Ultimate Shinobi Art of Vengeance Ningi Guide in March 2026

Looking for all Ningi locations in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance? The seven Ningi traversal abilities are essential ninja tools scattered throughout your journey, each unlocking new movement mechanics and access to previously unreachable areas in this stunning SEGA action-platformer. Here are all seven Ningi locations:

Ningi Ability	Location	Primary Function	Unlock Time
Dash	Oboro Village (Start)	Quick horizontal movement	Immediate
Ninja Flip	Oboro Village	Double jump capability	10-15 minutes
Ninja Claws	The Mountain	Wall climbing (yellow walls)	45-60 minutes
Cannon Punch	Lantern Festival	Break Yokai barriers	90 minutes
Ninja Hook	Neo City	Grappling to anchors	2.5 hours
Sword Dive	Submarine Base	Downward barrier break	3.5 hours
Glider	The Desert	Aerial traversal	4 hours

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my complete experience finding every Ningi ability in the game, including exact locations, acquisition strategies, and how to maximize each tool for both exploration and combat. After spending countless hours perfecting my ninja skills and achieving 100% completion, I’ve mapped out the most efficient path to collect all seven Ningi.

Understanding the Ningi System

Before diving into specific locations, let me explain how the Ningi system fundamentally transforms your gameplay experience. Unlike the Ninpo magic abilities that consume resources, Ningi are permanent traversal tools that become essential parts of your ninja arsenal. I found that understanding this distinction early on helped me appreciate why finding each Ningi feels like such a significant milestone.

The Ningi system brilliantly gates progression in a Metroidvania style – you’ll constantly spot tantalizing areas just out of reach, making mental notes to return once you’ve acquired the right tool. This design philosophy reminded me of classic Shinobi Era Remastered codes that unlock similar progression mechanics, though Art of Vengeance takes a more organic approach through exploration. For players familiar with co-op Metroidvania games, this progression system will feel familiar yet refined for solo ninja mastery.

Each Ningi fundamentally changes how you approach both platforming challenges and combat encounters. I quickly learned that mastering the timing and combinations of these abilities separates average players from true shinobi masters, similar to the skill ceiling found in competitive fighting games where execution matters as much as strategy.

Complete Ningi Location Walkthrough

1. Dash – Oboro Village (Tutorial Area)

The Dash ability is your first taste of the Ningi system, granted automatically during the opening tutorial sequence in Oboro Village. You literally cannot miss this one – the game forces you to learn it before proceeding. I appreciate how the developers ease you into the mechanics with this fundamental ability that you’ll use constantly throughout your adventure.

Exact Location: During the initial tutorial prompts, approximately 2-3 minutes into the game after the opening cutscene.

My Combat Tips: Don’t underestimate the Dash in combat! I’ve found it invaluable for closing gaps on ranged enemies and quickly repositioning during boss battles. The invincibility frames during the dash animation have saved me countless times against projectile-heavy encounters.

2. Ninja Flip – Oboro Village (Central Area)

The Ninja Flip double jump is where the game truly opens up. Located in the central area of Oboro Village, this Ningi requires a bit more exploration than the Dash but remains unmissable if you’re following the main path.

Exact Location: After defeating your first Elite Squad encounter, proceed through the village until you reach a large open area with multiple vertical platforms. The Ninja Flip shrine sits on a raised platform directly in your path – look for the glowing green aura that marks all Ningi locations.

Acquisition Strategy: I recommend taking a moment after obtaining Ninja Flip to backtrack through earlier sections. You’ll immediately discover several Oboro Relics and secret chests that were previously unreachable. This early investment in exploration pays dividends when pursuing achievement hunting strategies later in the game.

Advanced Technique: Combining Dash into Ninja Flip creates an extended horizontal jump that becomes essential for later platforming challenges. Practice this combo early – you’ll need frame-perfect execution in The Desert’s wind current sections.

3. Ninja Claws – The Mountain (Factory Checkpoint)

The Mountain level introduces your first major traversal upgrade with the Ninja Claws. This Ningi transforms those tantalizingly visible yellow walls from decorative elements into climbable surfaces, dramatically expanding your vertical exploration capabilities.

Exact Location: Progress through The Mountain until you reach the Secret Factory checkpoint. After the checkpoint, you’ll encounter a large vertical chamber with yellow-marked walls. The Ninja Claws shrine sits at the top of this chamber – you can actually see it from below, taunting you to find the path upward.

Navigation Tips: Look for a series of moving platforms on the right side of the chamber. Time your jumps carefully – falling here means repeating the entire climbing sequence. I died here more times than I’d like to admit during my first playthrough!

Hidden Secret: Immediately after obtaining Ninja Claws, climb the yellow wall to the left of the shrine. There’s a hidden Ankou Rift entrance here that many players miss. These rifts offer some of the game’s toughest challenges but reward you with significant upgrade materials.

4. Cannon Punch – Lantern Festival (Post-Boss Area)

The Cannon Punch represents a significant power spike in your arsenal, finally allowing you to shatter those mysterious Yokai Barrier walls you’ve been encountering since Oboro Village. The Lantern Festival’s vibrant atmosphere makes finding this Ningi a memorable experience.

Exact Location: After defeating the Lantern Festival boss (prepare for a tough fight!), proceed through the victory corridor until you reach a large ceremonial plaza. The Cannon Punch shrine sits in plain sight at the plaza’s center, surrounded by festival decorations.

Boss Battle Preparation: Before attempting the boss, I strongly recommend having at least 3 health upgrades and the Lightning Ninpo ability. The boss has a devastating grab attack that can one-shot you without sufficient health. Consider this similar to preparing for tough encounters in ninja fighting game mechanics where understanding attack patterns is crucial.

Backtracking Value: The Cannon Punch opens up massive sections of previous levels. I discovered that returning to Oboro Village with this ability reveals an entire secret area with exclusive collectibles and a powerful Ninpo upgrade.

5. Ninja Hook – Neo City (Cyberpunk District)

Neo City’s neon-soaked streets hide the Ninja Hook, arguably the most satisfying Ningi to use once mastered. The grappling mechanic adds a three-dimensional element to traversal that completely changes how you approach level navigation.

Exact Location: Navigate through Neo City’s lower industrial district until you reach the Cyber Market area. Look for a building with a massive holographic display showing hook anchor points. Enter through the ground floor and ascend using the elevator (requires defeating a mini-boss first). The Ninja Hook shrine awaits on the rooftop garden.

Mini-Boss Strategy: The Cyber Samurai mini-boss guarding the elevator can be challenging. I found success by staying mobile and using the Cannon Punch to interrupt his charge attacks. His pattern becomes predictable after a few attempts – patience is key!

Movement Tech: Master the hook-cancel technique by releasing the hook button mid-swing to maintain momentum. This advanced movement option isn’t explained in-game but dramatically improves your speed-running potential. I’ve shaved minutes off my completion time using this technique effectively.

6. Sword Dive – Submarine Base (Underwater Facility)

The penultimate Ningi ability awaits in the atmospheric Submarine Base, where water mechanics add complexity to both combat and platforming. The Sword Dive not only breaks horizontal Yokai Barriers but also serves as a devastating aerial attack.

Exact Location: Progress through the Submarine Base until you reach the Central Command sector. After solving the water level puzzle (raise water to level 3, then drain to level 1), access opens to the restricted weapons lab. The Sword Dive shrine sits behind the lab’s final security door – you’ll need to defeat three Elite Squad encounters in succession to unlock it.

Elite Squad Gauntlet Tips: This triple encounter tested my skills more than any boss battle. I recommend saving your Ninpo charges for the third wave, as it includes two ranged specialists that can overwhelm you quickly. The Sword Dive’s acquisition truly feels earned after this challenge.

Pro Strategy: Here’s a crucial tip I wish I’d known earlier – wait until you have Sword Dive before attempting 100% completion runs of earlier levels. Many secret areas specifically require this ability, and backtracking without it leads to frustration. This mirrors the systematic approach needed in collectible hunting guides where having the right tools makes all the difference.

7. Glider – The Desert (Final Stretch)

The Glider represents your final Ningi acquisition, fittingly located in The Desert’s expansive final area. This ability transforms the game’s verticality, allowing you to traverse massive gaps and ride wind currents to previously impossible locations.

Exact Location: Near The Desert’s end, after the Sandstorm Gauntlet section, you’ll reach the Ancient Temple entrance. Instead of entering immediately, explore the cliff face to the right. Use your Ninja Claws to climb to a hidden alcove containing the Glider shrine. The developers cleverly placed this just before you’d desperately need it for the final level’s aerial challenges.

Wind Current Mastery: The Desert introduces wind current mechanics that the Glider exploits beautifully. Learning to read wind patterns and chain currents together opens up incredible traversal opportunities. I spent an extra hour just experimenting with different gliding routes and discovered three hidden Ankou Rifts this way.

Strategic Ningi Progression Tips

After completing multiple playthroughs and achieving 100% completion, I’ve developed a strategic approach to Ningi collection that maximizes efficiency while maintaining the joy of discovery.

First Playthrough Focus: Don’t stress about finding everything immediately. Focus on natural progression and enjoying the story. The game is designed to teach you each Ningi’s applications gradually. Mental notes about inaccessible areas are more valuable than frustrated attempts to sequence break.

Completionist Route: For those pursuing 100% completion like myself, I recommend a two-phase approach. Phase one involves completing the main story to unlock all Ningi. Phase two is the systematic backtrack through each level with your complete arsenal. This approach mirrors successful 100% completion strategies I’ve used in other games, ensuring you don’t miss any collectibles or secret areas.

Speedrun Optimization: Experienced players can skip certain Ningi temporarily. For instance, you can complete Neo City without the Cannon Punch by using advanced movement techniques. However, I only recommend this for subsequent playthroughs when you fully understand level layouts.

Combat Applications and Advanced Techniques

While Ningi primarily serve as traversal tools, integrating them into combat elevates your gameplay significantly. Through extensive experimentation, I’ve discovered several powerful combinations that the game never explicitly teaches, reminiscent of the advanced techniques found in other ninja action games.

The Aerial Supremacy Combo: Ninja Flip → Sword Dive → Dash creates an almost untouchable aerial assault pattern. This combination decimates ground-based enemies and keeps you mobile against projectile users. I’ve found this particularly effective against the notorious Elite Squad encounters in later levels.

Defensive Wall Climbing: The Ninja Claws aren’t just for exploration – use them to escape overwhelming combat situations. Many arena battles feature yellow walls that provide temporary safety for healing or Ninpo charging. This defensive application saved numerous no-death runs for me.

Cannon Punch Canceling: Advanced players can cancel the Cannon Punch recovery animation with a well-timed Dash. This technique maintains offensive pressure and prevents counter-attacks from faster enemies. The timing is strict but mastering it transforms the Cannon Punch from a situational tool into a combat staple.

Glider Bombing Runs: Combine the Glider with throwing weapons for devastating aerial bombardment. While gliding, you maintain full access to your kunai and shuriken arsenal. I’ve cleared entire enemy formations without touching the ground using this strategy.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

During my journey to collect all Ningi, I encountered several common issues that frustrated me initially. Here are solutions to problems you might face:

Missing Ninja Flip in Oboro Village: If you can’t find the Ninja Flip, you likely haven’t defeated the first Elite Squad encounter. These fights are mandatory progression gates. Look for the red skull icon on your map – that’s your target.

Can’t Reach Ninja Claws Platform: The moving platforms in The Mountain have a specific pattern. Wait for the rightmost platform to descend fully before beginning your ascent. Impatience here leads to repeated failures – trust me, I learned the hard way.

Submarine Base Water Puzzle Confusion: This puzzle stumped me for longer than I’d like to admit. The solution requires raising water to level 3 first to access a hidden switch, then draining to level 1. The switch is behind a panel that only appears at maximum water level.

Glider Not Responding to Wind Currents: Hold the glide button continuously – tapping won’t maintain altitude in wind currents. Also, ensure you’re entering currents from the correct angle; approaching from the side often fails to trigger the boost effect.

Achievement and Completion Integration

For achievement hunters like myself, the Ningi system ties directly into several completion goals. Understanding these connections helps optimize your collection strategy.

“Tool Master” Achievement: Requires using each Ningi 100 times. The Dash and Ninja Flip will naturally complete through regular play, but remember to actively use the others. I recommend dedicating time to practice with each new ability immediately after acquisition.

“No Stone Unturned” Achievement: This 100% exploration achievement is impossible without all seven Ningi. The game cleverly hides collectibles behind every ability gate, ensuring you master each tool. My RPG collectibles guide experience proved invaluable for systematic area clearing.

“Speedster” Achievement: Complete the game in under 3 hours. Knowing exact Ningi locations and skipping optional exploration saves precious minutes. I achieved this on my fourth playthrough once I’d memorized every shrine location.

The Perfect Ningi Collection Route

Based on my experience achieving multiple 100% completions, here’s my recommended route for efficient Ningi collection while maintaining game flow:

1. Oboro Village: Collect Dash and Ninja Flip naturally through story progression. Mark but don’t pursue inaccessible areas yet.

2. The Mountain: Secure Ninja Claws and immediately backtrack to Oboro Village’s secret area for health upgrades. These upgrades make upcoming boss battles significantly easier.

3. Lantern Festival: Focus on defeating the boss for Cannon Punch. Save exploration for later – the festival’s complexity can derail pacing.

4. Neo City: Prioritize the Ninja Hook acquisition. This opens up enough content to justify a mini-exploration session before continuing.

5. Submarine Base: Push through for Sword Dive without excessive exploration. The water mechanics make backtracking tedious.

6. The Desert: Claim the Glider and immediately use it to explore The Desert fully. You’re near the end, so thorough exploration won’t disrupt story pacing.

7. Grand Backtrack: With all Ningi acquired, systematically revisit each level. I recommend reverse order (Desert to Oboro Village) as earlier levels feel fresh after time away.

My Personal Ningi Mastery Journey

Let me share a personal anecdote that might help you appreciate the Ningi system’s depth. During my first playthrough, I struggled immensely with The Mountain’s Ninja Claws section. I must have attempted that climbing sequence twenty times, growing increasingly frustrated with each failure.

The breakthrough came when I stopped rushing and observed the platform patterns carefully. I realized the developers had hidden visual cues – small lanterns that light up indicating safe jump timing. This attention to detail exemplifies why Shinobi: Art of Vengeance stands out among modern platformers.

Now, speedrunning that same section, I can navigate it blindfolded (literally – I tried it for fun). The transformation from frustration to mastery perfectly encapsulates the Ningi system’s brilliant design. Each ability initially feels awkward but eventually becomes second nature, mirroring an actual ninja’s training progression.

The Sword Dive acquisition remains my favorite gaming moment of 2026. After the brutal Elite Squad gauntlet, finally claiming that ability felt genuinely earned. Unlike many modern games that hand out upgrades freely, Art of Vengeance makes you work for every power increase.

Community Discoveries and Hidden Techniques March 2026

The Shinobi: Art of Vengeance community has uncovered several hidden Ningi applications that deserve mention. These discoveries showcase the system’s depth and the passionate player base exploring every possibility.

The Infinite Height Glitch: By combining frame-perfect Ninja Flip cancels with Glider activation, players can gain infinite height. While clearly unintended, this technique opens up sequence breaking opportunities for speedrunners. I’ve used it to access late-game areas early, though it requires extensive practice.

Ninja Claw Momentum Storage: Releasing from a wall climb at maximum speed stores momentum for your next jump. This technique, discovered by speedrunner NinjaGaiden94, shaves seconds off optimal routes. I’ve incorporated it into my movement flow with great success.

Cannon Punch Parrying: The Cannon Punch has hidden defensive properties. Timing it against certain enemy attacks creates a parry effect, stunning attackers. This technique transforms several boss battles from endurance tests into skill showcases.

Preparing for Future Content

While SEGA hasn’t officially announced DLC, the Ningi system seems designed for expansion. Several unused anchor points and uniquely colored walls suggest additional abilities might arrive. Based on my experience with Shindo Life ninja abilities, I anticipate potential additions like:

– Shadow Clone Ningi: Creating temporary duplicates for puzzle solving

– Phase Shift Ningi: Brief intangibility for passing through barriers

– Time Dilation Ningi: Slowing time for precision platforming

I’m already planning routes incorporating these hypothetical abilities. The existing Ningi system provides such a solid foundation that any additions will only enhance the experience.

Final Mastery Tips

As someone who’s spent over 100 hours perfecting every aspect of Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, here are my final tips for mastering the Ningi system:

Practice Makes Perfect: Dedicate time to each Ningi individually. I spent 30 minutes just practicing Ninja Hook swings until the timing became instinctive. This investment pays dividends during challenging sections.

Watch and Learn: The game’s background animations often demonstrate Ningi applications. I noticed background ninjas using abilities in ways I hadn’t considered, inspiring new approaches to familiar challenges.

Experiment Fearlessly: The checkpoint system is generous, so experiment with ability combinations. Some of my most effective strategies came from “what if I try this?” moments. The game rewards creative thinking.

Listen for Audio Cues: Each Ningi has unique sound effects that indicate successful activation. Training your ear to these cues improves reaction time, especially during intense combat sequences.

Record Your Progress: I started recording my gameplay to analyze failures. Reviewing footage revealed bad habits and mistimed inputs I hadn’t noticed in real-time. This analytical approach accelerated my skill development significantly.

Conclusion

The seven Ningi abilities in Shinobi: Art of Vengeance represent more than simple traversal tools – they’re the keys to mastering one of 2026‘s finest action-platformers. From the basic Dash to the liberating Glider, each ability adds layers of complexity and possibility to your ninja journey.

Remember my crucial advice: wait for the Sword Dive before attempting 100% completion, and don’t hesitate to experiment with ability combinations. The game rewards patience, practice, and creative problem-solving. Whether you’re pursuing gaming tools and items guide completion or simply enjoying the journey, understanding Ningi locations and applications enhances every aspect of gameplay.

I hope this guide helps you locate and master all seven Ningi abilities. The journey from fumbling novice to fluid ninja master mirrors the protagonist’s own growth, creating a uniquely satisfying progression system. Now grab your controller, channel your inner shinobi, and discover the incredible depth hidden within Art of Vengeance’s Ningi system!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you miss any Ningi permanently?

No, all seven Ningi abilities are unmissable and required for story progression. Even if you somehow bypass an area, the game prevents advancement without collecting mandatory Ningi. I tested this extensively during my sequence-breaking attempts.

What order should I upgrade abilities after collecting Ningi?

I recommend prioritizing health upgrades first, then Ninpo capacity, and finally attack power. The Ningi abilities don’t require upgrades themselves, but having more health makes learning their applications more forgiving during challenging sections.

Do Ningi abilities work differently on different difficulty settings?

The Ningi functions remain identical across all difficulties. However, enemy placement and aggression change, requiring more creative ability usage on harder settings. I found Ninja difficulty forced me to master defensive Ningi applications I’d ignored on normal.

Is there a New Game Plus mode that affects Ningi?

Yes! New Game Plus starts you with all Ningi unlocked, fundamentally changing level progression. You can access secret areas immediately, creating an almost entirely different experience. I actually prefer NG+ for its non-linear exploration opportunities.

Which Ningi is most useful for combat?

While subjective, I find the Cannon Punch most versatile for combat. Its barrier-breaking property works on shielded enemies, and the knockback effect provides crucial breathing room. Combined with proper timing, it trivializes many challenging encounters.

Can you complete the game without all Ningi?

No, the game requires all seven Ningi for story completion. However, speedrunners have found ways to skip certain sections temporarily, though you’ll eventually need every ability to reach the final boss arena.