~The Legend of Kage~(Kage no Densetsu) Uncontrollable Giant-High-Jumping Flashy Ninja

• Released by Taito in 1985, this side-scrolling action game follows Iga ninja Kage as he rescues Princess Kiri from Yoshiro Yukigusa's demon army in the late Edo period.

• The game features the protagonist Kage, the captured Princess Kiri, and various enemies including fire-breathing monks and the demon leader Yoshiro Yukigusa.

• Players use a sword for melee and defense, and shurikens for ranged attacks. High jumps are a signature mechanic, allowing movement through trees and castle walls.

• Known abroad as "The Legend of Kage," it was ported to NES, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum. The NES version reached North America in August 1987.

• It is highly praised for its speedy, superhuman ninja action and its high-quality, atmospheric Japanese-style BGM composed by Hisayoshi Ogura.

• While the exhilarating jumps capture the ninja spirit, the high difficulty and the cycle of Princess Kiri being repeatedly kidnapped divide player opinions.

• A major problem is the lack of mid-air control; players cannot adjust their trajectory once jumping, often leading to unavoidable deaths from enemy fire.

• A sequel, "The Legend of Kage 2," was released for Nintendo DS in 2008. The original arcade version is also available on PS4 and Switch via Arcade Archives.

• Despite some rigid controls, it remains a representative 1980s Taito classic, beloved for its unique speed and stylish portrayal of ninja combat.