Various Cheats and Hints
Restore health
Press Start to pause game play then press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle Square The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry For the Japanese version press Start to pause game play and press Upx2 Downx2 Left Right Left Right Square Triangle For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version press Start to pause game play then press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Left
Carry up to 99 items
Hold L1 and press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle Square at the item selection screen The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry For the Japanese version hold L1 and press Upx2 Downx2 Left Right Left Right Square Triangle at the item selection screen For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version hold R2 and press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Down at the item selection screen
Increased item inventory
Hold L2 and press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle X at the item selection screen The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry One more of each item will be available every time this code is enabled For the Japanese version hold L2 and press Upx2 Downx2 Left Right Left Right Square Triangle at the item selection screen For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version hold L2 and press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Right at the item selection screen
All weapons
Hold L1 R1 and press X Triangle Square Triangle Square Circle at the item selection screen Then release L1 and press L1 again
Debug mode
Press Start to pause game play Hold L1 R2 and press Up Triangle Down X Left Square Right Circle Release L1 R2 and slowly press L1 R1 L2 R2 Wait a moment then press Start followed by L2 R2 A debug menu that allows invincibility bonus weapons enemy summoning enemy AI toggles FMV sequence skip and other effects will appear
Frame by frame
Enable any debug option pause game play and tap Select to move through the game frame by frame
Two player mode
To set the game in two player mode use the quotEnemyquot option to select any opponent Select the quotPad2quot option to enable a second player Keep moving away from the newly created player until a question mark appears near the health bar Run back towards the newly created player Both controllers may now be used to play the game in two player mode Note If either player leaves the screen the second player will be canceled
Never die
Enable debug mode select the leaf then select quotFullquot Kill yourself and you will not die
Float
Note A controller with an autofire feature is requires for this trick Enable the quotDebug modequot code at the beginning of the game Press quotItem Chargequot press Right and select quotHensinquot Set Triangle to autofire press the Hensin item then go in the river Go to the entrance to the river and wait for the item to wear out then press Circle
More types of items
Hold R1 and press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle Circle at the item selection screen The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry For the Japanese version hold R1 and press Upx2 Downx2 Left Right Left Right Square Triangle at the item selection screen For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version hold R1 and press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Left at the item selection screen
Level select
Select a character then hold R2 and press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle Square at the next screen mission select The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry For the Japanese version select a character then hold R2 and press Upx2 Downx2 Left Right Left Right Square Triangle at that screen For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version hold R1 and Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Right at that screen
Full map
Hold Select during game play to display the map then press Circlex5 Note In the PAL version press Select during game play to display the map then hold Select R1 and press Circlex5
Layout select
Select a character then hold R1 and press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle X at the next screen mission select The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry For the Japanese version hold R1 and press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Right at that screen For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version hold L2 and press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Left at that screen
Enable Japanese voices
Select a character then hold L1 and press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle Circle at the next screen mission select The sound of a shout will confirm correct code entry Note Japanese voice effects will start after the first level the narrative will remain in English For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version hold L1 and press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Down at that screen
Alternate Ayame costume
Press Leftx2 Downx2 Squarex2 Triangle Circle at the item selection screen as Ayame The armor icon will automatically be selected Note You also must have Ninja armor equipped and take the armor into the game for this code to work If done correctly the number of available armor will drop from 1 to 0 Begin game play as Ayame and select her third costume For the EuropeanAustralian PAL version press Squarex2 Trianglex2 Rightx2 Up Right at that screen
Alternate costumes
Select either Rickimaru or Ayame then successfully complete any level without being spotted or killing innocent people Levels 1 2 or 5 may be good choices to accomplish this If done correctly a quotGrandmasterquot screen will appear after the level is completed To use the alternate costumes start the next level When the item screen appears look to the far right If the object that appeared on the quotGrandmasterquot screen is available select it to give Rikimaru or Ayame a new set of clothes
Play as Onikage
Enable the quotDebug modequot code access the debug screen select quotCharge Itemquot then quotKawarimiquot then select quotFullquot this item is the quotResurrection Leafquot Ayame or Rikymaru will have this item If they are attacked by an enemy type will not be killed and the game will not end You will be able to play as Onikage in the levels which he appears 369 and 10 Enter the debug screen again choose quotLayout Enemyquot then quotAddquot then choose quotNinjaquot and quotPad 1quot Enter the debug screen again select quotLayout Enemyquot then quotGoquot Walk in any direction far enough to let the normal play screen reappear Onikage Enter the debug screen again select quotLayout Enemyquot then quotSelect Camera Ownerquot then select the last number that appears on the second page of the quotCamera Owner Screenquot except on level 10 where quot23quot should be selected because Onikage is not the final boss of this level You will now be able to play as Onikage and see him as if you were playing with Rikymaru or Ayame You can also add any item to Onikage except the quotGrappling Hookquot However you can use the item quotThe Worldquot instead which will move Onikage to the location at which you are aiming This code can also be use for Lord Meyo number 24 on level 10 only or any other enemy that you know the quotcamera ownerquot number Note You must get the number of the enemy that you want to use correctly or the camera will go to another location in the level and you will have to redisplay the enemy that you were using and the get items again
Two player mode
Enable the quotDebug modequot code Choose to the quotAdd enemyquot option Set the enemy you selected to controller two then kill him Walk a short distance away Go to debug mode choose quotPlayerquot then quotRestart eventquot Walk a little farther then turn back You now have two players in the game
Defeating Onikage
Select two to four grenades and two smoke bombs at the item screen When fighting Onikage in level 6 throw one grenade and repeat until all of them are used Throw one of the smoke bombs do a three hit combo throw the last smoke bomb then do another three hit combo
Use the following steps to easily defeat Onikage on level 10 When you encounter him midway through level 10 turn and run back the way you came from Make sure he follows you through the large open courtyard and back to the stream Stand right on the edge of the water and wait for Onikage to attack He will leap at you and you must avoid him Press Down to block so that he falls into the water He is now defeated and you can save your strength for the final fight with Lord Meyo
Defeating Tazu
To defeat Tazu on level 4 Cross The Checkpoint get two to five grenades and five smoke bombs Throw a grenade then wait until she gets up Then throw another one Repeat this process until you have used all your grenades If she is not dead throw about three smoke bombs and cut her up
Moonsault move
Press Up Down quickly followed by X
Roll on floor
Press Circle Forwardx2 to roll on the floor
Flip Hit and Roll Slash moves
Press Up Down Square to perform a Flip Hit with Ayame or a Roll Slash with Rikimaru
Arm and head breaking move
Attacking your opponent by the side while holding Square
Front flip for Rickimaru or Ayame
Quickly press Upx2 X while running Rickimaru or Ayame will perform a front flip in the air
Front back flip
Press quotDownForwardquot then jump This is a good move for tricking Bosses and enemies
Uppercut
Hold Circle Square
Silent quick dash
Press Forwardx2 to dash quickly and quietly towards an enemy Note You may also attack during the dash
Deadly 2hit combo
Press Right Square then quickly press Left Square or press Left Square then quickly press Right Square
Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragonstyle jump
Step on a house statue or other object then jump forward Press X Upx2 and once you are in the air the more you press them the longer you will jump Note This trick is extremely difficult to do
Quick training mode and grand master
As soon as you have control of your character jump over the block and go to the closest corner Hold R1 L1 to hide and look at the first man When he is facing in the opposite direction of your character run and kill him Save stars when you do not need to use them Quickly switch to the hook and aim with Triangle at the edge of the first cliff Quietly do the same thing at the right corner edge of the second cliff Now holding on to the edge scoot as far to the right as you can you may be able to see through the wall Make sure to know when to kill the second man The third man is tricky Move to the corner at the end Inside the hallway so you cannot be seen Use L1 to look while holding R1 at this mans route Squat down and jump into where he is located behind him and quickly kill him Quietly climb using hook to corner Look around when the man is closest and turn around kill him Squat to the edge about a halffoot away from it just as long as you can see the man below When he turns from the light jump down and kill him Immediately go back and you may have to climb back up so as not to be seen If you are just wait until the meter is blue Sneak behind the archer and kill him Run to the shadowy part of the first big step jump up hang on the second one and wait till the last man has turned away Quickly jump up kill him and run into the quotriver roomquot to receive praise
Grandmaster on level 1 Punish The Evil Merchant
Immediately when you start use the rope to grapple to the roof directly in front of you Then run all the way not exactly to the main gate but near it so that there is a house to your left Jump or grapple the house then run along it to the next house There should be a hole in the wall Go in it If there is a person there he should be sleeping Kill him and if there is a cat ignore it Note This was only done this when there was no one in this room Jump down the hole in the floor This should take you in to the room where Echigoya is located Kill his bodyguard quickly and keep him away from the door leading out Make sure no one outside hears you This is possible to do The innocent in the room does not count as being quotspottedquot When he is dead use the rope to get back up the hole that you used to come down Go back outside and run along the rooftops until you reach the quottown areaquot If you have done this level before you should know what house he is in Go on top of the house directly across the door leading into Echigoyas hiding place This next part is difficult but possible There should be a person standing in the intersection to the right of you and a dog walking around to your left When both of them are not looking do a front flip towards the door If you do not land in it run into it as soon as possible Kill Echigoya as fast as you can A few triplehit combos should do it Once you hit him last you have completed the level If done correctly you should have 410 points 400 for never being spotted and 5 each for killing Echigoyas bodyguard and Echigoya himself
Grandmaster on level 2 Deliver the Secret Message
Note this trick requires two items the chameleon scroll from level 8 and the lightfoot scroll from level 1 You will need two of each of them At the item selection screen choose two of each of the aforementioned items then begin game play Get as close to the main road as you can without being seen Use one of your chameleon scrolls Move into the center of the road and face the direction you need to go probably to your left Be careful because dogs can see past the chameleon spell Activate the lightfoot scroll and when its power ends keep running until you reach the cart Even though your chameleon scroll has not worn off yet use your other one Then use your other lightfoot scroll This should take you to the middle of the bridge at the end of the level Keep running to the end and you will have gotten Grandmaster with 400 points all of them for not being seen Note A variant of this strategy will also work with level 7 Destroy the Foreign Pirate
Grandmaster on level 3
Start out in the forest then turn left until you reach a forest wall Find the cave and kill the man inside Killing silently is preferred as you need to get 400 points and above to get the scroll There should be a health potion located here Continue and kill all the men you meet on the way If you encounter wolves wait for them to run toward you When they reach the range of your sword slice them After passing all the caves you should reach the last cave Be careful here as most of the enemies are tricky Using caution kill all the men silently if possible and watch out for the pitfalls You will reach a bridge that is made of rock Take care as the bridge is the most dangerous location When you reach the middle of the bridge you should see two doors Jump to the one on the right Be very careful if you miss you are history The best way to jump over is to double flip You will now be in the Boss area There are three men in this area One is in the lane you are going to walk to One of the other two is guarding a health potion Kill him and get the potion Find a lane that has two candles together Go up a short distance and attract the bear Kill the bear by chopping him three times and back flip when he is trying to attack After the bear is dead approach and kill the main Boss Watch his attacks Evade the first attack it is deadly If you get hit go down use the health potion then repeat the same technique of killing the bear If you are lucky you should get the scroll It will increase your power and strength
Grandmaster on level 9 Reclaim the Castle
At the start of the level turn to the right and rope up to the top of the wall Turn left and run the length of the wall heading towards the castle Watch out for the guard on the bridge to your left Kill himher depending on the layout if you like but be absolutely certain that you are not seen From the wall rope up to the outside of the tower There should be three levels The first two will be no problem to scale with the rope To get to the top level you will need to back up as far as possible on the level below it and then rope straight up You may need to turn yourself a bit to make the rope stick but with a little practice this should be no problem Once on the top level you can fight Onikage You will end up with 405 points 400 for not being seen 5 for defeating Onikage which is enough for Grandmaster Your prize is the dog bonewhich summons an attack dog
Grandmaster bonuses
Complete the following missions with a quotGrandmasterquot rank to get the corresponding item
Training mission Super Shuriken
Mission 1 Lightfoot Scroll
Mission 2 FireEater Scroll
Mission 3 Protection Amulet
Mission 4 Sleeping Gas
Mission 5 Ninja Armor
Mission 6 Shadow Decoy
Mission 7 Resurrection Leaf
Mission 8 Chameleion Spell
Mission 9 Dog Bone
Mission 10 Decoy Whistle
Quicker way to the summit on level 8
There is a quicker way to get to the summit on level 8 Cure the Princess As you are about to enter the second cave that leads to the summit stop at the mouth on that ledge Turn towards the cliff face on your right so that the mouth of the cave is to your left Back up as far as you can without falling off the ledge Activate your ninja rope and aim it as far up the cliff in front of you as possible and release it If you are successful this will take you up right next to the summit making you move just a little bit to complete the level
Using the chameleon spells
Pick the chameleon spell at the inventory screen Since the game will only increase these extra items when they are below three select the spell at least three times An effective way to reach grandmaster ranking is to have 99 chameleon spells and to use them every time someone is killed to avoid being detected
Decapitating enemies
Use a chameleon spell and walk directly up to the target Jump in front of the target and slash him with the death blow Square Most of the time this will result in a decapitation
To perform the deception you must sneak up on your opponent and press Forwardx2 Square
Debug mode weapons
The following is a list of the weapons that can be obtained in debug mode Note The American version retains Japanese names for the weapons
Japanese name English translation
Shuriken Standard Shuriken
Smoke Standard Smoke Bomb
Makibisi Standard Caltrops
Fire Standard Grenade
Jirai Standard Mine
Kusuri Standard Health Potion
Kaginawa Standard Ninja Rope
Gun Gun quite deadly
Yumi Arrows also quite deadly
Kaen Fire useless
Dokudango Standard Poison Rice
Rikimarukochan Shadow Decoy
Gosikimai Standard Colored Rice
Happou Super Shuriken
Ninken Attack Dog
Nemurigusuri Sleeping Potion
Kaengeki Fire Breathing Scroll
Kawarimi Resurrection Leaf
Goshinfuda Protection Amulet
Manebue Animal Call
Hensin Chameleon Scroll
The World Teleportation
Glitch Missing legs
Enter the water go into debug mode and reset to the beginning of the level Your legs will be missing To get your legs back go in the water again and go out as usual or blow yourself up
Glitch Frozen enemies
Enable the quotDebug modequot code and go to quotFilequot Then go to quotLoad Layoutquot and quotCardquot A message stating that an error occurred will appear Ignore it and keep playing All of your enemies will be frozen and will not attack or move However you will not be able to finish the level or fight main enemies the people that you fight at the end or start of each level
