When did Second Samurai release?

Second Samurai was first released on December 31, 1994.

Second Samurai

Dec 31, 1994PlatformHack and slash/Beat 'em upAdventureSega Mega Drive/GenesisPC (Microsoft Windows)AmigaSega CD

Second Samurai — frequently asked questions

What platforms is Second Samurai on?: Second Samurai was released on Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, PC (Microsoft Windows), Amiga, Sega CD.
When did Second Samurai release?: Second Samurai was first released on December 31, 1994.

About Second Samurai

At the end of First Samurai, the Demon King was able to flee back in time to ancient Japan, so our hero follows him back in time, and has 10 levels awaiting him. Unlike the original, each world is split into sub-levels, with a boss at the end of each one, emphasising the arcade side of the gameplay, which still combines hacking and slashing with puzzle-solving. As in the first game, you start without weaponry but can pick up swords and daggers as you progress through the levels. There are lots of hidden sections as you progress, which open up more of the end sequence to you, as well as several subgames including a shoot 'em up mode.

Summary via IGDB.

Game details

Platforms: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, PC (Microsoft Windows), Amiga, Sega CD
Developer: Vivid Image
Publisher: Psygnosis
Game modes: Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
Themes: Action, Fantasy, Science fiction, Historical

Details via IGDB.

Every version compared

Prices, contemporary reception and the studio credited for each release

Platform	Year	Loose	Complete	Sealed	Fake risk
Sega Genesis	1994	$44	$108	—	Low

Also released on: Sega Mega Drive/Genesis · PC (Microsoft Windows) · Amiga · Sega CD. We haven’t priced or authenticated those versions yet.

Collector value & authenticity

Sega Genesis · PriceCharting sold data · Verified 2026-10-29

Loose

$44

Complete

$108

Sealed

—

How often it sells

Loose: about 6 times a year
Complete: about once a month
Sealed: rarely — fewer than one recorded sale a year

Sales frequency from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, as of 2026-10-29.

Price over time

Loose
Complete

A loose copy sold for about $26 in Jul 2018, $43 five years ago, and $44 as of Oct 2026.

Show as table

Month	Loose	Complete
Jan 2019	$33	$45
Jan 2020	$27	$46
Jan 2021	$29	$58
Jan 2022	$56	$87
Jan 2023	$49	$92
Jan 2024	$30	$81
Jan 2025	$36	$101
Jan 2026	$28	$108
Oct 2026	$44	$108

Monthly price estimates from PriceCharting's completed-sale records, sampled quarterly, through Oct 2026.

Release record

Territory	Date
Europe / PAL	November 1994

Source: Product numbers: MAME's Mega Drive software list and the No-Intro serial records in the libretro database, published where both agree on the same cartridge dump, or from the libretro records alone where MAME lists no number for that dump. Board and ROM numbers: MAME's software list

Region: EU
Released: 1994
Authenticity: Low

Modern re-releases, such as Sega Ages, the Genesis Mini and Nintendo Switch Online, are not tracked hereLow counterfeit risk

Sega Genesis prices, all games & how to spot a fake

A two-player-friendly European platform hack-and-slash that is one of the pricier European-only carts.

Second Samurai on the Mega Drive was made by Vivid Image and published by Sony Electronic Publishing, and it came out only in Europe, in November 1994. It is the sequel to First Samurai. This version features different graphics, sound and level design from the Amiga original. When you lose a life, the Demon King from the first game taunts you on a black screen.

Sega Pro previewed it as a platform hack-'em-up in which you and an optional team-mate travel through dark worlds hacking at anything dangerous, with boss fights and an engrossing puzzle element.

How the Sega Genesis version differs

On losing a life, the Mega Drive game shows the Demon King taunting the player on a black screen.

Also on other platforms

Amiga · Sega CD

Sega CD. A Mega-CD version was planned alongside the Mega Drive game but cancelled after Sony acquired Psygnosis and ordered existing console projects cancelled.

Before you buy

Among European-only carts this is one of the dearer ones, though the risk tier is Low. Check that you are buying the Mega Drive cartridge, since the game also appeared on other formats including the Mega-CD.