REVIEW:  Samurai Shodown! Pocket is essentially a "pocket sized" version of Samurai Shodown 4. Much like the rest of the fighting games on the Neo Geo Pocket, the characters are drawn in super-deformed chibi style (big heads and tiny bodies). This title was also one of the first games for the Neo Geo Pocket, so the game was only in black & white... ironically suiting for a "samurai" game. The art style is definitely on the "cutesy" side and much different than any Samurai Shodown game before it, but it can grow on you if you give it a chance.
 

 
The classic Samurai Shodown gameplay made the jump to the handheld layout fairly well, but it's not nearly as smooth as Neo Geo arcade classic. The gameplay is particularly slower and very simplified in this version. Characters retain most of their specials and super moves but the deeper gameplay strategies from the arcade iterations are pretty much gone. It's basically a new game all together and it's nothing spectacular, but it's fun for a handheld title.
 

Page Updated: December 28th, 2012 Developer(s): SNK Publisher(s): SNK Platform(s): Neo Geo Pocket Release Date(s): December 25th, 1998 Characters:  Haohmaru, Galford, Ukyo, Hanzo, Nakoruru, Genjuro, Rimururu, Sogetsu, Amakusa, Jubei, Shizumaru, Kazuki, Zankuro Featured Video: Related Games: Samurai Shodown! 2 Pocket, The King of Fighters R-1, The King of Fighters R-2, Fatal Fury: 1st Contact, Gals Fighters, Last Blade: Beyond The Destiny, SNK VS Capcom: Match of the Millennium, Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown 3, Samurai Shodown 4, Samurai Shodown 5, Samurai Shodown 5 Special, Samurai Shodown 6, Samurai Shodown 64, Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage, Samurai Shodown Warriors Rage, Samurai Shodown Sen, Samurai Shodown Anthology    Gameplay Engine  6.0 / 10 Story / Theme  7.0 / 10 Overall Graphics  6.0 / 10 Animation  6.0 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  5.0 / 10 Innovation  6.0 / 10 Art Direction  7.5 / 10 Customization  5.0 / 10 Options / Extras  5.0 / 10 Intro / Presentation  5.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  4.5 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  6.0 / 10 Characters  7.0 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  6.2 / 10     Final Words: Samurai Shodown Pocket is a cute yet undeniably cool tribute to the series. It's definitely not a serious or hardcore 2D fighting game by any means, but any fan of Samurai Shodown 4 should get some enjoyment out of this "mini" version. The sequel to this title, Samurai Shodown! 2: Pocket added more characters & fixed some of the gameplay quirks.  ~TFG Webmaster