MINI NINJAS

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,273 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • story
MINI NINJAS Game Cover
Mini Ninjas is a ton of fun to play and is easily one of the most underappreciated games of 2009.
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Mini Ninjas is an action-adventure game that follows a group of ninjas on a quest to stop an evil samurai. Players can control different ninja characters, each with unique abilities, as they explore open worlds, complete missions, and battle enemies. The game features a charming art style and is known for its accessible gameplay and peaceful exploration.

  • Mac OS
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Nintendo Ds
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,273 reviews
gameplay77 positive mentions
optimization11 negative mentions
  • Charming art style and beautiful environments that create a relaxing atmosphere.
  • Fun and engaging gameplay with a variety of characters, each having unique abilities.
  • Nostalgic experience for players who enjoyed it as children, making it appealing for both kids and adults.
  • Technical issues such as audio bugs and micro-stuttering that can hinder gameplay.
  • Combat can feel repetitive and lacks depth, often leading to button-mashing.
  • Stealth mechanics are underutilized, as players are often encouraged to engage in combat rather than sneak past enemies.
  • gameplay167 mentions

    The gameplay of "Mini Ninjas" is characterized by its charming art style, engaging mechanics, and a variety of characters, each with unique abilities that enhance the experience. While many players appreciate the fun and relaxing nature of the gameplay, some criticize its repetitiveness and simplistic design, particularly in combat and stealth mechanics. Overall, it offers a light-hearted adventure suitable for younger audiences, though it may lack depth for more seasoned gamers.

    • “Gorgeous art style and environments, the music is incredible, there’s a lot to explore, many secrets to discover, wide selection of characters all with unique gameplay, great animations, peak voice acting too.”
    • “The ability to switch between characters with unique skills adds diversity to the gameplay, keeping it fresh and entertaining throughout the adventure.”
    • “The game's combat and mechanics have a surprising amount of depth, with all the various characters, weapons, items, and spells at your disposal.”
    • “Spent some time playing and the gameplay failed to catch my interest... follow a path and have fights with lousy camera angles... no thanks...”
    • “[b]Conclusion:[/b] Mini Ninjas may be really entertaining at the beginning, but its repetitive gameplay and poorly designed mechanics (I didn't even mention how bad the boss fights are) will not let you enjoy its cartoony art style, beautiful music, or appealing characters; therefore, I won't really recommend it at all.”
    • “I cannot recommend this game; though it seems like a lot of love was put into it, there just isn't much refinement from a gameplay angle.”
  • graphics161 mentions

    The graphics of "Mini Ninjas" are widely praised for their charming, cartoonish art style that has aged well since its 2009 release, maintaining a visually appealing aesthetic that resonates with players of all ages. While some reviews note technical issues and a desire for a modern remake, the overall consensus highlights the game's beautiful environments, smooth animations, and engaging character designs, making it a delightful experience despite its simplicity. The combination of vibrant visuals and a whimsical atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's nostalgic appeal and enjoyment.

    • “From the beautiful and lush landscapes to the amazing art style presented in the game, Mini Ninjas is definitely a hidden masterpiece.”
    • “The art style is beautiful and gameplay is fun.”
    • “It's honestly a pretty unique experience with an amazing art style and surprising attention to detail for its time.”
    • “Needs a remake in today's graphics like Sekiro or another sequel!”
    • “The graphics are simple.”
    • “I would highly recommend it, except the graphics look terrible now.”
  • story151 mentions

    The game's story is generally described as simple and straightforward, focusing on a charming quest to defeat an evil samurai warlord and restore balance to nature. While some players appreciate its lighthearted humor and nostalgic elements, others find it lacking in depth and complexity. Overall, the narrative is engaging enough to complement the enjoyable gameplay, making it a fun experience for players seeking a casual adventure.

    • “The story is great too, and the sprinkles of humor is probably my favorite thing.”
    • “It's a very cute game with a good story.”
    • “The story is well executed and the worlds you travel to are amazing.”
    • “The story is non-existent.”
    • “The story lacks narrative depth and overall, it has poorly developed characters.”
    • “The story is very simple and linear, but don't be afraid, it will bring you quite a lot to explore and tons of fun.”
  • music75 mentions

    The music in "Mini Ninjas" is widely praised for its beauty and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, featuring a blend of traditional Japanese instrumentation and calming ambient tracks. Many players find the soundtrack immersive and nostalgic, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment of the game, despite some reports of technical issues affecting sound playback. Overall, the music is considered one of the standout elements, complementing the game's charming visuals and engaging gameplay.

    • “The music is wonderful and the story, while simplistic, is also fun to read.”
    • “The music and atmosphere are spot on, giving you a traditional (and somewhat stereotypical) feudal Japanese feel.”
    • “The soundtrack also adds a great atmosphere to the game, whether it's drums beating in the background during combat or a calm flute blowing in the background as you're traversing a grassy hill; the music in the game is beautiful and exciting.”
    • “No music, no swooshes from weapons.”
    • “For some reason the game doesn't have any sounds or music; it's just awkward and the controls are really, really bad.”
    • “Problem with sound, any help... no music, effect, nothing!!!”
  • humor42 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its lighthearted and whimsical nature, featuring funny cutscenes, amusing character interactions, and playful mechanics like fart noises during boss fights. Players appreciate the cute art style and the nostalgic charm that keeps the experience enjoyable for both children and adults. Overall, the game successfully balances humor with casual gameplay, making it a delightful adventure filled with comedic moments.

    • “The game does exactly what it needs to with a simple yet funny art style, no complicated mechanics and a wide enough range of taking on the levels allowing the game to be replayed every once in a while.”
    • “The story is great too, and the sprinkles of humor are probably my favorite thing.”
    • “This game is indeed a kids game, don't expect a big story, deep characters or a long playthrough, but I have to admit, the cutscenes between the warlord and his captains are hilarious.”
  • atmosphere20 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its unique blend of visuals and music, effectively capturing a traditional feudal Japanese feel. Reviewers highlight the beautiful soundtrack, which enhances the immersive experience, and the attention to detail that contributes to a memorable and engaging environment. Overall, the atmosphere is described as both captivating and well-executed, appealing to a broad audience, including casual gamers.

    • “The soundtrack also adds a great atmosphere to the game, whether it's drums beating in the background during combat or a calm flute playing as you're traversing a grassy hill; the music in the game is beautiful and exciting.”
    • “The overall atmosphere is extremely well nailed.”
    • “I would recommend giving this game a try if you can catch it in Steam sales or if you're deeply interested in that kind of ancient-Japanese atmosphere.”
    • “The overall atmosphere is extremely well executed.”
    • “When playing, you can tell the game was made with love and care, adding little details that all contribute to one cohesive atmosphere.”
  • optimization19 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing no performance issues even on low-end hardware, while others report significant micro-stuttering and audio problems on modern systems. Many users express frustration over the lack of official fixes for these issues, suggesting that the game is poorly optimized for contemporary setups. Overall, while the game is enjoyable, its performance inconsistencies detract from the experience for many players.

    • “Very good optimization.”
    • “My specs are a bit overkill for this game, so I didn't run into any problems on the performance side, just one little visual flicker that fixed itself in the tutorial section, but nothing else.”
    • “And personally, I never had any performance issues (neither framerate nor audio issues like other people have experienced in the past) with the game, even playing it on the horrible toaster I have for hardware.”
    • “The game is unfortunately a little broken on newer systems (with the old DVD and through Steam); I needed to download fixes for constant stuttering and audio issues.”
    • “This game is from my childhood and I would have loved to actually play it through, but I can't because the game isn't optimized for modern hardware and has micro stutters you can't fix. I feel like Steam should have said something or fixed it themselves instead of wasting my time.”
    • “While it is an incredibly well done game, and fun as hell to play, the lack of a fix for the micro-stuttering that occurs within the game makes it very frustrating to play.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous glitches, including audio issues, random crashes, and hitbox problems, particularly on modern operating systems. While some players found workarounds for certain bugs, the overall experience is marred by these technical issues, making it feel unpolished. Despite these challenges, many still appreciate the game's core mechanics and art style, suggesting it could benefit from a remaster or sequel.

    • “Runs great on Windows 10 (64-bit).”
    • “+ No glitches to speak of for me (on a Windows 7 64-bit).”
    • “I have tried both suggested and other troubleshooting, but it still crashes.”
    • “Really buggy on modern operating systems.”
    • “Game is unplayable, locks up and freezes a lot.”
  • replayability15 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable enough to revisit due to collectibles and different approaches to levels, others note its linearity and limited backtracking options diminish long-term engagement. Many appreciate the charm and fun of the game, leading to unexpected replay sessions, but consensus suggests it may not offer substantial replay value for everyone.

    • “The quality and replayability of this game is, shocking to say the least.”
    • “It can be beaten in 12-15 hours if you try to collect everything and even has some replayability after you finish the main story since levels can be approached in numerous ways.”
    • “Surprisingly good replay value for speedruns or challenge runs.”
    • “The quality and replayability of this game is shocking to say the least.”
    • “The game is extremely linear in its way of progress, though there are open fields in each level, thus the replayability is almost non-existent.”
    • “Not much replay value but easy to 100%.”
  • emotional7 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a nostalgic and heartwarming experience, with players appreciating its wholesome story and charming visuals. While it explores deeper themes and character growth, it also balances this with lighthearted gameplay, making it a beloved title for many. However, some players express frustration with gameplay mechanics, which can detract from the overall emotional experience.

    • “Replaying this hidden gem after 11 years made me feel so nostalgic.”
    • “This game is wholesome, it's cute, has simple mechanics, and is one of my favorite games of all time; this game has this charm that never goes away.”
    • “A heartwarming adventure, beautiful graphics, clean looking, cute (and deadly) enemies, and tons of fun wrapped into one epic journey.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and poorly incentivized, with poorly executed open-world design leading to frustrating and random collection tasks. The lack of meaningful rewards and the game's technical issues contribute to a sense of boredom, making the grinding feel like a chore rather than an engaging activity.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
    • “Finally, the third and, in my personal experience, the main problem of this title is that the open world is very poorly executed. From not having a map to orient yourself in its vast levels to placing collectibles and crafting materials in random locations that you will never find useful, it makes the experience feel like a waste of time. The game doesn't support Steam achievements, which means you end up with boring and tedious chores that have little to no incentive for completion.”
    • “Game stutters, making movement and combat tedious and frustrating.”
    • “Fighting gets tedious in the second half.”
  • character development3 mentions

    Reviewers praise the character development for its charming and endearing designs, complemented by suitable voiceovers and an enchanting storyline. The vibrant environments and breathtaking landscapes enhance the overall experience, making the characters feel more immersive within the colorful, feudal Japanese backdrop.

    • “The character designs are cute and endearing, and the environments are colorful and diverse.”
    • “Amazing and realistic voiceovers, a simply enchanting storyline with narration to go along with it, and breathtaking landscapes in a far-eastern feudal Japanese backdrop, despite the comic style - and of course, just the cutest little graphics and character designs!”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization strategies of many games, particularly those aimed at children, are criticized for being exploitative and akin to cash grabs, often lacking genuine content or engagement. Additionally, some games misadvertise their core mechanics, leading to disappointment among players.

    • “Most games specifically targeted at kids today, especially those not made by well-known companies like Nintendo, are ingratiating, safe, and feel like cash grabs, akin to three-hour animated nursery rhyme compilations.”
    • “This game should be pulled for misadvertising, because if you think a game solely about ninjas would contain stealth, then you'd be wrong.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

11hMedian play time
11hAverage play time
8-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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