Sasuke vs. Commander (set 1)

Defend your Shogun in Sasuke vs. Commander, a vertical scrolling shooter released by SNK in 1980. As Sasuke, a redheaded ninja warrior, players control a character positioned at the bottom of the screen, moving left and right to face waves of enemy ninjas emerging from trees. Your mission is to protect your master within the city of Kyoto by defeating these adversaries and powerful bosses who utilize special magical attacks like Henshin and Hiryuken. Gameplay involves shooting shuriken to eliminate enemies while dodging falling bodies and navigating challenging stages. Each boss presents a unique combat encounter, demanding skillful maneuvering and precise aiming to overcome their abilities. This early title distinguishes itself with the inclusion of distinct boss characters, originally referred to as "magical bonuses" within the game. Sasuke vs. Commander is designed for two players and utilizes a simple control scheme: a 2-way joystick and single button. The game’s title screen reveals that SNK was originally known as Shinnihon Kikaku, marking this as one of their earliest colored arcade releases. A humorous animation appears at the game over screen, depicting Sasuke comically tripping over a rock.