Up + B Button - Uses Art Of Fire Wheel A Button - Jumps Up + A Button - Shoots the grappling hook START - Pauses the game +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Walkthrough ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ NOTES * The power-ups are listed in the order they appear in ============================================================================= Stage 1 ============================================================================= Enemies: Missile Launcher, Grenadier, Grunt, Flame Bomb Globes: Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Mega Life Bottle, Spirit Energy ============================================================================= * Grunts are simple, slow-moving enemies, and are easy to dispatch with a single sword blow. The other two enemies might be considered harder though. Just duck underneath the Missile Launcher's missiles then slash, and wait for the Grenadier to throw his first grenade then charge him. * In the second part of the level, you'll meet your first Flame Bomb. Duck and strike, then wait for the flame to dissipate before you move forward. * You should stay on a straight single path throughout the entire level. I saw an upper platform with enemies on it, but no way to get up there :( --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | BOSS: Spider Hits To Kill: 25 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Spider crawls along the ground, then after a short bit attaches to | | the ceiling, and then falls down upon you. If you stand still, he will | | try to land directly on you, but if you move left or right, he'll jump in | | that direction. | | | | When Spider is on the ground, you should be able to strike him 4 or 5 | | times before he jumps up to the ceiling. Stay absolutely still until you | | see his arm reach down towards you. This means he's coming down, so | | quickly move to one side, then slash him again when he lands. Repeat the | | process until he is slain. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================= Stage 2 ============================================================================= Enemies: Flying Drone, Soldier, Flamethrower-A, Ledge Drone, Scout, Shield Samurai Globes: Spirit Energy, Life Bottle, Spirit Energy, 1-Up, Spirit Energy Spirit Energy, Life Bottle, 1-Up, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Mega Life Bottle ============================================================================= * Flamethrowers can be quite deadly along with Scouts, as you have to jump to avoid the flames, which put you directly in the flying pattern of the pesky Scout. I jump over and towards the Scout, slash it, then land straight down so I don't get into the path of the flame. * You can move down ledges by crouching and pressing A. As soon as you land on a ledge next to a Soldier, duck so the bullets miss, then charge and slash while he reloads. When you get to the bottom of the ledges, use the Flame Wheel to quickly dispatch the Soldier and Flamethrower to avoid damage. * Grabbing the 1-Up on the high platform is easy enough. Just follow the conveyor belt to the end (wait for the Flamethrower to shoot his flame before you duck underneath the last platform). Then, use your grappling hook to climb up to the Soldier and the Spirit Energy, and jump across the tops of the platforms to reach the 1-Up. Watch out for the Flying Drone. * You encounter your first Shield Samurai here, and they can be hard to kill if you don't know what to do. Turn your back to the Samurai while his shield is up, then quickly turn and slash when he puts it down. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | BOSS: Jack And Greg Hits To Kill: 30 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Just for the record, Jack is the big guy, Greg the small. Jack has a | | a bit of trouble walking faster than a toddler, so Greg tries to help him | | out by humping your leg, thereby slowing you down and maybe giving Jack a | | chance to punch or kick you. | | | | Just slash at Jack as soon as he comes out and ignore Greg. You can | | get five or six hits on him before he even raises his leg. When Greg | | starts to hump your leg, you can only get one hit in before you retreat | | before Jack's swing. Jumping around a lot seems to shake him off pretty | | quick, but he'll latch on again fast. When you do get him off, make the | | most of it by slashing Jack quickly, and the fight should end soon enough.| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================= Stage 3 ============================================================================= Enemies: Bottom Bomber, Hunter, Flying Drone, Flame Bomb Globes: Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Life Bottle, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, 1-Up, Mega Life Bottle ============================================================================= * The biggest problem you are facing on this level are the flamethrowers. There are two types of flamethrowers: circular and horizontal. Circular are the more dangerous of the two, and they continuously spew a circle of flames around their center. Horizontal flamethrowers are set into the walls, and fire a jet of horizontal flame every two seconds. To avoid the circular, follow the flame when it passes by you, and just walk past the horizontal one when the flame isn't on. * Bottom Bombers can be a huge annoyance, since the bombs can travel either up or down. However, it's a pain to actually kill them, since they tend to travel along the bottom of the ledges. Just ignore them and move quickly. * When you reach the section with a series of platforms along vertical tracks, watch for Scouts. They tend to shoot at you in mid-jump. If you have over two Spirit Energies left, use the Art Of Fire Wheel to dispose of them quickly. * To grab that extra life near the edge of the level (the globe beneath all those spikes), just shoot the Art Of The Fire Wheel before you cross underneath the spikes and grab it on the way over. Be sure to fill up your health, and then walk into the boss room. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | BOSS: Colonel Allen Hits To Kill: 35 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Colonel Allen can be pretty easy if you know what to do. He only | | fires diagonally downwards and upwards. He usually runs from one corner | | to the other, firing downwards. When you use your grappling hook to reach | | the ledge, he'll then stand still and fire upwards. Once he's finished | | with that, he'll run back to a corner to fire downwards again. | | | | When he starts to fire downwards towards you, use your hook to reach | | the ledge above. Wait there until he stops and points his gun upwards. | | When he does, drop down and slash him 2 or 3 times. Stop when he runs back| | into the corner. Then repeat the process until he is dead. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================= Stage 4 ============================================================================= Enemies: Scout, Ninja Hoodlums, Shield Samurai, Flame Bomb Globes: Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Life Bottle, Life Bottle, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, 1-Up ============================================================================= * Ninja Hoodlums can be a pain in this level with their throwing stars. Use your Art Of Fire Wheel when you encounter two or more. * When you reach a long corridor with ledges hanging in mid-air, get ready for the lights to go out. When they do, laser cannons come from the top and bottom, shooting beams down on you. However, the ledges break the beams, so standing below one when the cannon is above it protects you from above, and standing on one when the cannon is below protects you also. * You'll have to race some lava to the top of the screen near the end of this level. Jump way from the electrical charges on the ledges, and just jump over the Flame Bombs, since waiting for their flame to dissipate would take too much time. If you travel fast enough, you can jump to the left at the top and grab the 1-Up there. Proceed right from here to get to the boss. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | BOSS: Evil Nobleman Whokisai Hits To Kill: 40 | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | I found this boss to be easier than the last one. He floats around in | | the air and waits for you to turn away from him. When you do, he goes | | rigid for a second, then lands quickly and throws his fan. His fan works | | like a boomerang, as it returns to his hand when he throws it. He'll go | | back up in the air after this. If you stay still, he'll throw shruiken | | until you do move. | | | | Move around until he goes rigid. His shruiken are easy to avoid, so | | you don't need to worry about them. When he goes rigid, wait for him to | | land, then duck and slash. After you slash him four times while ducking, | | jump over the returning boomerang and slash him two more times before he | | rises into the air again. Once he does, repeat the pattern until he falls.| --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ============================================================================= Stage 5 ============================================================================= Enemies: Flamethrower-B, Grenadier, Beta Platform, Photon Cannon Globes: Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Life Bottle, Life Bottle, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Spirit Energy, Mega Life Bottle ============================================================================= * In the beginning of the level, you'll encounter the very deadly B type of Flamethrowers. It's easier to avoid them by climbing underneath the ledges beneath them, then popping up on the other side of them and slashing. When one of them is with a Grenadier, just use Art Of The Fire Wheel on them. * Photon Cannons can be a real pain in the middle of the level. A good tip to remember in this level is to avoid battle as much as possible. Moving fast between the ledges is key here. If you need to destroy a Photon Cannon, remember you have to wait for the beam to shoot before you can strike it. * The end of the level will require all your reflexes to stay alive among the numerous Photon Cannons. Ducking underneath the beams can be more useful than jumping over them lots of times. Try to max out your Spirit Energy bar and get full health from the Mega Life Bottle near the top of the elevator shaft before you face Garuda. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | BOSS: Garuda Hits To Kill: 25 - First Form | | 30 - Second Form | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- | The first form of Garuda can be difficult to avoid if you don't know | | how to avoid the bolts. He floats down with an afterimage to begin the | | fight. You can usually get in around 4 or 5 slashes before he rises again.| | When he does, he fires three lightning bolts straight down, then flies | | around the room and aims them at you. Count out one second after each | | bolt, then move quickly to the left or right to avoid the bolt. He fires | | 5 bolts before he lands again. Continue to slash at him until he changes | | form. | | | | The second form of Garuda is tougher than the first. He flies a mecha | | suit around. When he lands, he plants three fireballs directly in front | | of him, then jumps to the other side of the room. When he reaches it, he | | launches the fireballs from the other side, plants some more, then does it| | again. When he lands, don't stand in front of him, as you'll be hit by | | the forming fireballs. When he jumps to the other side of the room, run | | up to him and slash him four times. Duck underneath the first fireball, | | jump over the second, and the third one will miss you altogether. Just | | continue to do this until his suit explodes and you are victorious. | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE JUST BEATEN NINJA GAIDEN SHADOW +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Items ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ o SPIRIT ENERGY | o 1-UP | Gives Ryu one attack with Art Of | Gives Ryu an extra life The Fire Wheel. You can have up | to five Spirit Energies at a time. | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | o LIFE BOTTLE | o MEGA LIFE BOTTLE | Heals Ryu for two life bars | Heals Ryu for four life bars +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. Expanded Version History ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Version 1.0 - FAQ/Walkthrough Completed _____________________________________________________________________________ ================ ( Thanks To... ) ================ SkedarJanitor - For donating his ASCII Art to this guide. You can check out his other work at: http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/recognition/9654.html GameFAQs - For continuing to publish my work ============================================================================= ============================================================================= If you have any questions or comments about this FAQ or any other I have written, please feel free to e-mail me at eagle25_100@yahoo.com. I hope you have enjoyed this guide, and good luck in this game and in life! _____________________________________________________________________________ (c)2002 Raging_DemonTEN