The Legend of Kage 2

Developer: Taito
Publisher: Square Enix, Ubisoft, Taito
Release: 2008
Platform: Nintendo DS
Genre: Action

The original Legend of Kage felt weird in the mid-80s when it was released. Truth to be told it wouldn’t make any sense to Westerners until 2000, when Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon swept audiences and the Oscars alike by properly portraying Eastern warriors not only fighting each other with their usual slickness but also flying gracefully while at it.

Of course, it was too late for the game. But giving it another shot under that light may raise an entirely new interpretation of the game’s so-called flaws: those awkward physics were actually faithful wuxia implementation; the simple palette swap represented seasons flying by.

All that makes the overlooked sequel even more significant to play today. Being a 20+ years later NDS-exclusive following a non-cult classic The Legend of Kage 2 would surely go under the radar, but a bit of context could have gone a long way in garnering the game more interest.

Modern as it is, it never loses sight of the original one: the sword-and-shuriken meat of the action is still here, coupled with several unlockable techniques; power orbs—which appeared in the Famicom port of the original arcade—are back as collectibles, not only raising the game’s replay value but also serving as customizable ninpo magic fodder; and the quirky vertical action sported in the first game here benefits from dual screens like almost no other retro title in the system.

Portraits are cheesy but still beautiful.

Unfortunately The Legend of Kage 2 never excels in any front to be considered a Ninja Gaiden of sorts. But it still makes for some decent tribute, decent action and decent NDS library. And as far as Nintendo players go it’s as close to a portable Muramasa one could get.