Video games - Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

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	Video games - Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi is a video game developed and published by SEGA in 1990. Shadow Dancer is essentially the direct sequel to the very first arcade Shinobi. However, due to the difference in plot with the previously released arcade version of Shadow Dancer, there is some controversy as to which game is the true sequel.

Storyline

Shadow Dancer is about Joe Mushashi who defeated the Neo Zeed crime syndicate in the previous shinobi game. After taking a much needed rest, in 1997 he discovered the Union Lizard organization made the mistake of murdering his good friend and former student Kato in New York City. The organization would sweep the streets taking hostages hell bent on enslaving the city. With the assistance of his faithful dog, Yamato, Mushashi would set out a campaign to rescue the hostages and destroy the organization led by Sauros.

Gameplay

The gameplay is very similar to the classic Shinobi games except the dog would add to the ninja weapon arsenal. Essentially the dog ties up the enemy, buying Joe time to get closer for the kill. In this version of Shadow Dancer, you can hold down on the attack button to summon the dog out. When the dog is hurt, it would shrink into a puppy sized dog incapable of attacking until the next powerup.

Hostages are scattered across the stage waiting to be rescued. The goal of each stage is to rescue all the hostages before facing the boss.

Musashi's standard weapons are an unlimited supply of throwing stars, along with punches and kicks when attacking at close range. He can also perform "ninja magic," which may be used only once per stage and kills (or damages, in the case of bosses) all enemies on the screen.

The game contains 5 stages divided into sub sections.

Stage 1: Burning Downtown Stage 2: Battle on the Bridge Stage 3: Statue of Liberty Stage 4: In the Darkness Stage 5: Union Lizard

This version of shadow dancer featured bonus stages where Musashi will be falling from the sky shooting stars at a group of ninjas scaling up the buildings. It has the appeal of a vertical shooter. The bonus stage is the same on both the US and Japanese version.

Ports

The arcade, Sega Master System as well as all the other ported version was not the same as this game despite sharing the same name. The different levels and story were exclusive to the Sega Genesis and Megadrive. Many of the enemies were reused in both versions.

Controversy

To add even more to the mystery as to why Sega changed the plot and characters between this version and the arcade. Sega later released a Special Edition cover for Shadow Dancer on the Genesis. The front cover pose would feature Hayato's unleash magic pose from the arcade version even though he is supposed to be Mushashi.

Sega Genesis Screenshots

Image:ShadowDancer_Gen01.jpg|Dog attack Image:ShadowDancer_Gen02.jpg|Boss Image:ShadowDancer_Gen03.jpg|Bonus Stage

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi ]

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