Rich’s Favourite 80s & 90s Ninja Video Games 🥷

The Ninja‑Soaked 80s & 90s: My Favourite Childhood Ninja Video Games

Growing up in the 80s and 90s meant that as a kid, you thought that Ninjas were the coolest things in the world. In fact, if someone described you as a Ninja, it generally meant you were great at something. “He’s a Ninja at playing rounders!”

Being the epitome of cool meant that Ninjas were a pervasive part of 80s culture and seeped into our films, cartoons and, of course, our video games.

When I think back to those Ninja-laden days, I was always drawn to things like Bruce Lee films, The Karate Kid, and, of course, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! 

When it came to video games, I think I was subliminally obsessed with Ninja-themed games, and I am going to have a go at recalling my favourite Ninja Video Games from the 80s and 90s of my childhood.

Bad Dudes vs Dragon Ninja

[ARCADE] 1988

There was a video rental shop down the road from my mate Paul’s house that had two arcade cabinets in it. They often changed it up in there too. We visited there one day with a fistful of 20ps and were greeted by the marquee for DRAGON NINJA. It’s famously called bad dudes in the U.S. We loved the enemy who used to multiply with a cry of “WAKKA WAKKA WAKKA”. Whether he actually said that is another matter, but that’s what it sounded like to 11-year-old me!

Last Ninja 2

[C64] 1988

My mate Paul got a Commodore 64 for his birthday, and it came packed with games. One of those games was The Last Ninja II. I’d never seen a video game that looked and sounded so good. I also had never seen a game that allowed you to seemingly explore at will and also solve puzzles with different weapons and items. We were awful at the game and pretty much always got about as far as trying to jump on a passing boat and then off of it to the other side of the river!

The Ninja 

[SEGA MASTER SYSTEM] 1986

I remember visiting my local video game shop called Logic in Cheshunt, and they often let you play games before you bought them. This was one of those games that once I played it once on the SEGA Master System, I was hooked. It’s a super simple video game, but I remember loving this from the first moment I played it, and I look back at it fondly as a SEGA Master System memory.

Ninja Commando 

[ATARI XEGS] 1989

My Atari XE Games System (XEGS) was a tough system to buy games for, as most video games shops only really stocked Commodore 64 or ZX Spectrum games. That meant I really had to trawl around to get new games. I stumbled across Ninja Commando on a trip to Rossis toy shop in Chingford and immediately parted with my pocket money to purchase this Zeppelin Games classic. It’s a tough, unforgiving video game, but I poured countless hours into this one trying to make precision Ninja jumps across its levels.

SHINOBI

[SEGA MASTER SYSTEM] 1988

Shinobi on SEGA Master System was a miracle of a video game that pushed the SMS to its limits. The bonus stage with the Shurikens was a thing of beauty. The game itself is probably my favourite SMS game and still stands up today. If you’ve never played this version, I highly recommend playing it immediately.

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World

[SEGA MASTER SYSTEM]  1990 

Alex Kidd in Miracle World was one of my fave SMS games of all time, so when SEGA created an Alex Kidd Shinobi crossover, I was always going to love it. This game is often overlooked as it was pretty easy to complete. But I loved running around as a mini Ninja, spinning around lampposts and launching a ferocious attack at enemies. It’s great fun to play and another cracker that is still fun to play today. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time

[Arcade] 1991

Probably the pinnacle of Ninja video games in terms of how great the game is and how popular the IP was at the time. It’s one of those video games that never ages and still looks amazing to this day. Whenever I spot this in an arcade, then it’s just gotta be played immediately. 

ZOOL

[Commodore Amiga] 1992

I owned an Amiga when this came out, and it was the Amiga response to the popularity of mascot platformers on the consoles of the time. I was desperate for the Amiga to have a cool Sonic-type platformer, as platformers were THE GENRE at the time. It just so happened that ZOOL was a Ninja. This game is a solid platformer with a bold look to it. I always had a great time playing this, and it holds a place in my heart as a classic 90s platformer.

Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi

[SEGA MEGA DRIVE] 1991 

Just a beautiful video game on the SEGA Mega Drive that oozes class. This stretches the SEGA Mega Drive’s graphical capabilities, and it’s an absolute joy to play! I'm pretty sure my mate Zesh had this first on his cool Japanese-imported SEGA Genesis that I drooled over every time I went round his house. What an amazing time to be alive that was!

Which Ninja Video Game Is Your Favourite Of All Time?

Celestial Return Starts STRONG – First 40 Minutes Of PC Gameplay 🎲

Rich steps into the neon‑drenched nightmare of Netherveil City as he dives into the first 40 minutes of Celestial Return on PC.

This cosmic‑noir adventure blends detective storytelling, dice‑driven choices, and a stunning manga‑meets‑American‑comics art style that hits you right in the eyeballs. In this opening chunk, we meet Detective Howard, explore the city’s grimy underbelly, roll dice to shape our fate, interrogate the living (and the not‑so‑living), and get our first taste of the cosmic horror lurking beneath the streets.

WWI Horror & Folklore – The Caribou Trail Gameplay - Ten minute Taster 🪖

Step onto the forgotten front of WWI and follow Fisher, Gordon, and Lonnie as they leave their quiet Newfoundland harbour behind for what they believe will be a short adventure… only to find Gallipoli waiting with dirt, loss, brotherhood, and a touch of madness.

The Caribou Trail is a visceral first-person narrative experience inspired by real testimonies from the Great War. In this gameplay video, we explore the trenches, the back lines, the ghost stories whispered around campfires, and the fragile hope of making it home before the leaves fall.

Rich's Car Boot Haul 19/07/26 – PC, Xbox & ZX Spectrum Treasures! 🪙

Another Car Boot Sale adventure, and this one delivered BIG! Join Rich for his 19/07/2026 haul as he digs through the stalls and uncovers a cracking mix of PC games, Xbox titles, and some proper retro ZX Spectrum books that sent Rich's nostalgia levels into orbit.

From modern bargains to vintage gems, this haul has a bit of everything. If you love retro gaming, boot sale treasure hunts, or just seeing what weird and wonderful bits turn up each week, you’re in the right place.

💬 What was your favourite pickup from this haul? 

Drop a comment and let’s chat about retro goodness.

🧊 Stay Frosty, Freezer Followers!

Moss: The Forgotten Relic Gameplay – Opening 20 Minutes + Bridge Puzzle Guide 🐭🌳

Rich scurries back into the enchanting world of Moss with The Forgotten Relic!

In this video, we dive into the first 20 minutes of gameplay on PS5, exploring gorgeous environments, meeting familiar faces, and tackling the bridge puzzle that kicks off Quill’s latest adventure. If you’re a fan of storytelling, tactile puzzles, and beautifully crafted worlds, this opening section sets the tone perfectly.

Fast, Simple, Addictive! 4PGP Is the 90s Racer You’ve Missed 🏁🏎️🏁

Race Around the World in 4PGP – Pure 90s Arcade Racing Fun

Rich slides into the driver’s seat and races around the world in 4PGP on the PS5! This 90s‑inspired arcade racer delivers timeless charm, simple controls, and pure pick‑up‑and‑play fun. From neon‑lit city streets to sun‑soaked coastal tracks, every race feels like a blast from the golden age of gaming.

Frontier Legends Gameplay – Survive, Craft & Carve Your Wild West Story 🤠

Frontier Legends – Wild West Sandbox Adventure & Frontier Discovery

Rich moaseys into the Wild West and shapes his own frontier story in Frontier Legends, an open‑world adventure built on survival, crafting and exploration. 

In this gameplay video, I head beyond the rails to stake my claim, build up my homestead and uncover what lies across the untamed frontier.From gathering resources and crafting essential gear to exploring dusty trails, abandoned camps and wide‑open plains, Frontier Legends lets you live out your Wild West fantasy one decision at a time. 

Whether you’re building, surviving or roaming the wilderness, every moment adds to your legend. If you enjoy frontier survival games, open‑world sandboxes or anything with a Western flavour, this one’s worth keeping an eye on.

Cleaning Heaven: Rich Gets To Grips with MoldWasher’s Cosy Pixel Art Gameplay 🚿 @moldwasher #IndieGame #GameDev

Rich washes his way into some seriously satisfying pixel‑art cleaning chaos with MoldWasher!

If you love the chill, therapeutic vibes of PowerWash Simulator but fancy it in chunky retro pixels, this one will hit the spot. Today we’re blasting grime, scrubbing mould, and restoring cosy little environments back to their former glory – all with that crunchy pixel aesthetic that just works.

Project Mist Gameplay – 180k Wishlists With NO Marketing 🪾🌳🏹🪾

Project Mist PC Gameplay – Crafting, Exploration & Fog‑Filled Tension

Indie Survival Goodness on PC

Rich decides that he should step into the fog‑soaked world of Project Mist, a tense and atmospheric survival adventure where every shadow hides a threat and every resource matters. In this PC gameplay video, I explore the misty wilderness, gather supplies, craft essential gear, and try to survive whatever lurks beyond the treeline.

My Mount Rushmore Of Video Games Consoles 🪨🗿

If I were to carve a Mount Rushmore of video game consoles, honouring my personal picks of the most iconic and influential systems in gaming history, these four would be my picks.

🗿 1. Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) – The Saviour [1986]

Why it belongs: Rescued the industry after the 1983 crash and redefined home gaming.
Legacy: Introduced franchises like Super Mario Bros., Zelda, and Metroid.
Impact: Standardised the D-pad, cartridges, and third-party licensing.

"Okay, so I never owned an NES, but what I do know is that this grey box that sat under millions of TV sets across the USA and the rest of the world was a primary reason that we have a video games industry today. I remember when my mate Briggsy got an NES in the late 80s for his 10th birthday, and we all went round his house to just sit there and watch him play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Castlevania. For me at that age, the NES felt out of reach as it looked like a luxury product that my pocket money would never be able to stretch to. So alas, I never got to own the grey oblong, but what I do know is that we owe Nintendo a lot because of this little grey box."

33 Immortals PC Gameplay – 33 Player Co‑Op Chaos! 🔥

Rich dives into the chaotic, myth‑soaked world of 33 Immortals — a massive co‑op action‑roguelike where 33 players battle through the underworld at the same time! This PC gameplay showcase captures the wild combat, frantic teamwork, and relentless enemy swarms that make this game such a blast.

Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, 33 Immortals throws you straight into large‑scale battles, quick‑fire runs, and unpredictable encounters. Whether you’re coordinating with the squad or embracing pure solo chaos, every run feels different, and every fight hits hard.

Kidbash Super Legend "Mega Man Energy Meets Modern Roguelike Chaos" 💥

Kidbash: Super Legend blasts onto the screen with that unmistakable Mega Man‑style charge shot energy — but cranks the chaos dial way past eleven. This modern roguelike throws you into arenas, shifting layouts, unpredictable enemy waves, and a constant drip‑feed of upgrades that turn every run into a fresh slice of pixel‑powered mayhem.

In this gameplay video, I dive into the tight platforming, crunchy combat, and wild ability synergies that make Kidbash feel like a love letter to classic action games while still delivering that modern roguelike unpredictability we all crave. Expect fast jumps, frantic dodges, big hits, and plenty of “just one more run” moments.

If you’re into retro‑inspired indies, chaotic roguelikes, or anything that channels that legendary blue‑bomber vibe, this one’s going to hit the spot.

Fuse Board Puzzle Guide – The Sinking City 2 DEMO Walkthrough 🐙🐍

Rich cracks the Fuse Board Puzzle in The Sinking City 2 DEMO with this walkthrough! If you’re stuck staring at wires, switches, and a stuck, tight water gate, this guide shows you exactly how to solve it step‑by‑step so you can get back to exploring the eerie depths of Oakmont.

Prison City - Switch 2 - First 20 Minutes Of Gameplay 💥💣

Rich Blasts Into the First 20 Minutes of Prison City on Nintendo Switch

Shatterhand Meets Power Blade in a Modern Retro Mash‑Up

 

Rich army rolls his way into the first 20 minutes of Prison City on Nintendo Switch 2 as we blast through retro‑inspired action, chunky pixels, and pure 80s‑soaked cyberpunk energy. If you love Shatterhand, Power Blade, or Vice: Project Doom, this one is going to hit you right in the nostalgia circuits.

45 Minutes Of Demon Tides Gameplay on PC

Demon Tides: Conquering the First Big Challenge [and getting my gamepad to work]

What to Expect From Demon Tides’ Opening Mission

Rich dives into the first big challenge in Demon Tides as we finally uncover those elusive Gear Bits! ⚙️

This early‑game mission throws him straight into the deep end with traps, tight corridors, and enemies that REALLY don’t want you grabbing that loot. In this gameplay slice, we: 🔥 Take on the opening challenge head‑on ⚙️ Track down our first set of Gear Bits 🗺️ Explore the early zones and hidden corners 💥 Test out combat, movement, and survival tactics 🎮 Get a feel for the game’s atmosphere, pacing, and progression If you’re curious about how Demon Tides starts, what the early challenges look like, or where to find your first Gear Bits, this video has you covered. Support the Channel: 👍 Like the video 🔔 Subscribe for more retro, indie & hidden‑gem gameplay

💬 Drop a comment if you’ve found any Gear Bits I missed!

Hollowbody – Rich's Rapid PS5 Review: "British Survival Horror Done Right" #survivalhorror

Hollowbody – The One‑Man Horror Project That Deserves Your Attention

Where Retro Survival Horror Meets Modern Indie Spirit

Hollowbody is a one‑man survival horror project with big Silent Hill energy — atmospheric, tense and proudly British. 

In this Rapid Review, Rich dives into its eerie world, clever design choices and the rough edges that come with a solo‑dev passion project. Is it worth your time? 

Let’s find out. If you love indie horror, retro vibes and games made with pure graft, this one’s for you.

the story of tim wheatley, zeewolf… and his first game: Blue Fury 🚁 #GameDev #IndieGame

How Zeewolf Inspired Tim Wheatley’s Blue Fury

Indie Game Dev's Procedurally Generated Battlefields That Keep You Guessing

Blue Fury is a helicopter combat game inspired by the golden age of 16‑bit shooters — and it comes straight from the mind of Tim Wheatley.

Drawing on the spirit of classics like Zeewolf, Tim channels that Amiga-era energy into a modern, fast‑paced rescue-and-destruction experience.

Pilot your chopper across procedurally generated terrain, destroy tanks and enemy forces, rescue stranded soldiers, and stop an enemy missile launch before it’s too late.

You’ll need to manage fuel, ammo, and altitude, dodge AA launchers, and engage hostile helicopters while keeping your mission alive.

If you love retro‑inspired action with modern bite, Blue Fury is Tim Wheatley’s tribute to the games that shaped him — and the first step in his own journey as a solo developer.

A Postcard From Aurai - Outward 2 – Beta First Impressions | PC Gameplay

Outward 2 Beta: Aurai Welcomes You Back… Then Tries to Kill You

First impressions from a harsher, wilder Aurai — and why fans should be excited.

Rich takes some time to step back into Aurai — but this time, it’s bigger, bolder, and way more dangerous. In this video I dive into the Outward 2 Beta and share my raw first impressions as I explore the world, test the combat, poke at the systems, and see how this sequel is shaping up for fans of the original. If you loved the survival‑meets‑RPG chaos of Outward, you’ll feel right at home here. Expect: 🗡️ Tough, stamina‑driven combat 🎒 Proper survival mechanics 🌍 A world that feels alive and unpredictable 🔥 New systems, new dangers, same Outward soul This is early beta footage, so things will evolve — but there’s already plenty to get excited about. Let me know your thoughts in the comments and tell me what you want to see next.

Rugrats: Retro Rewind Collection Brings A Dose Of 90s Nostalgia to PS5 👶🍼

Rugrats Retro Rewind Collection PS5 Gameplay – 90s Nickelodeon Revival

Tommy, Chuckie and the Gang Cause Some PS5 Mayhem

Rich steps back into the playpen! This Rugrats Retro Rewind PS5 gameplay video dives into the nostalgic chaos of Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and the whole gang as they return in a modern reimagining of the classic Nickelodeon world. Expect retro‑styled fun, colourful levels, and plenty of 90s vibes as we explore missions, mini‑games, and all the mischief the Rugrats are famous for.

Nintendo Switch 2 – COOWPS +P2 Split Case UPDATED! UNBOXING & Fit Test 🎮

COOWPS +P2 Split Protective Case (Updated Version) – The Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Upgrade

Rich goes Hands‑On With the Updated COOWPS +P2 Split Case

Protect your Nintendo Switch 2 in style with the UPDATED COOWPS +P2 Split Protective Case Set! In today’s video, we take a close look at the new design tweaks, improved fit, and overall feel of this upgraded accessory. If you’re hunting for a lightweight, durable, and comfortable case for daily use, this one might just surprise you. In this unboxing, we cover: What’s new in the updated version, fit, grip, and comfort; dock compatibility; and protection level.  Whether you're a handheld‑only player or someone who travels with their Switch 2, this case could be a perfect match.

🔗 Useful Link

GET A 5% DISCOUNT HERE: https://go.coowps.com/GamesFreezerUKP2