Shining the Holy Ark
😊 7.8/10
(Sega Saturn - JP, RPG)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Complete
$10.70
Loose $9.29
Developed by:
Camelot Software Planning
Published by:
Sega
Released On:
20 Dec 1996
Part of the Shining game universe, Shining the Holy Ark is a pure console-style RPG (unlike Shining Force games, that were strategy/RPG hybrids). You play the role of a young swordsman Arthur, who decided to work as a mercenary for various people needing his services. On his first mission, the King of Enrich sends him to a mine, in order to find and punish a renegade ninja who has escaped from him. However, an accident occurs that makes Arthur realize that he'll have to do much more than his usual mercenary assignment, and that there is a true evil in the world that must be defeated at all costs.
The game features 3D graphics and utilizes first-person perspective for dungeons and battles. The turn-based battles are of a traditional Japanese RPG kind, except the addition of "Pixie System". In various places in the game you can find pixies who can later be used as allies in battles.
EAN-13:
4530098961212 (Japan)
Sega Region Code:
T-33101G (Japan)
YouTube
Reddit
Twitch
Wikipedia
DB
IGDB
RG
RAWG
󱑆
HowLong
GF
GameFAQs
Number of Players Supported:
1 Player
Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $10.70–$11.37 (last 90 days)
New
Complete
Loose
Box
Manual
Smoothed
Log · Auto
Medians
Market activity: active · about 48 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
More JP Sega Saturn RPG
Uncommon
😊 7.9/10
Grandia
$12.24 (Complete)
Jan 1997
Scarce
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner
$10.80 (Complete)
Jan 1995
Scarce
🙂 7.3/10
Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers
$11.81 (Complete)
Jan 1997
Scarce
Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG
$39.05 (Complete)
Jan 1998
Scarce
Neon Genesis Evangelion: 2nd Impression
$6.15 (Complete)
Mar 1997
Scarce
Lunar Silver Star Story
$17.92 (Complete)
Oct 1996
Rare
🙂 7.4/10
Albert Odyssey
$22.00 (Complete)
Aug 1996
Rare
Lunar 2 Eternal Blue
$24.65 (Complete)
Jan 1998
Rare
Shining Force III Scenario 3
$39.98 (Complete)
Sep 1998
More from Camelot Software Planning
Abundant
🙂 7.1/10
Mario Golf: Super Rush
$29.74 (Complete)
Jun 2021
Abundant
Mario Golf Toadstool Tour
$28.75 (Complete)
Jul 2003
Abundant
😊 7.7/10
Mario Golf
$96.47 (Complete)
Jun 1999
Very Common
Mario Power Tennis
$43.00 (Complete)
Nov 2004
Very Common
😊 7.9/10
Mario Tennis
$80.00 (Complete)
Aug 2000
Very Common
🙂 7.0/10
Mario Tennis Aces
$23.69 (Complete)
Jun 2018
Very Common
😊 8.1/10
Golden Sun
$122.50 (Complete)
Nov 2001
Common
Golden Sun The Lost Age
$119.01 (Complete)
Apr 2003
Common
😊 8.4/10
Mario Tennis
$68.66 (Complete)
Jan 2001
Common
😊 7.9/10
Mario Golf: World Tour
$34.87 (Complete)
May 2014
Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
Shining the Holy Ark is a fantasy role-playing game in which you command a party of adventurers to explore a cursed kingdom and battle monsters in three-dimensional dungeons. Guided by a royal summons, your quest begins in the Desire Mountains where you must track down and subdue the renegade ninja Rodi. Through strategic combat, treasure hunting, and level progression, you uncover profound mysteries while seeking a magical artifact of fabulous power.
Story
Spinning the Threads of Destiny
In ages past, the kingdom of Enrich was a prosperous realm, blessed with the mines of the Desire mountain range, rich in precious ore. But this once-happy kingdom is now known only as a cursed land.
The wealth and success of Enrich sowed the very seeds of its downfall, attracting shadowy visitors from neighboring lands and unleashing strange magic from the depths of the earth.
Some days ago Arthur, a mercenary, received an urgent summons to appear before the king in the capital city of Enrich. Banding together with the renowned conjurer Forte and Melody, his apprentice, Arthur set off to do the royal bidding - capture a renegade ninja by the name of Rodi.
The king's men have tracked their quarry to Desire Mountain, and cornered him in an abandoned mine. That is three days past, and Arthur's party has arrived, after a hard journey, at the mouth of the mine.
They have girded themselves for a hard fight, but what could prepare them for the tricks of capricious destiny? And who could fathom the portent of the recent unforecast eclipse of the sun?
Dire prophecies echo throughout the kingdom; a climate of dread and foreboding prevails. Perhaps the Fates are spinning unkind threads on their looms...
The Object of your Quest
Shining the Holy Ark is a fantasy role-playing game set in a three-dimensional world for you to explore with your loyal band of companions. Do battle with nefarious monsters and unravel mysteries profound in your efforts to recover a magical artifact of fabulous power.
The true nature of the quest will be revealed only to those bold enough to persevere through the trials of each perilous dungeon and maze. Suffice it to say that the adventure at hand begins in the dark mines of the Desire Mountains.
You must seek out and subdue Rodi, an infamous ninja wanted by the king.
An Errant Knight's Progress
As you journey through the kingdom of Enrich, you must solve the riddles of timeless ruins, overcome the treacherous obstacles and labyrinths that stand in your way, and engage foul monsters in combat. At the end of each successful battle encounter, your company of adventurers collects Gold and Experience.
Gold can be used to buy items at the various shops located throughout the kingdom, while Experience is needed to advance levels and gain strength. Collecting Gold and Experience is vital to succeeding in the game adventure.
When confronted with a seemingly unbeatable foe, it may be a good idea to retreat and seek out some weaker opponents, and gain Experience to increase your fighters' levels before trying again.
Take heart - there are no enemies or obstacles too strong to be overcome by a well-equipped and determined group of high-level characters.
How to Play
Starting the Game
1. Set up your Sega Saturn system as described in its instruction manual. Plug in Control Pad.
Note: Shining the Holy Arkâ„¢ is for one player only.
2. Place the Shining the Holy Arkâ„¢ disc, label side up, in the well of the CD tray and close the lid.
3. Turn on the TV or monitor and the Sega Saturn. The Sega Saturn logo appears on screen. If nothing appears, turn the system off and make sure it is set up correctly before turning it on again.
4. If you wish to stop a game in progress and return to the onscreen control panel, simultaneously press Buttons A, B, C and Start on the Sega Saturn Control Pad. When the game title screen appears press again to go to the onscreen control panel.
Handling the Disc
Your Sega Saturn CD contains a security code that allows the disc to be read. Be sure to keep the disc clean and handle it carefully. If your Sega Saturn system has trouble reading the disc, remove the disc and wipe it carefully, starting from the center of the disc and wiping straight out toward the edge.
Entering the Game
An animated story sequence follows the Sega and Sonic Software Planning logos. Wait for the animation to end, or press any button while it plays to make the Press Start Button message appear onscreen. Press Start to bring up the Start menu and enter the game.
Name Entry
The first time you load the game, and whenever you begin a new game, the Name Entry screen appears. Press the D-Pad in any direction to highlight a character, and Button A or C to select. Press Button B, or select Backspace to delete the previous character. Select End of name to finish entering your name, and to begin the game.
Be warned - you cannot change your character's name during play, so choose wisely.
Game Data Menu
If you have data saved from a previous game, the Game Data menu appears. This menu allows you to select game data to delete, copy, continue a saved game, or start a new game from the beginning. Press the D-Pad up or down to highlight a menu item, and Button A or C to select.
•
If you select From the beginning the Name Entry screen comes up.
•
Otherwise the Game Data Options menu appears. In the Game Data Options menu, press the D-Pad up or down to highlight Begin, Copy or Erase, and Button C to select.
Saving Game Data
Saving Game Data is a crucial part of your Shining the Holy Ark adventure. Each data file occupies 65 memory units in your Sega Saturn's internal RAM, or on your Sega Saturn Backupâ„¢ cartridge (sold separately).
If you don't have enough memory available to save game data, a message appears onscreen before you start your game, warning you that you will not be able to save new game data. Access the Sega Saturn Memory Manager screen to erase unneeded data before beginning play.
Exploration Modes
Whether it be searching the corridors of a dank subterranean maze, or visiting with friendly townsfolk in an isolated village, most of your adventure will be spent in the 3D Motion screen environment. Within the 3D Motion screen, there are several main types of modes:
Search Mode
This is the mode that shows your surroundings as you move through the wilderness and dungeons of Enrich. In Search mode, press:
•
Button A: To call up the Main Options icon menu.
•
Button C: To Check areas for clues and secret treasure caches. (Also used to call up the Main Options menu when you are not facing a searchable area.)
•
Button X: To look to the left and right.
•
Button Y: To look up and down.
•
D-Pad up twice quickly and hold: To dash forward at high speed, letting you race down long tunnels or crash through stubborn barriers. (White speedlines appear onscreen when you dash.)
•
Button B: To continue facing forward while moving to the left or right.
•
Start: To call up the area map, when you have lost your way.
Options Mode
Options mode allows you to use items and magic, check the status of party members and reconfigure several aspects of gameplay.
Battle Mode
When you encounter monsters, the game automatically shifts into Battle mode and the Battle Options icon menu appears. If you succeed in a battle you gain both Gold and Experience, so fight bravely.
Factfinding Mode
Not all of your adventure will be spent in forbidding dungeon areas - you must interact with townsfolk and other characters you meet in order to gather clues and purchase items to aid you in your quest. Move about towns and buildings just as in the Search mode, and be sure to check all areas thoroughly for hidden treasure. When you meet other characters, press Button C to engage them in conversation - they might have some knowledge of value to impart.
Exploring Dungeons
To unriddle the mysteries of the Holy Ark, Arthur and his companions must make their way through grim cave networks, murky enchanted forests, frozen mountain caves and haunted ruins. These areas are known as dungeons, and while they hold many dangers for the unwary traveler, they also reward the stout-hearted with fabulous hoards, lost ancient secrets, and items of magical power.
Sharp-eyed adventurers may find helpful booty in pools of water or hidden under rocks, or release an enchanted pixie from the trunk of an old tree. Treasures may be hidden anywhere in a dungeon, so check all suspicious areas thoroughly by pressing Button C. The
Controls
D-Pad
Move (See Note 1)
Start
Bring up area map
Button A
Bring up Options menu
Button B
(See Note 2)
Button C
Check or Talk
Button X
Look left and right
Button Y
Look up and down
Button Z
Look straight ahead
Button L
Select pixie (See Note 3)
Button R
Select pixie (See Note 3)
Search Games
Popular Consoles
Trending Now
By Year
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
© 2026 RetroGold. All rights reserved.