Play Juuouki Online

Summary

Juuouki, the original arcade‑style action title that debuted on NEC’s PC Engine (TurboGrafx‑16), was a Japan‑only release, never seeing an official Western launch. In its home market the game was marketed under the same name, while later Western ports of the concept became known simply as Altered Beast.

A modern reinterpretation arrived on the PlayStation 2 in 2005, bearing the full title Jūōki: Project Altered Beast in Japan and shortened to Altered Beast in Europe. That version was slated for North America but was pulled before release, and it adopted a noticeably darker, more violent aesthetic than its predecessor. Critics were split, pointing out a clunky camera system and sub‑par graphics, which contributed to its mixed reception despite the nostalgic brand name.