The player controls Shinobi, a ninja who is on a quest to stop a warlord named Ashira-o.

[1] Shinobi's main weapon is a katana, and he can also attack with shurikens.

He later gains the abilities to double-jump and use dark magic and stealth moves.

[3] GameSpot writer Frank Provo focused on the monotonous, unchallenging nature of the gameplay.

[2] GameSpy's Benjamin Turner echoed these points, also criticizing the password system and artificial intelligence.