Ninja Gaiden, released for Nintendo NES in 1989, is a side-scrolling action platformer that became synonymous with demanding, yet rewarding gameplay. The captivating narrative follows a young ninja, Ryu Hayabusa, on his quest across America to avenge his father's death. The game shone with its kinetic combat system, featuring wall jumping and an array of special weapons. Its graphics, rife with detailed backgrounds and fast, smooth sprites, ranked among the best on the system. The game also introduced cinematic cutscenes, providing depth and gripping storylines to 8-bit gaming.