Play Nettou Samurai Spirits - Zankurou Musouken (Japan) Online

Nettou Samurai Spirits: Zankurou Musouken came out for the Game Boy in 1994, developed by Takara. It was part of that wave of fighting game adaptations on handhelds, trying to squeeze big arcade action into a small screen. The game features characters from the Samurai Shodown series, bringing their weapons and special moves into a portable format.

You control one of several fighters, like Haohmaru or Nakoruru, moving through side-scrolling stages and battling a series of opponents. The main goal is to defeat every enemy you encounter across multiple levels, leading up to a final boss. Signature mechanics include executing special moves with precise input combinations, and a risk-reward system where powerful attacks leave you open if you miss. The pacing is brisk, and the difficulty can spike sharply, especially during later fights. It feels responsive and deliberate, capturing some of the tactical tension of the original despite the hardware limits.