Fuck, you're right.

What's fucked up is that the censors actually ADDED the word 'ninja' to some titles. Like Bad Dudes (Bad Dudes vs. Dragon Ninja) and Joe & Mac (Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja). I have no idea why.

Here are the altered titles I can remember off the top of my head:

Ninja Gaiden -> Shadow Warriors
Shadow of the Ninja -> Blue Shadow
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles -> Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles
Kiwi Kraze -> Newzealand Story
Contra -> Probotector (with army guys replaced by robots)
River City Ransom -> Street Gangs

Hey, wait, I just got the European Contra title. They're protectors... and robots! P-robo-tectors! What will they think of next?

the advantage of probotector over conrta is that robots are cooler than rambo look-a-likes wearing day-glo trousers.

but i suppose it depends on which one you played as a kid.

(dudefather gets killed by angry mob after his comments on contras day-glo trousers)