- Release Date: 1990
- Genre: Sports
- Style: Golf
Game Description
In Ninja Golf you are a lone ninja golfer playing on a nine hole course full of enemies and obstacles. You start the game with 10 throwing stars and two lives.You begin each hole by making a your first shot. You then run past sideways scrolling terrain to get to the ball so you can shoot again. The terrain and obstacles change depending on whether you are moving through sand traps, water hazards, or the rough.
On your way to the ball you will have to fight your way past hostile ninjas and mischievous gophers. Fortunately the course is also strewn with power ups to give you additional health, lives and throwing stars.
Once you reach the green you must shoot ninja stars into the mouth of a fire breathing dragon. If you make the dragon leave before you get fried, you can proceed to the next hole.
~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
You would think that a game like Ninja Golf started off as some kind of late night programming joke. The combination of overhead golfing and 2D kick/punch fighting is interesting. Unfortunately, the repetitive gameplay and limited number of holes really hurt the replay value of the game.This game is best analyzed by breaking it down into its two components: golfing and fighting. The golfing in Ninja Golf is pure arcade. An overhead view of the hole shows the position of your ball. A white line shows the direction and distance your ball will travel. You change the angle of your shot by moving the line so that it points in the direction you want to hit the ball. As the line grows to maximum range, you must time the shot (pressing the fire button) to place the ball in the location you want.
After you have hit the ball, you fight your way down the course to make your next shot. The fighting portion of Ninja Golf is similar to the simple "run-punch-kick" style 2D fighting games. In addition to your fists and feet, you must also use throwing stars and jumps to overcome obstacles.
One highlight in the fighting portion of Ninja Golf is that the different areas of the course feature some different graphics and foes. For instance, when running through a sand trap you will have to dodge cobras. Heading off a fairway will put you face to face with giant frogs. When you are running through a water hazard, the game plays a few notes from the Jaws theme while you dodge sharks!
While these facets of the game are imaginative, amusing and fun, the overall gameplay seems a little bland in comparison. Most players will be able to master the golfing action with little difficulty. In addition, although the fighting game is spiced up a little by the various areas and opponents, the areas all end up feeling fairly similar and they are all filled with endless waves of computer ninjas trying to kill you.
On top of this, the game only has nine holes of golf. Considering the relative similarity of the gameplay on each hole, there isn't much reason to come back to Ninja Golf after you've completed the course.
~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
A two player option would have been a plus.~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
The backgrounds and objects are interesting but not overly detailed.~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
A few highligts here and there, but mostly bland beeps and boops.~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
Once you've completed the nine holes, there isn't a lot to draw you back in.~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
The documentation includes helpful illustrations.~ Joseph Scoleri III, All Game Guide
Production Credits
Designer: David Dentt
~ Skyler Miller, All Game Guide
