Play Taikou Risshiden on Snes Online

Ever played a game where you wake up as a nobody in feudal Japan and suddenly have to decide whether to spend your morning practicing sword swings or schmoozing at a tea ceremony? That’s Taikou Risshiden for you—a weirdly addictive SNES gem that throws you into the life of a samurai with way more options than you’d expect from a 16-bit cartridge.

At first, I just wanted to swing a sword and duel people, but then I got sucked into the politics—bribing officials, writing haiku to impress lords, even running a business if you’re feeling less stabby. The game doesn’t hold your hand, so you’ll fumble through awkward tea parties or accidentally insult someone important (whoops). But that’s the fun of it—every playthrough feels different, whether you’re a backstabbing merchant or a honorable warrior who actually bothers with poetry.

Yeah, the menus are clunky by modern standards, and the pixel art won’t blow you away, but there’s something about the sheer ambition of this thing that sticks with you. You’ll start thinking “just one more day”… and then it’s 2 AM. If you’ve got a soft spot for old-school strategy with personality, this one’s worth dusting off.