Even though both characters have different weapons and use different attacks, they are functionally the exact same. Their main short-range weapons have three levels and are improved by acquiring grey cats left by defeated enemies. Both characters are also equipped with thrown weapons from the beginning which takes money as you use it and can get bombs by purchasing them in stores or by winning them in mini-games.
Each character can learn four Judo attacks which are functionally identical between the two characters. Level 1 Judo provides an animal for the character which they ride and can use to ram into enemies. Level 2 Judo releases an attack that damages all enemies on the screen. Level 3 Judo makes the character fly temporarily. Level 4 Judo unleashes a powerful fast attack. It is up to two players and costs 800 points to download off the Wii Virtual Console
Tags: SNES, The Legend of the Mystical Ninja, wii