I like the first two games.  I had actually only played the first one prior to this year.  I later checked out the second and third ones via rom and got the second one in cart form as it was great.  The third seemed okay, but I didn't play too long.  I actually got the third one in a bundle for collection purposes coming my way.  Am I missing out on a great game?

I would say yay except for one major flaw: no unlimited continues. I don't mind a game being balls hard, but getting kicked back to the start just isn't any fun for these types of repetition/memorization games. I think they fixed this on the SNES trilogy, but that doesn't save the original NES cart for me. It also loses the isometric background view, which I really liked in the first two games.

It does have excellent graphics though, but without the much-needed unlimited continues to use as a crutch, I have to say nay.

Honestly this one is quite tough for me to say no to. Morbis puts up a lot of great points. The lack of isometric view makes it lose a lot of original style, and feels a bit more mario/platformy. However the gameplay is as solid as ever. There's a distinct lack of shadow ninjas, although the longer-sword ability is pretty useful. The shadow ninja's just looked cooler. I like how he actually yelps when he attacks. The storyline most people don't like as much, but it's not that bad. The final areas of the game are just as hard as ever, but I've managed to get through without really dying except to the dang timer in stage 7-1+. This one is VERY easy if you really memorize how to beat each part, and it has a lot to do with how to "keep moving" rather than fighting everything. I'd say 8/10 or somewhere around there.