Samurai Shodown
↘ 27%
😊 8.1/10
(Super Nintendo - PAL, Fighting)
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$68.06
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Developed_By:
SNK
Published_By:
TAKARA Co. Ltd.
Released On:
01 Jan 1994
Also available on:
Samurai Shodown is set in early feudal Japan, where a man named Shiro Tokisada Amakusa preaches a heretic religion. Unbeknownst to everyone, Amakusa is actually a servant of the evil Ambrosia, who has possessed and taken over Amakusa's body, with Ambrosia seeking to cover the world in eternal darkness.
The player must choose from 12 fierce warriors and three bonus characters to fight for the honor of defeating Amakusa and fulfilling specific missions for each warrior in the game.
UPC-A:
026483340983 (USA)
EAN-13:
4904880132812 (Japan)
Nintendo Media PN:
SHVC-A7SJ-JPN (Japan)
Part #:
SNS-A7SE-USA (USA)
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Sound Capabilities:
Dolby Surround
Number of Players Supported:
1-2 Players
Prices as of 09 Oct 2026
Typical $68.03–$88.46 (last 90 days)
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Market activity: moderate · about 10 sales a year
Activity is a 12-month sales count. Dashed segments rest on two sales a year or fewer.
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Manual
Game Guide
Extracted from the original game manual
*First Samurai* is an action-adventure platformer where a young warrior seeks to avenge his slain master by pursuing the evil Demon King through different time periods. Guided by a wizard's spirit, players must fight hordes of underworld minions, use magic bells to locate hidden mystic runes, and defeat powerful bosses across various eras. Ultimately, the player must master their martial arts skills to destroy the Demon King's time-traveling devices and defeat the evil ruler in his future stronghold.
Story
The Ancient Conflict
In ancient times, before the rise of the mighty warlords, the wicked Demon King ruled the mountain realm. For eons unknown, the strength of the Master Sensei and the sorcery of the Wizard Mage thwarted the Demon King's efforts to enslave mankind.
But, while the Demon King lives eternal, the Master Sensei was but a mortal, and only through the magic of the Wizard Mage had he survived so long. Alas, even the arcane power of the Wizard Mage could not keep the Master alive forever.
As his power began to wane, the Master sought a prodigy—a man of courage and honor to maintain the responsibility of protecting mankind from the evil Demon King. After an exhausting search, the Master Sensei found the destined one, and his rigorous training began.
The Demon King's Strike
Meanwhile, in his mountain kingdom, the Demon King deciphers the strands of power and waits as the Master's power fades, and the student's power grows. He foresees a moment when the strands of the Master and the student are weak, and can both be snapped.
As the two train in the ancient martial arts, the Demon King descends upon them in all his fury. The young student quickly falls victim to the demon's magic and can only watch in horror as his courageous master engages in ferocious battle with the hideous creature.
Knowing his own weakened state, the Master senses the tide of battle beginning to flow against him, and he summons the Wizard Mage with the last of his desperate strength. In panic for his life, the Demon King transports himself far into the future to escape, leaving behind the helpless student to mourn over the lifeless body of his honored sensei.
A New Alliance
With the Demon King escaped, and the Master Sensei dead, the mist of the Wizard Mage enfolds the young warrior. "Your training is yet incomplete, but it must be enough," breathed the spirit.
"The Demon King knows I cannot fight him alone as I have no strength of my own, and must draw power from someone like you. The balance of your education lies with me, but we have no time to train. You must set off after the Demon King now, while his strength is depleted, and I shall help you along the way."
"Point the way, spirit," spoke the young warrior, "my master's death shall be avened!" And so began the destined journey of the First Samurai!
Destiny of the First Samurai
Throughout the ages, the First Samurai must battle the minions of the Demon King. In each era, the demon's henchmen have laid devious traps to impede the First Samurai's progress, hidden the powerful mystic runes, and commanded the armies of the underworld to make sure that the First Samurai is the last to oppose the will of the Demon King.
Use the magic of the Wizard Mage's bells to unearth the five mystic runes in each level. When the samurai has collected all five runes, take them to the demon's lair to summon the demon overlord in command of that time period. You must defeat it to continue your vendetta.
Stage 1: Mystic Battlefield
In the First Samurai's ancient home-time, the Demon King left behind an army of minions to guard his mountain realm. Search for the mystic runes, and use the magic bells to call upon the Wizard Mage to help dispel any obstacles that physical force cannot neutralize.
Defeat the dragon-twins, Akai-Ryu and Aoyi-Ryu, to start your quest through time.
Express Train
Upon the defeat of the dragon-twins, the Wizard Mage transports the First Samurai onto the Time Travel Express Train. The Samurai stands awestruck at the wondrous train, and its magical ability to travel through time.
Suddenly a warning from the Wizard Mage pierces the warrior's mind: "I've discovered that the Demon King built this device and one other to aid him in his time travels. Seize control of the time train from his creatures to help lock the Demon King in his future domain!"
Stage 2: Tokyo 1999
With the destruction of the time train, the First Samurai finds himself in the decaying hulk of a monstrous city. In the year 1999, the Demon King's hordes descended upon the metropolis, and without the Master Sensei to defend it, the city fell.
Now lawless chaos reigns and the First Samurai must fight again to restore order and free mankind from the Demon King's evil grasp.
Time Elevator
The second of the Demon King's devices that can span the eons must be destroyed for the First Samurai to trap the evil ruler in his current time period. When the Samurai's mystic blade and powerful kicks disable the central guidance computer, the final battle will be at hand.
Stage 3: Demon Palace
Only when the First Samurai's powers have exceeded those of his former master can he face the Demon King in this future stronghold. Vengeance is near.
The Demon King
With horror, the First Samurai remembers the Demon King's hideous visage. Now, he must face the evil king alone...
How to Play
Starting the Game
Insert your First Samurai™ Game Pak into your Super Nintendo Entertainment System® and switch on the power. The "Kemco Presents" screen will appear.
Press Start, and the First Samurai™ title screen will appear. Press Start again to access the menu screen, and press Start once more to begin the game.
Viewing the Opening Demo
To see the opening demo story, let the First Samurai title screen run for a few seconds. Do not press any buttons on the controller and the demo sequence will commence.
To interrupt and exit this demo sequence and begin play, press the Start button.
Controls
START
PAUSE
SELECT
SELECT ITEMS
CONTROL PAD
MOVES YOUR SAMURAI LEFT AND RIGHT. PRESS DOWN TO CROUCH. PRESS DOWN AND KICK FOR LOW SWEEP KICKS. PRESS DOWN AND PUNCH FOR LOW JAB PUNCHES. PRESS UP AND SWING SWORD TO SLASH UPWARDS. PRESS DOWN AND SWING SWORD TO SLASH DOWNWARDS.
A BUTTON
USE THE SELECTED ITEM
B BUTTON
JUMP
X BUTTON
KICK, SWING SWORD
Y BUTTON
PUNCH, SWING SWORD
L BUTTON
SELECT ITEM TO BE USED
R BUTTON
SELECT ITEM TO BE USED
Items & Weapons
MYSTIC RUNES
Collect five of these in each stage, then release them at the appropriate location to reveal and summon the Demon Overlord for battle.
MAGIC BELLS
A magic bell summons the Wizard Mage to help you with his potent sorcery, creating bridges, destroying barricades, and invoking other beneficial magic spells.
WARP LANTERNS
Use the magic lanterns to warp instantly to the last Force Pot you activated.
FORCE POTS
These act as save points that, when filled with force, allow the Samurai to warp to them using a magic lantern or reincarnate there if he loses a life.
TREASURE CHEST
Slash open a chest to find gold and jewels beyond your wildest dreams.
FOOD BASKET
The food inside will replenish the Samurai's waning life.
DEMON'S BANE
Touch this symbol to unleash the spirit of the Wizard Mage against all nearby demons.
KNIFE
A weapon used to strike viciously at enemies from a distance, which can be stockpiled and becomes more powerful as more icons are picked up.
AXE
A weapon used to strike viciously at enemies from a distance, which can be stockpiled and becomes more powerful as more icons are picked up.
GRENADE
A weapon used to strike viciously at enemies from a distance, which can be stockpiled and becomes more powerful as more icons are picked up.
SHURIKEN
When collected, it circles the Samurai and repeatedly attacks his enemies with deadly accuracy. The Samurai can only have two at any time and loses them if he loses a life.
Enemies & Characters
AKAI-RYU & AOYI-RYU
Known as "Red Dragon" and "Blue Dragon", these twin dragon pets of the Demon King voraciously defend the mountain realm in his absence.
OBAKEH - "CORPSE"
Once the greatest living swordsman, this decaying zombie has lost little of his fighting skills and is kept un-dead by the Demon King's evil magic.
GYAKUSATSU - "SLAUGHTER"
Ooze drips from this disgusting, octopus-tentacled creature of the netherworld. Despite his ungainly size and shape, he is a quick and cunning fighter.
SUISEI - "QUICKSILVER"
A new hybrid creature spawned by the Demon King upon reaching the future. It combines the analytical attack speed of a computer with the evil will of a demon to create a formidable foe.
Tips & Maps
MAGIC BELL
Use it to summon the Wizard Mage when you are in the precise spot to call upon his spirit and get past an obstacle.
WEAK WALLS, FLOORS AND CEILINGS
Try to break them with fist, foot, or steel to open a blocked passage or find a hidden item.
MYSTIC RUNES
Once you have collected all five, look for the boss' lair and call a Demon Overlord to battle.
FORCE METER
Keep your force meter high at all times by defeating many smaller demons.
GREAT KATANA
Never call to battle the Demon King or his Demon Overlords without this weapon in hand.
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