Sengoku (1991 video game)
A 1990 beat 'em up with spirit transformations and feudal Japanese undead.
Sengoku, a 1990 hack and slash beat 'em up, was both developed and published by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade system and its home consoles. Ports later arrived on the Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, and Super Famicom. Its standout feature is a transformation system: after defeating specific enemies, players can temporarily turn into a samurai, an armored wolf, or a nimble ninja. In the SNES version, this change cannot be switched off manually and lasts for a set duration. Each form has different attacks and jumps, and its power is boosted by any power-ups collected.
Players start with six health points. Colored orbs serve as power-ups: ten green orbs restore one health point; a red orb gives a single sword; a cyan orb grants dual swords; a purple orb provides a two-handed holy sword; and a yellow orb supplies a limited magical attack. Each sword type has distinct properties—the red sword is a standard blade, the cyan dual swords offer faster strikes, and the purple holy sword delivers powerful, sweeping blows. The magic projectile is finite and can be deflected by certain enemies, but sword attacks do not have a meaningful 'clash' mechanic.
The story begins centuries ago, when a cruel and insane warlord was defeated by two elite samurai, but he swore to return. When he does, he unleashes undead feudal Japanese warriors to destroy the world. Opposing him are two protagonists: red-jacketed Claude Yamamoto and cowboy-hat-wearing Jack Stone (renamed Dan and Bill in the SNES version). These martial artists are revealed to be descendants of the two samurai who originally vanquished the warlord.
In Japan, *Game Machine* listed Sengoku as the thirteenth most successful table arcade unit in March 1991. In North America, *RePlay* ranked it the fourth most popular arcade game that same month. *Famicom Tsūshin* scored the Neo Geo CD version 19 out of 40. *Electronic Gaming Monthly* gave the Super Famicom version a 4.4 out of 10, noting it "has an interesting concept as you can change into different types of fighters, yet it just doesn't come together." *Power Unlimited* awarded the Neo Geo version 85%, calling it "a top-shelf brawler, even for people who aren't much of a fighter," praising its sounds and images.
Two arcade sequels followed: *Sengoku 2* in 1993 and *Sengoku 3* in 2001. In 2008, the arcade version appeared in *SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1* for PlayStation 2, Play
- Developer
- SNK
- Publisher
- SNK
- Release Year
- 1990
- Platforms
- Neo Geo arcade, Neo Geo AES, Neo Geo CD, Super Famicom
- Genre
- Hack and slash beat 'em up
- Number of Players
- Up to 2 (co-op)
Lore & Background
The plot of Sengoku centers on a cruel and insanely tyrannical warlord who was defeated centuries ago by two elite Samurai, but swore to return. When he does, he unleashes undead forces of feudal Japanese warriors to destroy the world. The only opposition comes from two protagonists: the red-jacketed Claude Yamamoto and cowboy hat-wearing Jack Stone (also known as Dan and Bill in the SNES version), martial artists who are descendants of the two elite Samurai who originally vanquished the warlord.
Reader's Guide
Sengoku was followed by two arcade sequels: Sengoku 2 in 1993 and Sengoku 3 in 2001. In 2008, the arcade version was included in the compilation SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 for PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, and Wii. In 2009, all three games in the Sengoku trilogy were compiled as part of Sengoku Anthology for PlayStation 2 and Microsoft Windows. On November 1, 2011, the Neo Geo version was re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan. The game received mixed to positive reviews: in Japan, Game Machine listed it as the thirteenth most successful table arcade unit of March 1991; in North America, RePlay listed it as the fourth most popular arcade game of March 1991. Famicom Tsūshin scored the Neo Geo CD version 19 out of 40, while Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Super Famicom version a 4.4 out of 10. Power Unlimited gave the Neo Geo version a score of 85%.
Did You Know?
- The game allows players to transform into a samurai, an armor-clad wolf, or a ninja after defeating certain enemies.
- In the SNES version, transformation cannot be toggled but stays constant for a limited time.
- The two protagonists, Claude Yamamoto and Jack Stone, are descendants of the elite Samurai who defeated the warlord centuries ago.
- Sengoku was re-released for the Wii Virtual Console in Japan on November 1, 2011.
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