PlayStation · Role-Playing Game

Suikoden II

幻想水滸伝II

Japan: December 17, 1998 · Dev: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo · Music: Miki Higashino

About this game

Released in 1998, Suikoden II is the most beloved entry in the Suikoden series and is regularly cited among the greatest JRPGs ever made. Its story — a deeply personal tale of betrayal between childhood friends set against a wider war — achieved emotional depth rarely matched in the genre. The game's 108 recruitable characters, dual-scale combat (personal and army battles), and Miki Higashino's melancholic score made it an enduring classic. Its rarity in North America made physical copies legendary among collectors.

Key Features

108 recruitable characters each with their own backstory, individual battles and large-scale army warfare, town-building as the hero's base grows, cooking battles, duels, and a branching ending based on key decisions. The game can be completed in about 30 hours but offers enormous depth for completionists.

The Story Behind

Suikoden II was overshadowed on release by Final Fantasy VIII, which launched around the same time in North America. Low print runs left it scarce on shelves, and its price on the secondary market climbed steadily over decades. By the 2010s, sealed copies regularly sold for hundreds of dollars — until a digital re-release made the game accessible again.

Tricks & Tales

Suikoden II features a cameo from the protagonist of the original Suikoden — players who carry a clear save from Suikoden 1 can recruit him as a party member. The game's rarity in North America made it a benchmark for 'rare PlayStation game' conversations for many years.

Collector's Guide

Rarity rare
Japan Release December 17, 1998

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Hand-cleaned and tested units shipped worldwide from Toyohashi, Japan. HP direct purchase exclusive: we include a printed shop owner's note card with every order.

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