View source for Dynasty Warriors

{{Short description|Video game series}}
{{Distinguish|Dynasty Wars}}
{{For|the overarching Warriors series, including spin-offs using third-party licenses|Omega Force#Warriors games}}
{{about|the video game series|the first game in the series|Dynasty Warriors (1997 video game)|the PSP game|Dynasty Warriors (2004 video game)|the movie|Dynasty Warriors (film)}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Dynasty Warriors
| image = [[File:Dynasty Warriors logo.png|frameless|''Dynasty Warriors'' logo]]<br /><div style="margin-top:5px">[[File:Shin Sangokumusou Logo.png|frameless|The original Japanese logo, {{nihongo|''Shin Sangokumusō''|真・三國無双||''True Three Kingdoms Unrivaled''}}]]</div>
| caption = Original international logo (''above'') and original Japanese logo (''below'')
| genre = [[Hack and slash]]<br>[[fighting game|Fighting]]<br>[[Action role-playing game|Action role-playing]]<br>[[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]]<br>[[Real-time strategy]]
| developer = [[Omega Force]]
| publisher = [[Koei]] (1997–2010)<br>[[Koei Tecmo]] (2010–present)
| platforms = [[Game Boy Advance]]<br>[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]<br>[[PlayStation 2]]<br>[[PlayStation 3]]<br>[[PlayStation 4]]<br>[[PlayStation 5]]<br>[[PlayStation Portable]]<br>[[PlayStation Vita]]<br>[[Nintendo DS]]<br>[[Nintendo 3DS]]<br>[[GameCube]]<br>[[Wii]]<br>[[Wii U]]<br>[[Nintendo Switch]]<br>[[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]<br>[[Xbox 360]]<br>[[Xbox One]]<br>[[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]<br>[[Windows]]<br>[[iOS]]<br>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]
| first release version = ''[[Dynasty Warriors (1997 video game)|Dynasty Warriors]]''
| first release date = February 28, 1997
|latest release version= ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Origins]]''
| latest release date = January 17, 2025
| parent = ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| c = 真·三國無雙
| s = 真·三国无双
| kyujitai = 眞・三國無雙
| hiragana = しん・さんごくむそう
| romaji = Shin Sangokumusō
| p = Zhēn Sānguówúshuāng
| bpmf = ㄓㄣ · ㄙㄢ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄨˊ ㄕㄨㄤ
| w = Chen<sup>1</sup> San<sup>1</sup>-kuo<sup>2</sup>-wu<sup>2</sup>-shuang<sup>1</sup>
| kanji = 真・三國無双
| shinjitai = 真・三国無双
| nihon = Sin Sankokumusô
}}

{{Nihongo|'''''Dynasty Warriors'''''|真・三國無双|Shin Sangokumusō|{{lit}} "True Three Kingdoms Unrivaled"}} is a series of Japanese [[hack and slash]] [[action game|action]] video games created by [[Omega Force]] and [[Koei]] (now [[Koei Tecmo]]). The series is a spin-off of Koei's turn-based strategy ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]'' series, based upon the [[Romance of the Three Kingdoms|Chinese novel of the same name]], which is a romanticised retelling of the Chinese [[Three Kingdoms]] period.

The first game in the series, titled ''[[Dynasty Warriors (1997 video game)|Dynasty Warriors]]'' in English and ''Sangokumusō'' in Japanese, was a [[fighting game]], a separate genre from the rest of the games in the series. Koei later created a new game as a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] and added the word {{Nihongo|''shin''|真||true, genuine}} to the beginning of the title to differentiate it from its predecessor. When the game was [[Video game localization|localized]] for the North American market, the name became ''Dynasty Warriors 2''. Since then, all English titles have been numbered one larger than their Japanese counterparts. Because the original ''Dynasty Warriors'' game belongs to a separate genre and has a different series title in Japan, [[Koei Tecmo]] does not consider it a formal entry in the ''Dynasty Warriors'' series.{{refn|In 2009, Koei merged with the company [[Tecmo]], creating Koei Tecmo.|group=Note}} This is evidenced by Koei-Tecmo's celebration of the series' 20th anniversary in 2020, two decades after the release of ''[[Dynasty Warriors 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2020/02/dynasty-warriors-series-20th-anniversary-website-opened-new-project-teased-for-2020|title=Dynasty Warriors series 20th anniversary website opened; new project teased for 2020|work=Gematsu|date=February 20, 2020|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=March 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200311200956/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/02/dynasty-warriors-series-20th-anniversary-website-opened-new-project-teased-for-2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, it was Koei's most successful franchise,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/interview-defending-dynasty-warriors|title=INTERVIEW: Defending Dynasty Warriors|author=Edge staff|work=Edge Online|access-date=2009-04-29|date=February 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403105716/http://www.edge-online.com/features/interview-defending-dynasty-warriors/|archive-date=April 3, 2013}}</ref> and as of 2025, the series has sold more than 24 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=DYNASTY WARRIORS 25th Anniversary Website |url=https://www.koeitecmoamerica.com/smusou25th/us/ |access-date=2025-11-02 |website=DYNASTY WARRIORS 25th Anniversary Website |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Main series==
{{Unreferenced section|find=search keyword(s)|date=July 2023}}
{{VG timeline
| summary=
| 1997 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors (1997 video game)|Dynasty Warriors]]''
| 2000 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 2]]''
| 2001 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]''
| 2003 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4]]''
| 2005 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5]]''
| 2007 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 6]]''
| 2011 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 7]]''
| 2013 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 8]]''
| 2018 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors 9]]''
| 2025 = ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Origins]]''
}}
The first ''[[Dynasty Warriors (1997 video game)|Dynasty Warriors]]'' (''Sangokumusō'') is a traditional one-on-one [[fighting game]], released in 1997 for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]. Its gameplay style is reminiscent of ''[[Samurai Shodown (1993 video game)|Samurai Shodown]]'', ''[[The Last Blade]]'', ''[[Virtua Fighter]]'' and ''[[Soul Blade]]''.

The next game was released in Japan as ''Shin Sangokumusou''. This game was released in other countries as ''[[Dynasty Warriors 2]]'', leading to the discrepancy in title numbers. From this game onwards, the player chooses a [[playable character]] and plays a number of levels representing particular battles in the [[Three Kingdoms]] period, eventually defeating all other rival kingdoms and uniting China under a common ruler. In this game mode, known as "Musou Mode", the generals are usually chosen from one of the three kingdoms ([[Eastern Wu|Wu]], [[Shu Han|Shu]] or [[Cao Wei|Wei]]; however, from ''Dynasty Warriors 3: Xtreme Legends'' onwards, independent generals were given full stories as well). ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]'' has two secret characters, [[Nüwa|Nü Wa]] and [[Fu Xi]], that are not playable in Musou Mode.

''[[Dynasty Warriors 2]]'', ''[[Dynasty Warriors 3]]'', ''[[Dynasty Warriors 5]]'' and ''[[Dynasty Warriors 6]]'' have individual Musou Modes for each character. In ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4]]'', ''[[Dynasty Warriors 7]]'', and ''[[Dynasty Warriors 8]]'', each of the Three Kingdoms has its own Musou Mode, which all characters from a particular kingdom would play. The stages are presented in a [[Third-person shooter|third-person]] view, with the camera set behind the player as they engage the enemy forces. Each scenario can have different win/lose conditions, but the common losing conditions (defeat of the [[commander-in-chief]], health bar reaching zero and maximum time limit reached) still hold. As for the other characters not from either of the Three Kingdoms, their Musou story modes are purely fictional since in ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'', most or all of them were eliminated until only the Three Kingdoms were left.

In ''Dynasty Warriors 5'', a relatively more realistic Musou Mode is introduced for each character. Instead of participating in the entire set of their kingdoms' events, the characters appear only in certain battles that they had fought in, as according to the novel or factual history. Therefore, characters will start at different points in time and they may never have opportunities to encounter some of the other characters (e.g. [[Zhuge Liang]] will never meet [[Lü Bu]] or [[Dong Zhuo]] in his Musou Mode). In between stages there are some dramatic cutscenes, in which the character will express their thoughts on the situation, adding a more personal touch and keeping the player updated on the events. Besides, a character's Musou Mode may end before the unification of China at any point of time, stopping for most at their historical point of death. However, some characters such as the three founders ([[Liu Bei]], [[Cao Cao]], and [[Sun Jian]]) may continue to participate in battles that occurred after their deaths (e.g. Cao Cao appearing at the [[Battle of Wuzhang Plains]]), representing an extended leadership under more successful circumstances.

In ''Dynasty Warriors 8'', an "if" route is added for each country. By fulfilling conditions in previous battles, the player can unlock a hypothetical route for each country where it manages to achieve what it failed to do in actual history. For example, the player can help Wei avoid defeat in the battle of Chibi and unite China with all Wei characters alive.

''Dynasty Warriors 9'' sought to introduce an "open world" style of gameplay.

==''Xtreme Legends'' and ''Empires''==
{{Unreferenced section|find=search keyword(s)|date=July 2023}}
In 2002, an {{Nihongo|''Xtreme Legends''|猛将伝|Mōshōden}} expansion was first released for the main games, beginning with ''Dynasty Warriors 3''. This expansion features new Musou Modes for the characters in the ''Other'' category as well as new stages, weapons, items, and modes. The ''Xtreme Legends'' expansion only have the new content, and so players would require the original game disc and use the "Mixjoy" option to access all features. The following games would continue the tradition by having ''Xtreme Legends'' expansion, save for ''Dynasty Warriors 6''. New characters were also added through the ''Xtreme Legends'' starting with ''Dynasty Warriors 7''.

Beginning in 2004, another expansion line, titled ''Empires'' was first released for ''Dynasty Warriors 4''. In ''Empires'', the game would combine the action gameplay of the regular series with strategical and tactical elements from Koei's earlier series ''[[Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)|Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]''. Unlike the ''Xtreme Legends'', ''Empires'' did not require the original game disc to access all of its features as it is considered a unique game of its own. Again, the following games would continue having the ''Empires'' expansion, including ''Dynasty Warriors 6'', which did not receive an ''Xtreme Legends'' expansion.

==Portable games==
In 2004, [[Koei]] created the first ''Dynasty Warriors'' title for portable game handhelds, ''[[Dynasty Warriors (2004 video game)|Dynasty Warriors]]'', on [[PlayStation Portable]], and in the following year, ''[[Dynasty Warriors Advance]]'' for [[Game Boy Advance]]. The sequel of the first PSP game, ''[[Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2]]'' was released in 2006. In 2007, Koei released ''[[Dynasty Warriors DS: Fighter's Battle]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]]. Another PSP game based on ''Dynasty Warriors 6'', ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce]]'' was released in 2009, which was followed up by a sequel, ''Shin Sangokumusō: Multi Raid 2'' in 2010. A [[PlayStation Vita]] game, ''[[Dynasty Warriors Next]]'', was released in 2011 as a launch title, and a [[Nintendo 3DS]] game, ''Shin Sangokumusō VS'' (真・三國無双 VS), was released in April 2012. Another portable game was announced in September 2020 for iOS and Android, titled ''Shin Sangokumusō'' (真・三國無双).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Koei Tecmo Reveals Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires Game, Dynasty Warriors Smartphone Game|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-27/koei-tecmo-reveals-dynasty-warriors-9-empires-game-dynasty-warriors-smartphone-game/.164532|access-date=2020-09-29|website=Anime News Network|language=en|archive-date=2020-09-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929111833/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-09-27/koei-tecmo-reveals-dynasty-warriors-9-empires-game-dynasty-warriors-smartphone-game/.164532|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other than titles specifically made for handhelds, select main ''Dynasty Warriors'' titles have also been ported to handhelds, all of which are only available in Japan. The PS2 version of ''[[Dynasty Warriors 6]]'', ''Dynasty Warriors 6: Special'' was also ported to the PSP, which was soon followed by the ''Empires'' expansion in 2010. A port of ''[[Dynasty Warriors 7]]'', ''Shin Sangokumusou 6: Special'' was released in 2011 for PSP, based on the ''Xtreme Legends'' expansion but without including the three new characters added for the expansion. A PS Vita port of ''[[Dynasty Warriors 8]]'' was released in 2013, which includes features from the ''Xtreme Legends'' expansion for that game.  Later, in 2015, the ''Empires'' expansion of ''[[Dynasty Warriors 8]]'' was also released on the PS Vita, notably also compatible with the PlayStation TV.

==PC games==
''[[Dynasty Warriors 4#Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper|Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper]]'' in 2005 is marked as the first ''DW'' game for the PC. Hyper was a port of ''Dynasty Warriors 4'' for the PS2, and had harder AI, more enemies on screen and smoother textures.

In 2006, ''[[Dynasty Warriors Online|Dynasty Warriors BB]]'' (renamed ''Dynasty Warriors Online'' in 2007) was released as an [[online game]]. As of January 10, 2014 Aeria Games shut down the servers for Dynasty Warriors Online in America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/12/11/dynasty-warriors-online-shutting-down-in-north-america/|website=Engadget|title=Dynasty Warriors Online shutting down in North America|date=11 December 2013 |access-date=2017-08-26|archive-date=2017-08-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805060748/https://www.engadget.com/2013/12/11/dynasty-warriors-online-shutting-down-in-north-america/|url-status=live}}</ref> Next to ''[[Dynasty Warriors 4#Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper|Dynasty Warriors 4: Hyper]]'', ''Dynasty Warriors 5 Special'' was released for PC in 2006, ''Dynasty Warriors 6'' was released for PC in 2008. Also ''[[Samurai Warriors 2]]'' released in 2009. The PC port of ''Dynasty Warriors 7 with Extreme Legends'' was released on March 9, 2012.

* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 7|Dynasty Warriors 7: Xtreme Legends - Definitive Edition]]'' released on December 6, 2018.
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 8|Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends - Complete Edition]]'' released on May 13, 2014.
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 8]]: Empires'' released on  February 27, 2015.
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 9]]'' released on  February 13, 2018.
* ''[[Dynasty Warriors 9]]: Empires'' was announced on September 27, 2020, and was released in Japan in December 2021 and the rest of the world in February 2022.<ref name="DW 9 JP Release Date">{{cite web | last=Romano | first=Sal | title=Dynasty Warriors 9 Empires launches December 23 in Japan | work=Gematsu | date=October 2, 2021 | access-date=October 3, 2021 | url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/dynasty-warriors-9-empires-launches-december-23-in-japan | archive-date=October 3, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211003002620/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/10/dynasty-warriors-9-empires-launches-december-23-in-japan | url-status=live }}</ref>

==Characters==
The ''Dynasty Warriors'' game series, although referenced to factual people, is known for changing the traditional ways of how some of the historical characters were depicted in ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms'' or in historical records. For example, [[Zhang He]] appears to be more feminine while [[Wei Yan]] becomes a bestial tribal warrior, while historical accounts depict both to be relatively normal generals with no outstanding characteristics such as these. Some of them also wield weapons that are [[Anachronism|anachronistic]], such as [[Ling Tong]]'s [[nunchaku]] and [[Sun Ce]]'s [[tonfas]]. A touch of mysticism is also added, as some characters such as [[Zhuge Liang]], [[Sima Yi]] and [[Zuo Ci]] have the ability to use magic in their attacks. Female characters (except [[Lady Zhurong|Zhurong]] and [[Wang Yi (wife of Zhao Ang)|Wang Yi]]) who did not participate in any battles in the novel or in history are depicted as fearsome [[Women warriors in literature and culture|female warriors]] with exceptional fighting skills and weapons.

A total of 96 characters have been made playable at some point in the series (not counting spin-offs); however, only 94 currently make mainstay appearances as of ''Dynasty Warriors 9''. Each of these characters is armed with a weapon that may be a conventional historical one, an exotic martial arts weapon or a magical weapon that enhances their mystical powers. From ''Dynasty Warriors 3'' onward, each character can choose from a range of weapons with their own power-ups and ability enhancements, as well as higher-level weapons that extend their attack chain.

==Spin-offs and licensed games==
{{Main article|Omega Force#Warriors games}}

Following the success of ''Dynasty Warriors'', Koei released ''[[Dynasty Tactics]]'' in 2002 and its sequel, ''[[Dynasty Tactics 2]]'' in the following year, focusing on strategy and tactics in the same Three Kingdoms setting.

Probably the third most recognized franchise of Koei, ''[[Samurai Warriors]]'' (''Sengoku Musou'' in Japan), was introduced in 2004. Instead of the Three Kingdoms era, the series uses Japan's [[Sengoku period]]. As a result, the game's roster consists of characters from that era, while having gameplay similar to that of Dynasty Warriors. The game would be followed by ''[[Samurai Warriors 2]]'' in 2006, ''[[Samurai Warriors 3]]'' in 2009, ''[[Samurai Warriors 4]]'' in 2014, and ''[[Samurai Warriors 5]]'' in 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skgIyOdyzaE/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/skgIyOdyzaE| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=SAMURAI WARRIORS 5 - Announcement Trailer|website=[[YouTube]]|date=February 17, 2021|access-date=February 18, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> as well as numerous other spin-off titles. As with the original series, ''Samurai Warriors'' also has the ''Xtreme Legends'' and ''Empires'' expansions, with the former beginning on the first game and the latter on the second game.

A [[tactical role-playing game]], ''Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers'' was announced on April 5, 2016, with a Japanese release date in 2016 for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita. It will be the series' first strategy RPG, featuring a turn-based system and a world map. The game will also completely deviate from history by introducing a completely new story line involving fictitious mystical elements, with Zhao Yun as the main protagonist.

Other related titles include:
*''Dynasty Warriors Mahjong'' (''Jan Sangoku Musou'' in Japan), which is completely different from the rest of the series, as it has the same characters play the game of [[mahjong]], rather than having the gameplay of the original games.
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam]]'' (''Gundam Musou'' in Japan) was released in 2007, combining the popular ''[[Gundam]]'' franchise with ''Dynasty Warriors'' gameplay. The game would be followed by three more sequels: ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 2]]'' released in 2008, ''[[Dynasty Warriors: Gundam 3]]'' in 2010, and ''{{vanchor|Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn}}'' in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=Namco Bandai Games Announces Dynasty Warriors: Gundam Reborn for America|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-25/namco-bandai-games-announces-dynasty-warriors/gundam-reborn|publisher=Anime News Network|date=25 February 2014|access-date=27 February 2020|archive-date=27 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227184733/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-02-25/namco-bandai-games-announces-dynasty-warriors/gundam-reborn|url-status=live}}</ref> which also serves as a remake of the entire series.
*''[[Warriors Orochi]]'' (''Musou Orochi'' in Japan), released in 2007 crosses the ''Dynasty Warriors'' and ''Samurai Warriors'' series to create a fictional crossover. The game introduces the three-man team and have a modified gameplay from both series. The game was followed by a direct sequel ''[[Warriors Orochi 2]]'' (called ''Musou Orochi: Mao Sairin'' in Japan) which reuses the same gameplay of the original game with the focus on adding new stories. A compilation of the two games, ''[[Musou Orochi Z]]'' was released in 2009, thus far has not been brought overseas. The third game, ''[[Warriors Orochi 3]]'', was released in 2011. The game had a different engine and gameplay than the first two games, and noticeably titled ''Musou Orochi 2'' in Japan (as the second game is considered as an expansion to the first game). The third game would have several ports and updates that would expand on the content, including a port for PlayStation Portable and Wii U in 2012, and an ''Ultimate'' update in 2013, which was re-released as a definitive edition including all downloadable content for the game in July 12, 2022 for Microsoft Windows. A fourth game titled ''[[Warriors Orochi 4]]'' (released in Japan as ''Musou Orochi 3'') was released September 27, 2018.
*''[[Bladestorm: The Hundred Years' War]]'', a historical real-time tactics spinoff, released in 2007. The game is loosely based on the [[Hundred Years' War]] between the Kingdoms of England and France in the 14th and 15th centuries.
*''[[Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage]]'' (''Hokuto Musou'' in Japan), a spin-off based on the manga and anime series ''[[Fist of the North Star]]'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=[[Weekly Famitsu]]|magazine=[[Weekly Famitsu]]|date=October 15, 2009|language=ja}}</ref> was released in 2010. It is the first game in the ''Warriors'' series to receive an M rating by the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]], due to its faithful depiction of the manga's highly graphic and violent fight scenes. It was followed by a sequel, ''[[Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage 2]]'' (''Shin Hokuto Musou'' in Japan) in 2012, which other than featuring a continuation of the first game's story with revamped gameplay, also serves as a remake of the first game. The sequel was made to celebrate the manga series' 30th anniversary.
*''[[Warriors: Legends of Troy]]'' (''Troy Musou'' in Japan), the second game in the ''Warriors'' series to receive an M rating by the [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]], released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in 2011.
*''[[One Piece: Pirate Warriors]]'' (''One Piece Kaizoku Musou'' in Japan), a game inspired by the anime and manga series ''[[One Piece]]'' was released in 2012 for PlayStation 3. The game was followed by three sequels, ''[[One Piece: Pirate Warriors 2]]'', released the following year in 2013, which features an original story instead of a continuation of the series' canon, ''[[One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3]]'', released in 2015 for the [[PlayStation 4]] and [[PlayStation Vita]] in addition to the PS3 and PC and ''[[One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4]]'' released for the PlayStation 4, [[Xbox One]], [[Nintendo Switch]] and PC on March 27, 2020.
*''[[Hyrule Warriors]]'' (''Zelda Musou'' in Japan), a game inspired by ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' video game franchise owned by [[Nintendo]]. The game was originally released in 2014 exclusively for the [[Wii U]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Makuch|first=Eddie|title=Zelda and Dynasty Warriors come together for "Hyrule Warriors" on Wii U in 2014|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zelda-and-dynasty-warriors-come-together-for-hyrule-warriors-on-wii-u-in-2014/1100-6416784/|publisher=GameSpot|access-date=2013-12-18|archive-date=2013-12-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220042935/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/zelda-and-dynasty-warriors-come-together-for-hyrule-warriors-on-wii-u-in-2014/1100-6416784/|url-status=live}}</ref> An enhanced port for Nintendo 3DS featuring additional characters and story content, ''Hyrule Warriors Legends'', was released in 2016, with the additional characters and future [[downloadable content]] also releasing on the Wii U version.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Good|first1=Owen S.|title=Hyrule Warriors Legends comes to 3DS in early 2016|url=http://www.polygon.com/e3-2015/2015/6/16/8789507/hyrule-warriors-legends-3ds-launch-date|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=June 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617013613/http://www.polygon.com/e3-2015/2015/6/16/8789507/hyrule-warriors-legends-3ds-launch-date|archive-date=June 17, 2015 |url-status=live|date=June 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Good|first1=Owen S.|title=Marin from Link's Awakening coming to Hyrule Warriors Legends as DLC|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/27/11312558/hyrule-warriors-legends-dlc-marin-links-awakening|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|access-date=April 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327154704/http://www.polygon.com/2016/3/27/11312558/hyrule-warriors-legends-dlc-marin-links-awakening|archive-date=March 27, 2016|url-status=live|date=March 27, 2016}}</ref> A third version for the [[Nintendo Switch]], ''Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition'', was announced and released in 2018, with all the features and downloadable content from previous versions of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hyrule-warriors-switch|title=Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition|website=www.nintendo.com|language=en-us|access-date=2019-03-24|archive-date=2018-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324041352/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hyrule-warriors-switch|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*''[[Arslan: The Warriors of Legend]]'' (''Arslan Senki x Musou'' in Japan), a game inspired by ''[[The Heroic Legend of Arslan]]'' fantasy novel series by [[Yoshiki Tanaka]]. It was based on the 2015 anime television adaptation sponsored by Koei Tecmo, which in turn is based on the [[The Heroic Legend of Arslan (manga by Hiromu Arakawa)|2013 manga adaptation]] by [[Hiromu Arakawa]]. It was released on October 1, 2015, for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. An Xbox One version was released as well, but only in Europe and North America. Arslan was released February 10, 2016 for Microsoft Windows.
*''[[Berserk and the Band of the Hawk]]'' (''Berserk Musou'' in Japan), a game inspired by the ''[[Berserk (manga)|Berserk]]'' manga series. It was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita in Japan on October 27, 2016. The game is confirmed for a western release, which was revealed at ''[[Tokyo Game Show]]'' 2016 as February 21, 2017. A European release date for February 24, 2017 was also announced. The PlayStation 3 version will not release outside Japan and a PC version is in development for a simultaneous release with the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita versions on the western markets. It is the fourth ''Warriors'' title to be rated M.
*''[[Warriors All-Stars]]'', a game based similar to the ''[[Warriors Orochi]]'' series featuring characters from various Koei Tecmo franchises such as ''[[Ninja Gaiden]]'', ''[[Dead or Alive (series)|Dead or Alive]]'', ''[[Toukiden: The Age of Demons|Toukiden]]'' and ''[[Atelier (video game series)|Atelier]]''. The game was released in Japan on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita on March 30, 2017; an English release was released on August 29, 2017.
*''[[Dynasty Warriors: Godseekers]]'', is a tactical game with new and old characters, that was released on February 1, 2017.
*''[[Fire Emblem Warriors]]'' (''Fire Emblem Musou'' in Japan), a crossover between the ''Warriors'' franchise and Nintendo's ''[[Fire Emblem]]'' series of tactical role-playing games, was released for the Nintendo Switch and [[New Nintendo 3DS]] on September 27, 2017.
*''[[Persona 5 Strikers]]'' (''Persona 5 Scramble: The Phantom Strikers'' in Japan), a crossover between the series and [[Atlus]]'s 2016 role-playing game ''[[Persona 5]]'', takes place six months after the events of the original game. It was released in Japan for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch on February 20, 2020, with a worldwide release on February 23, 2021. It is the fifth M-rated ''Warriors'' title.
*''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]'' (''Zelda Musou: Calamity Apocalypse'' in Japan), a successor to ''Hyrule Warriors'' and an alternate-universe prequel to the events of the 2017 game ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]'', was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on November 20, 2020. Within its first four days, the game shipped over 3 million copies worldwide, making it the single best-selling game in the entire ''Warriors'' franchise.
*''[[Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes]]'', a successor to ''Fire Emblem Warriors'', was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch on June 24, 2022. The game features an alternate story set in the universe of the 2019 game ''[[Fire Emblem: Three Houses]]'' and is likewise split amongst three different routes, each with their own unique playable characters, scenarios, and outcomes.
*''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment]]'' (''Zelda Musou: Chronicle of the Sealing War'' in Japan), the third ''Hyrule Warriors'' game and a prequel to the events of the 2023 game ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]]'', was released on November 6, 2025 for the [[Nintendo Switch 2]].

==Future==
{{Update section|date=June 2024|reason=The "future" section mentions events between 2018 and 2021}}
In January 2018, the president of Koei Tecmo, Hisashi Koinuma, said that he wanted to make a Dynasty Warriors spin-off using characters and settings from the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise from [[Lucasfilm]] after they managed to be successful with ''[[Nioh]]'' and ''[[Fire Emblem Warriors]]''. Koinuma chose ''Star Wars'' to be able to make a [[Science fiction]] Warriors series. However, as [[Electronic Arts]] owns the game rights to the ''Star Wars'' franchise, it would be a difficult collaboration to achieve, and is more of a future goal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/koei-tecmo-still-wants-a-star-wars-dynasty-warrior/1100-6456255/|title=Koei Tecmo Still Wants a Star Wars Dynasty Warriors Game to Happen|access-date=2018-02-03|archive-date=2018-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203124345/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/koei-tecmo-still-wants-a-star-wars-dynasty-warrior/1100-6456255/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://gamerant.com/dynasty-warriors-studio-wants-to-make-a-star-wars-version-104/|title = Dynasty Warriors Studio Wants to Make a Star Wars Version|date = 29 January 2018|access-date = 3 February 2018|archive-date = 3 February 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180203124605/https://gamerant.com/dynasty-warriors-studio-wants-to-make-a-star-wars-version-104/|url-status = live}}</ref> As of 2021, EA have lost the exclusivity rights in developing ''Star Wars'' games and in the development of their other projects such as ''Samurai Warriors 5'', Koinuma reiterated that both ''Super Mario'' and ''Star Wars'' in a ''Dynasty Warriors'' format are projects he personally wanted to do it in the future.

==Film adaptation==
{{mainarticle|Dynasty Warriors (film)}}

On 15 March 2016, Suzuki Akihiro and the Hong Kong-based company HMV Digital China announced at the 20th Hong Kong International Film and TV Market that they will be making a live-action film adaptation of ''Dynasty Warriors''. The film will be directed by Roy Chow, produced and written by Christine To, and to be released in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://unwire.hk/2016/03/15/musou_movie_launched/game-channel/|title="Dynasty Warriors" to be made into a movie directed by Roy Chow, written by Christine To and released in 2017|language=zh|publisher=unwire.hk|date=2016-03-15|access-date=2017-09-28|archive-date=2020-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202115037/https://unwire.hk/2016/03/15/musou_movie_launched/game-channel/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Romano|first1=Sal|title=Dynasty Warriors live-action movie in production|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/03/dynasty-warriors-live-action-movie-production|website=Gematsu|date=15 March 2016|access-date=2016-03-16|archive-date=2021-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316000718/https://www.gematsu.com/2016/03/dynasty-warriors-live-action-movie-production|url-status=live}}</ref> On 8 July 2017, HMV Digital China's executive chairman Stephen Shiu Jr. revealed on his [[Microblogging in China|weibo]] that the film will start shooting on 11 July. He also revealed that he had approached Koei Tecmo four years ago and secured the rights to adapt the ''Dynasty Warriors'' franchise into a movie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamers.com.tw/news/detail/32584/dynasty-warriors-live-action-film-start-shooting|title=Everything is set; "Dynasty Warriors" live adaptation will start shooting on 11 July|language=zh|publisher=4Gamers|date=2017-07-09|access-date=2017-09-28|archive-date=2020-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727151204/https://www.4gamers.com.tw/news/detail/32584/dynasty-warriors-live-action-film-start-shooting|url-status=live}}</ref> On 11 July, Shiu announced that [[Han Geng]], [[Wang Kai (actor)|Wang Kai]], [[Louis Koo]], [[Tony Yang]] and [[Gulnazar]] are part of the main cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sina.com.hk/news/article/20170711/0/5/2/%E7%9C%9F%E4%BA%BA%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1-%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E7%84%A1%E9%9B%99-%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%E9%99%A3%E5%AE%B9-%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E9%A3%BE%E6%BC%94%E5%91%82%E5%B8%83-7668204.html|title=Cast of "Dynasty Warriors" movie: Louis Koo to portray Lü Bu|language=zh|publisher=sina.com (Hong Kong)|date=2017-07-11|access-date=2017-09-28|archive-date=2020-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727170721/https://sina.com.hk/news/article/20170711/0/5/2/%E7%9C%9F%E4%BA%BA%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1-%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E7%84%A1%E9%9B%99-%E6%BC%94%E5%93%A1%E9%99%A3%E5%AE%B9-%E5%8F%A4%E5%A4%A9%E6%A8%82%E9%A3%BE%E6%BC%94%E5%91%82%E5%B8%83-7668204.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 28 September 2017, director Roy Chow announced that after 63 days of filming in mainland China, the team will be moving to New Zealand in November 2017 to shoot the background scenes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sina.com.hk/news/article/20170927/5/48/2/%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E7%84%A1%E9%9B%99-%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%85%AC%E4%BD%88%E6%9C%80%E6%96%B0%E7%89%87%E5%A0%B4%E7%85%A7-%E5%A0%B4%E6%99%AF%E5%B0%87%E5%8F%96%E6%99%AF%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E8%98%AD-7963366.html|title=Stills from "Dynasty Warriors" movie revealed; background scenes to be shot in New Zealand|language=zh|publisher=sina.com (Hong Kong)|date=2017-09-28|access-date=2017-09-28|archive-date=2020-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727151212/https://sina.com.hk/news/article/20170927/5/48/2/%E7%9C%9F%E4%B8%89%E5%9C%8B%E7%84%A1%E9%9B%99-%E9%9B%BB%E5%BD%B1%E5%85%AC%E4%BD%88%E6%9C%80%E6%96%B0%E7%89%87%E5%A0%B4%E7%85%A7-%E5%A0%B4%E6%99%AF%E5%B0%87%E5%8F%96%E6%99%AF%E6%96%B0%E8%A5%BF%E8%98%AD-7963366.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Shooting for ''Dynasty Warriors'' wrapped up on 28 November 2017. The pre-production phase took eight months, the [[principal photography]] phase lasted five months, and the post-production phase was expected to take up to a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hkfilmblog.com/archives/58626|title=Roy Chow announces that "Dynasty Warriors" movie has wrapped up shooting in New Zealand|language=zh|publisher=hkfilmblog|date=2017-11-28|access-date=2017-11-30|archive-date=2021-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316004238/https://www.hkfilmblog.com/archives/58626|url-status=live}}</ref> A trailer for the film was released in 2018, stating a release was planned for 2019.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Romano|first1=Sal|title=Dynasty Warriors live-action movie in production|url=http://gematsu.com/2016/03/dynasty-warriors-live-action-movie-production|website=Gematsu|date=15 March 2016|access-date=16 March 2016|archive-date=16 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316000718/https://www.gematsu.com/2016/03/dynasty-warriors-live-action-movie-production|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on April 29, 2021, in Hong Kong, and in China on April 30, 2021. The film was made available via Netflix in the UK in June 2021 and other regions in July 2021.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Dynasty Warriors movie looks predictably bonkers |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-dynasty-warriors-movie-looks-predictably-bonkers/ |magazine=PC Gamer |first=Jonathan |last=Bolding |access-date=28 March 2021 |date=9 March 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413135705/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-dynasty-warriors-movie-looks-predictably-bonkers/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Stages==
Many of the stages are recreations of notable battles in the late [[Han dynasty]] and Three Kingdoms periods, that are usually depicted in ''Romance of the Three Kingdoms''. There are also some original creations in the newer installments that are also historical, such as the battle between the [[Nanman]] and [[Eastern Wu|Wu]].

==Music==
{{Unreferenced section|find=search keyword(s)|date=July 2023}}

The music for the ''Dynasty Warriors'' game series is a mixture of [[Guoyue|traditional Chinese instrumentals]], [[hard rock]] and [[heavy metal music|heavy metal]]. Most stages have their own exclusive music tracks played and the tracks change according to the battle situation or events. In licensed titles, the music falls between mixing metal instrumentalisation with compositions from the source material along with original songs made in the same vein as those from the licensed IP. There are notable cases where compositions deviate completely from the hard rock roots of most Dynasty Warriors titles and simply intensify the original musical style from the IP, an example is ''[[Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity]]'', which forewent the heavy metal remixes that ''[[Hyrule Warriors]]'' used, and instead reprised the more subdued compositions from ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild]]'' with stronger, and more bombastic orchestral tracks.

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=Note}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote-inline}}
*[http://koei.com/ Official website of Koei]

{{Musou series|state=expanded}}
{{Romance of the Three Kingdoms series}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Dynasty Warriors]]
[[Category:Koei Tecmo franchises]]
[[Category:Hack and slash games]]
[[Category:Hack and slash games by series]]
[[Category:Multiplayer online games]]
[[Category:Action role-playing video games by series]]
[[Category:Fighting games]]
[[Category:Wuxia video games]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Warriors (video game series)]]
[[Category:Romance of the Three Kingdoms (video game series)]]
[[Category:Video games based on Romance of the Three Kingdoms]]
[[Category:Video games adapted into films]]