The console port developed by Tose is based on Taito's action game, arriving in arcades in 1985. Players control a highly skilled ninja from the Iga clan on a mission to rescue the kidnapped princess Kiri. A master of the art of sword combat, his training allows him to jump high into the air and throw shurikens with accuracy.
Taito developed two arcade hardware revisions using different sound chips. Early location testing used the MSM5232, a square-wave-based PSG-style chip. The wider release of the arcade cabinet utilized the YM2203, a more advanced FM synthesis chip. Both variations are represented in The Legend of Kage Original Soundtrack.
Music for the game is by Zuntata sound team composer Hisayoshi Ogura, aka 'OGR.' The arcade soundtrack is streaming on Apple Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music Unlimited. Ogura also scored Taito's beat-em-up The Ninja Warriors, launched in 1987, considered something of a spiritual successor with a dystopian science fiction twist.
Arcade Archives The Legend of Kage is currently available for NIntendo Switch and PS4 consoles.
From the Console Archives website:
"THE LEGEND OF KAGE" was released by TAITO in 1986 for an 8-bit home console. This is an action game where "Kage" an Iga ninja, fights in the demon realm to rescue "Kirihime" who has been kidnapped by villains. Use your sword, shuriken, and various other techniques to reach the castle of villains where "Kirihime" is being held captive.Hamster Corporation - Console Archives The Legend of Kage
Legend of Kage Original Soundtrack - Apple Music / YouTube Music
Console Archives The Legend of Kage launches June 18 https://t.co/iBqzKnd5hl pic.twitter.com/WCwEtxS1De
— Gematsu (@gematsu) June 17, 2026