Kujaku-ou
Also released as SpellCaster (Sega Master System)
Kujaku-ou — frequently asked questions
- What platforms is Kujaku-ou on?
- Kujaku-ou was released on Family Computer, Sega Master System/Mark III, MSX.
- When did Kujaku-ou release?
- Kujaku-ou was first released on September 21, 1988.
About Kujaku-ou
Kujaku Ou the Peacock King, who is a young monk from Mt Koya with the direction of his Master, is sent to investigate strange paranormal incidents taking over Japan. In it the player takes the role of a band of heroes fighting against evil demons. The player interacts with the story by selecting actions from a list of options on screen (look, take, talk etc) and by a simple 'point-and-click interface.
Summary via IGDB.
Game details
- Developer
- Graphic Research
- Publisher
- Pony Canyon
- Game modes
- Single player
- Themes
- Fantasy
- Series
- Peacock King
Details via IGDB.
Every version compared
Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release
| Platform | Year | Loose | Complete | Sealed | Period reviews | Fake risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sega Master System | 1989 | $22 | $40 | — | 14 reviews | Low (look-alike) |
Also released on: Family Computer · Sega Master System/Mark III · MSX. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.
Collector value & authenticity
Sega Master System · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-28
Other releases and variants
| Release | Loose | Complete | Sealed |
|---|---|---|---|
| European (PAL) release | $14 | $40 | — |
How often it sells
- Loose: about once a month
- Complete: about once a week
- Sealed: about once a year
Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-28.
Price over time
- Loose
- Complete
A loose copy sold for about $7.75 in Jul 2009, $20 five years ago, and $22 as of Oct 2026.
Show as table
| Month | Loose | Complete |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | $13.25 | — |
| Jan 2011 | $7.57 | — |
| Jan 2012 | $7.00 | — |
| Jan 2013 | $6.99 | — |
| Jan 2014 | $10.00 | $17.40 |
| Jan 2015 | $9.95 | $28 |
| Jan 2016 | $10.31 | $17.50 |
| Jan 2017 | $11.19 | $25 |
| Jan 2018 | $10.10 | $23 |
| Jan 2019 | $16.52 | $22 |
| Jan 2020 | $19.95 | $25 |
| Jan 2021 | $24 | $38 |
| Jan 2022 | $24 | $43 |
| Jan 2023 | $24 | $38 |
| Jan 2024 | $27 | $40 |
| Jan 2025 | $19.99 | $42 |
| Jan 2026 | $17.50 | $37 |
| Oct 2026 | $22 | $40 |
Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.
Release record
| Territory | Date | Product number |
|---|---|---|
| North America | September 1989 | — |
| Europe / PAL | 1989 | — |
| Japan | 23 September 1988 | G-1366 |
- Region
- NA+EU+JP
- Released
- 1989
- Authenticity
- Low
An approachable action-RPG that suits players tired of shoot-em-ups but not ready for Ultima.
Sega developed and published this game, released in Japan on 23 September 1988 as Kujaku Ou, in North America in September 1989 as SpellCaster and in Europe in 1989. It was also known in South America as Warrior Quest. It mixes graphic text-adventure scenes with straight arcade action, some scenes having you fight creatures in horizontally scrolling displays and others asking you to solve puzzles to open the way to the next level.
Mean Machines Sega called it pretty good, easy to get into, and a fit for players who want something more thoughtful than a shoot-em-up without committing to full RPGs such as Ultima and Ys. A Genesis sequel, released in the West as Mystic Defender, followed in 1989.
What the press said at the time
| Sega Pro Issue 19 | May 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 20 | June 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 21 | July 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 22 | August 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 23 | September 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 24 | October 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 25 | November 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 27 | December 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 26 | December 1993 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 28 | February 1994 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 34 | July 1994 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 36 | September 1994 | 90% |
| Sega Pro Issue 42 | March 1995 | 86% |
| Sega Pro Issue 43 | April 1995 | 86% |
“All in all, Spelicaster is an okay game, though nothing special. The graphics are unimpressive, with many areas looking virtually identical except for the enemies that populate them.”
“This RPG is pretty good, with its action and basic decision-making being very easy to get into. It's especially suited to borderline players who've had enough of shoot 'em ups and want something a little more mentally taxing without actually going all the way to the real RPG stuff of Ultima and Y'S.”
“One of the greatest and toughest RPGs on the MS, ranking almost as good as Phantasy Star. The vast adventure will také you underground, through space and time and even to the land of the dead.”
“One of the greatest and toughest RPGs on the MS, ranking almost as good as Phantasy Star. The vast adventure will také you underground, through space and time and even to the land of the dead.”
Before you buy
Three releases exist: the US cart, the European cart and the Japanese cart. The European cart is cheaper loose, though a complete European copy costs about the same as a US one. The Japanese cart is a different, smaller shape that does not fit a Western console without an adapter. Loose, the US cart is a little above the median for its group, and the look-alike risk is low.
Watch on YouTube
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