Samurai Shodown! Pocket Fighting Series

REVIEW:
Samurai Shodown! Pocket is
essentially a "pocket sized" portable (and much slower) version of one
of SNK's better 2D fighting games in recent memory, Samurai Shodown 4. Much
like other compact fighting games available on the NeoGeo Pocket, the familiar
Samurai Spirits characters
are drawn and reanimated in super-deformed Japanese chibi style (meaning
"big heads and tiny bodies" in case you're not familiar with the
style).
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You
tell'em Haohmaru... damn oozer.
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This title was one of the first games to be released for the Neo Geo Pocket, so the game
was only in black & white... strikingly appropriate for an ancient samurai-themed
game. The
cute art style, tiny character sprites and slower gameplay might not be for
everyone, but this charming little title took the Samurai Shodown series
to a place it's never been and adds a touch of humor as well.
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Is that Earthquake in
the background?
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The classic
Samurai Shodown gameplay you'd expect is intact at it's core. It's
impressive SNK was able to transition to characters and gameplay engine to the
smaller handheld layout and aesthetic, but the overall experience is very
condensed and it's not nearly as striking or as smooth as the OG NeoGeo fighting
games. The gameplay is
particularly slower and very simplified... which really kills the replayability.
Characters retain most of
their specials and super moves at least, but the deeper gameplay strategies from the
arcade iterations are pretty much gone or dumbed down at the very best. While
based on the awesome Samurai Shodown 4, this is basically a new game all together... and it's nothing
all that spectacular, but it's pretty fun for a mini handheld title and has some
fan service elements that old school SNK fighting lovers might enjoy.
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Page Updated: |
October
10th, 2025
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Developer(s): |
SNK |
Publisher(s): |
SNK |
Platform(s): |
Neo Geo Pocket
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Release Date(s): |
December
25th, 1998 |
Characters: |
Haohmaru,
Galford,
Ukyo,
Hanzo,
Nakoruru,
Genjuro,
Rimururu,
Sogetsu,
Amakusa,
Jubei,
Shizumaru,
Kazuki,
Zankuro |
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Featured Video:
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Related Games: |
Samurai
Shodown! 2 Pocket, The King
of Fighters R-1, The King of Fighters R-2, Fatal
Fury: 1st Contact, SNK Gals Fighters, The
Last
Blade: Beyond The Destiny, The Last Blade 2, The
Last Blade, SNK Vs. Capcom:
Match of the Millennium, Marvel vs. Capcom, 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 |
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Gameplay
Engine
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6.0 / 10
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Story
/ Theme
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7.0 / 10
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Overall
Graphics
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6.0 / 10
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Animation
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6.0 / 10
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Music
/ Sound Effects
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5.0 / 10
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Innovation
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6.0 / 10
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Art Direction
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7.5 / 10
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Customization
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5.0 / 10
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Options / Extras
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5.0 / 10
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Intro / Presentation
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5.0 / 10
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Replayability / Fun
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4.5 / 10
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"Ouch" Factor
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6.0 / 10
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Characters
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7.0 / 10
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BOTTOM LINE
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6.2
/
10
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Final
Words:
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Samurai Shodown Pocket! was an earnest attempt and the first of several
weapon-based (and non weapon-based) 2D fighting games to eventually come to the
obscure and under-appreciated NEOGEO Pocket (and later, NEOGEO Pocket Color).
The small sprites and animations are compact, but treated with love thanks to
the game's clean lines and art style.
While clearly limited by the hardware, this game is a charming example of what's
possible when bringing well-known fighting game characters into a Japanese
chibi-fied portable experience. As an actual game, it's quite slow and lacks
polish and definitely isn't anything close to a serious or hardcore 2D fighting game
(like the original Samurai Shodown games). Even so, any hardcore fan of Samurai
Shodown 4 and its characters should find some enjoyment out of this "mini"
version of the game and modern roster.
The
sequel to this title, Samurai
Shodown! 2: Pocket added more characters and... *drumroll
please*...COLOR!
While I do enjoy 99.9% of my fighting games in color, there's something cool and
suiting about the ancient black and white graphics — perfectly complimenting
the historical samurai time period. Other than that, it's a mediocre fighting
game with some really cute and highly-inspired artwork.
~TFG
Webmaster |
@FIGHTERS_GEN
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