Exceptional ninja platformer, known in Europe under this name. Precise mechanics, beautiful nocturnal atmosphere, memorable bosses. Fully on par with Ninja Gaiden. Unjustly overlooked.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player12+
Co-op
Description
Horizontal run-and-gun in which a ninja battles enemies through Japanese and futuristic levels. Published by Natsume, released in Europe in 1990. Ninja in side-scrolling view with shurikens and bombs, acrobatic jumps, level bosses and two-player co-op. European version of Natsume's Shadow of the Ninja on NES.
Blue Shadow review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
The European edition keeps the nocturnal urban scenery and its marked contrasts: factories, trains, sewers, towers under construction beneath a dark sky. The ninja always stands out in a bright tint, and the enemy sprites are drawn broad to stay readable against backgrounds often heavily loaded with metallic detail.
The writing exploits the three voices with remarkable density: a mobile bass running beneath the melody, a continuous countermelody, themes built in distinct sections. The pieces lean toward a dark, tense register, in keeping with the nocturnal scenery, and keep a clean melodic line despite the sonic load.
Released in Europe as Blue Shadow, this is the Natsume run-and-gun known elsewhere as Shadow of the Ninja, never issued under this name on the American NES, making the PAL box the only edition worldwide to bear that title. The limited European print run and Natsume's reputation, boosted by the studio's later acclaim, support a firm value. The region-specific naming sets it apart from the US and Famicom editions.
An underrated gem
Often compared to Ninja Gaiden, this Natsume run-and-gun drops two ninjas into urban and futuristic settings, with two-player co-op that changes everything. Released to indifference under several regional names, it never broke through. Its demanding action and razor-sharp controls will thrill fans of old-school ninja challenges.
Is Blue Shadow still worth playing in 2026?
A horizontal run and gun from Natsume, Blue Shadow, known in Japan as Shadow of the Ninja, sends a ninja to face enemies across Japanese and futuristic levels, wielding sword and grappling hook with great fluidity. The snappy pace, the wall climbing, the co-op mode and a careful production evoke the machine's best action games, in the spirit of Ninja Gaiden and Shinobi. The difficulty stays high. For a retro ninja action fan, someone curious about Natsume gems or a collector, the title keeps a remarkable bite and quality.
