Bakumatsu Rouman Dai-ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiriyuku Hana [Model NGM-243]

幕末浪漫第二幕 月華の剣士 ～月に咲く華、散りゆく花～ © 1998 SNK Corporation.

(Bakumatsu Rouman Dai-ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiriyuku Hana)

Much-acclaimed swordplay fighter with sixteen selectable characters and one end boss. Another SNK triumph!

Runs on the SNK "Neo-Geo MVS" hardware.
Game ID: NGM-243

[SNK MVS Neo-Geo Controls]
2 Players - 4 buttons Per Player.
=> [Joystick] 8-Way, [A] Weak Slash, [B] Strong Slash, [C] Kick, [D] Repel

Released on November 25, 1998 in Japan.

The title translates from Japanese as 'Bakumatsu Romance Episode II - Swordsman of the Moonlight: On the Moon a Flower Blooming, a Petal Falling'.

This game is known outside Japan as The Last Blade 2.

Kojiroh Sanada is a homage to an ancient Chinese legend about a girl disguising herself as her father (the same story was also used in the Disney movie Mulan).

Lee Rekka is a homage to the Cantonese hero, Wong Fei Hung.

Akari and Juzoh are the comedic relief characters in the Gekka series : If Akari is fighting someone other than Juzoh, Juzoh can be seen next to the elephant. If Akari is fighting Juzoh, Akari's three friends (Hijiri Nanase, Aoi Yahata and Shizuka Kujou) can be seen next to the elephant. If Juzoh is fighting someone other than Akari, Akari can be seen with her friends.

Soundtrack releases:
[JP] December 18, 1998; Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiri Yuku Hana [PCCB-00350] - Pony Canyon
[JP] January 07, 2000; Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiri Yuku Hana [Arrange Sound Trax] [PCCB-00353] - Pony Canyon

In the original (Japanese) version of Last Blade 2, each of the 3 modes is described by one kanji : Chikara (red), Waza (blue) and Kiwame (green). Chikara means 'strength', Waza 'skill' and Kiwame 'extreme'.
These 3 modes were made into 'Power', 'Speed' and 'EX', respectively, for their English release.
However, one case where the modes were literally translated remain.
If you look at the English 'How To Play' intro in Last Blade 2, you will see 'Strength and Skill' where they should have said 'Power and Speed'.
A slight mistake in the English renaming, or a tribute to the Japanese and therefore correct, names.

* Play As Kaede From Last Blade : Highlight Kaede at the character selection screen, then press C(x9), B, C(x4). You must input the correct button sequence in LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS! - A sound will confirm correct code entry.

* Play As Kouryu : Highlight Kaede and press C(x10), B(x5) and C(x5). You must input the correct button sequence in LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS!

* Hagure Hitogata Appearance : Highlight Akari at the character selection screen, then press C(x8), B(x9), C(x4). You must input the correct button sequence in LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS! - A sound will confirm correct code entry.

* Naoe Kotetsu Appearance : Highlight Shigen at the character selection screen, then press C(x5), B(x10), C(x2). You must input the correct button sequence in LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS! - A sound will confirm correct code entry.

* Time Attack Mode : Insert a coin, hold A+B+C+D and press Start.

* Unlock EX Mode : At the mode selection screen, highlight Speed and press C(x6), highlight Power and press B(x3), highlight Speed and press C(x4). You must input the correct button sequence in LESS THAN FOUR SECONDS!

* Ending variations:
-Hibiki: If you get 6 fatalities/decapitation kills before the last boss, you'll unlock an alternative ending.
-Setsuna: Get the same decapitation kills with Setsuna and his ending will be in full color instead of the usual brown tinted color.
-Lee: Finish the game without using a continue to see an alternative ending.

* Alternative Credits: Finish the game without using a continue and you'll see artworks of every character during the credits.

* Contest? : If you finish the game in one credit, a password is given to you (The Password is ELEPHANT). This password can be entered in the official LB2 Internet page. This contest was available between November 1998 and April 1999.

1. Bakumatsu Rouman - Gekka no Kenshi [Model NGM-234] (1997)
2. Bakumatsu Ruoman Dai-ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiriyuku Hana [Model NGM-243] (1998)

* Consoles :
SNK Neo-Geo [JP] (jan.28, 1999; "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiri Yuku Hana [Model NGH-243]")
SNK Neo-Geo [US] (jan.28, 1999; "The Last Blade 2 [Model NGH-243]")
SNK Neo-Geo CD [JP] (feb.27, 1999); "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiri Yuku Hana [Model NGCD-243]")
Sega Dreamcast [JP] (dec.21, 2000; "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi [Final Edition] [Model T-3107M]")
Sega Dreamcast [US] (aug.6, 2001; "The Last Blade 2: Heart of the Samurai [Model T-44305M]")
Sega Dreamcast [JP] (may.23, 2002; "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi [Final Edition] [Model T-47301M]")
Sony PlayStation 2 [JP] (jan.12, 2006; "Gekka no Kenshi 1-2 [NeoGeo Online Collection Vol.2] [Model SLPS-25503]")
Sony PlayStation 2 [JP] (june.21, 2007; "Gekka no Kenshi 1-2 [NeoGeo Online Collection The Best] [Model SLPS-25792]")

Notes: Home versions (except AES version) features Musashi Akatsuki as a hidden character.

CONSOLES:
[JP] SNK Neo-Geo AES (jan.28, 1999; "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiri Yuku Hana [Model NGH-243]")
[US] SNK Neo-Geo AES (jan.28, 1999; "The Last Blade 2 [Model NGH-243]")
[JP] SNK Neo-Geo CD (feb.27, 1999); "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi: Tsuki ni Saku Hana, Chiri Yuku Hana [Model NGCD-243]")
Sega Dreamcast [JP] (dec.21, 2000; "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi [Final Edition] [Model T-3107M]")
[US] Sega Dreamcast (aug.6, 2001; "The Last Blade 2: Heart of the Samurai [Model T-44305M]")
Sega Dreamcast [JP] (may.23, 2002; "Bakumatsu Roman Dai Ni Maku - Gekka no Kenshi [Final Edition] [Model T-47301M]")
[JP] Sony PS2 (jan.12, 2006; "Gekka no Kenshi 1-2 [NeoGeo Online Collection Vol.2] [Model SLPS-25503]")
[JP] Sony PS2 (june.21, 2007; "Gekka no Kenshi 1-2 [NeoGeo Online Collection The Best] [Model SLPS-25792]")

Notes: Home versions (except AES version) features Musashi Akatsuki as a hidden character.