Shinobi Legions | Reviewing Every U.S. Saturn Game | Episode 15 of 246

[@slickshoesfan19]

It was developed by Sega AM7 R&D Division. www.mobygames.com/game/sega-saturn/shinobi-legions/credits

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

David Lee Thank you Dave! Short follow up vid incoming.

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Follow up video has landed: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4mWe3ucZc1rZtE

[@jediknightgeo]

Tose Software (who's developed an absolute TON of games like Dead Rising: Chop Till You Drop, Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, Ultimate Ghost N' Goblins, The Legendary Starfy, Nightmare Before Christmas: The Pumpkin King, Resident Evil: Survivor, Crash: Mind Over Mutant, just to name a few) also helped in Shinobi Legions development. They've been around a LONG time.

[@eldritchcatastophe1163]

I was hoping it was ninjas.

[@MrCalverino]

Dear KZbin, thanks for recommending this channel 🙏🏽

[@opaljk4835]

This is the best sega/Saturn related material on KZbin

[@jeremygregorio7472]

They weren't pandering to digitized sprites and fmvs. This was a very specific and very intentional choice. It's meant to invoke a specific type of cheesy Ninja TV program. If you're not Japanese though you probably didn't see very many of these. I saw a few of them on late night television when I was a kid so this game really resonated with me

[@popeyedoyle6360]

How do you go from Shinobi 3 to that tho? I mean I guess I asked the same shit with Contra Hardcorps like how do you go from Hardcorps to fuckin Contra Legacy?

[@GamingTeacher]

Rewatching an episode that came up in the queue, I am loving the ongoing joke that Saturn is totally getting that Sonic game. It hurts as a Sonic fan, but it’s so funny in retrospect.

[@XJ-0641]

Wow I sure am excited for Sonic X-treme! Sonic in 3D sounds so exciting!

[@DGR_Dave]

These reviews are great man, always enjoy watching them!!

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

DGR Thanks man! Glad you’re digging the series!

[@TGApuleius]

Deflecting is so satisfying, and the main reason I keep going back to this one. I didn't appreciate the intentional throwback cheesiness of the cutscenes until later, which isn't surprising, given how dumb younger me was. Be better, younger me. Another ace review!

[@VirtuaBros]

I feel the need to keep repeating to you how much I love this series of videos. Also, lol at that Saturn wishlist. That broke my brain xD

[@superpcengine]

It's insane that you get no views. One of the best channels lately up there with sega lord x

[@GameplayandTalk]

FUN FACT. The mine cart level sucks. So does the water level! I need to go back to this game. Got stuck at the water stage but did enjoy my time with it up to that point. It plays pretty well and was fun overall.

[@DTM-Books]

GamePro loved everything. They were groupies for the industry back then. I’d take their reviews with a grain of salt.

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Agreed, this is substantial evidence of that. Shinobi Legions was fun, but not nearly perfect score fun. I think it’s worth showing how overblown they can be compared to the other reviewers of the time.

[@Tirgo69]

Richard Jacques contributed like one or two songs to the Jet Set Radio soundtracks

[@RemnantCult]

Seriously underrated game. Most certainly one of the best ninja games out there.

[@DCMann2000]

Your Saturn mini game list is a 10/10

[@m0rShh]

Shinobi Legions was developed by TOSE, a Japanese company that does outsourced game development. They're often called a "ninja developer" because they have a policy of not putting their name on the games they make or crediting their own staff, instead allowing their clients to take the credit for their work. They've developed over 1000 different games in their 40 year history, one of the most notable recent ones being the Switch port of Zelda: Breath of the Wild! They're also the creators of the Legendary Starfy series, which as far as I know is their only 100% original creation, and they are some of the very few games in which the TOSE company and staff are actually credited.

[@aortaplatinum]

This is probably the best implementation of live-action actors converted to sprites that I've seen. It's so smooth, not much looks like it clashes with other assets, and the costumes are all very well done... stop motion snake dinosaur and any fire sprites notwithstanding. Added to my list, probably going to be the only time I specifically go for a PAL copy instead of JP or US, Jacques' stuff is legendary.

[@Nerdofthe80s]

Loved this review, I was a big fan of the first 3 Shinobi games and Shadow Dancer but I was completely unaware of this game before watching your video. I have just recently bought a Saturn so I will have to try and find this one for sure.

[@brodogg1313]

This was one of my favorite Saturn games, so much fun and challenges. Wish they make a Shinobi Collection that included this gem 💎 more people need to play it 😁. thanks for making these amazing videos, so many interesting insights ❤

[@CasperEgas]

I am looking forward to more of your videos more and more. Good job.

[@viewtifuljoe99]

This, legend of oasis, and dark savior are saturn games I really need to get around to. Definitely going to burn a disc and play legions tonight for sure, the expanded moveset looks great.

[@ThatOldSchoolMagic]

viewtifuljoe99 Both are incredibly good games. Highly recommended. If you don’t have Policenauts. Burn that one too.

[@viewtifuljoe99]

@@ThatOldSchoolMagic Policenauts is awesome for sure!

[@Mattexus2nd]

"Man, the 90's were the best!" * Shitty FMV cutscene starts playing * "I'll go play Ninja Gaiden instead"

[@tomober2889]

I truly love this game - with the caveat you use the 99 lives cheat. Otherwise it’s unbeatable.

[@DaveVoyles]

"Shinboi, will give you a perfect streak-free result, every time"

[@G18999]

2:02 lmao brilliant editing 🤣

[@newtmonkey]

Your reviews are great! I am getting drunk on rum and marathoning them. I miss SEGA and I miss the 1990s ;_; This review in particular reminded me of those HOW TO WIN VHS tapes from back in the day

[@ichabodcrane6198]

Dude your videos are so great. Keep it up.

[@RICHUNCLEPENNYBAGS77]

You could actually block in the Genesis games too, though it's possible to play for a long time without realizing that.

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

1) Is that baby Stephen Dorff in the Master System Shinobi commercial? 2) With all that FMV, how could they have left Craig Stadler out of Shinobi Legions?

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

On the Stick Not sure about Mr. Dorff but yeah, no Craig the Walrus Stadler was a major oversight.

[@SameNameDifferentGame]

@@PandaMoniumReviews I'd really like him around to critique Sho's sword swing.

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

On the Stick AAAH, MISSED IT JUST A LITTLE

[@balohna]

I didn't remember Zoom Ball, but as soon as I saw that ad I knew I'd seen it.

[@DrFred666]

You can actually do that dash attack move and block in Shinobi III. To do the dash move, quickly tap a direction twice and press attack. To block, hold the attack button.

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Yep! This was pointed out to me after I uploaded this video.

[@ShonenJump121]

I am surprised you did not mention the hardest stage in this game; stage 9 which has precise jumps and dips over instant kill missiles followed by a multi stage final boss.

[@skyhook-hoops453]

Cyber shinobi had a very good forgotten sound track.

[@HYZENBORG]

This looks super super dope!!!!

[@Inkbot01]

I LOVE THIS GAME

[@thomaspleacher2735]

I didn't know about a lot of the special moves you pointed out in your video, I'll have to try those the next time. Also, I'm amazed this came out so relatively early in the Saturn's lifespan. It was only title #17??? I always assumed it came out later... I never had a problem with the digitized sprite graphics. They looked state of the art back then and I don't think anyone thought otherwise until the 90's were almost over with. What bugged me was the difficulty. I could never get past the mine cart stage, despite my repeated attempts.

[@Mitsuraga]

Honestly, I don't think the European soundtrack is that much better than the original.

[@worsel555]

I own the Japanese version of this game, and the only thing that I can think of that is different is that for the North American version they added subtitles for the FMV sequences. And I know you put it in as a joke but I love Double Switch :(

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Ken Williams Hey, at least it made it to the Saturn Mini! :D

[@Mitsuraga]

14:15 "Beginning on the NES"? I wouldn't say that. Some of these magazine writers had interesting ideas about accurate history and didn't always have their facts straight.

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Ha!! Nice catch. I totally forgot about this.

[@tlcthefighter]

Wasn't it created by Vic Tokai? It says so right there on the Game Pro review at time marker 14:05

[@Bofner]

Damn, I always shrugged this game off just because of the digitized sprites. I may have to give it shot now!

[@Fuuntag]

I’m really enjoying these videos, how’s the overall project going?

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

It’s going alright! Right now, I’m on pace to do at least one new vid per month. Not ideal, but better than it has been. Glad you’re enjoying these by the way.

[@justineckard3665]

This game had so much potential, and it is almost there. But it just doesn't hit quite as hard as the Genesis entries.

[@eb3fan]

That SpongeBob editted bit was choice

[@deadcentre-retro-meaningma6209]

Agree, this is a far better game than UK critics gave it credit for. Disagree, that Shinobi III is better. The Super Shinobi is still the best of the series though...

[@roberto1519]

I know some people like this game, but in my experience with Revenge of Shinobi, Shadow Dancer and Shinobi III, Shinobi X/Legions is a massive downgrade and I'm not even putting the bad acting in the equation, even the GG Shinobi games manages to be great games, so what happened in the mid 90's? Also, Shinobi III has similar 6 button layout, I think you need to hold the Mode button while booting the game or something like that, you'll be able to use the knife/sword and block whenever you want with their respective buttons. There's a patch that adds this by default.

[@martinevans1206]

Revenge of Shenobi reminds me of E-Swat. Probably made by the same team.

[@CasperEgas]

It was released much later in Europe (and different) as Shinobi X. I think it is good, but not great.

[@neozeed1984]

You could block b4, you just need a pow. Wow I didn't know about the better euro music. Time to try and like this game again. Sega should spend the license money to re release the original Revenge so everyone can see it's the best game in the series.

[@joshuarovere2459]

shadow dancer on the genesis is the shit!

[@dalton2k538]

I managed to get a little passed the mine cart level... that sucked. This game shows one of the few times that pre-rendered sprites actually working well in an action game. It's really good... but I would say not as good as Shinobi III. Sad that gamers at the time were obsessed with 3D so this game got forgotten over time.

[@worsel555]

Oh, I see Shadow Dancer didn't count then, huh. I see how it is. The other games *were* better :)

[@EoMaia-zv2qb]

Maybe they didn't add game credits to make it feel more like a playable movie?

[@Sinn0100]

They could have used the same engine as Astal and made one helluva 2d Shinobi game. Yes, the game engine would have to be changed a bit but the pieces were all there. I stayed away from this when it released as I just plain hated the art style. Maybe I will add it to my list of games I'm missing (there aren't many).

[@johnnyzero8853]

The European version of this game called “Shinobi X” had better music than the USA and Japanese versions.

[@aaronking9332]

So he says the pal version is the best...anyone know if it plays weird due to the 50hz/60hz difference (too slow etc.) On a non pal Saturn with satiator/pseudo Saturn 4 in one?

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Hey there! The game runs without screen issues in NTSC at 60hz, with some reported speed issues. For future reference, this list goes over the other games: randomisedgaming.tumblr.com/post/146372446412/the-complete-european-sega-saturn-60hz-guide-to

[@fafling]

The movement speed is PAL optimized, so when the PAL version is played on an NTSC console, the character moves faster than it does in the NTSC versions. It can make platforming a bit trickier.

[@evanjenkins1620]

… is there a Pink Floyd sample in this episode?!

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

Yes, Obscured by Clouds. :)

[@evanjenkins1620]

@@PandaMoniumReviews rock on, fellow enjoyer of underrated Floyd tracks 🖤

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

@@evanjenkins1620 If Nick Mason tours again, I would recommend going if you haven’t. They only play pre Dark Side. It was bliss.

[@evanjenkins1620]

@@PandaMoniumReviews I’m only going if he grows the horseshoe back

[@DisasterMillennial]

don't just play the European version of Shinobi Legions, play the European version patched to run at 60 fps. Also Edge magazine in the 90s were just professional haters. They gave Doom a 7 out of 10 with the criticism of "if only you could talk to these creatures". they probably scored Shinobi Legions low cause you couldn't talk to the enemy ninjas or some shit

[@PandaMoniumReviews]

A legendary line from Edge 🤣

[@mauz4930]

Never liked so much games with digitalized gfx, seems all toooo static... I love good 2d like the older arcade "the amazing spiderman" would be great for Shinobi of course not as beatm up, but talking just about the pixel art general quality.

[@ricardoediza2690]

I’m not gonna be the dumbass who goes “actually”, but i think that NES Shinobi is cap

[@AbcDefg-zt8xy]

12:00 - based and red pilled

[@Otzchieem]

King fu is Chinese and means fighting style…. Yeah maybe you should have looked that up before saying that