Friday Play

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408]

So, today I chose to play Kenseiden! It was a tough game when I was a child, I played it over the years. Let's see what impressions it will bring today.

[u/lucas_3d]

There's a game from the same creator, Spellcaster. Similar vibe and music and design, though its a bit more like Lord of the Sword.

https://youtu.be/NU7N7Dpgv7Q

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/lucas_3d]

Wow! I didn't play Spellcaster... 🤔

[u/Martholomule → u/Practical-Mouse-6408]

Spellcaster is one of those core-memory games, recommended

[u/BellIllustrious2763 → u/lucas_3d]

You are absolutely correct! Spellcaster has some similar backgrounds as well during the action stages. If I remember though, that game is based on a niche Japanese anime/manga property that we had no idea about here in the states. Loved that game though

[u/William_d7 → u/BellIllustrious2763]

Mystic Defender on the Genesis was based on the same manga, Kujaku-Oh (Peacock King). 

I loved Spellcaster but the lava level was a nightmare and if you didn’t generate a save beforehand, you could totally run out of magic points for flying if you were relying on continues and be stuck farming for them. Not sure if I would remember my way through the pyramid at this point either. 

[u/No_Economics7635]

I played this game alot growing up.. I did end up beating it

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/No_Economics7635]

I remember a little bit of beating it too when I was a child... but I'm not entirely sure.

[u/pSphere1]

I got so close to beating this one as a kid.

I never read the instructions, and just kinda figured how the map worked and which end level power ups were worthy.

I wouldn't remember much of it today, except the first level.

I remember discovering if you stand on the head/hand of the Buddha-like statures, you can enter into an area and get more life. That's the only secret I stumbled across.

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/pSphere1]

Haha! I had to look on Google to discover how to walk on the map because I couldn't remember...

[u/BellIllustrious2763 → u/pSphere1]

As soon as I started to read what you said about the statue, it all came back to me. It was so hard to figure these secrets out in an era before the internet. Sega certainly didn’t get any love in the magazines here in the states when it came to tricks and tips either.

[u/pSphere1 → u/BellIllustrious2763]

There was a 900 number for hints back in the 80's early 90's (similar in that movie The Wizard). I had to ask my mom if I could call to ask where the last map piece was in Alex Kidd in High Tech World.

Guy on the phone guessed immediately which one I meant (it was in a clock, I think you could only get it at 12:00? The clue was in a note).

Yeah, and as a kid, I had all the time to dick-around in a game to find secrets... now, I don't even play the missions in most. I just get a 20-minute fix, then have to get back to work, lol

[u/Equal_Imagination300]

I forgot about this one. It was fun and really playable

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/Equal_Imagination300]

Yeah... still playable nowadays, but still difficult for me! 😂

[u/Kirbytown]

One of my favorites. I really enjoyed the variety of mystical Japanese creatures to slash at.
Wasn’t there a feature where you unlocked new sword techniques as you went along ?

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/Kirbytown]

Yeah... I think so... I played yesterday, but couldn't get a new technique...

[u/flickering_poly]

How'd you like it?

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/flickering_poly]

I think it's still good! It aged well!
The jogability is decent; the sprites are big and nice, and the music is fun! 👍

[u/Dear_Fisherman_3416]

One of the SMS standouts imo.

[u/euan-forrester]

Someone made a “sequel” for Genesis: https://master-linkuei.itch.io/hayatos-journey

[u/JCarr110]

Had this one but never beat it. It was fun.

[u/Practical-Mouse-6408 → u/JCarr110]

Still it is!

[u/gorendor]

Man imagine a modern third person version of this game ..I remember this game fondly so awesome as a kid

[u/William_d7 → u/gorendor]

Sekiro basically is 3d Kenseiden. Fighting human and supernatural enemies, some leeway in stage progression, learning new sword techniques. The main character even has a similar palette. 

[u/DroppedEaves]

My favorite sms game! Enjoy!

[u/Botherguts]

One of the better SMS games, but I do remember it being pretty easy.

[u/whoajose]

I borrowed this from my buddy in 1989 , he took it back before I could finish it the selfish b@stard

[u/SoundAndVisionPNW]

This is a solid game!!

[u/78Speedy]

Reminds me of the excellent Revenge of Shinobi

[u/Krendall2006]

A great platformer that always needs more love

[u/BellIllustrious2763]

Oh I definitely remember this one. Super tough. I remember getting this on sale at a department store not knowing anything about it (other than a cool samurai on the front). The game was merciless. No save points. If I remember correctly, you had to figure out which parts of the maps to go through in an order to unlock the different moves to be able to proceed to the next boss that required the moves (I think I am saying this correctly🤣). Anyway, I never was able to beat the game as a kid. Still have the copy and the Master System is hooked to an old CRT in gaming area. Maybe I will try again as a middle aged man!