20 Awesome Ninja Games #5: Strider

On 02/07/2014 at 10:58 AM by The Last Ninja

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Linked to Article Series: Blog a Day (BaD) 2014

Released: 1989

System: Arcade

Developer: Capcom

Publisher: Capcom

Strider is a truly amazing game. After over two decades, it holds up extrememly well. The protagonist is Strider Hiryu, a member of an organization of hi-tech ninjas; the game is set in the far future. This is one game you have to see in motion! The graphics are beautiful and detailed (look at the backgrounds!). Strider has one of the best attacks of any ninja hero: a giant slash that is "super effective." Not only that, but if you get that dude running, he can do some pretty fantastic acrobatic flips in mid-air. Suffice to say, Strider was a huge hit. The Genesis port helped sell the system; the NES port, on the other hand, was not that good. Strider would not see a sequel for ten years, once again, in the arcade. The PS1 port is considered an instant classic, keeping the feel of the original. Strider has to be one of the best VG ninjas; he's hi-tech, acrobatic, and has killer moves!

C.S.3590SquadLeader

02/07/2014 at 12:01 PM

My knowledge of Strider begins and ends with Marvel Vs. Capcom 2, where I did decently enough with a team that included him.

The Last Ninja

02/07/2014 at 01:31 PM

He's pretty awesome, right? That slash is amazing!

jgusw

02/07/2014 at 12:54 PM

I was never good at this game. One of these days I'll just keep playing it until I beat it.

02/07/2014 at 01:32 PM

Never give up!

Super Step Contributing Writer

02/07/2014 at 02:01 PM

I remember in grade school, our class was asked to name a police dog. Kid that won said Strider, cause he had this game.

02/07/2014 at 05:38 PM

It's a good name for a dog or a ninja. . . or a ninja dog!

Jamie Alston Staff Writer

02/07/2014 at 07:07 PM

Strider in da houuuuuse! LOL. I like the original Strider because it's easy to pick up and play. And is just so darn fun to slice fools in half and see the light come from Strider's Cypher sword. And if you ever get the chance, check out Strider 2 on the PlayStation.

02/07/2014 at 07:53 PM

I actually saw Strider 2 for sale at a game store (one which sells old games), and I would have got it, but it was $65! It must be a rare game or something!

02/07/2014 at 08:40 PM

It kinda is rare, but not worth the price. Better off just emulating the bad boy.

Cary Woodham

02/07/2014 at 07:11 PM

This game was huge when I was a kid. Capcom's releasing a new Strider game soon.

02/07/2014 at 07:54 PM

Awesome! I hope it's for 3DS!

Coolsetzer

02/08/2014 at 02:07 AM

One of the best characters in the Mvs.C games. And hey! I like the NES game as a kid. lol

KnightDriver

02/08/2014 at 03:11 AM

I have this game on a few Capcom collections for PSP and Xbox/PS2. Looks cool. I better go play it.

Chris Iozzi Staff Alumnus

02/08/2014 at 11:17 AM

I didn't like the NES Strider, which really wasn't a port but whole different game based on the character. The Sega Master System did have a port, and it was, eh, not good.

I LOOOOOOVED the Genesis version, I played the crap out of it when it came out. I got so good at it I could beat the arcade version on 75 cents.

02/08/2014 at 11:50 PM

Impressive! You are the Strider Master!

daftman

02/10/2014 at 09:03 PM

I'm glad Chris mentioned that NES Strider was not a port. It was developed in tandem by a separate team. (Come on, man, you ought to know this stuff from listening to Retronauts lol.) The weird thing is that they made a manga that tied into the story of the NES game...but the manga only came out in Japan and the NES game only came out in America. But the arcade game is the best remember and for good reason. I'd love to see an actual cabinet in action.

02/10/2014 at 09:20 PM

Hm, manga in Japan, game in America. . . what were they thinking? Well, the reason the NES game wasn't that good is probably because it wasn't a direct port to the awesome Ninjatastic arcade game!

PixlBit