Shadow Dancer
1989 · Platform · Arcade
Overview
Shadow Dancer (1989) is Sega's arcade sequel to Shinobi, in which the ninja fights alongside a dog he can set on enemies.
Deep Dive
It plays much like Shinobi. Crouching and attacking sends the dog at an enemy, but if the enemy fights back too long the dog shrinks to a pup until the next time bomb is collected or the stage ends. Four missions each end with a boss, with a bonus game between them.
Developer Story
Motoshige Hokoyama directed it, and it reached North American arcades in May 1989. U.S. Gold released computer versions in Europe in 1991. Critics praised its graphics and music, though some thought it derivative, and it sold about 300,000 copies.
Did You Know?
- It was the first game made for Sega's System 18 board.
- Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi on the Genesis is a loose adaptation, not a port.
Sources & further reading
- Shadow Dancer (1989 video game) — Wikipedia
