Parents' Guide to Sega Ages Shinobi

This challenging hack-and-slash arcade game cuts a new path onto Nintendo's handheld system with new features to test your reflexes. Sega Ages Shinobi takes the classic arcade game and transfers its fast-paced action seamlessly to the Switch, casting players as a ninja trying to free the kids of his clan from a terrorist group. The original game was a quarter-muncher because it threw lots of enemies at the player as they moved from one side of the screen to the other, often requiring sharp reflexes and a good memory to avoid the on-screen threats. This version is no different, with guards and shield-wielding thugs giving way to suddenly appearing ninjas and creatures in later sections. Even with Joe's ninja magic, his infinite number of throwing stars, and his hand-to-hand skills, it's still possible to lose a lot of lives making your way through each stage.

Fortunately, this version gives players additional content to give them a fighting chance. The most important feature is the rewind ability, which lets you undo any possible attacks that could cause you to lose a life. While you may still find yourself dying over some stages, the rewind is a huge frustration saver. The same can be said for the white ninja gear in the Ages mode, which gives you a few more hits before you fall while strengthening your attacks. Especially for newcomers to this title, this feature is a great way to ease into the side-scrolling action. If you haven't played the original, or if you're looking for a stroll down memory lane, Sega Ages Shinobi is a razor-sharp addition for your Switch.