20 More Cult Classics Trapped On Old Consoles

2002’s Shinobi was a blast on PS2, with its famed difficulty and tight controls that still hold up well today. Published by Sega, the hack and slash title marked the first new entry for the series since 1987, and for many players, it was worth the wait. The game features a new protagonist for the series, Hotsuma, who is embarking on a quest to save his clan after it was destroyed by an evil sorcerer, long thought dead. Shinobi is another title on this list that has aged very well, with an easy to understand but hard to master design philosophy key to the title’s longevity. 

The player is encouraged to take an aggressive approach through the game’s mechanics, such as time-sensitive special attacks, and a unique mechanic in Hotsuma’s soul-feeding sword, Akujiki, which feeds upon Hotsuma if the player waits too long between killing enemies. This coupled with the fact that combat itself was extremely punishing, requiring precision and timing to make it through levels, gives the game a frantic quality that has stuck in the minds of many who played it. 

It also resulted in a steep learning curve that still presents quite the challenge. Hotsuma’s red scarf is also an iconic image of the PS2 era, and Shinobi is surely one of the most underrated action games on the console. Unique mechanics such as the life sucking Akujiki represent real innovation, and Sega should definitely consider bringing the game to a new generation of players. Until then, it’s definitely worth dusting off the PS2 for if you fancy the challenge.