- Shinobi Legions Videos -

      Shinobi Legions was one of the first games released for the ill-fated Sega Saturn console. It was an action game with ninjas that featured "digitized characters" much like the first three Mortal Kombat games, and aside from some nitpicks, the gameplay was fairly solid. However, what makes this game stand out amidst all other ninja games ever released are the videos in between each stage that sought to further the storyline and immerse the player. They feature horrible B-rated movie acting, terrible camera work, clumsily exaggerated martial art attacks, Halloween-grade costumes and props that were clearly purchased from the local novelty store, and special effects that make the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers look amazing. This is some great stuff, folks. Only Sega could deliver this kind of entertainment and keep a straight face.

Opening (Unused) (2:38, 9.4M)
Defining Moment: There's a secret ninja technique called "talk to the hand" when you want information from your uncooperative enemy.

Movie 1 (0:59, 3.5M)
Defining Moment: The guy holding the halogen light, desperately trying to get the reflection centered on the crossed toy swords at the end.

Movie 2 (1:10, 4.1M)
Defining Moment: The suspenseful music building up tension as Sho noisily runs around a corner and arrives at a door.

Movie 3 (1:36, 5.7M)
Defining Moment: A bo-staff to the face is enough to send Sho flying 20 feet into some cardboard boxes laying conveniently in the corner to break his fall.

Movie 4 (3:53, 13.9M)
Defining Moment: The evil ninjas leapfrog from the cliff in a very ungraceful fashion, and Sho shows them up with a dramatic dive of his own. When gameplay resumes, this same water magically becomes deadly to ninjas in white costumes.

Movie 5 (0:35, 2.1M)
Defining Moment: Background ninjas have to look perpetually angry in every scene, including this one. Perhaps it's because they don't get to reveal their wonderful acting talents!

Movie 6 (1:07, 4.0M)
Defining Moment: Kazuma's ridiculous facial expressions before and after Aya mentions his name for no apparent reason.

Movie 7 (1:17, 4.6M)
Defining Moment: The Street Fighter 2 sound effect used in the video as Kazuma blatantly misses his Karate chop to a defiant Aya's face.

Movie 8 (1:14, 4.4M)
Defining Moment: Kazuma's ninjas have the resources and capabilities to build giant facilities with technology that can manipulate your inner strength, but still has to rely on ancient Japanese secrets for the ability to take over the world.

Movie 9 (1:11, 4.2M)
Defining Moment: The close-up of Sho's sneakers at the start of the video. They manage to stay perfectly white after all that ninja action!

Movie 10 (3:27, 12.3M)
Defining Moment: The woman's half of the ultimate ninja technique is apparently a bunch of ridiculous looking green ovals followed by the most cheesy special effects ever.

Ending (3:05, 11.0M)
Defining Moment: Elsydeon like what? Chaz and the rest of Phantasy Star IV's gang would be jealous of Kazuma's magical ninja barrier.


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- This page was last updated on November 21, 2005
- Jason "Parn" Walton (jason@synbios.net)
- SECRET ANCIENT SCROLL OF THE NINJUTSU