20 Awesome Ninja Games #1: The Last Ninja

On 02/03/2014 at 09:28 AM by The Last Ninja

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Linked to Article Series: Blog a Day (BaD) 2014

Released: 1987

Systems: Commodore 64, Apple II, BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, MS-DOS, Atari ST, Amiga, Acorn Archimedes, ZX Spectrum

Developer: System 3, Eclipse Software Design

Publisher: Activision, Superior Software

What a great way to start this series, with me! Oh wait, this came out a little before my time. This action-adventure game is one of the most successful games ever released for the C64. Its exploration, puzzle solving, combat, and unique isometric perspective combine to make a powerful experience. It was one of the best looking games on the C64, boasting great color and animation. During his journey, protagonist Armakuni can equip severl different weapons, such as ninjato, nunchucks, staff, shuriken, and smoke bombs. The entire game is divided into six distinct locations. Highly praised to this day, The Last Ninja was ahead of its time. That title is a lie, by the way; the success of this game led to The Last Ninja 2 and The Last Ninja 3. You can't keep a good ninja down.

jgusw

02/03/2014 at 09:30 AM

I never heard of this game. Thanks for the info. This might me something for me to check out.

The Last Ninja

02/03/2014 at 06:39 PM

It's one of the best games on the C64, and one of the best retro Ninja games.

Jamie Alston Staff Writer

02/03/2014 at 09:34 AM

Kinda reminds me of the cover for shinobi on teh Master System.

02/03/2014 at 06:40 PM

Yeah, except the cover for Shinobi is all multi-colored and weird. This one is straight-up NINJA!

Aboboisdaman

02/03/2014 at 09:40 AM

You got your own game?!?! Awesome! This wasn't the only game with implications of finality that kept on going. Just look at Final Fantasy lol.

02/03/2014 at 06:41 PM

Oh yeah, FF is a great example. That game was going to be Square's final game before they went bankrupt, but then it was a huge hit, so they kept making FF games.

Matt Snee Staff Writer

02/03/2014 at 09:54 AM

oh man, this game has such awesome music. I forget the name of the composer, but he was the best 64 composer.

Hubbard was his name I think.

KnightDriver

02/04/2014 at 01:04 AM

Ben Daglish and Anthony Lees for the C64 according to Wiki.

02/04/2014 at 08:58 AM

oh yeah, Daglish. Hubbard did Commando I think.

Thanks!

Super Step Contributing Writer

02/03/2014 at 02:10 PM

I'm digging the music for The Wilderness around 3:43. And it's not lying as long as the games had the same ninja in them. lol

02/03/2014 at 06:44 PM

Hm, well if it was the same ninja, it wouldn't be "the last ninja 2," now would it? It would be "the last ninja returns" or something like that.

02/04/2014 at 12:01 AM

Yes it would (is), actually. Last Ninja 2 is referring to the game's place in the series, not the ninja himself. Just like the Super Mario Bros. in Super Mario Bros. 2 are the same Super Mario Bros.

C.S.3590SquadLeader

02/03/2014 at 07:29 PM

I haven't heard of this game, but that's not surprising since my videogame knowlegde isn't as vast as I'd like it to be.

02/03/2014 at 09:40 PM

Well you're certainly not alone. This is an old game on a system that is not very well-known to most people.

02/04/2014 at 01:02 AM

Man that music is jammin'! It makes me want to do a high flying Ninja kick to the evil Ninjas that killed my father. Can the whole Pixlbit site play this music all the time you're on it? I would feel like I'm writing all Ninja-like. That would be awesome! Damn I want this music to work out to. Ben Daglish you master Ninja of music you. I can see now why people really love the C64's music chip. That's some cool chip tuneage.

02/04/2014 at 08:59 AM

yeah the C64 had the best music, period. not only was the chip nice, but the tunes were generally more complex and longer.

PixlBit

20 Awesome Ninja Games #1: The Last Ninja

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