Play Kenseiden (USA, Europe) Online

Kenseiden came out for the Sega Master System in 1988, a time when many games were still figuring out how to handle action and exploration on home consoles. Sega developed and published it, offering a side-scrolling adventure that stood out for its setting and methodical pace compared to other platformers of the era.

You control a young samurai named Tsukikage, moving through feudal Japan to defeat six evil warlords. The game progresses screen by screen; you slash enemies with your sword, jump across gaps, and hunt for hidden temples that hold magical scrolls. These scrolls grant new abilities, like a fireball or temporary invincibility, which are essential for surviving the increasingly difficult stages. The pacing is deliberate, and the challenge is stiff, with enemy placements that demand careful timing. It feels like a tense, focused journey where every cleared screen brings a small but real sense of progress.