Ninja JaJaMaru: Ginga Daisakusen is an action platformer released by Jaleco for the NES on March 29, 1991. As the fifth entry in the Ninja JaJaMaru series, it draws inspiration from *Super Mario Bros. 3*, featuring more cartoonish character designs and innovative gameplay.
The story follows protagonist JaJaMaru and Princess Sakura, who witness a UFO crash while watching a meteor shower. Upon investigating, they meet the Galaxy King, who reveals that the villain Don Destroida has turned his planet into a mechanical world overrun by terrifying robots. To save the universe, JaJaMaru and Princess Sakura set out to defeat Don Destroida and his robot army.
Players can choose to play as either JaJaMaru or Princess Sakura. Characters can defeat enemies by jumping and stomping on them. Various bricks are scattered throughout levels; breaking them grants power-ups like speed-boosting red balls and an invincible shopping cart.
The game introduces a unique "charge dash" mechanic. Hold the B button in place to charge, then release to send the character dashing at high speed, with higher and longer jumps. This mechanic is critical for clearing large gaps or tall obstacles. Overcharging causes fatigue, leaving the character temporarily immobile and vulnerable to attack. JaJaMaru charges faster, while Princess Sakura has better jump height during dashes.
Ninja JaJaMaru: Ginga Daisakusen holds a unique place in the series, blending classic platformer elements with new mechanics to deliver a fresh gaming experience.