# Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi ## Overview *Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi* is a unique and celebrated entry in the classic ninja franchise. Set in a futuristic New York City, the game follows a new hero, Hayate Musashi (son of the original Joe Musashi in the Japanese version), as he and his loyal dog, Yamato, battle to stop the villainous Union Lizard crime syndicate. This organization has unleashed a wave of terror and planted bombs throughout the city. It's up to this man-and-dog duo to disarm the bombs, rescue hostages, and bring the syndicate's leader to justice. ## Background Released for the Sega Genesis in 1990, this game is a reimagining of the arcade title *Shadow Dancer*, rather than a direct port. While it shares the core concept of a ninja with a canine companion, the Genesis version features entirely new levels, bosses, and refined gameplay mechanics tailored for a home console experience. It stands as a distinct side-story within the Shinobi universe, praised for its creative gameplay twist, challenging level design, and for successfully carving out its own identity separate from *The Revenge of Shinobi*. ## Gameplay The gameplay in *Shadow Dancer* blends classic Shinobi action with a unique partner mechanic. The player controls the ninja hero, who is armed with a limited supply of shurikens and a short-range sword attack. The defining feature is the ability to command his dog, Yamato. By holding down the attack button, players can direct Yamato to charge at enemies, temporarily stunning them and leaving them vulnerable to a finishing blow. This adds a strategic layer to combat. Like other games in the series, players can use powerful ninjutsu magic to clear the screen or damage bosses. Each stage requires the player to rescue a set number of hostages before they can exit, all while a timer counts down, adding a constant sense of urgency to the mission.