First Samurai

A 2D action-platforming game that begins in a mystical representation of feudal Japan but travels all over time. It was originally released on European home computers, though the 1993 SNES port by Kemco was published in all regions.

Amiga

Super Nintendo Entertainment System

Atari ST

Commodore 64

iPhone

Overview

First Samurai is an action game with a slight non-linear angle, as the player must hunt each stage for four items before they can fight the boss and move onto the next world. The player is a samurai equipped with a katana that increases in power as it defeats enemies. The samurai is whisked through time after each stage, occasionally ending up in anachronistic future settings.

Developed by Vivid Image, First Samurai was originally published on the Amiga computer by Imageworks. It was quickly ported to the Atari ST, DOS and Commodore 64 with different publishers, and a year later received a SNES port from Kemco.

Story

"The Demon King descends from his mountain domain to you, the First Samurai and your master. Defenceless against the Demon's magic, you succumb to his powers, leaving your Master to fight the Demon King alone. Your master falls in combat, dying. But, with his last breath, he summons the Wizard Mage. The Demon King fearing defeat, escapes to the future. Tormented, the young samurai seeks the teachings of the Wizard Mage in the ways of magic. Boiled with revenge and armed with a magical sword, the young samurai follows the Demon King into the future and the unknown..."