Samurai Spirits / Samurai Shodown
This was the official English speaking website for Samurai Spirits. The original Samurai Spirits / Samurai Shodown offered twelve playable characters - Haohmaru, Galford, Hattori Hanzo, Tam Tam, Ukyo, Charlotte, Wan-Fu, Gen-an, Nakoruru, Jubei, and Earthquake. The story revolves around them traveling around the world to stop the demon sorcerer and final boss Amakusa, recently revived by the demon king to shroud the world in darkness.
The content below is from the site's 2005 archived pages and other outside sources.
Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits - Arcade, Neo Geo, Neo Geo CD, 3DO, Game Gear, Game Boy, Master System, Mega Drive, Sega CD, SNES, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Wii, PlayStation 3 (1993)
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NAKORURU
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NAME
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Nakoruru
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DATE OF BIRTH
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October 11 in the 8th Year of Meiwa (1771 A.D.) at daybreak
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PLACE OF ORIGIN
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Ainu Moshiri-Kamui Kotan
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HEIGHT
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5 shaku, 1 sun: 154.5 cm (5'1")
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MEASUREMENTS
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2 shaku, 3 sun; 1 shaku, 6 sun; 2 shaku, 6 sun: 67-48.5-79 cm. (26"-19"-31")
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WEIGHT
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"That's none of your beeswax!"
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BLOOD TYPE
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Type AB
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WEAPON
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Her treasured sword, Chichi-ushi (Father Bull)
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FIGHTING STYLE
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Dancing Sword Arts of the Shikanna-Kamui
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LIKES
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The natural surroundings of Kamui Kotan
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DISLIKES
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Those who cannot respect nature with the highest esteem
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FLAW
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"...I can't reveal that."
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IDOLS
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Her father
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THE PATH OF THE SWORD IS?
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"Something I learned from my father as a means of self defense."
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SPECIAL SKILL
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Hearing the voice of Nature
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WHEN YOU FEEL AT PEACE
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"When I spend time among the trees of the forest."
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FAVORITE TYPE OF MATE
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"I haven't really given it much thought."
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HAOHMARU
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NAME
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Haohmaru
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DATE OF BIRTH
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Year 13 of Horeki, September 5, at the hour of the Bull (2 a.m.)
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PLACE OF ORIGIN
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The castle town of Musashi-koku
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HEIGHT
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5 shaku, 7 sun: 173 cm (5'7")
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WEIGHT
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17 kanme: 64 kg (141 lbs.)
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BLOOD TYPE
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Type A
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WEAPON
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Fugudoku (The Blowfish Blade)
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FIGHTING STYLE
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His own personal style
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LIKES
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Duels
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DISLIKES
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Cowards and "grease bugs" (cockroaches)
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FLAW
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A short temper
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IDOLS
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Nicotine Caffeine, an old scholar who lived near his boyhood home
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THE PATH OF THE SWORD IS?
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"The path on which you must gamble your life and walk to the end."
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SPECIAL SKILL
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Street performance (He insists it's a serious display of swordsmanship.)
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WHEN YOU FEEL AT PEACE
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"When the rice wine tastes particularly fine."
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FAVORITE TYPE OF MATE
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Yamato nadeshiko (traditionally humble Japanese women)
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HANZO HATTORI
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NAME
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Hanzo Hattori
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DATE OF BIRTH
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No intel available. (Estimated to be the 4th year of Horeki [1754 A.D.])
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PLACE OF ORIGIN
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Dewa-Sanchu (estimate)
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HEIGHT
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5 shaku, 9 sun (estimate): 179 cm (5'9")
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WEIGHT
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16 kanme: 60 kg (132 lbs.)
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BLOOD TYPE
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Type A
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WEAPON
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Unnamed ninja sword
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FIGHTING STYLE
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Iga Style of Ninja Arts
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LIKES
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Dango [sweet dumplings] (estimate)
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DISLIKES
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Those who oppose the Tokugawa Dynasty.
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FLAW
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"My fate to live and die in the shadows."
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IDOLS
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His ninja master
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THE PATH OF THE SWORD IS?
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"The way of the ninja is ever-changing and harsh."
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SPECIAL SKILL
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Ninja arts
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WHEN YOU FEEL AT PEACE
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"When I use the Methods of Dark Nothingness to disappear."
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FAVORITE TYPE OF MATE
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Independent women
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REVIEW
Samurai Shodown Anthology Review
My thoughts on this game: 'Overcame pinch by bursting rage!
BY RYAN CLEMENTS REVIEWED ON WII / 15 APR 2009
Reviews
The Samurai Shodown series was started in Japan decades ago thanks to the efforts of what is now SNK Playmore. A 2D fighter on the Neo Geo platform, Samurai Shodown was special in that it offered fighting of a much different variety than its peers -- fighting that was far slower in pace and sometimes felt more like a traditional battle from old samurai flicks. You cautiously move around the screen and you can often finish the battle with just a few precisely executed attacks. It was a different type of experience.
Samurai Shodown Anthology gives you easy access to Samurai Shodown I, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown III, Samurai Shodown IV and Samurai Shodown V. Samurai Shodown VI is on its own, as the other games can all be accessed from a dropdown menu that includes Arcade play and Practice modes (VI gets its own icon on the main menu!). The interface for the collection is similar to SNK Playmore's other offerings, so the simple grey background and big icons will be familiar to some of you.
There are plenty of options for tweaking your experience, including button configurations and character color palette editors. Ultimately though, you'll be spending most of your time diving in and out of the six games that all run well. There are obviously load times to work through and occasional bits of slowdown, but the stutters are normal for these sorts of collections.
What was most fascinating for me as a gamer was to play through each of the Samurai Shodowns on the anthology in order and watch as the series grew over the years. That's perhaps the greatest value in a compilation, and I think that historical perspective alone is worth the price of admission. But my concern is that the Samurai Shodown series is not an easy one. Balancing your Rage gauge is just one of countless sub-systems players need to learn over time and it's really not easy to pick up and play. It's also stiffer and more stubborn than the other fighters I've wrestled with, which will make it appeal even less to beginners. Then, of course, there's the beast known as Samurai Shodown VI.
The sixth member of the collection is so complicated I could barely wrap my head around it at first. There's no sense in me explaining the fighting systems contained within VI (and its predecessors), but to put matters simply, Samurai Shodown is a traditional one-on-one fighter with special moves, counters, rolls and all sorts of goodies fighting game fans should come to expect. But Samurai Shodown VI actually lets you choose between nine different Spirits, or fighting styles, one of which has eight variations. Yikes. This brings me back to my original point: this game will put newbies in a pinch and frustrate casual gamers (See what I did there?). It also has some hilarious translations, but I imagine this game will only appeal to hardcore Samurai Shodown fans anyway.
The Verdict
For $30, Samurai Shodown is packing quite a lot of classic 2D fighting into one package, which I always appreciate. But the super fuzzy sprites just don't look as nice anymore, especially in Samurai Shodown VI when they sit on the title's surprisingly slick backgrounds. Then again, hardcore fighting game fans rarely commit to the experience because of the graphics -- it's all about gameplay. This anthology has the classic gameplay some of you will recognize and that in itself is the game's main selling point. Everyone else will feel very overwhelmed upon booting up the game. But at least we can all take solace in Iroha's ridiculous charm.
The Wii version supports all the control options you'd want, including the Classic Controller, which is the only way to go. It also has an exclusive motion-controlled mini-game where you catch falling items as one of the franchise pets, like Poppy and Pak Pak. So even though there are a few Samurai Shodowns on the Virtual Console, this is still the most robust, cost-effective option.
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A Player's Review
2006
Do I honestly need to tell you what Samurai Shodown is? I doubt it. But just in case you're a newbie to this series, Samurai Shodown is a 2D fighting game created by SNK, the company that has ruled sprite-based fighting games for a long period of time and brought us, gamers, such gems as King of Fighters and Last Blade. My younger brother's opinion is that no other SNK series stands as tall as Samurai Shodown, at least not as tall as the first 2 games in the series. Opportunities for health increases occasionally occur during the fights (which is a good thing),but random obstacles also occur such as bombs (which is not a good thing). The stages also often have partially destructible pieces, the backgrounds are detailed, and the characters are really impressive to watch. My brother and I are ferocious players. We really get into the game. I like the fact you can actually disarm your opponent, knocking their weapon(s) away, giving you the advantage (unless you too have been disarmed) until you or your adversary can reach your weapons. It's cool that it's all fisticuffs for the unarmed player. This may hinder a player at first who loses his or her weapon, but a real gamer wouldn't be slowed down. It's a thrill to beat beating an armed foe with your bare hands! One day my brother and I really got carried away and in the bedlam knocked over our containers of soft drinks. What a mess. My brother grabbed the high quality paper towels that we have loads of since our father works for an e commerce site that sells janitorial supplies. The store itself is pretty cool selling not only janitorial supplies, but also restaurant and office supplies both on a wholesale and retail basis. My Mom likes their environmentally friendly products and the great prices since my father works there. Anyway, we could have been a Bounty commercial. I can see the ad: Two kids playing Samurai Shodown, dog jumps across table after cat spilling soda all over the floor. Mom rushes in and swiftly cleans up the mess with Bounty paper towels. Kids continue their game and the older brother, that's me, wins!! Well it didn't quite happen that way, but you get the point. Samurai Shodown is an outstanding game that I recommend playing. Go for it.
More Background on SamuraiSpirits-Official.com
Here’s a comprehensive look at Samurai Shodown, also known as Samurai Spirits in Japan—a storied franchise that has captivated gamers worldwide since its debut.
Historical Context and Development
Set in the late 18th century during Japan’s Sakoku period, Samurai Shodown blends historical themes with creative interpretations. The game introduced a unique narrative that combines elements of samurai culture, mythical creatures, and international influences, making it a standout among fighting games. Its creator, Yasushi Adachi, initially conceived it as a side-scrolling beat-‘em-up featuring monsters. However, the vision transformed into a fighting game with a focus on samurai and ninja aesthetics. Fascinatingly, the English title, Samurai Shodown, was proposed to appeal to Western audiences by playing on the term “shogun.”
The development team was composed of seasoned veterans from SNK and Capcom, which helped shape the series into a timeless classic. The 1993 release marked the beginning of a franchise that would span decades and inspire a wide array of games and media.
Gameplay Mechanics and Innovations
What sets Samurai Shodown apart from other fighting games is its focus on deliberate and methodical gameplay. Instead of relying on fast-paced combos, the series emphasizes timing, precision, and strategy. Each character wields a unique weapon, which adds layers of complexity as players balance attack ranges, speed, and power.
The “Rage” mechanic, introduced in the first game, is one of its standout features. As players take damage, the Rage gauge fills, allowing for devastating attacks once it’s fully charged. This mechanic not only encourages risky plays but also keeps the outcome of battles unpredictable.
Another innovation is the dynamic camera, which zooms in during intense close-quarters combat and zooms out when the characters move apart. This feature enhances the dramatic tension of battles and contributes to the cinematic feel of the game.
A Rich Character Roster
Samurai Shodown boasts a diverse lineup of characters, each with their own fighting styles, backstories, and personalities. Iconic figures like Haohmaru and Nakoruru have become synonymous with the franchise. Haohmaru, a wandering swordsman inspired by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi, embodies the spirit of honor and combat. Nakoruru, a nature-loving Ainu maiden who fights alongside her hawk Mamahaha, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
The series also draws inspiration from historical figures such as Hattori Hanzō and Yagyū Jūbei, adding authenticity to its feudal Japanese setting. These characters are complemented by fantastical elements, including mythical creatures and supernatural antagonists, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling.
Cultural and Social Significance
Samurai Shodown holds a special place in gaming history for its cultural depth and influence. It introduced international audiences to aspects of Japanese history and samurai lore, while also showcasing traditional Japanese music and aesthetics. The series’ portrayal of honor, discipline, and skill resonates with the themes of samurai culture, making it more than just a game—it’s an exploration of a cultural legacy.
Beyond its historical significance, the series has influenced the fighting game genre. Its weapon-based combat mechanics paved the way for titles like Soul Edge and Bushido Blade, and its focus on strategic gameplay continues to inspire developers.
Critical Reception and Legacy
The original Samurai Shodown was an immediate success, ranking among Japan’s top arcade games of 1993. It received several accolades, including Game of the Year awards, and its sequel, Samurai Shodown II, is often regarded as one of the greatest fighting games ever made. Critics praised its refined mechanics, improved visuals, and expanded roster.
Over the years, the series has seen numerous installments and reboots, each contributing to its legacy. The 2019 reboot brought modern visuals and mechanics while staying true to the franchise’s roots, earning praise from both fans and newcomers.
Adaptations and Media Extensions
The franchise’s influence extends beyond video games. Samurai Shodown has inspired anime adaptations such as Samurai Spirits: Haten Gouma no Shou and Samurai Spirits 2: Asura Zanmaden. These anime delve deeper into the game’s characters and narratives, offering fans additional ways to engage with the world of Samurai Shodown.
Additionally, the series has appeared in crossover games, merchandise, and even live-action adaptations, cementing its status as a cultural phenomenon.
Community and Competitive Scene
Samurai Shodown has cultivated a passionate community of players and fans. Its unique mechanics and strategic depth have made it a staple in the competitive fighting game scene. Tournaments regularly feature Samurai Shodown titles, attracting players who value its emphasis on precision and timing.
The series’ return with the 2019 reboot reignited interest in competitive play, with events like EVO hosting Samurai Shodown tournaments. The combination of nostalgia and fresh innovations has ensured the game’s relevance in the modern era.
Unique Details and Fun Facts
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The Rage Mechanic: This game-changing feature has influenced other fighting games, introducing the idea of a comeback mechanic that rewards players for enduring damage.
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Historical Accuracy Meets Fantasy: While the game is rooted in Japanese history, it takes creative liberties with characters and settings, creating a unique blend of realism and myth.
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Crossover Appearances: Characters from Samurai Shodown have appeared in other SNK titles, such as The King of Fighters, showcasing the interconnected universe of SNK games.
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Music and Sound Design: The series is known for its atmospheric soundtrack, which incorporates traditional Japanese instruments like the shamisen and taiko drums, enhancing the immersive experience.
Samurai Shodown remains a beloved franchise that continues to captivate gamers with its unique blend of historical context, strategic gameplay, and cultural significance. It stands as a testament to SNK’s innovation and commitment to crafting memorable gaming experiences. Whether you’re a veteran fan or a newcomer, Samurai Shodown offers a timeless exploration of samurai tradition and the art of combat.
This iconic series doesn’t just tell the story of its characters—it tells the story of a gaming legacy that has endured for decades and continues to inspire players and creators alike.
