Second Samurai Genesis box art

Sega Genesis / Mega Drive · Action / Action-Adventure

Second Samurai

SystemSega Genesis / Mega Drive
Released1994
GenreAction, Action-Adventure, Platformer
DeveloperVivid Image
PublisherPsygnosis
Players1–2 players
CommitmentAn evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
LegacyWell-known · legacy score 6

Second Samurai is an action game released in 1994 for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, developed by Vivid Image and published by Psygnosis. It blends action, action-adventure and platformer elements.

It landed about 5 years into the Genesis's life. Other notable Genesis releases from 1994 include Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Mortal Kombat II and FIFA International Soccer.

Vivid Image also made Street Racer for the Genesis.

Second Samurai supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.

Pick it if…

  • you want to fight, blast and test your reflexes
  • you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
  • you have a friend to play against

Maybe skip it if…

  • you prefer slow, thoughtful games over reflex tests

What playing Second Samurai is like

Action games test reflexes and nerve. Expect fast enemies, tight controls and stages you clear by reacting quickly and learning enemy patterns.

Tip for newcomers: Retro action games are often short but tough. Treat early deaths as practice runs; every attempt teaches you where the next threat comes from.

Second Samurai gameplay screenshot on Genesis
In-game screenshot (Genesis)

Second Samurai cheats & codes

19 codes on file (Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Action Replay codes to start with:

Infinite Health P1FF5537:FF
Infinite Lives P1FF553B:09
Infinite Health P2FF544F:FF
Infinite Lives P2FF5453:FF

See all Second Samurai cheats

Second Samurai walkthroughs & guides

Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Second Samurai.

If you like Second Samurai, the Matrix also picks…

X-Men box art
X-Men Genesis · 1993 · Action Classic Co-op

Playing Genesis games today

Genesis games are fast and immediate, and many are made for two players. Official collections and Nintendo Switch Online carry a big slice of the library, and Rec0m88 can run your own Genesis backups with online netplay.

Second Samurai FAQ

When did Second Samurai come out on the Genesis?

Second Samurai was released for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive in 1994.

Who made Second Samurai?

It was developed by Vivid Image and published by Psygnosis.

Is Second Samurai multiplayer?

Yes. Second Samurai supports up to 2 players.

How long does Second Samurai take to play?

As an action game, Second Samurai typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.

Read more about Second Samurai on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.

Not sure? Let the Matrix pick for you