The Last Ninja
System 3 (1987). Six levels of isometric action, a legendary soundtrack, and one of the finest games ever made for the Commodore 64.
The Last Ninja on the Commodore 64
Released in 1987 by System 3, The Last Ninja is widely regarded as one of the greatest Commodore 64 games ever made. It set new standards for graphics, gameplay and music in a single release.
You play as Armakuni, the last surviving ninja of the Koga clan. Shogun Kunitoki has massacred your fellow warriors and stolen the sacred scrolls. Your mission spans six distinct environments, from the haunted Wastelands to the Shogun's heavily guarded Palace.
The game's isometric 3D perspective was groundbreaking for 1987. Combined with Ben Daglish's unforgettable soundtrack and tight combat mechanics, The Last Ninja became an instant classic and sold over one million copies across all platforms.
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Why The Last Ninja is a Legend
Few games have left such a lasting mark on the Commodore 64 community. The Last Ninja combined action, adventure and puzzle-solving in a way that felt genuinely cinematic for its time. Each level was designed with care, offering a distinct visual style and atmosphere.
The controls are notoriously unforgiving. Moving diagonally in eight directions on an isometric grid takes practice, and early players frequently found themselves accidentally walking off ledges or missing combat moves. This difficulty became part of the game's legend, rewarding patience and skill.
Ben Daglish's soundtrack remains one of the most celebrated compositions in C64 history. Each level has its own theme, and the music does as much to establish atmosphere as the graphics themselves.
The Last Ninja Series on the Commodore 64
System 3 turned their flagship title into a full series, releasing four games for the Commodore 64 between 1987 and 1991. Each entry expanded the world of Armakuni in a different setting.
The Last Ninja (1987)
The original game, set in feudal Japan. Six levels take you from The Wastelands through forests, caverns and the Imperial Palace. Published by Activision in Europe and System 3 elsewhere.
The Last Ninja 2: Back with a Vengeance (1988)
Armakuni travels to modern-day New York. Levels include Central Park, the sewers, a police station and a mansion. A bold change of setting that proved equally popular with fans.
Last Ninja Remix (1990)
An enhanced version of The Last Ninja 2 with a new introduction, updated graphics and a new soundtrack composed by Reyn Ouwehand. Released on cartridge for the Commodore 64GS.
The Last Ninja 3 (1991)
The final chapter in the original series. Set across multiple locations including Tibetan temples, this entry featured more complex puzzles and the most polished graphics of the series.
Gameplay and Controls
The Last Ninja uses an isometric perspective with eight-directional movement on a joystick. Walking diagonally requires precision: a single step in the wrong direction can send Armakuni into a wall or off a ledge. It takes time to adapt, but the controls become second nature with practice.
Combat is handled with the fire button combined with directional input. Different directions trigger different attacks: kicks, punches and weapons each have their own animations and range. Collecting weapons and items scattered throughout each level is essential for progression.
Using a trainer with unlimited lives is strongly recommended for your first playthrough. It lets you explore each level freely without the frustration of starting over after every mistake.
Screenshots
The Last Ninja Level Maps
Navigating the levels of The Last Ninja without a map is genuinely challenging. The isometric layout makes it easy to miss exits, hidden paths and item locations. These detailed maps for levels one through four show every room, path and key pickup in the original game.
Zoom into each map to read the fine detail. Item locations and exit directions are marked. Keep these open in a second window while you play.
Level Maps 1 to 4
The Last Ninja Walkthrough
Struggling with a particular level or boss fight? This full longplay video shows a complete playthrough of The Last Ninja from start to finish. Watch how experienced players handle the trickier sections, manage their inventory and navigate the more confusing areas of each level.
The video covers all six levels in sequence. Use the YouTube chapters to jump straight to the level you need.
The Last Ninja Full Longplay
The Music of The Last Ninja
Ben Daglish composed the soundtrack for The Last Ninja in 1987, and it has never been forgotten. Each of the six levels has its own theme, designed to complement the atmosphere of that environment. The compositions use the SID chip's three voices to create layered, evocative music that still sounds remarkable today.
In 2018, the Dutch band FastLoaders launched a Kickstarter campaign to record a full orchestral and live version of the Last Ninja soundtrack. The project resulted in a Blu-Ray concert recording and a studio album, released as the Last Ninja Musicology collection.
FastLoaders are a group of C64 enthusiasts and professional musicians who recreate classic SID music for modern audiences. Their Last Ninja album captures the spirit of Ben Daglish's original compositions while bringing them to life with real instruments.
FastLoaders Live: Last Ninja Musicology
5 Tips to Master The Last Ninja
Use a trainer for your first playthrough
The Last Ninja is unforgiving with a limited number of lives. Playing with unlimited lives lets you focus on learning the controls and exploring each level without constant frustration.
Collect every item you find
Some items are required for progression. Others improve your combat. Never leave a level without thoroughly searching every accessible area. Missing a key item early on can block your progress later.
Invest in a quality joystick
The eight-directional isometric controls demand precise input. A quality joystick like The Arcade Joystick by Suzo makes a real difference to both movement and combat.
Use emulator save states
Playing on an emulator? Use save states generously. Save before every new room or difficult combat sequence. It transforms The Last Ninja from an exercise in frustration into a genuinely enjoyable experience.
Join the community
Lemon64 and various C64 gaming groups on social media have a wealth of tips, maps and discussions about The Last Ninja. The community has been playing this game for nearly forty years.
Frequently Asked Questions
**** FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ****
READY.
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