Shinobi vs. Ninja Gaiden

[DaMadFiddler]

I'd imagine most people here have played at *least* one game from each series. They were both excellent series back in the 2D days, and they both translated into 3D very well (though Shinobi didn't seem to get much attention from the gaming public).

Which series do you like better, and why?

Or, to put it another way: imagine there are two competing consoles with otherwise identical software line-ups. You can only afford one of the two...one is getting an exclusive release of all the Shinobi games, and the other is getting an exclusive release of all the Ninja Gaiden games.

[abydos1000]

All I can really compare are the 2D games. I have not played the 3D versions.

Shinobi sucked a lot of quarters from my pocket back when it was in the arcades (this dates me horribly I guess). However, I have to give the nod to Ninja Gaiden 1 and 2 even though I only played the NES versions (there was an arcade one, correct?). The reason why is because I thought the NES games made good use of the hardware at the time (I was pretty impressed with the graphics), were challenging but not totally impossible, and sucked away a lot of my studying time (didn't need to worry about quarters either).

Ninja Gaiden Black sits in my family room, largely unplayed. That's pretty much a pattern of mine. Action and platformer franchises that started off in the 2D world don't really grab my attention when they go 3D.

[APE]

I thought Shaq-fu was a single game?

[Ex-Cyber]

Shinobi is pretty great, and though I think it's not entirely fair to compare them, NG seems to just have more depth in general.

[TyBO]

Ninja Gaiden is the best.

The Xbox game is a defining moment in 3D action game history.

Also, the NES Ninja Gaiden games are great. It's Castlevania with a ninja, who wouldn't love that?

Shinobi is good, but I always thought the 2D games were nothing more than average.

[Luriden]

I prefer Ninja Gaiden, but I'm not really a fan of neither.

[Veggita2099]

I didn't know they even had a 3D shinobi, but looking at just the 2D games I woudl go with Ninja Gaiden. I never really got into either of the 2 though because both was generally insanely hard. I think there is a 3D version of Shaq-Fu out, we can safely call it Def-Jam Icon.

[Luriden]

I think there is a 3D version of Shaq-Fu out, we can safely call it Def-Jam Icon.

Nope. Def Jam Icon is actually a pretty decent game.

[Specially Cork]

I haven't played either. Just not my type of game.

The 2005 movie "Shinobi: Heart Under Blade " starring Yukie Nakama and Jô Odagiri is excellent though.

[DaMadFiddler]

...I'm mildly surprised at how many responses the joke answer got.

[Stormwatch]

Ninja Gaiden is cool, but Shinobi 3 is the best ninja game ever.

[DaMadFiddler]

Here's some fuel for the fire: the TGS trailer for Ninja Gaiden DS!

[Vlad Tepes]

Mmm...that's a really tough call. Revenge of Shinobi and Shinobi 3 are two of my all-time favorite games...but then so are Ninja Gaiden 1 & 2 on NES. This may not be a popular opinion, but I enjoyed 3D Shinobi much more than I enjoyed 3D Ninja Gaiden. To me, 3D Shinobi felt more like a Shinobi game than 3D Ninja Gaiden felt like a Ninja Gaiden game...if that makes any sense. Considering I downloaded Ninja Gaiden for the VC the day it was available, and I still haven't downloaded Shinobi 3, it seems I may enjoy Ninja Gaiden a bit more than Shinobi.

[Lartrak]

I'm not a big fan of either of the newer games in the two series, but I find the old Shinobi games to just not be good at all. They have stiff awkward controls and just feel.. Flaky. I don't think I've played Shinobi III though.

The Ninja Gaiden NES games are excellent though. So NG wins.

[mankrip]

Shadow Dancer.

[Ex-Cyber]

I don't think I've played Shinobi III though.

It's actually a sequel to Revenge of Shinobi and follows that model rather than the arcade line. Basically, it's like Revenge of Shinobi with much better level design, less-stupid enemies, and a more mobile Musashi.

[Smiley]

I preferred Ninja Spirit and that bad dudes game for mame.

[Lartrak]

I don't think I've played Shinobi III though.

It's actually a sequel to Revenge of Shinobi and follows that model rather than the arcade line. Basically, it's like Revenge of Shinobi with much better level design, less-stupid enemies, and a more mobile Musashi.

That actually sounds a lot better. Revenge of Shinobi had some decent ideas, but the enemies were REALLY obnoxious, the level designs were bad, and I thought the controls of Musashi were weak and he didn't have enough moves...

[Code-Red]

Shinobi for life.

[Calavera]

...I'm mildly surprised at how many responses the joke answer got.

Never put a joke answer on a serious poll.