Last Friday, September 19, my travels brought me to the designer toy shop/art gallery Double Punch in San Francisco, CA to check out SouthPeak Games’ upcoming Nintendo DS™ title Ninjatown. Aside from scoring some hands on time with what played like a near-complete version of the game, creators Shawn Smith and Jennifer Brody were on hand to show off some really cool concept art, exclusive collectible plushies and more.

Hit the jump to read about Ninjatown and for your chance to win a Ninjatown poster signed by Shawn Smith.

The first game to bridge the designer toy and videogame worlds, Ninjatown, which plays much like Tower Defense with a top down view features a wide-variety of unbearably cute Shawnimals-inspired characters including Ol’ Master Ninja, Ninja Consultant, Baby Ninja, Anti-Ninja, Mr. Demon, Feroshi the Dino Slug and my personal favorite, the Zombie Ninja (mmmmm…ninja brains). Using the stylus users will build up their ninja towns and issue commands to ward off invading forces while Ol’ Master Ninja floats amongst the clouds patiently waiting to lend a helping hand, which usually suggests the use of a power up item. Aside from using the touch screen the game also features full use of the DS Microphone which will allow the user to shout commands at ninja troops and blow into the microphone to push back Mr. Demon’s invading forces. A fun-filled single player story packed with 35 maps and 9 districts should keep gamers in a solid state of ninja nirvana, but in the instance you crave ninja brains…I mean a more formidable opponent you can kick Ninjatown in Wi-fi mode and play against a friend for a this-is-so-much-fun-it-should-be-illegal experience.

From what I’ve seen and played the game feels very solid and offers a heck of a lot of bang for your buck. Until Ninjatown stealthily sneaks its way into stores on October 28th you can practice sneaking around your house performing only back flips or you can enter for your chance to win a Ninjatown poster* signed by the master ninja himself, Shawn Smith. To do so head on over to the “Wee Ninjatron” Avatar Creator and create your very own ninja like I did here. Once you have successfully created your ninja simply post the URL to the comments, or simply use the contact form to submit your entry. The winner will be selected through a DDN staff vote conducted on or around October 17, 2008, and will be announced on DDN shortly thereafter. There is no limit to the amount of submitted entries, so enter as many times as you would like, but be creative and please no duplicate entries. In addition, please be sure to use a valid email address so that we may contact you should you be the lucky winner.

This contest is limited to the United States of America and Canada ‘eh and is restricted to DDN staff and contributors.

For more information on Ninjatown please visit the official Ninjatown web site or Shawnimals.com.

Ninja-rific pictures

*DokiDoki Majo Shinpan Nendoroids, King Slime and Stormtrooper Mimobot not included.