Besides the Contra games, Ninja Crusaders may be my favorite NES co-op game. It's one of those games that you pretty much have to memorize, and some stages can take forever. At least the game carries unlimited continues. Anyone can beat this with the right amount of persistence.

A great aspect of this game is the transformation system.

A couple quick notes on transformation properties before I break down the levels in this run:

• Transformations, whether into an animal or back into the ninja, give you a second or two of invulnerability. Not sure whether or not the developers intended for that to happen as the dying sound effect plays when you do this and walk into an enemy. I take advantage of this "glitch" quite a bit to get through some rough patches.
• You'll rarely see me without the bo or the sword. While the bo gives you the bird transformation, the sword allows you to change into a dragon. The bird is small and fast enough to fly through most levels easily. The dragon can move through everything untouched, but also has a limited time frame before forcing you to change back and taking away your sword (any weapon you grab in dragon form will be in your possession afterwards). Even though the sword is slightly stronger than the bo in boss fights, the dragon form is too valuable to ignore. In 2 player, both ninjas combine into one dragon when either one uses the sword, which may come in handy for anyone possibly wanting to try a 2P run.

• 1-1 - Civilization's Ruins - I change into the tiger asap to take advantage of the better speed and jumping. Then it's just transforming back to grab the bo and then changing into the bird for the rest of the level. Gotta grab the sword!
• 1-2 - Watery Grave - If you turn into the dragon right away, you transform back before you finish the level. Anywhere past the shuriken is a good enough spot. I fly straight to the bottom (to line up at where the bo will appear) and go straight ahead to the end.
• Boss - Some bosses are predictable enough and only require placing. I place the ninja right above the "ST" in "STAGE" and wait for this monster to come to me. 3 hits is all it takes.

• 2-1 - Canyon Trap - Another easy one. Take the high road, grab the sword and transform (charging up before grabbing the sword helps by a second).
• 2-2 - Lake of Chaos - I can't stand water levels (Seriously, name me one good water level. You can't!). Fortunately, the scorpion transformation thrives in these conditions with fast maneuverability under water and a good long attack to boot. I grab the whip up top, jump the baddies and take a dip with the scorpion. The rest is just dodging and transforming back for a quick second to get to the next spot of water and then to get to the end of the level (grab the bo!).
• Boss - This guy can be a real pain if you don't act fast enough. 3 jump attacks is all it takes, but you have to be careful.

• 3-1 - Devil's Forest - Going through the entire stage as the bird can be tricky. At the beginning the tree branches can halt you, and you have to trick the enemies into missing you. Getting the sword is crucial (it's the last one in the game). The rest of the level just requires staying up high enough to pass by.
• 3-2 - Ironfist Castle - Another dragon level. Like 1-2, it's best to move up a bit before transforming. I still do it a bit early since I change back and waste a second, but at least it didn't put me in any danger and it was close enough to the end.
• Boss - Another tricky boss if the reflexes aren't fast enough. Duck and hit twice, run before he attacks low, then duck and strike the final two blows.

• 4-1 - Hurricane Cruiser - The waters below are nothing but trouble, so I stay on the cruiser and jump my way through. Fun fact: this is the only stage I don't transform in, and from here on out I hold onto the bo.
• 4-2 - Wraith's Lair - This is when the game turns the heat up by littering the screen with baddies. Since the sword is out of the picture, this one requires crafty bird navigating and proper timing on when to change back and forth. The end can be random with the speedy jumper so it usually requires some improvisation but I got lucky when he fell off the screen after I changed back.
• Boss - This U.F.O.-like enemy is simple enough. 4 jump attacks. Sometimes you can get 2 hits in the same jump but I never like risking it.

• 5-1 - Shadow Village -Just fly high, get low near the first pool of water, then fly high.
• Boss - Position above the "EM" in "ITEM". Duck and wait. 3 hits.

• 5-2 - Temple of the Cursed - The last stage just so happens to be the roughest. It is a lot like 4-2 in design, and I approach it with the same strategy. This took a lot of planning and precise execution with a dash of luck. This is where you'll see the transformation invulnerability the most.
• Boss - The first form is a bit of a pushover. The key is to hit him enough before the jump to the left so that you can finish him off when he lands on the left side. You can time a free hit right as he turns into his second form and get three more in before you have to run and avoid the bullets. The second form only attacks afterwards when walking from right to left. Since he's on the left side, he's forced to run back to the right while helpless. I take advantage of the situation and that's it!

Thanks for reading/watching!