-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Last Ninja -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- General Points The first point to make is about weapon selection. For the majority of the game it is relatively unimportant which weapon you use; sword or nunchukas will deal with all but the last levels quite easily, The best way to tackle most opponents is probably to lunge at their mid-section as they approach, and then rapidly jab at their heads; this keeps them at a distance, and weakens them considerably before they have a chance to strike you. The staff is particularly good at this distance fighting.To make fighting somewhat easier, fight very close to the edge of the screen, then should you run into difficulties - such as a fast opponent managing to rush up and start hitting you - you can run out of the room, Using this tactic you can erode an opponent's energy by running in, hitting him at distance, then running out again. Where necessary I have included instructions for jumping water and swamp, at various points in the game, However, you should try to avoid having to jump these, or at least keep the crossings to a minimum, as there is always the risk of a slight miss-alignment or joystick error resulting in death. Save the suriken for especially tough opponents, such as same found in the dungeons and lower levels, as you only have a few. Wilderness Pick up the sword first, having passed the man immediately below the start, then double back, and head for the bog, then the key, then the nunchukas. Now get the smoke bomb, cross the swamp. get the apple and shuriken, and then head for the dragon. To pass this beast, use the smoke bombs; stand just where the rocks which form the cave start, facing the dragon and wait for the dragon to emerge fully (i.e. stop moving). Now throw a bomb - if you have got the range right the dragon will slump to the ground and you may run past, It may take a few throws to get this right, but they give you quite a few bombs to try with, (NB Do not re-enter this room once you have passed the dragon - he incinerates you almost instantly.) WATER - cross with two long jumps, standing on the upper side of the path for an E to W crossing, and the lower side of the path for W to E. SWAMP - cross it with five long jumps, starting from the bit of wood on the first screen going W to E (you don't need to go E to W.) Wastelands Collect the claw from the lion's paw, and head for the sheer wall: you can only climb it by having no weapon ready and the claw held. Make your way along the narrow cliff path, remembering to pick up the apple on the way, and now descend the other sheer wall.. This is done by again having no weapon ready and holding the claw, but this time you must walk backwards towards the cliff, being careful to choose your descent so that you avoid the missing brick - failure to do so is fatal. Now cross the water, get the glove and then get the Ninja Magic (from when you get the Magic try to be fairly quick, as it doesn't last indefinitely}. Now go back across the water, cross the swamp, get the staff and run past the fire-lions. If the magic wears off (you stop glowing) before you get to the lions, do not try to pass them! This may be the end of the game, however, as I know of no reliable route back across the swamp E to W. WATER - W to E: Two medium jumps followed by a long jump, starting from the bottom edge of the path. E to W: From the middle of the path(i.e. where you landed going W to to E) make one long jump and two medium. SWAMP: W to E: From the middle of the path make a long, medium, long {to change screens) then short, long. Palace Gardens Head for the amulet first, crossing the water to get there. Now return, heading for the apple, which is hidden among some rushes on the room indicated. Now get the rose, remembering to hold the glove before you do so. Now head for the Buddha, somersaulting (long jump) over the small stream just before you get there, and give him the amulet. Before doing this, however set your weapon used to nothing, as you would for the Buddha or fountain normally. WATER - W to E; Two longs (screen changes), followed by short, medium, long, starting from the bottom of the path right at the edge of the water. E to W: Short, long, short, any (to change screen), medium, long. Start just above the blob of water on the path and remember that this is not a fail-safe crossing. Dungeons Remember to collect the rope and apple on the way and use the rope to escape the ladder. To kill skeletons use one blow from any weapon - but make sure you do, as they are lethal once they start to hit you. Lower Palace Collect the apple, and use the key to pass through the door of the apple room to enter the palace proper. To pass the statue, you must be using nothing and have no weapon readied (i.e., be holding nothing at all). Then pass as close as possible to the statue very slowly, until he throws his swords. You may now pass him, and go and collect the Ninja Magic from the urn in the room indicated. Using this you can cross the poisonous carpet and end the level. Palace + Inner Sanctum Collect the bottle of sleeping potion and head for the shogun. Open the door into the dog room by touching the furthest vase in the receding room while holding the rose. To pass the dog, hold the sleeping potion but no weapon, and fire gas at him as if you were using the gas bombs. If you miss him, run quickly out of the room and try again. Once past the dog, you must pass the giant archer; this is achieved by touching the brown spots on the floor in the archer room, just after you enter. This gives you ninja magic, and enables you to pass the archer unscathed. Your next task is to kill the shogun. This can only be achieved by attacking him with the sword, probably most effectively with quick jabs to the head. You can expect to lose at least one life fighting the shogun, but don't worry. If you keep hitting him with the sword he'll die eventually. You will now be teleported to the scroll room, and must somersault into the middle of the area in front of the scrolls, as the surrounding strip is fatal to touch. Now walk forward slightly and pick up the scrolls.