It’s my understanding that “ninja” is a Chinese word, and that the Japanese refer stealthy assassins as Shinobis. When the Japanese say ninja, they’re referring to Hollywood-style ninjas. Perhaps it’s appropriate then that “Jade Konoichi: Ep.1” is a game about a young ninja, because you’re definitely going to do some things that are more “wire-fu” than ninjutsu.
After a couple of 2009 moldy-oldies, today we have something a little more recent. What I love about this game is that the levels take you through all four seasons of weather, with appropriate changes with each. It’s a side-scrolling 2D racing platformer where you collect butterflies like mad. The collecting’s not just for the collecting’s sake, you can spend them (I kid you not) on power-ups. The background music is great, the graphics are pleasant, and it’s well worth a download for 80 Microsoft Points.
Here’s what the developer (Gideon Games Inc.) has to say about the game:
“Follow the adventures of the young ninja girl, Jade Konoichi, as she races through the forest to save the butterflies from the evil wasp king. Dash through four colorful seasons! Avoid angry wasps and ants as you leap over pits in a quest for a high score! Use your collected butterflies to buy power-ups, like Speed Boost, Monarch Song, and even a feisty Sidekick.”
Writings of Mass Deduction 