Bushido Blade (ブシドーブレード, Bushidō Burēdo) is a 3D fighting video game developed by Lightweight and published by Square and Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. The game features one-on-one armed combat. Its name refers to the Japanese warrior code of honor bushidō.

Upon its release, the realistic fighting engine in Bushido Blade was seen as innovative, particularly the game’s unique Body Damage System.^[1][2] A direct sequel, Bushido Blade 2, was released on the PlayStation a year later. Another game with a related title and gameplay, Kengo: Master of Bushido, was also developed by Lightweight for the PlayStation 2.

Gameplay

The bulk of the gameplay in Bushido Blade revolves around one-on-one third-person battles between two opponents. Unlike most fighting games, however, no time limit or health gauge is present during combat.^[3] Most hits will cause instant death, while traditional fighting games require many hits to deplete an opponent’s health gauge.^[4] It is possible to wound an opponent without killing them. With the game’s “Body Damage System,” opponents are able to physically disable each other in increments with hits from an equipped weapon, slowing their attacking and running speed, or crippling their legs, forcing them to crawl.^[5]

The game features eight weapons to choose from in many of its modes: katana, nodachi, long sword, saber, broadsword, naginata, rapier, and sledgehammer.^[4] Except the European weapons, which are noticeably shorter than historical counterparts, each weapon has a realistic weight and length,^[6] giving each one fixed power, speed, and an ability to block. A variety of attack combinations can be executed by the player using button sequences with the game’s “Motion Shift System,” where one swing of a weapon is followed through with another.^[5] Many of these attacks are only available in one of three stances, switched using the shoulder buttons or axis controls depending on controller layout: high, neutral, and low. The player also has a choice of six playable characters.^[4] Similar to the weapons, each one has a different level of strength and speed, and a number of unique special attacks. Some characters have a subweapon that can be thrown as well. All the characters have differing levels of proficiency with the selectable weapons and have a single preferred weapon.

Bushido Blade Soundtracks

1. Bushido Theater

2. Creator’s Book

3. Light of The Bitter Orange

4. Hiding in Shadow

5. One Hundred Missing People