Muramasa The Demon Blade is a side-scrolling action role-playing game developed by Vanillaware and published by Ignition Entertainment for the Nintendo Wii in 2009. The game takes place in a fictional version of Japan during the Genroku era, blending samurai folklore with supernatural elements drawn from Shinto and Buddhist mythology. Players choose between two protagonists, Kisuke, a ninja with no memory of his past, and Momohime, a young princess possessed by the spirit of a vengeful swordsman. Vanillaware crafted every frame by hand, producing painterly two-dimensional visuals that remain among the most striking on the Wii hardware. The combat system uses fast sword strikes, dodges, and special techniques tied to a wide collection of demonic blades. Each blade carries its own power level and unique finishing move, giving fights a distinct rhythm. The art direction, fluid animation, and bold use of color set this title apart from other action games of its generation and helped cement Vanillaware's reputation for visual craftsmanship.
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
Screenshots

1.6 GB · Wii ROMs
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Specifications
| Platform | Wii ROMs |
|---|---|
| Genre | Action |
| File Size | 1.6 GB |
| Release Year | 2009 |
| Developer | Vanillaware |
| Updated | Jun 22, 2026 |
Overview
Muramasa The Demon Blade is a side-scrolling action role-playing game developed by Vanillaware and published by Ignition Entertainment for the Nintendo Wii in 2009. The game takes place in a fictional version of Japan during the Genroku era, blending samurai folklore with supernatural elements drawn from Shinto and Buddhist mythology. Players choose between two protagonists, Kisuke, a ninja with no memory of his past, and Momohime, a young princess possessed by the spirit of a vengeful swordsman. Vanillaware crafted every frame by hand, producing painterly two-dimensional visuals that remain among the most striking on the Wii hardware. The combat system uses fast sword strikes, dodges, and special techniques tied to a wide collection of demonic blades. Each blade carries its own power level and unique finishing move, giving fights a distinct rhythm. The art direction, fluid animation, and bold use of color set this title apart from other action games of its generation and helped cement Vanillaware's reputation for visual craftsmanship.
The game offers two full story campaigns, one for each protagonist, with branching endings based on player choices and difficulty settings. Players forge new swords at rest points by spending souls earned in battle, building a personal arsenal of over one hundred weapons across both quests. Three difficulty modes, including Muso and Shura, change enemy aggression and the rules for blade breakage during combat. The world is divided into provinces filled with forests, mountains, villages, and demon-haunted shrines, each rendered with parallax scrolling backgrounds and ambient detail. Boss fights pit the heroes against giant yokai, rival swordsmen, and legendary spirits pulled from Japanese myth. Side quests, hidden caves, and cooking mini-games add depth between story chapters, with food granting stat boosts that reward exploration. The soundtrack by Hitoshi Sakimoto pairs traditional instruments with orchestral arrangements, matching the painterly tone of every scene. Muramasa The Demon Blade stands as a polished swordplay adventure that combines tight mechanics, rich cultural inspiration, and breathtaking visual artistry into one memorable journey.