Mitsurugi
A Japanese swordsman pursuing worthy opponents and the power of Soul Edge.
Documented for this version
Joystick | Move in eight directions |
|---|---|
A | Horizontal attack |
B | Vertical attack |
K | Kick |
G | Guard |
A+B | Weapon-based attack combination |
A+G | Throw |
B+G | Throw |
Arcade button labels are commonly A, B, K, and G.
Exact command timing and move properties vary by character.
The supplied platform is the arcade version; no emulator key mapping is assumed.
How it plays
Players fight one opponent at a time in enclosed 3D arenas. The objective is to reduce the opponent’s life, score a ring-out, or lead on health when the timer expires. Each fighter uses a distinct weapon with horizontal, vertical, kick, guard, throw, and movement options.
The arcade mode progresses through a sequence of battles, with story-related encounters and a final confrontation. Players can also select versus play and practice-oriented options where available. Victory advances the selected character, while losing all rounds ends the run.
Plan your run
Learn the difference between horizontal and vertical attacks. Horizontals are useful against sidestepping opponents, while verticals generally deliver stronger punishment but can be avoided laterally.
Stay aware of the arena boundary. Guard safely, look for throw opportunities, and use short counterattacks rather than attacking continuously. Practice each character’s launcher, ring-out options, and reliable punishers before attempting the harder arcade battles.
Meet the cast
A Japanese swordsman pursuing worthy opponents and the power of Soul Edge.
A Greek warrior who fights with a short sword and shield while seeking to destroy Soul Edge.
A German knight whose struggle is closely tied to the cursed sword and Nightmare.
A heavily armored manifestation wielding the corrupted Soul Edge.
A whip-sword user investigating the legacy of Soul Edge.
A ninja who hunts supernatural threats with speed and specialized weapons.
A staff fighter seeking to overcome the evil connected to his weapon.
A Chinese swordswoman drawn into the conflict surrounding the two Soul swords.
A masked, acrobatic fighter guarding the possessions of his deceased master.
A nunchaku fighter pursuing the pirate responsible for a personal tragedy.
A massive axe-wielding golem created for a violent mission.
A pirate and major antagonist who wields Soul Edge.
A masked warrior using an unusual sword and acrobatic techniques.
A Korean fighter who uses a large blade while seeking to prove her strength.
A Korean swordsman involved in the effort to eliminate Soul Edge.
A mysterious master who can use the weapons and styles of other fighters.
Before you begin
Use eight-way movement to create better angles instead of standing directly in front of the opponent.
Watch the ring edge carefully; a guarded opponent can still be defeated by a well-positioned throw or knockdown.
Each weapon has different reach, so spacing is as important as reaction speed.

Soulcalibur is a 3D weapon-based fighting game developed and published by Namco for arcade systems in 1998. It follows warriors seeking, protecting, or destroying the legendary swords Soulcalibur and Soul Edge. Matches combine eight-way movement, directional attacks, guarding, throws, and ring-outs in compact one-on-one battles. The arcade release was widely praised for its responsive controls, fluid animation, detailed arenas, and substantial roster. It expanded on Soul Edge with more freedom of movement and a stronger emphasis on weapon styles. The game became one of Namco’s most highly regarded arcade fighters and established the long-running Soulcalibur series.
Catalog entry maintained by EmuGamers Editorial Team
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