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 No results

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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 developed for the Neo Geo. It is the first in the series, and it is notable for using weapons rather than relying on hand-to-hand combat during battles (one of the first fighting games of its type to do so).

After being released for the Neo Geo in 1993, ports were made to a variety of platforms, including the Sega Mega Drive, Sega Mega-CD, and Sega Game Gear.

Story

The story takes place in Japan in the late 18th century. The game takes great artistic license so that foreign-born characters (including some from places that did not exist as such at the time), historical figures, and fictional monsters can be part of the 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.

Gameplay

Mega Drive and Mega-CD versions

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.

	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 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 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 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. 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 story mode. In two-player games, players can choose the stage in the Mega Drive version, but the stage is always that of the first player's character in the Mega-CD version.

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.

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 Game Informer (US) NTSC-U 75 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

	71
Based on 15 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)