Throughout Shinobi you play the role of Jo-Musashi, a master ninja. Your mission is to take down the Ring of Five, a terrorist group led by five ninjas who have kidnapped the children of several world leaders. Rescue the children and destroy the evil ninjas as you battle through five missions and 15 rounds. Your primary form of attack is to throw a shuriken. When enemies are close enough, other forms of attack are used: a sword, nunchaku, punch, or kick. Players can also jump, use a gun, set bombs, and use ninja magic. Ninja magic can be earned through a series of bonus rounds; players throw shurikens at targets from a first-person perspective.