Ninja-kun Ashura no Shō: UPL Classic Famicom Title
Ninja-kun Ashura no Shō, Ninja-kun Chapter of Ashura, is a feudal ninja action platformer developed and published by UPL for the Famicom. Players control the young ninja Ninja-kun traversing multi-layered temple and fortress stages, battling rival ninjas, samurai and supernatural yokai. The title features vertical multi-level stage layouts, precise aerial jumps and shuriken projectile combat, expanding upon the original Ninja-kun arcade formula for home console audiences.
Each stage consists of interconnected stacked platforms accessible via ladders and high leaps. Ninja-kun slashes foes with melee strikes and throws limited shuriken to hit distant opponents. Collectible rice ball pickups restore vitality. Every major stage concludes with a powerful rival ninja or yokai boss duel.
Hidden warp paths connect separated platform zones. Later stages feature overlapping enemy patrols combining ground warriors and flying spirits that attack from multiple vertical elevations simultaneously.
UPL’s Famicom release uses bright cartoon-style feudal Japanese tile graphics. Upbeat playful traditional instrumental background music maintains lighthearted ninja adventure atmosphere.
Strategically, successful quest progression requires rationing shuriken ammunition for airborne foes. Reliance purely on melee strikes leaves Ninja-kun exposed to ranged attackers positioned on higher platforms.
For contemporary Famicom retro ninja platform collectors, Ninja-kun Ashura no Shō is the flagship home entry in UPL’s Ninja-kun franchise, a staple lighter-toned ninja action curio for the Famicom library.