Dragon Ninja (1988)

Released in 1988, Dragon Ninja is a conversion of the classic Data East arcade coin-op. Published by Imagine Software, the game was developed by programmer Paul Owens, with in-game graphics and loading screens by Mark R. Jones and Bill Harbison, and music by Jonathan Dunn.

As a single-player beat-em-up, the game features side-view 2D graphics with horizontal scrolling. The ZX Spectrum version utilizes AY sound and supports Kempston, Interface 2, and redefinable keyboard controls. Technical features include a multi-loader for the 48K mode, multiple boss fights, and a hidden cameo of a Moai Easter Island statue.

The game retailed at £8.95 for the cassette version and £12.95 for the disk format. It was also ported to several other systems, including Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64, MSX, NES, Amiga, and Atari ST.

The game holds an average magazine score of 65.32%. Reviews were varied, with publications such as ACE and Sinclair User providing scores above 75%, while other outlets like Crash and Your Sinclair offered more critical assessments.

The game became well-known in the Soviet Union through cracked cassette versions by MAC and numerous TR-DOS adaptations. A Russian translation was released by Boys Soft, and various magazines frequently published POKE codes to help players complete the game.