Shuriken in Ninja Gaiden (Xbox)
A traditional ninja weapon projectile that comes in various shapes for various purposes. Usually star shaped, Shuriken are implements designed to cause injury when thrown at an enemy, and most Ninja carry them at all times. Due to the disposable nature of these weapons, expensive materials are rarely used in their construction. However, they are crafted with great precision in order to stabilize their trajectory when thrown, thereby increasing accuracy.
Variants
Incendiary Shuriken
Incendiary Shurikens in Ninja Gaiden 2
- Main article: Kunai
Shaped like a kunai, or throwing knife, this Shuriken has a small explosive attached. The Incendiary Shuriken is designed to explode after being impaled in the target’s body. To achieve this, the thrower must remove the small metal ring at the tail end of the weapon, thereby lighting the fuse. Although the history of this weapon is as old as gunpowder itself, recent improvements inspired by modern grenade design have made it all the more lethal.
Roppoken Style Shuriken
Roppoken Style Shuriken in Ninja Gaiden 2
This particular type of Shuriken, which boasts six blades, is officially known as a Roppoken, or six-sided star, and is of the Kuruma-ken (round) category of Shuriken that spin when thrown.
Windmill Shuriken
The Windmill Shuriken in Ninja Gaiden 2.
- Main article: Windmill Shuriken
First appearing in Ninja Gaiden (NES), the Windmill Shuriken acted as a secondary Ninjutsu ability, consuming Ninjutsu points after every use. In Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) however, it was delivered to Ryu by Ayane part way through his mission as an alternate long-ranged, boomerang weapon for the remainder of the Xbox games.