Ninja Gaiden III - The Ancient Ship of Doom (USA)

Ninja Gaiden III - The Ancient Ship of Doom is the final installment in the legendary NES trilogy, pushing the boundaries of the action-platformer genre to new heights. Players step into the shoes of Ryu Hayabusa, the superhuman ninja of the Dragon Clan, on a dark and challenging adventure. The story begins with Ryu being falsely accused of murdering Irene Lew, his beloved. To clear his name and uncover the true culprits behind the conspiracy, Ryu must embark on a dangerous journey, confronting the Jaquio organization and unraveling the mystery behind the "Ancient Ship of Doom."

The core gameplay of Ninja Gaiden III retains the essence of its predecessors: a fast-paced, side-scrolling action game that demands precision in every movement and attack. Ryu is equipped with his sharp Dragon Sword, his primary weapon. Additionally, he can utilize various sub-weapons, collected throughout the game. These sub-weapons include: regular shurikens, the powerful Windmill Shuriken, the Fire Wheel, the Art of the Fire Dragon which creates a swirling fire orb around Ryu, the Invincible Fire Wheel granting temporary invincibility, and the Piercing Shuriken capable of hitting multiple enemies.

One of the prominent features, and also a factor contributing to the increased difficulty of Ninja Gaiden III, is the refined "wall clinging" and "wall climbing" mechanics, allowing Ryu more flexible movement on vertical surfaces. Furthermore, the game introduces several new features. Most notably, Ryu's Dragon Sword can be powered up. When a special power-up is collected, Ryu's sword gains extended reach or increased damage, providing a significant advantage in battles. However, the game also removed boss health bars, forcing players to rely on their feel to know when an enemy is about to be defeated, adding to the challenge.

The difficulty of Ninja Gaiden III is widely considered the highest in the NES trilogy. This is partly due to the game's strict limit on the number of "continues" players can use, forcing them to play more cautiously and strategically. The in-game environments also become more perilous with numerous deadly traps, moving obstacles, and more densely populated, smarter enemies with unpredictable attack patterns. Each stage is intricately designed, with multiple layers and hidden areas, requiring players to explore and memorize the terrain.

The graphics of Ninja Gaiden III continue to showcase Tecmo's excellence on the NES, with detailed landscapes, vivid visual effects, and impressive character designs. The game's music is also a major highlight, with epic and dramatic melodies that contribute to the tense and engaging atmosphere of Ryu's adventure. Though a notoriously difficult challenge, Ninja Gaiden III - The Ancient Ship of Doom remains a pinnacle of the action-platformer genre, offering an unforgettable experience for those who dare to face it.