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Samurai Shodown Games
Fighter ID:
Password
Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits (JPN)
Fighting Game by SNK
Neo Geo
Worldwide
7/7/1993
Sega CD
Worldwide
7/8/1993
FM-TOWNS
Worldwide
1994
Nettō Samurai Spirits (Japan) (Game Boy)
Worldwide
6/30/1994
Neo Geo CD
Worldwide
9/9/1994
Super NES
Worldwide
9/22/1994
Genesis
Worldwide
11/19/1994
Game Gear
Worldwide
12/9/1994
3DO
Worldwide
2/10/1995
Samurai Spirits Kenkaku Yubinan Pack (Playstation)
Compilation release.
Japan
3/26/1998
Mobile
Worldwide
7/15/2004
Samurai Spirits Kenkaku Yubinan Pack (Playstation Network)
Worldwide
7/11/2007
WiiWare/Virtual Console
Worldwide
10/16/2007
SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 (Playstation 2)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
5/5/2008
SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 (Playstation Portable)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
5/5/2008
Samurai Shodown Anthology, Samurai Spirits Rokuban Shoubu (Wii)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
7/24/2008
Samurai Shodown Anthology, Samurai Spirits Rokuban Shoubu (Playstation 2)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
7/24/2008
SNK Arcade Classics Vol. 1 (Wii)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
7/29/2008
Samurai Shodown Anthology, Samurai Spirits Rokuban Shoubu (Playstation Portable)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
3/24/2009
Playstation Network
Worldwide
12/21/2010
ACA NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown (PlayStation 4)
Worldwide
12/8/2016
ACA NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown (Xbox One)
Worldwide
5/2/2017
ACA NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown (Switch)
Worldwide
7/20/2017
ACA NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown (Windows)
Windows 10 release.
United States
02/28/2018
Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection (Windows)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
06/11/2020
Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection (PlayStation 4)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
07/27/2020
Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection (Switch)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
07/28/2020
Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection (Xbox One)
Compilation release.
Worldwide
07/28/2020
Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection (Switch)
Compilation release
Worldwide
07/28/2020
Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection (Switch)
Compilation release
Worldwide
07/28/2020
ACA NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown (iOS)
Worldwide
3/23/2022
ACA NeoGeo: Samurai Shodown (Android)
Worldwide
3/23/2022

Fighters
Gen-an Shiranui
Neo Geo
Galford D. Weller
Neo Geo
Haohmaru
Neo Geo
Ukyo Tachibana
Neo Geo
Charlotte Christine Colde
Neo Geo
Tam Tam
Neo Geo
Kuroko
Game Boy
Earthquake
Neo Geo
Nakoruru
Neo Geo
Wan Fu
Neo Geo
Jubei Yagyu
Neo Geo
Hanzo Hattori
Neo Geo
Kyoshiro Senryo
Neo Geo
Hikyaku
Game Boy
Amakusa Shiro Tokisada
Neo Geo

Gameplay
2D Gameplay (2D Gameplay)
Bakufu Blitz (Run)
Flying Retreat (Backdash)
Locking Swords (Mash Event)
If both players execute a properly timed dash or weapon attack, a "test of strength" may initiate. Whoever displays more button-mashing skill will disarm their opponent.
Rage Gauge (Rage Gauge)
Various Items (Items/Weapons)
Hikyaku the Edo Express Delivery Man randomly runs through the background and drops Meat (life recovery), Coins (score), or Bombs (explode and cause damage).
Amakusa Shiro Tokisada
Command Moves

Triangle Jump
(in air)(wall)uforward
Special Moves

Evil Hornet Gouger / OumagaToki
(weapon)qcf+anyslash/qcb+dbtn
A fast teleport.

Holy Spirit Slicer / ShireiJin, 怨獄死霊刀
(weapon)qcb+anyslash
Amakusa launches an evil spirit projectile.

Underworld Lord Blast / Dark Thunder
(weapon)(hold)abtn+bbtn+cbtn+dbtn,(release)
A projectile made of dark electric energy.
Charlotte Christine Colde

Power Gradation
(weapon)dbackwarddowndforward+anyslash
Charlotte leaps up with a slash of energy from her blade

Splash Fount
(weapon)m-anyslash
Charlotte rears back before dashing forward with a multitude of rapid slashes.
Earthquake
Command Moves

Triangle Jump
(in air)(wall)uforward
In spite of his girth Earthquake is able to use the traditional ninja wall jump.
Special Moves

Fat Bound
(in air)dbackward/down/dforward+m-anykick
Landing from a jump, Earthquake bounces several times on his posterior.

Fat Chainsaw
(weapon)m-anyslash
Earthquake vanishes, then reappears as a ball of rolling slashing fury.
Galford D. Weller
Command Moves

Triangle Jump
(in air)(wall)uforward
Special Moves

Diving Dog
qcb+dbtn
Poppy dashes forward for a brutal takedown.

Head Replica Attack
(hit)bbtn+cbtn+dbtn
When hit, Galford's body is replaced by a log while he drops down from above to stab.

Machinegun Dog
qcb+cbtn
Poppy runs forward and mauls the opponent, stunning them briefly.

Plasma Blade
qcf+anyslash
Galford fires a burst of electric energy at his foe.

Rear Replica Attack
hcb+bbtn+cbtn+dbtn
Galford teleports above his opponent for a drop-down slash.

Rush Dog
qcb+anyslash
Poppy charges forward for a headbutt.

Shadow Copy
forwardqc-b2ddforward+abtn/bbtn/cbtn/dbtn
Galford splits into shadow multiples, the true Galford determined by button press.

Strike Heads
(close)dp+anykick
Galford's ninja piledriver.
Gen-an Shiranui

Poison Cloud Puff / 毒吹雪, Doku Fubuki
qcf+anyslash
Exhales a large purple cloud that damages as well as stuns an opponent momentarily.

Slaughterhouse Tumble / 肉転突き, Nikuten Tsuki
dp+anyslash
Gen-an rolls towards his opponent slashing, and rebounds on impact.
Hanzo Hattori
Command Moves

Triangle Jump
(in air)(wall)uforward
Special Moves

Ninja Exploding Dragon Blast / Bakuen Ryu, 忍法爆炎龍
c.backwardforward+anyslash
Hanzo punches the ground, sending a rolling burst of flame at his foe.

Ninja Multiplier / Kage Bunshin, 忍法影分身
forwardqc-b2ddforward+abtn/bbtn/cbtn/dbtn
Hanzo splits into multiple shadows, the real one determined by button press. The illusion is broken when Hanzo attacks or is hit.

Ninja Teleportation / Utsusemi Chizan, 忍法うつせみ地斬
(hit)bbtn+cbtn+dbtn
Hanzo's body is replaced with a decoy log as the real thing drops down from above for a stab.

Ninja Teleportation Jig / Utsusemi Tenbu, 忍法うつせみ天舞
hcb+bbtn+cbtn+dbtn
Essentially Ninja Teleportation without the prerequisite of being hit.

Reppu Shuriken / 烈風手裏剣
qcf+anyslash
Straightforward projectile.

Shrike Dash / Mozu Otoshi, モズ落し
(close)dp+anykick
Leaping ninja piledriver.
Haohmaru

Crescent Moon Slash / Kogetsu Zan, 奥義 旋風裂斬
(weapon)dp+anyslash
A windmill slash, rising into the air.

Cyclone Slash / Senpu Retsusan, 奥義 弧月斬
(weapon)qcf+anyslash
Haohmaru emits a small cyclone from his blade. On contact, it sends the opponent flying into th eair.
Hikyaku
Courier Man

Arc Bomb
qcf+anyslash
Hikyaku tosses a bomb with an underhand arc. It explodes if it hits the ground or is unblocked by the opponent; Hikyaku himself can be damaged by the blast if he touches it. The bomb will be dropped and explode even if Hikyaku is hit during the move's startup.

Courier Speed
backwardforward+anykick
Hikyaku dashes at the opponent at his full speed. Upon the move's end, he stops to catch his breath momentarily.
Jubei Yagyu

Geyser Thrust / Suigetsu Toh, 喝咄 水月刀
(weapon)qcf+anyslash
Jubei sends a wave of energy at his foe.

Sabre Thrash / Hasso Happa, 八相発破
(weapon)m-anyslash
This two-handed heretic of the sword goes at it like a wildman.

Tsunami Sabre / Nikkaku Ratoh, ニッ角羅刀
(weapon)dp+anyslash
A shoulder charge followed by rising slash.
Kuroko

Flag Flinger
(weapon)qcf+anyslash
Kuroko chucks his flags, which spin toward the opponent in a circular motion. This leaves Kuroko weaponless and he must retrieve the flags.

Teleport
backwardhcb+anyslash/anykick
Kuroko poses with both flags out and warps to an undisclosed location.
Kyoshiro Senryo
Command Moves

Blood Mist Slice / 血煙曲舞
(weapon)(in air)down+abtn+bbtn
Swirling attack just like Dance of the Demon, but executed during a normal jump.
Special Moves

Dance of Fire / 火炎曲舞
dbackwardqcf+anyslash
Kyoshiro spits a steady burst of flame.

Flying Lion's Tail / 跳尾獅子
(weapon)qcb+anykick
Using his naginata for leverage, Kyoshiro makes a massive kick forward.

Kabuki Swirl / 風裂扇
qcb+anyslash
Standard projectile in the form of a flaming fan.

Swirling Dance of the Demon / 回天曲舞
(weapon)forwarddbackwarddowndforward+anyslash
Kyoshiro makes a highly vertical and slightly forward leap while twirling his blade.
Nakoruru

Amube Yatoro
hcb+anyslash
Nakoruru orders Mamahaha to attack.

Annu Mutsube
(weapon)qc-b2d+anyslash
Nakoruru slides along the ground with blade outstreched.

Hawk Carry
qcb+cbtn
Nakoruru rides Mamahaha, gaining flight.

Leyla Mutsube
(weapon)qcf+anyslash
Rising version of Annu Mutsube.
Tam Tam

Ahau Gaburu
hcb+anyslash
Tam Tam leaps up, spitting a vertically-exploding fireball to a certain distance determined by attack strength.

Mura Gaburu
qcf+anyslash
Tam Tam throws a skull.

Paguna Deos
qcb+anykick
Tam Tam spins low to the ground.

Paguna Paguna
(weapon)c.backwardforward+anyslash,backward/forward
Rapid spinning of the blade with controllable left/right movement.
Ukyo Tachibana

Concealed Sabre Snowfall Slash / Sasame Yuki, 秘剣ささめゆき
(weapon)qcb+anyslash
Ukyo tosses an apple then slashes rapidly, dividing the apple into pieces.

Swallow Swipe / Tsubame Gaeshi, 秘剣つばめ返し
(weapon)(in air)dbackwardqcf+anyslash
A wide aerial slash. Emits a flaming bird that travels upwards. Easily "tiger knee'd" from the ground by ending with @term=uforward@
Wan Fu

Confucius Slash / 気功旋風斬
(weapon)dp+anyslash
Standard uppercut move.

Confucius Thunder Bomb / 気功爆転法
(weapon)qcb+anyslash
Wan Fu takes a massive leap, tossing his weapon to the ground. It explodes with power and remains there.

Storyline
Samurai Showdown
Plagues of unknown origin, strange phenomena, repeated outbreaks of war: these were enough to cause panic and plunge people into despair.

But one smiled as he surveyed the unfolding chaos rending the world asunder.

For this "man," once slain by the forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate, hate for the Shogunate is all he possesses along with newly acquired dark powers to bring it down.

This "man," Tokisada Amagusa, unleashes his unworldly forces and spreads his false creed in an attempt to lead the world to ruin.

But in the midst of such calamities, there were still warriors who put their beliefs to the test. These warriors spurred by different motives and beliefs converge as if drawn together, battle, and make their way to the source of the chaos.

Fun Facts
No Fatties
Takara's Genesis port of Samurai Shodown is missing Earthquake--arguably a "small" price to pay for graphics much closer to "arcade perfect" than those of the Super NES port.
This place is Hell
The fictional Latin American village known as Green Hell not only appears in Samurai Shodown games, but is also the setting for the 1989 SNK shooter Prehistoric Isle in 1930.
Mai Shiranui cameo?
Anybody who finished Samurai Shodown with Haohmaru or Gen-an might remember seeing Mai Shiranui in their ending sequences. She appears making a visit to our character's stages, and always ends up executing her Ryu En Bu attack. She seems to kill Gen-an with it, and the result with Haohmaru is unknown (the action freezed).
However, she might as well not be Mai Shiranui herself, since in the dialogue of the Game Boy version ending, she's just quoted as being "Woman" (other versions don't put a name to her words), and it should also be noted that Mai belongs to a different timeline than that of Samurai Shodown.

Credits
Worldwide
Voice Actor

Eiji Yano as Amakusa Shiro Tokisada
Harumi Ikoma as Charlotte Christine Colde
Masaki Usui as Earthquake
Masaki Usui as Galford D. Weller
Eiji Yano as Gen-an Shiranui
Masaki Usui as Hanzo Hattori
Masaki Usui as Haohmaru
Takayuki Sakai as Jubei Yagyu
Kay Inage as Kyoshiro Senryo
Harumi Ikoma as Nakoruru
Kay Inage as Tam Tam
Eiji Yano as Ukyo Tachibana
Takayuki Sakai as Wan Fu