Kenseiden (1988). Play online

Summary

Kenseiden, the Master System side‑scrolling platformer, throws you into a colourful, fantasy version of feudal Japan. The game mixes classic hack‑and‑slash action with an exploratory map that lets you jump between provinces in almost any order until the final stage. Each area offers branching paths, hidden switches, and even pot‑belly monkeys to crush for extra flair. I’ve always liked the way the sprites and still screens feel both rugged and surprisingly detailed, giving the whole adventure a distinct visual punch.

The level‑hopping mechanic means you can backtrack freely, solving puzzles that can span several maps and keeping the experience fresh for weeks. It’s a rare Master System title that blends tight platforming with a loose RPG‑style quest structure.

Critics were kind to the game on release, handing it 85‑86% scores from major UK magazines for its simple but addictive combat and “truly superb” presentation. Modern retro reviewers still give it nods – IGN’s 7/10 mentions it’s a love‑it‑or‑leave‑it classic that’s worth a run for dedicated fans.

Interestingly, the Korean version was released as Sword of the Hwarang, swapping Hayato for a Hwarang warrior and re‑skinning the stages to match a Korean setting, though the core gameplay stays the same.

Storyline

In Kenseiden, you step into the shoes of Hayato, a samurai roaming 16th‑century Japan. His quest is to recover five ancient scrolls and a sacred sword that have been stolen by a cabal of warlocks and restless spirits commanded by the ruthless warlord Oda Nobunaga. Each level pits Hayato against supernatural foes as he battles toward the final showdown to reclaim the relics. The South Korean release, titled Sword of the Hwarang, swaps Hayato’s samurai armor for a Hwarang warrior’s garb and relocates the stages to historic Korean settings, but the core mission—retrieving the scrolls and sword—remains unchanged.