History Main / PsychoSoldier

[[redirect:VideoGame/PsychoSoldier]]

Psycho Soldier (サイコソルジャー, Saiko Sorujā) is an action arcade game developed by Japanese software company {{SNK}} that was originally released in 1986 and internationally in 1987. It is a [[SpiritualSuccessor spiritual sequel]] to the ''Athena'' game released a year earlier. ''Psycho Soldier'' stars Athena Asamiya, a descendant of Princess Athena, and is noteworthy for being the first video game with a vocal in-game soundtrack.

Psycho Soldier is noteworthy for being the first video game to utilize a vocal track during in-game play, with vocals provided by Japanese pop idol Kaori Shimizu (not to be confused with [[KaoriShimizu the seiyuu]] [[NamesTheSame with the same name]]). This was achieved by creating a JAMMA board that was much larger than usual, and consists of three PCB boards hardwired together and sandwiched on top of each other inside the game cabinet. Her song made Athena one of the earliest video game idols in Japan. Both the Japanese and English-language versions of the game have different vocals for the main song.

The Japanese version of the song was released as a single in 1987 on a special cassette that was available only to those who purchased the Nintendo Famicom version of Athena in Japanese retail stores. The cassette also included a special vocal version of the ending theme.

Not to be confused with SociopathicSoldier.

!!''Psycho Solider'' has examples of:
* ActionGirl - Athena
* AmericanKirbyIsHardcore - the European and American covers and flyers fit this trope to a T. Here's the [[http://www.psychosoldier.com/images/psychosoldierspectrum.jpg art]].
* AnimalMotifs - Athena's motif is the phoenix and Kensou's motif is the dragon.
* GratuitousEnglish - The Japanese version of ''Psycho Solider''.
* IdolSinger - Athena
* ImageSong - ''Psycho Soldier''
* {{Joshikousei}} - Athena.
* {{Kawaisa}}
* NotableOriginalMusic - There are two versions of the theme song.
** [[http://www.psychosoldier.com/Psycho%20Soldier%20(1987%20Japanese-language%20version).mp3 The Japanese version]]
** [[http://www.psychosoldier.com/Psycho%20Soldier%20(1987%20English-language%20version).mp3 The English version]]
* PsychicPowers
* SpiritualSuccessor - To Athena.
* YouGottaHaveBlueHair / RoseHairedGirl - Athena has pink hair.
----

* ChinesePeople - Kensou[[hottip:*:Or rather, "Kensu" as he's called in-game.]]

* ChinesePeople - Kensou[hottip:*:Or rather "Kensu" as he's called in-game.]]

* ChinesePeople - Kensou

* {{Moe}} - Athena.

Psycho Soldier (サイコソルジャー, Saiko Sorujā) is an action arcade game developed by Japanese software company {{SNK}} that was originally released in 1986 and internationally in 1987. It is a [[SpiritualSuccessor spiritual sequel]] to the ''Athena'' game released a year earlier. ''Psycho Soldier'' continues the adventures of ''Athena'', and is noteworthy for being the first video game with a vocal in-game soundtrack.

* YouGottaHaveBlueHair - Athena has pink hair.

Psycho Soldier is noteworthy for being the first video game to utilize a vocal track during in-game play, with vocals provided by Japanese pop idol Kaori Shimizu. This was achieved by creating a JAMMA board that was much larger than usual, and consists of three PCB boards hardwired together and sandwiched on top of each other inside the game cabinet. Her song made Athena one of the earliest video game idols in Japan. Both the Japanese and English-language versions of the game have different vocals for the main song.

* EarWorm - Try getting the game's theme off your head after playing it at least once.