REVIEW:  Samurai Shodown (known as Samurai Spirits in Japan) is a 2D fighting game released in late 1993, rivaling the likes of Capcom's Street Fighter 2. Instead of fighting with fists, each of the characters of Samurai Shodown bring a unique weapon to the stage. Every fighter has their own distinguishable play-style, some of which comparable to other 2D fighting game characters we've seen, but in their own way. The designs of Samurai Shodown are truly unique (and overflowing with personality)! Many of the characters are also based on real-life historical figures of Japan, including Miyamoto Musashi (AKAK Haohmaru), Hattori Hanzo, and Amakusa Shirou Tokisada.

 

 

The characters of Samurai Shodown are colorful, intricately designed, and play their part very well in this epic little title. The whole roster really comes together as "one" and is very balanced from a design standpoint. Some fighters also have animals that tag along with them, such as Nakoruru's hawk and Galford's dog. Their animal friends can even be used to attack their opponent in the midst of battle... yet another innovative gameplay element to the fighting genre. 

Samurai Shodown is responsible for introducing the "Rage" gauge (or "POW" gauge) to the fighting game genre (which ended up appearing in several other fighting games, years later). Basically, the more damage your character takes, the more damage they can deal out (for a limited time). The Rage system is a strategic element of the gameplay that can really turn the tide of a battle.

 

 

Another distinctive element that stands out in Samurai Shodown are the characters featured in the background who interact with the gameplay. Firstly, Kuroko (the ump) attentively watches the duel from the sidelines. Kuroko doesn't actually play a part in the gameplay besides starting the fight, but he does add to the mood and setting of every stage. However, there is a muslcy bloke from the background (unnamed) who runs across the stage and tosses an item into the foreground. This item ranges from food (to increase a players health) to money or items (for 'useless' points — but hey, it's points).


As colorful and "cartoony" as Samurai Shodown may appear at first... this isn't really a game for kids. Samurai Shodown proudly presents "deaths" at the end of duels (if the final attack connects just right). Deaths occur randomly and don't happen after every match (which makes them special), but if you win a match with a slash technique at the right distance, your opponent will be cut in half or have a fatal wound — dropping the opponent to the ground after a ton of blood sprays into the air. It looks cool (and looks even better in the sequels). Samurai Shodown's fatalities at the end of the match are stylish to say the least, and are done tastefully (which can't always be said about the Mortal Kombat series). Fatalities just add that extra touch that makes victory in this game feel even sweeter (and look awesome, did I mention that?).

Page Updated: July 16th, 2024 Developer(s): SNK Publisher(s): SNK Artwork by: Eiji Shiroi Platform(s): Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD, Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, 3DO, Game Gear, Game Boy, PlayStation, PS2, PSP, XBL, XB1, PSN, PS4, Wii Virtual Console, Nintendo Switch Release Date(s): July 7th, 1993                      Arcade Aug. 11th, 1993                NeoGeo Sep. 9th, 1994                   NeoGeo CD Sep. 22nd, 1994                  SNES November 1994                  SNES Nov. 19th, 1994                  Genesis 1994                                        /   Genesis Feb. 10th, 1995                   3DO 1995                                          3DO Mar. 26th, 1998                  PS1 - Kenkaku Shinan Pack May 30th, 2007                   PSN Oct. 16th, 2007                   Wii Virtual Console June 16th, 2008                   Wii Virtual Console December 2016                 PlayStation 4 July 20th, 2017                   Nintendo Switch Characters:  Haohmaru, Ukyo Tachibana, Galford Weiler, Hanzo Hattori, Senryo Kyoshiro, Gen-An, Earthquake, Wan-Fu, Nakoruru, Charlotte Colde, Yagyu Jubei, Tam Tam, Amakusa, Kuroko News Links:  July 2023:  Samurai Shodown 30th Anniversary Artwork Featured Video: Related Games: Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown 3, Samurai Shodown 4, Samurai Shodown V, Samurai Shodown V Special, SSV Perfect, Samurai Shodown 6, Samurai Shodown 64, Samurai Shodown 64 - Warriors Rage, Samurai Shodown Pocket, Samurai Shodown 2 Pocket, Samurai Shodown Warrior's Rage, Samurai Shodown Sen, Samurai Shodown (2019), Samurai Shodown Anthology, Street Fighter 2, Super Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat 2, Fighters History, Fatal Fury Special, Eternal Champions, World Heroes 2, The King of Fighters '94    Gameplay Engine  9.0 / 10 Story / Theme  10 / 10 Overall Graphics  9.5 / 10 Animation  9.0 / 10 Music / Sound Effects  9.5 / 10 Innovation  10 / 10 Art Direction  9.0 / 10 Customization  7.0 / 10 Options / Extras  8.0 / 10 Intro / Presentation  9.0 / 10 Replayability / Fun  9.0 / 10 "Ouch" Factor  9.5 / 10 Characters  10 / 10 BOTTOM LINE  9.3 / 10  Review based on Arcade version       Final Words: Samurai Shodown really stood out in 1993 among other fighting games at the arcades (even years after its release), which was no easy feat, considering some of the fierce competition. Samurai Shodown's exceptional art style, sharp gamepaly, great music, and convincing theme make this title a true SNK gem... and truly unlike any other 2D fighting game out there. The original Samurai Shodown was one of the most innovative titles to come from SNK in the early days, paving the way for some some excellent sequels to come. For one, Samurai Shodown 2 built upon everything that was great about the first game... and even more imporessive is that SNK's artists actually updated and redrew the entire cast with new character sprites (unlike Capcom's SF2 series). ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen      Click here for all Posters / Box Artwork! Click here for all Animated Backgrounds! Click here for all Screenshots! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES