Ninja Gaiden (arcade game)

Ninja Gaiden is a 1988 side-scrolling beat 'em up arcade game developed and published by Tecmo. It is distinct from the more well-known Ninja Gaiden action platformer series for the Nintendo Entertainment System, although it shares the same protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa.

The game puts players in the role of Ryu as he fights his way through various enemies and stages to defeat an unnamed evil cult. The arcade version is known for its graphic violence and mature themes compared to its console counterpart.

The gameplay is fairly standard for the beat 'em up genre. Ryu can punch, kick, and jump, and he can also perform special attacks. Power-ups can be collected to enhance Ryu's abilities and weaponry.

The arcade Ninja Gaiden is set in a more urban and gritty environment than the NES titles. Its art style and tone are significantly darker, reflecting the more mature audience it targeted in arcades. While often overshadowed by the NES trilogy, the arcade Ninja Gaiden remains a notable entry in the beat 'em up genre and a different interpretation of the Ninja Gaiden universe.