Wikipedia

Ninja Golf

Ninja Golfis a 1990beat 'em up/golfvideo gamedeveloped byBlueSky Softwareand published byAtari Corporationfor theAtari 7800.Gameplay consists of the ninjaplayer characterhitting agolf ballat the beginning of each hole (stage) then fighting various enemies inside-scrollingsections to reach it. Eachgreenis guarded by a fire-breathing dragonBossthat the player must defeat by throwingshurikens.

Ninja Golf
Developer(s)BlueSky Software
Publisher(s)Atari Corporation
Programmer(s)David A. Dentt
David R. Sullivan
Artist(s)Dana Christian
Platform(s)Atari 7800
Release
Genre(s)Beat 'em up,sports(golf)
Mode(s)Single-player

The game's design team consisted ofprogrammersDavid A. Dentt and David R. Sullivan. A version forAtari 8-bit computerswas in simultaneous production but was cancelled. The game's 1990 release was one of the Atari 7800's last before the console's discontinuation.

Critical reception forNinja Golfhas been mixed, though retrospective media coverage has seen its unusual concept and blend of genres as very memorable. The game has since been featured on several retro game compilations, services, and consoles. An enhancedremakeforiOSandAndroidwas developed byAlpha Dog Gamesand released byAtari Interactivein 2019.

Gameplay

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The player (center) battles enemies in asand trap.A mini-map andheads-up displaycover the bottom third of the screen.

Ninja Golfmixesgolfandbeat 'em upgameplay and puts the player in the role of a ninja who has completed their training, tasked with nine holes of the titular sport as a final test.[1]Each hole (stage) begins with the player aiming theirgolf ballvia a mini-map and shooting it toward thegreen.[2][3]The path to reach the ball is set up like a traditionalside-scroller,where the player fights other ninjas and hostile animals along the way. These creatures include gophers, birds, giant frogs, sharks, and snakes, depending on the environment.[1]For instance, sharks are encountered inwater hazardsand snakes insand traps.[3]Ninjas exist in all the environments, including underwater.

The player can dodge foes by jumping and crouching as well attack with punches, kicks, and a limited supply of throwingshurikens.[3]All regular enemies die in a single hit.[2]The player can pick up restorative items such as extrahealth,lives, and shurikens as well as temporary invincibility and an instant warp to the green.[1]The pattern of taking golf swings and fighting towards the ball's landing spot repeats until the green is reached, where the player encounters a dragonBossthat guards it. These battles take place in athird-personperspective. The player must hit the dragon with shurikens while moving either right or left to avoid its fireballs.[2]The player'sscoreincreases with defeating enemies, picking up items, and finishes holes with a limited number of strokes. The game contains fourdifficulty levels:easy, medium, hard, andkamikaze.[1]

Development

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Ninja Golfwas developed byBlueSky Softwarewith a team consisting ofprogrammersDavid R. Sullivan and David A. Dentt alongsideartistDana Christian.[4][5]Sullivan wascontractedby BlueSky while Dentt was led to employment at the company in 1988 while working atarcade video gamedeveloperCinematronics.[6]Ninja Golfwas one of several titles pitched by publisherAtari Corporation's internal software team in early 1989.[7]

Sullivan claimed that BlueSky was originally set to create a comedicplatformerin the spirit of the filmCaddyshack,but the simultaneouspopularity of ninjas in the 1980sand the success of golf games likeMean 18led to the finalized concept.[5]"The way it was explained to me was that sports games were popular, ninjas were popular, soNinja Golf",Dentt recounted." One can not help but be in awe of the thought process! "[4]After being given the concept, the team expanded on it as development progressed, frequently receiving feedback from Atari. According to Sullivan, Christian was responsible for the game's more absurd elements and Atari was unhappy that the game swayed from a more serious tone.[5]

The budget for the project was $77,000USD.[5]The programmers each worked on a separate port of the game: Dentt on a version for theAtari 7800home console and Sullivan on a version for theAtari 8-bit computers.[4][5]The two frequently shared code with one another at their weekly meetings at aSizzlerrestaurant. Aside from some art, the builds were nearly identical. However, the 8-bit computer version was eventually cancelled and remaining work shifted solely to the 7800 release.[5]

Dentt's equipment consisted of anAtari STand one externalhard disk drive.[6]The team had planned to implement a3D rendererfor the golf gameplay, but a simpler side-view was quickly added instead as combat became the main focus.[5]When coding the graphics, Dentt recalled that the 7800 split the screen into three distinct sections. Each section could swap its palette duringinterrupt,increasing the possible total of colors on-screen at once.[4][6]Dentt hid ajoysticktest within the game even after his producer insisted it be removed.[6]

Release

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Ninja Golfwas one of a plethora of games first unveiled by Atari at the summer 1989Consumer Electronics Show.This came alongside an announcement that the company intended to further support its consoles even as its market share continued to dwindle against overwhelming competition fromNintendo.[8][9]Ninja Golfwas released in North America in the fourth quarter of 1990 and was one of the last titles for the Atari 7800.[10]Atari manufactured about 100,000cartridgesfor retail.[5]The game has since seen numerous re-releases. It was included on theInternet Archive'sMESSemulator in 2014;[11]as part of a collection of Atari games for theEvercadehandheldin 2020;[12][13]on the short-livedPlex Arcadestreaming service in 2021;[14]on theAtari 50compilation foreighthandninth generation consolesin 2022;[15]and on cartridge for theAtari 2600+console in 2024.[16]

An enhancedremakeofNinja Golfwas developed byAlpha Dog Gamesand published byAtari Interactiveas afree-to-playapplication foriOSandAndroidaround March 2019.[17][18]Like the original game, the remake switches between golf and beat 'em up gameplay, but now features fully3D graphics.[19]In 2021, Atari sold off the distribution rights to theNinja Golfremake alongside other free-to-play apps in order to refocus on marketing premium games for console and PC.[20]

Reception and legacy

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Critical reception forNinja Golfhas been mixed, though retrospective media sources have considered the game very memorable due to its unusual premise and mix of genres. Robert Naytor ofHardcore Gaming 101felt that neither the golf nor the beat 'em up gameplay were particularly well-realized, leading to a difficult and repetitive experience once the charm of the concept wears off.[2]AllGamereviewer Joseph Scoleri III gave a similar assessment, summarized, "While these facets of the game are imaginative, amusing and fun, the overall gameplay seems a little bland in comparison."[3]John Delaney of theRetro Gamerteam noted the serious delivery of its humor asdeadpanand its gameplay as fun despite being simplistic compared to other beat 'em ups and golf simulations.[21]

Wireframecontributor Ian Dransfield summarized it as having "sort ofJack Nicklaus-does-Shinobivibes. Is it good? No, not really. Is it absurd and funny? Yep. Perfect for golf haters everywhere. "[22]Brett Weiss wrote in his bookClassic Home Video Games 1972-1984that the game successfully combines distinct genres, lauding the Boss encounters as graphically impressive and functionally reminiscent of the bonus stages from the originalShinobi.[23]Atari Gaming Headquarters reviewer Matthew Lippart made a similar observation regarding the Boss fights and offered general praise to its graphics. He commended the combat gameplay while noting its difficulty in attacking when jumping and summarizing it "basicallyKung Fuwith a really bad golf engine thrown in. "[24]Andy Slaven briefly mentioned inVideo Game Bible, 1985-2002that the game's premise "may sound wacky" but it is "surprisingly enjoyable".[25]

On his list "The Best and Worst of '80s Ninja Video Games"Den of Geekwriter Craig Lines proclaimed, "I’m not sure there’s a more quintessentially '80s game in existence than Ninja Golf," calling it "endlessly inventive" and "one of the best of its kind."[26]Levi Buchanan ofIGNlisted it as the second best release on the Atari 7800, stating in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, "Ninja Golfis a better conversation piece than a game. But how can you deny the concept? Or that box art? "[27]

The game has been featured on other lists by magazines and websites in the decades following its original release. This includesNext Generation’s "five most bizarre game concepts of all time",CNET's "30 dumbest videogame titles ever",Paste’s "10 Goofy Golf Videogames that Aren’tMario Golf,Bleacher Report’s "12 Most Insane Sports Video Games Ever", andComplex’s "15 Most Violent Sports Video Games".[28][29][30][31][32]The game's cover art has been considered among the worst of all time byIGN,[33]Complex,[34]ComicsAlliance,[35]Comic Book Resources,[36]T3,[37]Sports Illustrated,[38]andGrunge.[39]

References

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  1. ^abcdHobbs (May 1990)."ProView:Ninja Golf".GamePro.No. 10.International Data Group.p. 50.ISSN1042-8658.
  2. ^abcdNaytor, Robert (June 27, 2015)."Ninja Golf".Hardcore Gaming 101.Archived fromthe originalon February 3, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
  3. ^abcdScoleri III, Joseph."Ninja Golf- Review ".AllGame.RhythmOne.Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2014.RetrievedJune 16,2015.
  4. ^abcdHawkin, Kieren (September 2014)."Atari 7800 ProSystem".Retro Gamer.No. 132.Imagine Publishing.pp. 22–7.ISSN1742-3155.
  5. ^abcdefghCharla, Chris (March 6, 2011)."Ninja Golf:No Secrets Mode ".Incredibly Strange Games.No. 2. pp. 5–8.
  6. ^abcdHarvey, John K."David A Dentt Interview (Ninja GolfandKlaxProgrammer) ".Atari 7800 Forever.Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2021.RetrievedMarch 27,2024.
  7. ^Ratcliff, Matthew (May 1989)."ZMagazine's Z*Net: Ratty's Rap".The JACG Newsletter.Vol. 9, no. 3. Jersey Atari Computer Group. p. Z5.
  8. ^Computer Entertainerstaff (June 1989)."Atari Features New Video Games For 3 Systems".Computer Entertainer.Vol. 8, no. 3. p. 13.ISSN0890-2143.
  9. ^Harris, Steve (December 1989)."New 7800 Title Announced for 1990".Electronic Gaming Monthly.No. 5. Sendai Publications, Inc. p. 72.ISSN1058-918X.
  10. ^Computer Entertainerstaff (December 1989)."Availability Update".Computer Entertainer.Vol. 8, no. 9. p. 14.ISSN0890-2143.
  11. ^Jones, Darran (February 2014)."Internet Archive Launches Retro Service".Retro Gamer.No. 125.Imagine Publishing.p. 8.ISSN1742-3155.
  12. ^Russell, Graham (May 19, 2020)."Evercade Combines Nostalgic Cartridges, Modern Tech and a Quirky Game Library".Siliconera. Archived fromthe originalon January 29, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  13. ^Davison, Pete (October 18, 2023)."5 of the best Atari games on Evercade".Evercade.Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  14. ^Machkovech, Sam (January 26, 2021)."Plex adds game-streaming as paid add-on, completely botches the landing".Ars Technica.Condé Nast.Archived fromthe originalon November 18, 2023.RetrievedNovember 18,2023.
  15. ^Garrido, Alberto."Over 100 arcade classics arrive inAtari 50: The Anniversary Celebration".Gamereactor.Gamez Publishing A/S. Archived fromthe originalon March 27, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  16. ^Bitner, Jon (January 31, 2024)."New Atari 2600+ Games And Controllers Up For Preorder At Amazon".GameSpot.Fandom Inc.Archived fromthe originalon February 12, 2024.RetrievedMarch 17,2024.
  17. ^Sinclair, Brendan (October 24, 2019)."Bethesda acquires Alpha Dog".GamesIndustry.biz.Gamer Network.Archived fromthe originalon October 9, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  18. ^Atari staff (March 18, 2019)."The Atari Group provides an update on recent business developments and its perspectives on the occasion of the Game Developers Conference 2019 in San Francisco".GlobeNewswire.Archived fromthe originalon March 23, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  19. ^Humphrey, Quintin (April 8, 2019)."GDC 2019 Hands-On IMPRESSIONS: Ninja Golf".Operation Rainfall.Archived fromthe originalon November 14, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  20. ^McAloon, Alissa (July 6, 2021)."Atari Gaming walks away from free-to-play games to refocus on console and PC".Game Developer.Informa.Archived fromthe originalon January 31, 2023.RetrievedNovember 14,2023.
  21. ^Delaney, Jon (August 5, 2008)."Ninja Golf".Retro Gamer.Future plc.Archived fromthe originalon May 8, 2021.RetrievedMarch 21,2024.
  22. ^Dransfield, Ian (September 2021)."30 Great Sports Games (for people who don't like sports)".Wireframe.No. 54.Raspberry Pi Foundation.p. 74.ISSN2631-6730.
  23. ^Weiss, Brett (December 20, 2011).Classic Home Video Games 1972-1984.McFarland & Company.p. 162.ISBN978-0786487554.
  24. ^Lippart, Matthew."AGH Atari 7800 Review:NINJA GOLFby Atari ".Atari Gaming Headquarters.Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2023.RetrievedMarch 22,2024.
  25. ^Slaven, Andy (June 30, 2002).Video Game Bible, 1985-2002.Trafford Publishing.p. 45.ISBN978-1553697312.
  26. ^Lines, Craig (July 7, 2015)."The Best and Worst of '80s Ninja Video Games".Den of Geek.DoG Tech LLC. Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  27. ^Buchanan, Levi (May 9, 2008)."Top 10 Atari 7800 Games".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon February 15, 2013.RetrievedMarch 21,2023.
  28. ^Next Generationstaff (September 1996)."Breaking: Top Ten".Next Generation.No. 21.Imagine Media.p. 29.ISSN1078-9693.
  29. ^Lanxon, Nate (November 18, 2009)."The 30 dumbest videogame titles ever".CNET.Red Ventures.Archived fromthe originalon August 18, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  30. ^Waverly (July 29, 2021)."10 Goofy Golf Videogames that Aren'tMario Golf".Paste.Paste Media Group. Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  31. ^Dilbert, Ryan (September 19, 2011)."The 12 Most Insane Sports Video Games Ever".Bleacher Report.TNT Sports Interactive.Archived fromthe originalon March 18, 2024.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  32. ^Matthews, David (November 20, 2012)."The 15 Most Violent Sports Video Games".Complex.Archived fromthe originalon October 1, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  33. ^News & Features Team (March 27, 2007)."Top 25 Tuesday: Most Awesome Covers".IGN.Archived fromthe originalon October 20, 2012.RetrievedApril 10,2011.
  34. ^Rogueau, Michael (April 12, 2012)."The 50 Most Awful Retro Video Game Box Art Covers".Complex.Archived fromthe originalon September 12, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  35. ^Sims, Chris (January 12, 2012)."20 Amazingly Weird Pieces of Video Game Box Art".ComicsAlliance.Townsquare Media. Archived fromthe originalon March 31, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  36. ^Kurland, Daniel (March 31, 2022)."10 Video Games With The Worst Box Art".Comic Book Resources.Valnet Inc. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2024.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  37. ^Sawh, Michael (October 21, 2012)."Bad Covers: Worst video game covers ever".T3.Future plc.Archived fromthe originalon June 9, 2023.RetrievedMarch 25,2024.
  38. ^Graham, Bryan Armen (April 25, 2013)."17 Examples of Sports Video Game Cover Art That Make Other Art Embarrassed to Be Art".Sports Illustrated.The Arena Group. Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2023.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  39. ^David, Collin; Gates, Christopher (March 9, 2023)."Worst Video Game Covers Of All Time".Grunge.Static Media.Archived fromthe originalon December 3, 2023.RetrievedMarch 24,2024.
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