 The July 1990 pilot issue of UK magazine "Mean Machines" featured "Ninja Gaiden" on the cover; the magazine was distributed as part of the July 1990 issue of "Computer and Video Games".In its review, Julian Rignall compared the game to its beat 'em up arcade counterpart, which was titled "Shadow Warriors".He noted the game has great graphics that feature diverse backgrounds and character sprites; he especially praised its use of cartoon-like animation sequences between Acts where the game's plot unfolds.