Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

About Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos (NES)

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos is an action platform game developed and published by Tecmo for the Nintendo Entertainment System. It launched in Japan on April 6, 1990 and in North America in May 1990, as the second game in the NES Ninja Gaiden trilogy. Like its predecessor, it pairs fast, demanding platforming with cinematic cutscenes that were far ahead of their time on the NES.

Ryu Hayabusa returns to face Ashtar, the Emperor of Darkness, who wields the Dark Sword of Chaos and has kidnapped Irene Lew. The plot leads Ryu from city streets and mountains to the demon world itself, where the resurrected Jaquio waits. Shadow clones, a stronger sword upgrade and dramatic weather effects made it more spectacular and more punishing.

Detailed Gameplay

Ninja Gaiden II keeps the first game’s core: run, slash with the Dragon Sword, climb walls and use limited ninja arts powered by spirit energy. Stages are divided into acts, each ending in a boss, and progress is unforgiving.

Shadow clones

• Collecting the orange ninja symbol creates a shadow clone that follows Ryu and copies his moves.
• You can have up to two clones, tripling your sword and ninja art attacks.
• Clones take no damage, so enemies and projectiles pass straight through them.
• A clone freezes in place when Ryu stops moving, even in mid-air, letting you park one beside a boss and attack from safety.

Ninja arts and sub-weapons

• The Windmill Shuriken is your default sub-weapon, flying out and returning like a boomerang.
• The Art of the Fire Wheel throws a wheel of flame, while Fire Dragon Balls fire diagonally downward.
• The Invincible Fire Wheel surrounds Ryu with orbiting fireballs that destroy enemies on contact.
• Each art costs spirit energy, so spend it on crowds and bosses rather than single weak enemies.

Sword, climbing and stage hazards

• A sword upgrade extends Ryu’s reach, making it easier to hit small or low enemies without ducking.
• Ryu can cling to walls and ladders, attack while climbing, and move up and down freely.
• Stages add wind, snow, ice and darkness, including areas lit only by lightning.

Game Highlights

• Shadow clones: Invincible copies of Ryu that triple your attacks and break boss fights when placed well.
• Cinematic storytelling: Cutscenes between acts carry a full ninja revenge plot on an 8-bit console.
• Dramatic stage effects: Snow, wind, ice and lightning-lit darkness push NES visuals hard.
• A legendary challenge: Fast, precise and unforgiving, it is a badge of honour for NES players.

Controls

On the NES controller, Ninja Gaiden II is all about the sword, the jump and wall movement. - D-Pad: Move Ryu, crouch, climb ladders and cling to walls. - A Button: Jump, and use it to reach walls and higher platforms. - B Button: Slash with the Dragon Sword or use the current sub-weapon when combined with up. - Up plus B Button: Use the currently selected ninja art. - Start Button: Pause the game. - Select Button: Cycle through available sub-weapons where applicable.

Tips and Strategies to Win

Ninja Gaiden II punishes rushing, so learn each screen before sprinting through it. - Grab every shadow clone you can: two clones turn hard bosses into manageable fights. - Park a clone beside a flying boss by jumping and stopping, then slash safely from below. - Keep the sword upgrade as long as possible, since its extra reach changes many fights. - Attack while climbing to clear enemies above you before they can knock you into a pit. - Save spirit energy for bosses and dense enemy waves, and use the Windmill Shuriken to clear birds and bats early.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What do shadow clones do in Ninja Gaiden II? A: They are orange copies of Ryu that follow him and repeat his sword and ninja art attacks. They cannot be hurt, and they freeze in place when Ryu stops, which lets you position them strategically against bosses.

Q: Is Ninja Gaiden II harder than the first game? A: Many players find it more forgiving in places thanks to clones and the sword upgrade, but its knockback, pits and long acts still make it one of the toughest NES action games.

Q: Can I play Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos online for free? A: Yes, you can play Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos online for free in your browser here, with no download or installation needed.