Failsafe strategy for the final boss in "Ninja Gaiden"

[DRW]

Is there a failsafe strategy for the final boss in "Ninja Gaiden"?
The first one of the three is pretty easy. The second one takes training, but can be defeated relatively easy when you know him well enough.

But the question if I defeat the third boss is pretty much open whenever I fight him.

Are there any ways to evade those fireballs 100%? How do I prevent them from hitting me for example when I have just jumped into the air and exactly then does a fireball fly directly into my path? Or how can I predict where a fireball will land?

What do I have to do to defeat the final boss evey time?

[Pokun]

You just have to look at the projectiles and act fast. I beat him 90% of the time if I have enough life, I have more trouble with Jaquio since his fireballs have several different patterns.
The severed demon head can apparently not be dodged as Nightstar says you will just have to swallow the damage. This game is very consistent and doesn't require any luck.

[mic_]

I always thought the last one was the easiest.

Jump and spam the B-button to take out the head. I've never figured out a way to avoid getting hit by it when it detaches.
Then stand on the ground and spam the B-button to take out the tail.
With the tail gone, move in closer and jump and spam the B-button to take out the heart (or whatever it is).

After each series of attacks, look above your character to see if any projectiles look like they're headed towards you, and move sideways to dodge if necessary. Once you see an opening, move in on the boss and resume attacking.

[thefox]

You can use the Down+B trick to get more hits in while in air.

[DRW]

I have more trouble with Jaquio since his fireballs have several different patterns.

I find Jaquio a bit easier. Especially since you can take your time because he always only shoots two fireballs. But with the demon, you always have to look for a whole bunch of fireballs.

Jump and spam the B-button to take out the head. I've never figured out a way to avoid getting hit by it when it detaches.
Then stand on the ground and spam the B-button to take out the tail.
With the tail gone, move in closer and jump and spam the B-button to take out the heart (or whatever it is).

O.k., but that's what I do anyway. I mean, it's not like I cannot defeat him at all. It's just that I can never be sure if I defeat him this time.
Unlike the Yellow Devil in "Mega Man": I practiced on him and now I defeat him 100% of the time.

My problem is: I never really know where the fireballs will land. Is there some analysis that tells you how to read those fireballs, so that you can evade them better?

You can use the Down+B trick to get more hits in while in air.

Nice trick. But is this really supposed to be a legitimate move or is it more a programming oversight? Because I don't want to beat the game by using this kind of stuff. That's also why I don't use the pause damage glitch on the Yellow Devil: It's not the way the game is supposed to be played.

[thefox]

You can use the Down+B trick to get more hits in while in air.

Nice trick. But is this really supposed to be a legitimate move or is it more a programming oversight? Because I don't want to beat the game by using this kind of stuff. That's also why I don't use the pause damage glitch on the Yellow Devil: It's not the way the game is supposed to be played.

It's probably an oversight since it's not mentioned in the manual. The probable reason why it exists is because the "Jump & Slash Technique"—i.e. that powerup which is automatically used when you press B in air—can be cancelled by pressing Down while you press B (to avoid wasting weapon power on it). Probably a programming oversight allowed it to be used elsewhere as well.

It's noteworthy that even the ability to cancel Jump&Slash by pressing Down isn't mentioned in the manual. Would have been nice to know on my first playthrough...