Metacritic Games

Mystical Ninja starring Goemon (Nintendo 64)

The setting is reminiscent of medieval Japan, but you certainly won't want to use this game to study for a history exam. How 'bout alien invaders who look and act like the cast from a third-rate Broadway musical? A map bearer known as Mr. Elly Fant? And, oh yes, Mystical Ninja must surely be the first video game in which you get to ride a giant roller-skating robot around the Japanese countryside. Of that we have no doubt. Once you get beyond the extremely strange trappings, though, Mystical Ninja merits plenty of applause for its depth and variety of game play. Melding Super Mario 64-style acrobatics with Zeldaesque power-ups, weapons and attacks, the pak has plenty to offer both action and adventure fans. While far from a full-blown RPG, Mystical Ninja should appeal mightily to players who've been waiting patiently for the N64's first big epic. [Nintendo]

Konami
Adventure, Platform
Players: 1
E (Everyone)
Developer: Konami
Released April 1, 1998

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

67 / 100

Critic Reviews

85	TotalGames.net An enjoyable, fun-filled game which should keep you puzzling for a long time to come.
80	Electronic Gaming Monthly Mystical Ninja had a nation of young adults spiking and dying their hair. Or not. [Jan 2004, p.189]
76	IGN If you're turned off by slightly strange Japanese humor, stay away from this game. N64 owners eager to get their hands on anything that smells even remotely of an RPG will find a funny title.
75	Nintendojo This game is a solid title. Like a Honda Civic, it doesn't do anything to blow your socks off but it doesn't dissapoint you either. It's a reliable source of FUN!!
70	All Game Guide Games rarely have any sense of culture at all … but those looking for a relatively enjoyable adventure with lots of wit should prepare for a trip to feudal Japan. You won't soon forget it.
67	GameSpot Mystical Ninja will be digital culture shock to the uninitiated. Mystical Ninja is a solid, quirky, and entirely rehashed title that holds its own well against the horde of painful Mario clones.
60	Hot Games The odd nature of the story and world is a change of pace (now there's an understatement) from the rest of the pack, and this one is probably worth checking out.
60	Nintendorks In conclusion, this is a pretty good game, but I doubt I'll add it to my library since it isn't that difficult and doesn't have any lasting value.
60	Games Domain If you've the stomach for the Japanese silliness, there just might be something here for you. This game is not a true RPG however. Expect a quirky 3d platformer that is easy to play and surprisingly long.
42	Game Revolution Combine equal parts Super Mario 64, Japanese soap opera, Telly Tubbies, and LSD freakout. Shake (don't stir). And pour into your Nintendo. This will approximate the effect of Mystical Ninja, the most incomprehensible of incomprehensible anime games I have ever seen. Confusing, obtuse, ridiculous and very, very mediocre.

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