If you were watching Adult Swim back in 2004, you probably remember the red jacket, the jazz, and the sheer coolness of Arsène Lupin III. But most people completely missed the fact that we actually got a proper stealth-action game on the PlayStation 2. Lupin the 3rd Treasure of the Sorcerer King is one of those weird, beautiful relics of the early 2000s. It was the first time the franchise hit North American consoles, and honestly, it’s a miracle it ever made it over here.
Most licensed games from that era were total garbage. This one? It’s complicated. It’s janky, the AI is essentially brain-dead, and the controls feel like you’re trying to pilot a forklift through a library. Yet, for fans of the "gentleman thief," it captures the vibe of the anime better than almost anything else.
What Really Happened With Lupin the 3rd Treasure of the Sorcerer King
Banpresto developed this back in 2002 (though we didn't get it in the States until 2004), and they clearly had a massive love for the source material. The story follows Lupin, Jigen, and Goemon heading to Eastern Europe to swipe a pair of antique pitchers. These aren't just fancy vases; they’re the keys to the legendary treasure of King Randolph II.
The plot feels like a lost TV special. You’ve got the mysterious girl, Teresa Faust, a shady castle curator named Theodore, and, of course, Inspector Zenigata breathing down your neck.
What’s wild is how much effort went into the presentation. They got the actual English voice cast from the Geneon/Adult Swim dub. Tony Oliver, Richard Epcar, Michelle Ruff—everyone is here. Hearing Lupin’s iconic cackle while you’re trying to sneak past a guard makes the whole experience feel authentic. It’s not just a cheap skin; it’s a playable episode.
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The Gameplay: Metal Gear, But Make It Goofy
The developers clearly looked at Metal Gear Solid and said, "Yeah, let’s do that, but with more saluting." Lupin the 3rd Treasure of the Sorcerer King is a stealth game at its core. You spend most of your time in the third-person perspective, hugging walls and peeking around corners.
But Lupin is a master of disguise. That’s the "hook."
You can knock out a cop, steal his clothes, and just walk through the front door. But here’s the catch: the disguise isn't a "get out of jail free" card. If you act weird, guards get suspicious. You have to use the R1 button to perform context-specific actions. If you’re dressed as a cop, you have to salute. If you’re dressed as a worker, you might have to pretend to be busy.
It’s hilarious until it’s not.
The AI is... well, it’s something. A guard will see you, get a giant exclamation mark over his head, and if you just salute him, he’ll basically yawn and walk away. It’s incredibly dumb, but in a way that fits the slapstick nature of the Red Jacket era of the show.
Why the Controls Drive People Crazy
Let’s be real: the controls are a mess. Even by 2004 standards, they were "fiddly." To fire a weapon, you have to press a combination of buttons that feels like you're entering a cheat code.
Lupin also has this "Mind State" meter. If you get too close to a guard or stay in disguise for too long, Lupin gets "disrupted." Basically, he gets nervous. You have to find a hiding spot—like a closet or behind a statue—to cool off.
Fun little detail: The Statue Mimic
One of the most "Lupin" things in the game is the ability to hide behind a statue and literally mimic its pose. If there’s a statue of a guy holding a sword, Lupin will stand behind it and strike the exact same pose. It’s the kind of charm that keeps you playing even when the camera is stuck inside a wall.
While you mostly play as Lupin, you do get brief segments as Jigen and Goemon. Jigen’s levels are more about shooting, while Goemon lets you slice through everything with the Zantetsuken. These parts are fun, but they’re short. They’re basically palate cleansers for the heavy stealth puzzles that make up the rest of the 5-to-6-hour campaign.
Is It Worth Playing in 2026?
Honestly? Yes, but with caveats.
If you’re looking for a tight, polished stealth experience like Splinter Cell or Hitman, you will hate this game. It is clunky. The environments—mostly castles, ruins, and a train—look very "PS2" with repetitive textures and grey hallways.
But if you love the franchise, it’s a time capsule. It captures the Yuji Ohno-inspired jazz score perfectly. It nails the camaraderie between the gang.
How to get it running today
Since this was a PS2 exclusive, you’re looking at two options:
- Original Hardware: Track down a physical copy. Prices vary, but it’s becoming a bit of a collector’s item because it was one of only two Lupin games released in the US (the other being Lupin III: Lupin is Dead, Zenigata is in Love, which was renamed Lupin the 3rd: Lupin's Greatest Capers in some regions but mostly stayed in Japan/Europe).
- Emulation: Using something like PCSX2 is the best way to play it now. You can up-res the graphics to 4K, which makes the character models look surprisingly good. Banpresto did a great job on the actual faces of the main cast.
Actionable Insights for the Aspiring Thief
If you’re going to dive into Lupin the 3rd Treasure of the Sorcerer King, keep these tips in mind so you don't throw your controller across the room:
- Don't Shoot First: Combat is the weakest part of the game. Aiming is terrible. Only use your gun as a last resort. Stealth is always faster, even with the janky AI.
- The Salute is Your Friend: When in disguise, spam that R1 button. It resets the suspicion meter of almost any grunt.
- Check the Bathrooms: Almost every major disguise or key item is hidden in a locker or a bathroom. It’s a weird design choice, but it’s consistent.
- Pickpocket Everyone: You can pickpocket guards while in disguise. This is how you get BGM cards and collectibles for the post-game gallery.
- Watch the Mind Meter: If it starts flashing red, find a closet immediately. Once you're "exposed," the guards won't stop chasing you until you leave the room or hide.
This game isn't a masterpiece of design. It’s a love letter to a very specific era of anime. It represents a time when mid-tier licensed games could be weird, experimental, and incredibly niche. It’s short, it’s flawed, and it’s arguably the most "authentic" Lupin experience ever put on a disc.
If you can handle a little 2004-era jank, the treasure is worth the hunt.
Next Steps for Players:
If you want to experience the story without the frustration, look for a "No Damage" playthrough on YouTube to see the cutscenes. Otherwise, set up a PS2 emulator, grab a ISO of the North American release, and make sure to enable "Wide Screen" patches to fix the 4:3 aspect ratio. Check out the fan-made guides on GameFAQs if you get stuck on the train level—the keypad codes are randomized in some versions, so you'll need to find the "Note with Scribbles" in the guard's pocket.