Tenchu: Stealth Assassins
↗ 25%
😊 7.6/10
(Playstation - US, Action & Adventure)
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$30.26
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Developed_By:
Acquire Corp.
Published_By:
Activision
Released On:
01 Jan 1998
Tenchu: Stealth Assassins is a Action & Adventure game set in 16th century Japan. You play as either Rikimaru or Ayame, one of two ninjas employed by Lord Gohda, a samurai lord with a compassionate heart. Your mission is to complete quests and eliminate targets in your lord's domain. As you progress through the game, you'll face greater challenges from tengu goblins and oni demons.
The gameplay focuses on stealth and strategy over straight action. You can sneak around undetected, hug walls to conceal yourself, and use a grappling hook to navigate the environment. Your goal is to avoid detection, as this will earn you higher scores and better equipment. The game features diverse scenery, including Japanese castles and mountain retreats, each with its own set of opponents and soundtrack.
UPC-A:
047875103726 (United States)
ISBN-10:
0873212509 (United States)
eBay Product ID:
2869 (United States)
ASIN:
B00000I1BG (United States)
Sony PN:
SLUS 00706 (United States)
Part #:
SLUS-00706 (USA)
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Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Input Device Features Supported:
Vibration
Prices as of 30 Jul 2026
Typical $24.99–$30.26 (last 90 days)
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Market activity: active · about 575 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
This is a stealth action game where players embody one of two ninjas, Rikimaru or Ayame, serving a benevolent lord in feudal Japan. You must use your ninja skills to eliminate threats and maintain peace in a world consumed by war and corruption.
Story
PROLOGUE
It was a time of great turmoil. Bitter wars raged as those in power sought yet more power, but only chaos prevailed.
There was but one beacon of hope shining amidst the madness - Matsunoshin Gohda, who ruled his people with wisdom, compassion, and justice.
Behind the great man were two ninjas who were sworn to serve and protect their master to the death. Rikimaru, a leader of the Azuma Shinobi-ryu ninja sect, and Ayame, a young female ninja, sully their hands with the blood of the wicked and unjust far from the public's eye.
This is the tale of two shadows of justice born unto darkness and destined to die in darkness...
How to Play
STARTING UP
Set up your Console according to the Instruction Manual. Make sure the power is off before inserting or removing a disc.
Insert the Tenchu disc and close the Disc cover. Insert game Controllers and turn on the Console. Follow the on-screen instructions to start a game.
It is advised that you do not insert or remove peripherals or memory cards once the power is on. When the game is started you will see an introductory sequence. Press the X button to end this sequence and bring up the Main menu.
Main Menu
Use the Directional buttons up/down to scroll options and the X to select. There are three options on the Main menu:
•
START - Press the X button to start the game using the current settings. You will proceed to the Character screen.
•
TRAINING - Here you can play the training mission to practice your ninja skills.
•
OPTIONS - Select Options to change game settings (see Options menu below).
Options Menu
Use the Directional buttons to highlight an option, and the X to select. Use the ▲ to return to the Main menu. There are ten options to choose from:
•
RECORD - Choose this option to view the performance record for each character.
•
DIFFICULTY - Use the Directional buttons up/down to select between normal and hard. Selecting hard difficulty will increase both the number of enemies and their hit points.
•
STEREO/MONO - Use the Directional buttons up/down to select between stereo or mono sound.
•
VOLUME - Select this option to change music and effects volume (See Volume below).
•
MUSIC TEST - Select this option to play any of the music tracks and/or sound effects (See Music Test on page 6).
•
CONTROLLER - Use the Directional buttons right/left to select between the default Controller configuration and three alternate configurations according to your preference.
•
VIBRATION - Use the Up/Down Directional buttons to select if the vibration function is on or off. If you are using an Analog Controller (DUAL SHOCK), set the vibration function to On to turn on the Analog Controller (DUAL SHOCK)'s vibration function. In certain situations, the Analog Controller (DUAL SHOCK) will vibrate to simulate the impact of attacks and damage.
•
MEMORY CARD - Select this option to access the Memory Card functions (See Memory Card on page 6).
•
AUTO SAVE - Use the Directional buttons up/down to select between On or Off. On will give you with the option to save your progress after the completion of each mission.
•
LANGUAGE - You can select between English, French and Italian.
The game has 3 different layouts for each level 'A, B and C'. The 'Layout' refers to the position of the enemy characters and the location of pickups. When the user selects a level, the level's layout is selected randomly. The 'SELECT STAGE' option screen informs the user of their highest rating for each level regardless of the layout.
Volume
Use the Directional buttons up/down to select music volume or sound effects volume. Use the Directional buttons left/right to adjust volume. Press X to accept volume settings and return to Options. Use △ to return to Options without making changes.
Music Test
Use the Directional buttons up/down to select Play Music or Play Effects. Use the Directional buttons left/right to select a particular music track or sound track.
Memory Card
Use the Directional buttons up/down to highlight Load to load a game from the memory card or Save to save your progress to the Memory Card. Make sure there are enough free blocks on your Memory card before commencing play.
Character Screen
Use the Directional buttons left/right to select your character. Press X to advance to Mission Select screen. Press ▲ to return to the Main menu.
Mission Screen
This screen will display all playable missions. When you complete certain missions, more will become available. Use the Directional buttons up/down to select a mission and X to accept. Press ▲ to return to the Character screen.
Mission Intro
In the mission intro you will hear a description that describes your mission. Press X to skip the intro and move to the Items screen.
Items Screen
Ninja items available for you to use in the mission will be displayed. Use the Directional buttons to select an item to add to your inventory, then press the X button. Press the ▲ button to remove an item from your inventory.
Remember that you are limited both by the total number of items that you can carry (shown by the number in the middle of the screen) and the number of different types of items you can carry (five). You always carry the grappling hook so you can select up to four other kinds of items.
When you are satisfied with your inventory, press the START button to begin the mission. Items are automatically replenished at the completion of a mission. The mission rating (see page 11) determines the quantity of items to be replenished. Obviously, the greater your score, the more items you will obtain. Items that weren't used in a mission are automatically returned to the shelf.
Ki Meter Indicators
•
? This indicates the presence of an enemy or innocent character who is not alert to your ninja's presence.
•
! This indicates that your ninja has been spotted by an enemy but has not yet been identified as a threat. The enemy may be under the mistaken impression that you are a dog, cat, or a colleague.
•
!! This indicates that your ninja has
Items & Weapons
Grappling Hook
A rope fitted with a metal grappling hook at one end. It is indispensable for sneaking onto rooftops without alerting enemies.
Crimson Blade
A throwing knife made of flat metal. An excellent long range weapon.
Caltrops
Small multi-pronged metal spikes designed to pierce shoes. Drop them behind you to discourage and injure pursuers.
Poison Rice
A rice dumpling full of paralysis poison. Use them to temporarily incapacitate dogs and hungry guards.
Mine
An explosive device that explodes when stepped on. Use them to eliminate roaming sentries.
Colored Rice
Rice that has been dyed in five colours. Use it as a trail marker to avoid getting lost.
Grenades
Small clay balls containing scrap metal and explosives. An excellent destructive weapon. Beware a grenade explosion can injure anyone within range including you. Dud grenades can be picked up and reused.
Smoke Bomb
A small ball filled with slow-burning explosive and corrosive chemicals. When thrown, it releases a noxious cloud of smoke that temporarily blinds those in the vicinity.
Healing Potion
A special medicine that has been passed down through the Azuma Shinobi-ryu clan over many generations. Taking the potion restores depleted health.
Enemies & Characters
Rikimaru
A 25-year-old male, rigorously trained in Azuma Shinobi-ryu ninja techniques, who has served Lord Gohda since he was sixteen and was granted the legendary Izayoi sword.
Ayame
A 21-year-old female, trained as a ninja since childhood, who has served Lord Gohda since she was fourteen and is renowned for her boldness and quickness.
Matsunoshin Gohda
A 30-year-old benevolent territorial lord who became the head of the Gohda clan and is a wise ruler dedicated to his people's peace and standard of living.
Naotada Sekiya
A 57-year-old male and patriarch of the Sekiya family, who has served the Gohda family as an adviser for many generations and was Matsunoshin's teacher.
Princess Kiku
Matsunoshin Gohda's 12-year-old daughter, who is lovingly treasured by her father but tends to be childish and dependent on others due to her mother's early death.
Tips & Maps
Roll
Rolling is particularly useful for dodging enemy attacks.
Slide along the walls
When close to a wall, press the R1 button to move against it and use Directional buttons to slide along, automatically stopping at corners to see around them.
Use the grappling hook
Select the grappling hook with R2 or L2, press and hold A to target a wall or roof above your ninja, and release A to launch the hook and pull yourself up.
Kill from the shadows
Perform devastating one-hit kills on unaware foes by sneaking up and pressing the button, with the technique varying based on distance and target facing.
Use the ninja items
Utilize items like poison rice to neutralize guard dogs or smoke bombs for temporary cover to remain undetected and successfully complete missions.
Know your enemy
Use the Ki meter to detect nearby enemies, observe their patrol patterns from a safe vantage point, and time your approach using stealth to take them by surprise.
Forward slash
The ninja slashes forward; tapping this button at appropriate times allows Rikimaru to execute a 3-hit combo and Ayame a 4-hit combo.
Slash left
Turn and slash to the left.
Slash right
Turn and slash to the right.
Jump attack
Slash while jumping.
Dash attack
Slash while running forward.
Turnaround slash
Roll 180 degrees and slash.
Left switchback slash
After slashing to the right, Rikimaru immediately turns around and slashes to the left; this move is unique to Rikimaru.
Right switchback slash
After slashing to the left, Rikimaru immediately turns around and slashes to the right; this move is unique to Rikimaru.
Double left slashes
Ayame slashes twice in succession to the left; this move is unique to Ayame.
Double right slashes
Ayame slashes twice in succession to the right; this move is unique to Ayame.
Slash while crouching
Slash while crouching.
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