Tenchu: Dark Secret is a stealth action-adventure game developed by Polygon Magic, published by FromSoftware in Japan and Nintendo worldwide. It launched for the Nintendo DS in 2006 as the first Tenchu title on a Nintendo platform and the first in the series not rated "Mature" by the ESRB.
Players can choose to play as ninjas Rikimaru or Ayame, tasked with protecting a princess. The game features over 40 single-player missions, with ninja weapons like swords and shurikens, plus traps to defeat enemies. It also supports local wireless multiplayer with three unique modes and various options for added replay value.
Set two years after the "Burning Dawn" crisis, the story follows Rikimaru and Ayame as they escort Princess Shizu—who fled her husband after being dragged into strange rituals—to Gohda Castle.
The game also allows item buying, selling, and trading via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, letting players trade with friends or strangers for new items and weapons.
However, it received "generally unfavorable" reviews post-release. IGN's Craig Harris noted it fell below expectations, with underused 3D environments, repetitive and mismatched music, "stiff" gameplay, and poor graphics and story presentation.
