Kamen no Ninja - Hanamaru

In Kamen no Ninja - Hanamaru, players step into the shoes of Hanamaru, a talented young ninja, on a quest to rescue the beautiful Princess Sakura from the evil wizard Giga. This classic action-platformer for the NES stands out with its challenging and engaging gameplay.

The gameplay of Kamen no Ninja - Hanamaru unfolds across side-scrolling levels. Hanamaru can perform basic actions such as walking, jumping, and crouching. His primary weapon is a sharp katana for close-quarters combat, complemented by a limited supply of shurikens for ranged attacks. A unique aspect of the game is the "Ninjutsu" system – special ninja arts. Players can collect secret scrolls to learn and unleash powerful techniques like throwing fireballs, creating shadow clones, or temporarily becoming invincible. Using Ninjutsu consumes a separate "ninja power" meter, requiring players to manage their resources wisely.

The game's levels are diverse, ranging from dense forests and mysterious caves to formidable castles, each filled with a variety of enemies, including rival ninjas, samurai, and even mythical creatures. At the end of each major stage, players will confront a challenging boss, demanding skill and strategy to defeat. Throughout the journey, Hanamaru can collect power-up items such as health potions to restore vitality, increase his shuriken count, or enhance the power of his ninja arts. The game is known for its relatively high difficulty, requiring precise jumps and timely use of abilities. It's a worthwhile experience for fans of classic action games.