1-bit Ninja
{{Short description|2011 video game}}{{Infobox video game
| platforms = iOS
| released = June 23, 2011
| genre = Platformer
| modes = Single-player
| developer = Kode80
| publisher = Kode80
| designer = Ben Hopkins
| artist = Ben Hopkins
| image = App icon of 1-bit Ninja, 2011, Kode80.jpg
| caption = App icon
}}
1-bit Ninja is a 2011 platformer game developed and published by Kode80. In the game, the player controls a ninja who must avoid enemies and collect coins throughout thirty levels. The player may adjust the camera to a three-dimensional perspective to reveal hidden platforms. 1-bit Ninja was released on June 23, 2011, for iOS.
Gameplay
In 1-bit Ninja, the player controls the Ninja, who can jump on enemies to defeat them.{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=June 22, 2011 |title=1-Bit Ninja is a Sublime Paper Mario, Super Mario Mash-Up |url=https://kotaku.com/1-bit-ninja-is-a-sublime-paper-mario-super-mario-mash-5814373 |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Kotaku}} While the Ninja can move across the level, they cannot go backwards. The player is required to collect coins in each of the thirty levels.{{Cite web |last=Dotson |first=Carter |date=December 19, 2014 |title=Perspective-Altering Platformer 1-Bit Ninja Gets Update for Modern Devices |url=https://toucharcade.com/2014/12/19/1-bit-ninja-update/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}} They may turn the camera to unlock a three-dimensional perspective that reveals hidden platforms.{{Cite web |last=Schramm |first=Mike |date=June 30, 2011 |title=TUAW's Daily iPhone App: 1-bit Ninja |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-06-30-tuaws-daily-iphone-app-1-bit-ninja.html |access-date=May 10, 2024 |website=Engadget}} With the Tiled Map Editor, players can create their own levels.{{Cite web |last=Usher |first=Anthony |date=April 2, 2012 |title=Silver Award-winning iPhone platformer 1-bit Ninja features hidden level editor functionality |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja/silver-award-winning-iphone-platformer-1-bit-ninja-features-hidden-level-editor-/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}}
Development and release
1-bit Ninja was developed by Kode80, the studio of Ben Hopkins.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Jared |date=May 6, 2011 |title=Upcoming 1-Bit Ninja is a Retro Platformer with a Secret |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/05/06/upcoming-1-bit-ninja/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}} He was inspired by his childhood experiences from playing the Game & Watch series. While the game was scheduled to be released at the end of May, 1-Bit Ninja was released for iOS on June 23, 2011.{{Cite web |last=Hodapp |first=Eli |date=June 22, 2011 |title=Coming Tonight: Tiny Tower, 1-bit Ninja, BackStab, Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing and TONS More |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/06/22/coming-tonight-tiny-tower-1-bit-ninja-backstab-sonic-sega-all-stars-racing-and-tons-more/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}}{{Cite web |last=Sakuraoka-Gilman |first=Matt |date=June 21, 2011 |title=Retro-styled platformer 1-bit Ninja smoke bombing iPhone on Thursday |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja/retro-styled-platformer-1-bit-ninja-smoke-bombing-iphone-on-thursday/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}} In October 2011, the game was given Game Center support and video exporting.{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Brad |date=October 28, 2011 |title=1-Bit Ninja Adds Video Exporting, Game Center |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/10/28/1-bit-ninja-adds-video-exporting-game-center/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}} In March 2012, a fifth world was added and a lite version was released,{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Brad |date=March 29, 2012 |title=1-Bit Ninja Gets A Lite Version, New Update |url=https://toucharcade.com/2012/03/27/1-bit-ninja-gets-a-lite-version-new-update/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Damon |date=March 23, 2012 |title=Tough iPhone platformer 1-bit Ninja gets new world, checkpoints |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja/tough-iphone-platformer-1-bit-ninja-gets-new-world-checkpoints/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}} which contains five levels, checkpoints, and replays.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Damon |date=March 27, 2012 |title=Lite version of hard-as-nails platformer 1-bit Ninja lands on the App Store |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja/lite-version-of-hard-as-nails-platformer-1-bit-ninja-lands-on-the-app-store/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}} In December 2014, the game was released for iOS 8 and iPad. An endless runner sequel titled 1-bit Ninja Remix Rush was released on January 8, 2015, for iOS.{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Jared |date=January 5, 2015 |title=1-bit Ninja Remix Rush Coming this Thursday |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/01/05/1-bit-ninja-remix-rush-release-date/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}}{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=January 6, 2015 |title=Game Boy tribute 1-bit Ninja will become an endless runner this week |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja-remix-rush/game-boy-tribute-1-bit-ninja-will-become-an-endless-runner-this-week/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| Gamezebo = 100/100 (1-bit Ninja)
}}
1-bit Ninja received a "generally favorable" rating on Metacritic.{{Cite web |title=1-bit Ninja |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/1-bit-ninja/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Metacritic}} The pixelated art style was praised.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Stephanie |date=June 27, 2011 |title=1-Bit Ninja Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/27/1-bit-ninja-review |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=IGN}}{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Will |date=June 23, 2011 |title=1-bit Ninja |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja/1-bit-ninja-review/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Zuccarelli |first=Dan |date=June 27, 2011 |title=1-bit Ninja Review |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/1-bit-ninja-review/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Gamezebo}} Jared Nelson of TouchArcade praised the game's graphics for having a "ton of character and style".{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Jared |date=June 24, 2011 |title=1-bit Ninja Review {{ndash}} This Platformer is All About Perspective |url=https://toucharcade.com/2011/06/24/1-bit-ninja-review/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}}
= ''1-bit Ninja Remix Rush'' =
The difficulty of the gameplay was received negatively.{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=January 8, 2015 |title=1-bit Ninja Remix Rush |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/1-bit-ninja-remix-rush/1-bit-ninja-remix-rush/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=Pocket Gamer}}{{Cite web |last=Zampini |first=Alessandro |date=January 26, 2015 |title=Touch Me - Recensione |trans-title=Touch Me - Review |url=https://it.ign.com/touch-me/92456/review/touch-me-91-i-giochi-per-smartphone-e-tablet-della-settimana |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=IGN Italia |language=it}} Carter Dotson of TouchArcade found that the challenging gameplay made players decide where they should move the player-character.{{Cite web |last=Dotson |first=Carter |date=January 13, 2015 |title=1-bit Ninja Remix Rush Review {{ndash}} Feels Like the First Time |url=https://toucharcade.com/2015/01/13/1-bit-ninja-remix-rush-review/ |access-date=February 27, 2024 |website=TouchArcade}} Time magazine praised the game's ability to combine the "flattest gaming technology" with the third dimension.{{Cite web |last=Aciman |first=Alexander |date=January 13, 2015 |title=The Absolute Best iPhone Games You Should Play This Week |url=https://time.com/3664896/iphone-games-space-marshals/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |website=Time}}
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