To really understand just how good this game is, I highly recommend a no-kunai playthrough(1). Despite being an unofficial mode, there is just a single obstacle which can't be easily passed without kunai. Even then, you have options - offensive ninjutsu will clear it, and there is even advanced movement tech which allows for a pure melee approach. In any case, it's totally viable without glitches or speedrun strats - you don't need to throw a single kunai to beat the game.
What I think really elevates the game isn't that this is possible, but how fun it becomes to engage with every obstacle without kunai. It's harder, yes, but this isn't a bullshit challenge run, the game is actually more interesting this way. You aren't hanging back chipping away at bosses, you're in their face, using the full extent of your abilities - guarding, divekicking and exploiting the running slash's i-frames for stylish as fuck boss kills. You have to actually learn how to deal with their attacks - it's difficult to express just how much more engaging the final boss becomes when you can't just spam kunai. Overall, I was particularly impressed by how well-balanced the game remains - the increased risk is nicely offset by your increased lethality. It's incredibly satisfying, and ever since I tried this mode, it's my preferred way to play. If you think you've mastered this game, give it a shot.
(1) The easiest way to experience this - download Najar's Shinobi III Enhancement Patch. However, there are options - you can use six-button mode for a dedicated melee button (though be careful of the double jump kunai burst, which still triggers). Alternatively, you can set the starting amount to 0 and either avoid kunai pickups, or use the game genie code RFST-G6ZC to receive 0 kunai from pickups. No matter your setup, there's a way to make it work.
What I think really elevates the game isn't that this is possible, but how fun it becomes to engage with every obstacle without kunai. It's harder, yes, but this isn't a bullshit challenge run, the game is actually more interesting this way. You aren't hanging back chipping away at bosses, you're in their face, using the full extent of your abilities - guarding, divekicking and exploiting the running slash's i-frames for stylish as fuck boss kills. You have to actually learn how to deal with their attacks - it's difficult to express just how much more engaging the final boss becomes when you can't just spam kunai. Overall, I was particularly impressed by how well-balanced the game remains - the increased risk is nicely offset by your increased lethality. It's incredibly satisfying, and ever since I tried this mode, it's my preferred way to play. If you think you've mastered this game, give it a shot.
(1) The easiest way to experience this - download Najar's Shinobi III Enhancement Patch. However, there are options - you can use six-button mode for a dedicated melee button (though be careful of the double jump kunai burst, which still triggers). Alternatively, you can set the starting amount to 0 and either avoid kunai pickups, or use the game genie code RFST-G6ZC to receive 0 kunai from pickups. No matter your setup, there's a way to make it work.