Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master takes everything predecessor Revenge of Shinboi does and dials it up as far as the Genesis hardware will allow. This is a much more kinectic game, with showier set pieces, level layouts that do a far better job at maintaining the pace and flow of the game, and a somewhat improved control scheme with additional moves designed to keep Joe Musashi moving.

The difficulty curve is also much better in this game. It feels like a more gradual climb, and while it becomes quite challenging by the end of the game, it is never obtusely difficult. The final boss really tests your skills, and there's a number of encounters along the way that pose a threat, but there was never anything that pushed me away from the game.

While I think Yuzo Koshiro's soundtrack for Revenge remains one of its more defining and enjoyable features, I might just prefer III's score that much more. It does a great job of playing to the pace of the game and keeps the player amped up. Aesthetically, III feels like a perfect evolution of Shinobi's design. Levels are much more vibrant and full of life, and do a good job feeling visually distinct.

I haven't played Shadow Dancer, so I really couldn't tell you how Revenge's follow-ups compare against each other. I've heard good things about it, though! Still, Shinobi III is an easy recommendation from me. Definitely give this one a shot, especially if you've played Revenge of Shinobi but somehow slept on its sequels.