Ninja Gaiden - Game Gear password trouble

I've always been mystified that there are level passwords for Ninja Gaiden on the Game Gear but as far as I can see the game has no password function.

Back in '91 I managed to get the password screen to appear by randomly hitting buttons on the title screen but never found it again. Does anyone know the tip to get the screen to appear and solve an 18 year old mystery for me?

All searching the internet provides is the passwords but not how to input them. The Ninja Gaiden instruction book doesn't even mention passwords!

Hope someone can help as this has been bugging me for aaaages.

 

Password should be selectable at the title screen. heres a screenie.



So other than hit down and then start thats about the best i can tell or show you. Hopefully it helps.:icon_bigg

 

Thanks, but there is no password screen selectable from the title screen on the UK version of the game. On the UK version it only gives the option 'press start button' (see image). I think the only way to access the password screen is with a combination of buttons but please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Possibly no password option for the euro version?

 

Surprisingly, I guess all the people on the Net are playing the Japanese ROM.

So I looked into the US/EU ROM and found the code: press 1x16 and then Start at the title screen.

More codes: http://www.smspower.org/cheats/NinjaGaiden

 

I actually grabbed the ROM the other day to see if I could work this out, no such luck finding the 1x16 then start but I did find something interesting.

If you hold right and up and constantly mash the 1 and 2 buttons, you'll pass the first level no worries. I tried twice and it worked both times, albeit with differing levels of health.

 

Thanks, I know there is a cheat to access the password screen on the UK version 'cos I did it (albeit by accident). I've not got that 1x16 then start tip to work yet but I will persevere.

 

Success! You have to press either button 1 or any direction button on the title screen to get the title screen to fully appear. Then press button 1 sixteen times then start. I somehow did this by chance 18 years ago! I wonder why the password screen is only accessable as a cheat in the US & UK versions? Many thanks!

 

Glad you got it figured out, its weird that some versions have start and password selectable from the start, while others you have to enter a code to enter a password.:shrug: