Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword

SCORE: 46

The Working Man Gamer fondly remembers Ninja Gaiden on the 8-bit NES. Those were back in the day when standards, tact, and much better (morally speaking) video games were released. Tecmo decided when they revived the franchise on the Xbox that they would include all kinds of bad content. How does limiting the audience increase the bottom line? Since Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is on the Nintendo DS, and rated ‘T’ for Teen the WMG hoped it would be a little bit better. Unfortunately it is worse in so many ways. The dragons putting their powers in swords is present, as is thousands of mindless killings. Where do the bad guys find so many to be murdered so often?

Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword has a real artistic flair to it in its presentation. Thankfully Family Friendly Gaming looks beyond the art, and analyzes the content. The level of hacking, and slashing of the enemies is so high that this reviewer is still have nightmares of it. There are plenty of demonic villains to be vanquished, and magical arts to use as well. As if that were not bad enough Tecmo threw in partial nudity. Why? Who thought that was a good idea?

The music in Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is average at best. There is a real eastern theme to it. The irritating sounds come from the clanging swords that happen all too often. If that were not bad enough there is plenty of text to drudge through about mystical beings, and other occult style of content. There are a few language issues that families should be aware of as well.

The only reason anyone will replay any part of Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is because of the frustrating controls. Areas, bosses have to be replayed over and over again before the right combination is found. Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is one of those games that you should steer clear of. There is not enough extra content in this reviewers opinion. A super easy mode should have been included.

Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is certainly an extremely difficult game that will turn off the majority of Nintendo DS owners. The stylus only controls become very frustrating. The player must draw lines for the sword attacks across the enemies. Sounds easy enough eh? In reality it does not always work. This reviewer would wade through a ton of enemies only to have the attacks not work for a bit. The game is difficult enough without it cheating the player.

Morally, and ethically speaking Ninja Gaiden Dragon Sword is a complete downer. Avoid this game at all costs. This game is a bad example of what can be done on the Nintendo DS. No sequels are needed ever.
- Working Man Gamer

Graphics: 48%
Sound: 64%
Replay/Extras: 40%
Gameplay: 33%
Family Friendly Factor: 44%
System: Nintendo DS
Publisher: Tecmo
Rating: 'T' for Teen
{Partial Nudity, Violence}

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