Suikoden (幻想水滸伝, Gensō Suikoden) is a series of role-playing games published by Konami. The series dates back to the Sony PlayStation. Several games in the series were released exclusively in Japan or received curtailed international releases. Each game in the series includes numerous playable characters, each with their own backstories and personalities.
History
Sony PlayStation
The Suikoden series first began with the release of Suikoden for the Sony PlayStation on December 15, 1995. It was developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo. Release early in the PlayStation's life cycle, it sold well due in part of a lack of competing RPGs on the new system.
The second game in the series, Suikoden II was released on December 17, 1998. The game met with great acclaim in Japan and overseas and spawned no less than three spin-off titles: Genso Suikoden Card Stories, based on the series-based trading card game,Genso Suikogaiden Volume 1 and Genso Suikogaiden Volume 2.
Sony PlayStation 2
2002 saw the release of Suikoden III, the first 3D entry of the series. Although it sold and reviewed well, series producer Muryama Yoshitaka would leave the team at the end of development. Kawano Junko would replace him as lead for 2004's Suikoden IV as well as its 2005 spin-off, Suikoden Tactics.
Suikoden V was released in 2006 but despite positive reviews, failed to match previous sales numbers hit by Suikoden III and IV.
Nintendo DS and Sony PSP
The series first portable title came in 2005, with the release of Genso Suikoden I&II, a compilation of the first two games, being released for the PSP. In 2008, Suikoden Tierkreis was released for the Nintendo DS, abandoning the continuity built up by the previous games in favour of a new, independent setting. 2012 saw the release of Genso Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki, set in a third separate continuity, on the Sony PSP, which produced average reviews and disappointing sales.
Games
| Boxart | English language title | Original titles | Platform | Release date(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Suikoden | 幻想水滸伝 Gensō Suikoden |
PlayStation | Sony PlayStation December 15, 1995 December 28, 1996 March, 1997 1997Sega Saturn September 17, 1997Windows 95 March 26, 1998PlayStation Network December 23, 2008
|
The first game of the series, set in the Scarlet Moon Empire. |
 |
Suikoden II | 幻想水滸伝 II Gensō Suikoden II |
PlayStation | Sony PlayStation December 17, 1998 September 29, 1999 July 28, 2000 2000 Windows 95  2003
|
The second game of the series, set in the City-State of Jowston. |
| Genso Suikogaiden Volume 1 | 幻想水滸外伝Vol.1 Gensō Suikogaiden Vol.1 |
PlayStation | Sony PlayStation September 21, 2000
|
The first side game of the series, following Nash Ratokie during the events of Suikoden II. | |
| Genso Suikogaiden Volume 2 | 幻想水滸外伝Vol.2 Gensō Suikogaiden Vol.2 |
PlayStation | Sony PlayStation March 22, 2001
|
The second side game of the series, continuing the story of Nash Ratokie as he returns to Harmonia. | |
 |
Genso Suikoden Card Stories | 幻想水滸伝カードストーリーズ Gensō Suikoden Kādosutōrīzu |
Game Boy Advance | Nintendo Game Boy Advance September 13, 2001
|
The third side game of the series, featuring the events of Suikoden II retold in card battle form. |
 |
Suikoden III | 幻想水滸伝 III Gensō Suikoden III |
PlayStation 2 | Sony PlayStation 2 July 11, 2002 October 22, 2002
|
The third main game of the series, set in the Grassland and Zexen Federation. |
 |
Suikoden IV | 幻想水滸伝 IV Gensō Suikoden IV |
PlayStation 2 | Sony PlayStation 2 August 19, 2004 January 11, 2005 February 25, 2005 February 25, 2005
|
The fourth main game of the series. First "prequel" title, set before the first Suikoden. Set in the Island Nations. |
 |
Suikoden Tactics | ラプソディア Rapusodeia |
PlayStation 2 | Sony PlayStation 2 September 22, 2005 November 8, 2005 February 24, 2006 2006
|
The fourth side game of the series, serving as both prequel and sequel companion game to Suikoden IV. |
 |
Suikoden V | 幻想水滸伝 V Gensō Suikoden V |
PlayStation 2 | Sony PlayStation 2 February 23, 2006 March 21, 2006 September 22, 2006 October 10, 2006
|
The fifth main game of the series. Second "prequel" title, set before the first Suikoden. Last title set in the "main" Suikoden continuity. Set in the Queendom of Falena. |
 |
Genso Suikoden I&II | 幻想水滸伝I＆II Gensō Suikoden I&II |
PSP | Sony PSP February 23, 2006
|
First compliation game in the series. Features remastered versions of Suikoden and Suikoden II. |
 |
Suikoden Tierkreis | 幻想水滸伝 ティアクライス Gensō Suikoden Teiakuraisu |
Nintendo DS | Nintendo DS December 18, 2008 March 13, 2009 March 17, 2009 March 26, 2009 July 16, 2009
|
Eleventh game in the series. First game in the series unattached to the "main" continuity. |
 |
Genso Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki | 幻想水滸伝 紡がれし百年の時 Gensō Suikoden Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki |
PSP | Sony PSP February 9, 2012
|
Twelfth game in the series. Second game in the series unattached to the "main" continuity or the continuity of Tierkreis. |
