Samurai Shodown

n/a

NTSC-U NTSC-J PAL US JP Mega-CD
Samurai Shodown
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Sega Takara JVC Musical Industries
Developer: Saurus System Vision Funcom Santos
Licensor: SNK
Original system(s): Neo Geo
Developer(s) of original games: SNK
Sound driver: SMPS 68000
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1-2, 1
Release Date RRP Code JP 1994-11-19 ¥8,8008,800 G-4127 US 1994-12 T-103066 EU 1995-02 1184-50 PT 199x UK 1995-02 £49.9949.99 1184-50 AU 1995-04 $99.9599.95 FSAM01SMC JP 1994-12-09 ¥4,8004,800 T-146027 US 1994 T-103018 US 1995-02 T-60175 EU 1995-06 T-60175-50 PT 1995 UK 1995-06 £34.9934.99 T-60175-50 AU 199x BR 1996-06 R$69.9969.99 063696
Non-Sega versions 3DO Arcade FM Towns Neo Geo Neo Geo CD Neo Geo Pocket Super NES

Samurai Shodown, known as Samurai Spirits (サムライスピリッツ) in Japan, is a versus fighting game by SNK, originally released for the Neo Geo in 1993 and subsequently ported to a variety of platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, and Sega Game Gear.

It is the first game in the Samurai Shodown series. It is one of the first fighting games with a focus on weapons rather than solely hand-to-hand combat.

Story

Shiro Tokisada Amakusa, slain in Japan in the 17th century by the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate for his part in the Shimabara Rebellion, is resurrected over a hundred years later by the dark god Ambrosia. Driven by his hatred for the Shogunate, he unleashes his dark powers to rain destruction upon the world. A group of warriors converge upon the source of the chaos, each driven by their own motivations. The game takes artistic license to include foreign-born characters (including some from places that did not exist as such at the time), historical figures, and fictional monsters.

Gameplay

Mega Drive and Mega-CD versions

Character select

Bonus stage

The game is a versus fighting game set in Japan in the late 18th century. All of the characters wield weapons. The goal is to win the best of three duels against an opponent. Each duel is timed. The winner is the player who depletes the other character's life meter or has the most life remaining when time runs out.

In the single-player mode, the player faces every character in a randomized order, ending in a fight against the boss Amakusa. A bonus stage appears after every three matches where the character destroys straw dummies that pop up in three randomized positions for extra points. A second player can join the game as an opponent by pressing  START  at any time. The Mega Drive version has a dedicated two-player mode where players can choose a handicap and a stage. The Mega-CD only allows two-player matches in the standard arcade mode (with players able to choose different characters at the end of every match to mitigate load times). The Mega Drive version has an additional two-player "Showdown" mode where each player chooses five characters to fight in five consecutive matches.

Characters move with or . They dash with or . They jump upward with and jump behind and ahead with or . They crouch with . Using a Six Button Control Pad, characters can slash (or punch if disarmed) with (weak), (normal), or (strong) and kick with (weak), (normal), or (strong). Powerful strikes are accompanied by a slow-motion effect to intensify the hit.

Using a standard control pad on the Mega Drive version, characters slash or punch with (weak), (normal), or (strong) and kick with + (weak), + (normal), or + (strong). On the Mega-CD version, characters slash or punch with (weak), (normal), or + (strong) and kick with (weak), + (normal), or + (strong).

When characters slash each other at the same time, they lock swords. Players must press the slash buttons rapidly to break the lock, with the player who loses the hold (by not pressing the buttons as fast as the opposing player) having the character knocked back and disarmed. A character can equip his or her weapon again by pressing a slash button while standing next to it. In addition to their standard attacks, characters can perform special moves using specific button combinations (though many special moves cannot be performed if the character is disarmed).

Characters can guard against attacks by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent. Guarding can be done while standing or crouching. Characters can throw an opponent by pressing the medium or strong slash or kick button in close range. Each character has a POW meter that fills as the player is hit by enemy attacks or guards against an attack. When the meter is full, the character turns red and attacks with increased strength for a duration.

In the Mega Drive version, a referee appears during the match and holds flags representing each player. The referee raises a flag whenever a player lands a successful hit. In both versions, bonus items occasionally appear during a match: coins that provide extra points and food that restore some life.

Characters

Move lists assume the player is facing right. If facing left, and should be reversed. S refers to any of the slash or punch buttons, while K refers to any of the kick buttons.

All of the characters from the Neo Geo game are present except for Earthquake.

	Charlotte
	Charlotte is a French noblewoman and master fencer. Move list Name Command Description Splash Fount SSSSS (requires weapon) Charlotte charges forward while thrusting her sword rapidly. Power Gradation S (requires weapon) Charlotte flies into the air while slashing her sword. The height of the maneuver depends on the strength of the button used.
	Galford
	Galford is an American who traveled to Japan to become a ninja. He is aided by his pet dog, Poppy. Move list Name Command Description Triangle Jump D-Pad in the opposite direction when jumping onto the edge of the screen Galford can jump off the edges of the screen. Plasma Blade S Galford throws two large plasma kunai across the screen. The speed of the projectiles depends on the strength of the button used. Rush Dog S Galford sends his dog Poppy to rush over and charge his opponent. The speed and distance traveled by the dog depends on the strength of the button used. Machine Gun Dog  LK  Galford sends his dog Poppy to rush over and maul his opponent, which knocks the opponent over. Diving Dog  MK  Galford sends his dog Poppy to rush over and knock his opponent over. Ninja Shadow Replicates S or K Galford splits into four duplicate images, which hover in the air. The images are invulnerable. When the images land, Galford takes the position of one of them: from  LS  (leftmost) to  MS  to  LK  to  MK  (rightmost). The images land automatically after a duration, or the player can land them more quickly by pressing any button. Rear Replica Attack  LK  Galford disappears, then reappears in the air above his opponent, landing with a sword slash. Head Replica Attack Hold  LK  while being attacked Galford disappears, then reappears in the air above his opponent, landing with a sword slash. Head Strike K (close) Galford grabs his opponent and flies into the air, then drives his opponent head-first into the ground. The height of the maneuver depends on the strength of the button used.
	Gen-An
	Gen-An is a monstrous creature with clawed hands. He is a member of the enigmatic Shiranui clan (a reference to Mai Shiranui from the Fatal Fury games). Move list Name Command Description Crawl or Gen-An can move while crouched. Poison Cloud Puff S Gen-An blows a cloud of poisonous gas that knocks his opponent over on impact. The speed and distance traveled by the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Slasher Spin S Gen-An rolls along the ground while spinning with his claws. The starts spinning upward after hitting his opponent or the edge of the screen. The speed of travel depends on the strength of the button used.
	Hanzo
	Hanzo is an Iga ninja who fights to save his son from Amakusa's control. He is based on the historical figure Hittori Hanzou, like the character of the same name from the World Heroes games. Move list Name Command Description Triangle Jump D-Pad in the opposite direction when jumping onto the edge of the screen Hanzo can jump off the edges of the screen. Flying Spikeball S Hanzo throws a shuriken across the screen. The speed of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Ninja Exploding Dragon Hold for 2 seconds, then +S Hanzo summons a fire dragon, which moves across the ground like a wave and knocks over his opponent on impact. The speed of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Ninja Shadow Replicates S or K Hanzo splits into four duplicate images, which hover in the air. The images are invulnerable. When the images land, Hanzo takes the position of one of them: from  LS  (leftmost) to  MS  to  LK  to  MK  (rightmost). The images land automatically after a duration, or the player can land them more quickly by pressing any button. Ninja Teleportation Jig  LK  Hanzo disappears, then reappears in the air above his opponent, landing with a sword slash. Ninpo Ussemi Chizan Hold  LK  while being attacked Hanzo disappears, then reappears in the air above his opponent, landing with a sword slash. Strike Dash K (close) Hanzo grabs his opponent and flies into the air, then drives his opponent head-first into the ground. The height of the maneuver depends on the strength of the button used.
	Haohmaru
	Haohmaru is a wondering samurai who is searching for strong opponents to hone his skills. Move list Name Command Description Cyclone Slash S (requires weapon) Haohmaru swings his katana, summoning a cyclone that rolls across the ground and knocks over his opponent on impact. The speed of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Crescent Moon Slash S (requires weapon) Haohmaru swings his katana in a circle around him, then twirls into the air while slashing his katana.
	Jubei
	Jubei is a ronin who strives to protect Japan from its enemies. Move list Name Command Description Saber Thrash SSSSS (requires weapon) Jubei waves his sabers rapidly in front of him. Gesyer Thrust S (requires weapon) Jubei slashes his saber and causes a ripple of fire to roll across the ground. The speed of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Tsunami Saber S (requires weapon) Jubei charges at this opponent with his shoulder, then jumps into the air while swiping a saber.
	Kyoshiro
	Kyoshiro is a kabuki performer who uses his art to entertain and perfect his own fighting skills. Move list Name Command Description Crawl or Kyoshiro can move while crouched. Whirlwind Fan S Kyoshiro throws a flaming fan across the screen. The speed of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Twirling Fan S Kyoshiro breathes fire in front of him, using his hand fan to fan the flame. Jumping Lion K (requires weapon) Kyoshiro vaults onto his naginata and kicks forward while radiating with fire, which knocks over his opponent on impact. Kabuki Crunch Dance S (requires weapon) Kyoshiro spins high into the air while slashing his naginata around him. The distance traveled depends on the strength of the button used. Wheel of Smoke + HS  at peak of jump (requires weapon) Kyoshiro spins down while slashing his naginata around him.
	Nakoruru
	Nakoruru is a young girl who strives to protect nature. She is aided by her pet hawk, Mamahaha. Move list Name Command Description Triangle Jump D-Pad in the opposite direction when jumping onto the edge of the screen Nakoruru can jump off the edges of the screen. Annu Mutsube S (requires weapon) Nakoruru flies along the ground while holding her dagger in front of her. The distance traveled depends on the strength of the button used. Lela Mutsube S (requires weapon) Nakoruru flies into the air while holding her dagger in front of her. The distance traveled depends on the strength of the button used. Amube Yatoro S Nakoruru calls her hawk Mamahaha to strike her opponent from above. Mamahaha Flight  LK  Nakoruru leaps into the air to be carried by her hawk Mamahaha for a limited duration. While in flight, Nakoruru can move in any direction using the D-Pad or she can perform a dive attack with her dagger by pressing any attack button. The distance of the dive depends on the strength of the button used (with any K being equivalent to  LS ), or she can dive directly downward by holding with any button.
	Tam Tam
	Tam Tam is an Incan warrior who is charged with retrieving the stolen Palenke Stone back from Amakusa. Move list Name Command Description Moora Gaboora S Tam Tam throws a skull across the screen. The speed of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used. Paguna Dios K Tam Tam splits his legs and moves across the ground while rotating. The distance traveled depends on the strength of the button used. Paguna Paguna Hold for 2 seconds, then +S (requires weapon) Tam Tam twirls his scimitar in front of him. He can move with or while doing this move. Ahow Gaboori S Tam Tam takes a deep breath, jumps into the air, and blows a fireball diagonally downward. The fireball creates an explosion on the ground that flies up into the air. The height of the jump and distance of the projectile depends on the strength of the button used.
	Ukyo
	Ukyo is an ailing samurai warrior who is fighting to gain a flower for his beloved. Move list Name Command Description Swallow Swipe S in midair (requires weapon) Ukyo slashes his katana in the air, sending a flaming bird flying across the screen. The bird travels in an arc, with the arc being more severe with  LS  and more flat with  HS . Snowfall Slash S (requires weapon) Ukyo tosses an apple into the air, then slashes his katana rapidly in front of him, slicing the apple (and the opponent, if in range).
	Wan-Fu
	Wan-Fu is a Chinese warrior who serves the Qing Emperor. He searches Japan for worthy fighters to help him unify his homeland. Move list Name Command Description Crawl or Wan-Fu can move while crouched. Confucius Thunder Bomb S (requires weapon) Wan-Fu jumps high into the air, then throws his flaming sword downward. He jumps backwards and throws the sword forwards with  LS , jumps forwards and throws the sword forwards with  MS , and jumps far forwards and throws the sword backwards with  HS . Confucius Whirlwind S (requires weapon) Wan-Fu stabs his sword in front of him, then jumps into the air while holding his sword up.

Bosses

Amakusa

Amakusa is a powerful sorcerer, resurrected by the dark god Ambrosia. He carries a mystical artifact known as the Palenke Stone. He is the final boss of the game. He is playable in two-player matches in the Mega Drive version. Move list Name Command Description Triangle Jump D-Pad in the opposite direction when jumping onto the edge of the screen Amakusa can jump off the edges of the screen. Spectre Sphere S during Triangle Jump Amakusa falls back to the ground while burning like a meteor. Forward Warp S Amakusa teleports forwards. The distance traveled depends on the strength of the button used. Backward Warp K Amakusa teleports backwards. The distance traveled depends on the strength of the button used. Dark Thunder Hold  LK  for 2 seconds, then release Amakusa shoots a sphere of destructive energy from his magical orb. The sphere travels most of the width of the screen before returning to the other side (unless it is dissipated by striking the opponent). Underworld Apparition Attack S Amakusa shoots an underworld apparition from his magical orb.

Stages

Main article: Samurai Shodown/Comparisons.

Each character has his or her own stage when faced in the single-player mode.

Versailles

Charlotte's stage.

San Francisco

Galford's stage.

Onigami Isle

Gen-An's stage.

Yamagata

Hanzo's stage.

Gairyu Isle

Haohmaru's stage.

Kochi

Jubei's stage.

Tokyo

Kyoshiro's stage.

Hokkaido

Nakoruru's stage.

Green Hell

Tam Tam's stage.

Gairyu Isle

Ukyo's stage.

Seian

Wan-Fu's stage.

Nagasaki

Amakusa's stage.

Game Gear version

Character select

The game is a fighting game. Compared to the other version of the game, it has simplified controls and omits some of the characters and special moves. There is a single-player mode where the player chooses a character and fights every other character in random order, ending with the final boss Amakusa. There is no two-player mode.

Characters move with or . They dash with or . They jump upward with and jump behind and ahead with or . They crouch with . Characters can slash (or punch if disarmed) with and kick with . Slashes and kicks only have one strength, but characters can perform a "power slash" with +, which is a slower but stronger attack.

Characters lock swords when they slash each other at the same time. The player must press rapidly to break the hold. If the player presses the button fast enough, the opponent is thrown back and disarmed; otherwise, the player's character is. Weapons are re-equipped by standing over them and pressing . Characters can perform special moves using specific button combinations (though some moves require a weapon to perform).

Characters can guard against attacks by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent. Guarding can be done while standing or crouching. Characters can throw an opponent by pressing the medium or strong slash or kick button in close range. Each character has a POW meter that fills as the player is hit by enemy attacks or guards against an attack. When the meter is full, the character turns red and attacks with increased strength for a duration.

Items sometimes fall from the top of the screen during a match. Food items restore health when collected, while bombs explode and harm the fighters.

Characters

All of the characters from the Neo Geo game are present except for Earthquake, Tam Tam, and Wan-Fu.

• Charlotte
• Galford
• Gen-An
• Hanzo
• Haohmaru
• Jubei
• Kyoshiro
• Nakoruru
• Ukyo

Stages

Versailles

Charlotte's stage.

San Francisco

Galford's stage.

Onigami Isle

Gen-An's stage.

Yamagata

Hanzo's stage.

Gairyu Isle

Haohmaru's stage.

Kochi

Jubei's stage.

Tokyo

Kyoshiro's stage.

Hokkaido

Nakoruru's stage.

Gairyu Isle

Ukyo's stage.

Nagasaki

Amakusa's stage.

Versions

The Mega Drive and Mega-CD versions were ported separately and by different companies. Both lack the character Earthquake, likely due to the large size of his sprite, and omit the zooming effect from the original Neo Geo versions, instead employing a fixed perspective. The fatal finishing attacks, where the opponent is sliced in half, are also omitted, but the blood is retained. The Mega Drive version includes the referee in the background of every fight, and the final boss Amakusa is playable in two-player matches. The Mega Drive version is missing the arcade introduction, the character artwork shown after a match, and many of the announcer lines. The Mega-CD version restores these omissions and also reproduces the arcade soundtrack, but the referee is absent and Amakusa is not playable in this version.

The Neo Geo versions use a four-button layout, where strong attacks are performed by pressing the weak and normal punch or kick buttons simultaneously. The Mega Drive and Mega-CD versions allow for a six-button layout where each strength is assigned its own button (similar to Capcom's fighting games).

The Super NES port includes Earthquake but has smaller sprites than the Mega Drive and Mega-CD versions. It likewise omits the fatal finishing moves and also replaces the blood with "sweat." Amakusa is playable in two-player matches with a cheat code.

The 3DO port is the only contemporaneous port of the game to retain the camera zooming and all of the violence from the Neo Geo versions.

Localised names

Also known as

Language	Localised Name	English Translation
English	Samurai Shodown	Samurai Shodown
English (US)	Samurai Shodown	Samurai Shodown
Japanese	サムライスピリッツ	Samurai Spirits

Production credits

Mega Drive version

• Executive Producer: Nobuyuki Tanaka
• Producer: Yasushi Okahara, Takahiro Shima
• Direction: Zizi
• Main Programmer: Haccyan
• Assistant Programmer: Yama
• Graphic System: Hideki
• Graphic Design: Original from SNK
• Graphic Design Modify: M.Toshiro, T.Koyama
• Sound Design: Original from SNK
• Sound System: Den
• Sound Arrangement: Shinichi Yamazaki, Kazuhiko Oshikiri, Hideki Nagai, Hiroyuki Takei
• Collision Tuning: Kuzira, Shikanosuke, Koyaman 3D

Takara Staff and Takara USA Staff

• Producers: S.Suzuki
• Director: T.Ikenoue
• Production Composers: T.Hocho, K.Kijima, S.Takagi, D.Fowler
• USA Marketing Planner: T.Kinya
• Art Work Composers: INTAC I.T.C. Staff
• Special Thanks to: All SNK Staff, Rika
• Translated by: Saurus Co., Ltd.
• Presented by: Takara Co., Ltd.

Source:

In-game credits

Mega-CD version

JVC Musical Industries Inc

• Executive Producer: Makato Orii
• Producer: Yoji Takenaka
• Game Testers: Aki Akaike, Julio C Arreygue, Jeremy Klein

JVC Victor Entertainment Inc

• Executive Producer: Harunobu Komori
• Producer: Toshiyuki Nagai
• Director: Kazuya Tominaga
• Co Director: Gaku Sato
• Assistant: Ryo Misawa

Funcom

• Main Programmer: Roar Flølo
• Cruncher and Realtime Animation Decruncher: Eivind Hagen, Johan Köhler, Morten B Ofstad
• Other Programming: Anders Dybdahl, Eivind Eklund, Morten B Ofstad, Carl-Henrik Skårstedt
• Graphic Artists: Joachim Barrum, Torkell Bernsen, Colin McMahon, Tommy Svensson
• Music and Sound: Kim Jensen
• Animation Editing: Vebjørn Strømmen
• Producer: Trond W Larsen

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Samurai Shodown/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Samurai Shodown/Promotional material.

Artwork

• 

  Cover

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source GamesMaster (UK) 85

	85
Based on 1 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 50 Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J 60 Consoles + (FR) 93 Cool Gamer (RU) 80 Digitiser (UK) 82 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 76 Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J 60 Freak (IL) 88 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 88 Games World: The Magazine (UK) PAL 86 Hobby Consolas (ES) 89 Joypad (FR) PAL 85 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 67 Mega (UK) PAL 79 Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U 75 Micro Kid's Multimédia (FR) 75 Micromanía (tercera época) (ES) 75 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 61 Next Generation (US) NTSC-U 50 Player One (FR) 94 Play Time (DE) 85 Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J 69 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 62 Sega Power (UK) PAL 75 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 85 Sega Mega Drive Review (RU) 72 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 69 Todo Sega (ES) 88 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 85 Video Games (DE) PAL 86 VideoGames (US) 70

	76
Based on 31 reviews

Samurai Shodown

Mega Drive, JP
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, PT

Mega Drive, AU
Cover

Mega Drive, AU (Silver)
Cart

Mega-CD version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Computer & Video Games (UK) 71 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 75 Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U 73 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 68 Gamers (DE) 87 Hobby Consolas (ES) 85 Mega (UK) PAL 47 Player One (FR) 90 Sega Magazin (DE) 79 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 67 Sega Power (UK) PAL 53 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 68 Videogame Advisor (US) NTSC-U 42 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 80

	70
Based on 14 reviews

Samurai Shodown

Mega-CD, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, EU
Cover
Disc Manual

Mega-CD, PT

Mega-CD, BR
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

{{{{{icon}}}|L}}
Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J 68 Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J 55 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 73

	65
Based on 3 reviews

Samurai Shodown

Game Gear, JP
Cover
Cart

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

Main article: Samurai Shodown/Technical information.

ROM dump status

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments
?	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1			Cartridge (US)
?	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1			Cartridge (EU)
?	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1			Cartridge (JP)
?	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1			CD-ROM (US)
?	CRC32 MD5 SHA-1			CD-ROM (EU)
?	CRC32 93fd73dc MD5 71b53a4577065e11453928774a7b64b0 SHA-1 2aaf7b6f9d37275995d4a62bb8a465333d8b0bf4	512kB		Cartridge (JP)
?	CRC32 98171deb MD5 4898db4b63c7024842e748fb81c95a55 SHA-1 d7330f5abcadb5c199299b24c22334be0072ec80	512kB		Cartridge (US)

References

Samurai Shodown/Samurai Spirits games for Sega systems
	Samurai Shodown (1994)
	Samurai Shodown (1994)
	Samurai Shodown (1995)
	Samurai Spirits Zankurou Musouken (1996) | Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits Bushidou Retsuden (1997) | Samurai Spirits Amakusa Kourin (1997) | Samurai Spirits Best Collection (1998)
	Nakoruru: Anohito Kara no Okurimono (2002)
	Samurai Spirits Tenkaichi Kenkakuden (2005)
Unlicensed Samurai Shodown/Samurai Spirits games for Sega systems
	Soul Edge vs. Samurai Spirits (1997) | Shin Samurai Spirits Haohmaru Jigokuhen (1998)