Ninja Gaiden will always be "home" to me - my default game. The homepage of my speedrunning world. I'm sure I'm not alone in this thought - but I want to analyze the "why" this is the case when there are literally hundreds of other options.

I occasionally get hit with the "Don't you get bored playing the same game over and over?" Yet the answer is always the same: "Nope." And... I don't think that will ever change.

The game at it's core isn't exactly unique. An imperfect platformer with a somewhat generic plotline. "Hold right or left and press A and B a few times until you save the world and win the PRIZE!" (Prize being a hot babe ofc) We've seen this story before in other games and movies countless times.

So what separates this game from the others in terms of speedrunning?

For me - I think it's a perfect concoction of elements thrown together mixing both pleasure and pain.

1. Extremely supportive and engaging community.

2. Precise movements and attacks. (Measurable skill progression with high risk for often low reward output)

3. The MUSIC. (4-2 anybody?)

4. Cottage cheese sword. (The great equalizer)

5. RNG control. (global timer)

6. RNG outside of my control. (luck)

I could continue, but I'd love to hear others perspective. If you were selling "speedrunning Ninja Gaiden" as a product - how would you describe it to others? If you have experience in other games - what makes Ninja Gaiden better or worse?

This was my favorite NES game before speedrunning it and I think it was partially because of the instant kill nature of the game. It's quite satisfying. And there's actually checkpoints...anyways speedrunning the game makes the instant kill aspect more fun because you actually wield it better. Quick climbing and mashing for the final bosses are extremely satisying mechanics. Damage boosts are fun and there's tons of them. I like that the RNG is actually entirely predictable (almost).

I’ve thought a lot about this myself.

The game rewards forward momentum.

This is a result of the constantly respawning goons created to falsely extend the length of the game which by moving forward constantly you short circuit.

Plus it’s got great cut scenes.

I dabble with a lot of other games, but this was the first game I ever speed ran. Way back in 2003 or 2004 I started being able to beat this game deathless and had my roomate running a stop watch. Thought I was the absolute best back then with a 17:4x. lol