Rising Zan The Samurai Gunman is an eccentric PS1 action game by UEP Systems blending samurai and cowboy in an absurd Japanese western. Sharp hack and slash gameplay with a gun. Unhinged humor and memorable character. An endearing and funny overlooked PS1 oddity.
Your verdict
Category
Action1 player12+
Description
Quirky action by UEP Systems, where samurai-with-pistols hero Zan defends Japan against supernatural yakuzas with absurd humor. Created by UEP Systems and Agetec, released in 1999 in Japan, the United States and Europe under the Rising Zan The Samurai Gunman title. Six 3D action levels mixing katana and revolver, timing-based attacks via QTE, parody scenario with Western narration and electric guitar rock soundtrack. Multi-regional edition under the Rising Zan The Samurai Gunman title.
Rising Zan - The Samurai Gunman review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
1/5
Story
★★★★★
"Anecdotal"
Gameplay
"Solid"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Captivating"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Technical info
💾0,51 GB📅28/02/1999
Published by Agetec
Rising Zan - The Samurai Gunman (PS1) price, value & rarity
A UEP Systems oddity blending samurai and Western, this unhinged hack and slash published by Agetec stayed under the radar. The multilingual European PAL release is markedly scarcer and pricier than the North American one, with sealed stock climbing hard. Its standing as an overlooked cult gem, driven by absurd humour and a memorable lead, sustains genuine demand among PS1 curiosity hunters.
An underrated gem
An unlikely crossover between samurai and cowboy, this off-the-wall action game owns its kitsch with a barrage of parody cutscenes and grandiloquent humor. Its stiff execution and brevity worked against it. But its nerve, its offbeat tone and its sword combos make it a tasty guilty pleasure for fans of video-game B-movies.
Is Rising Zan - The Samurai Gunman still worth playing in 2026?
A wacky action game from UEP Systems, Rising Zan The Samurai Gunman blends sword and revolver around a hero parodying spaghetti westerns and samurai films, in deliberately excessive, kitsch staging. The sword combo system, the snappy pace and the unabashed humour give the title real personality, backed by zany cutscenes. The stiff production and dated camera show their age. An action curiosity to recommend for fans of offbeat games and of video game B movies.
