Play Daikatana (e) Online

Daikatana for the Nintendo 64 came out in 2000, published by Kemco. It was a first-person action game that arrived late in the N64's life, a time when players were used to navigating 3D worlds with a certain flow. This one had its own particular rhythm, built around a mix of swordplay and magic in a time-traveling story.

You control Hiro Miyamoto, a warrior trying to prevent a dystopian future. Your main goal is to recover the powerful Daikatana sword, which sends you through four distinct time periods. The gameplay involves screen-by-screen exploration of often maze-like levels, where you fight enemies with a sword for close combat and a bow for distance. A key mechanic is managing two AI-controlled companions, who can use different weapons and spells; keeping them alive is a constant part of the challenge. The pacing can be deliberate, with backtracking and puzzles mixed into the combat, and the difficulty is notable for its spikes. Playing it feels like a persistent, hands-on effort to steer your party through a series of demanding, interconnected battles.