Known in Japan as Samurai Spirits, Samurai Shodown is a fighting game developed by SNK for arcade cabinets. Released in 1993, this title is the first installment of the Samurai Shodown series. The game is set in modern times and focuses primarily on weapon combat like Soul Calibur. Samurai Shodown was received well by fans and critics. The game won multiple awards in its lifetime including Game of the Year, Best Fighting Game, and Best VGM. The game’s ports did well as well with it landing on multiple Top 100 video games list. Samurai Shodown currently sits at 8.0 on Metacritic.
The Premise of Samurai Shodown
Samurai Shodown is renowned for its fast pace. Instead of being balanced around combos, the gameplay is based on quick and powerful strikes. There is a slow-motion effect added to intensify the damage dealt from hard hits. During a match, a referee holds flags representing each player (Player 1 is white; Player 2 is red). When a player lands a successful hit, the referee lifts the corresponding flag, indicating who dealt the blow. While a match is going on, a delivery man occasionally appears in the background and throws items that can affect the match.
The Main Characters of Samurai Shodown
- Haohmaru – A wandering samurai who is searching for strong opponents to hone his skills.
- Nakoruru – A young girl aided by her pet eagle, Mamahaha, who strives to protect nature.
- Ukyo Tachibana – An ailing samurai warrior who is fighting to gain a flower for his beloved Kei Odagiri.
- Charlotte Christine de Colde – A French noblewoman who vows to protect France from Amakusa’s evil.
- Galford D. Weller – An American fascinated by the ninja, he traveled to Japan to become one. He is aided by his pet dog, Poppy.
- Jubei Yagyu – A Ronin who strives to protect Japan from its enemies.
- Earthquake – A large Texan who studied the art of Ninjutsu. He wishes to steal as much treasure as he can.
- Hanzo Hattori – An Inga Ninja who fights to save his son Shinzo from Amakusa’s control.
- Kyoshiro Senryo – A kabuki performer who uses his art to entertain and perfect his fighting skills.
- Tam Tam – A warrior from the Mayan city of Green Hell, charged with retrieving the stolen Palenke stone back from Amakusa.
- Wan-Fu – A warrior from China, serving the Qing Emperor. He searches Japan for worthy fighters to help him unify his homeland.
- Genan Shiranui – A member of the Shiranui clan, killing anyone who gets in his way as he progresses through the way of evil.
Other Titles In The Series
- Samurai Shodown
- Samurai Shodown II
- Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood
- Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa’s Revenge
- Samurai Shodown 64
- Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage
- Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage
- Samurai Shodown V
- Samurai Shodown Sen
- Samurai Shodown (2019)
Samurai Shodown Cheats
Arcade Exclusive Cheats
Different Costumes
Press D while a character is highlighted on the Character Selection screen.
Extended Ending
Complete the game without using a continue.
3DO Exclusive Cheats
Earthquake Code
Play as Charlotte and get a perfect. Then, quickly press A, B, A, C, A, D, Up, Down, and Left. This will make earthquake eat chicken.
Level Select
Lose one game. Pick Resume and press Left, X, Down, Up, Right, Left, Up, X.
Drain Opponents Health
After putting in the code for level select begin a fight. Hit your opponent 1 time and after that, you can hold down the L and R buttons to drain his/her health. You must hit your opponent at least once for this to work. The only way to get rid of this code is to delete the Samurai Showdown memory from your 3DO system.
Change Player 2 Colors
Press RS + C to give player 2 a color change.
Genesis Exclusive Cheats
No Music During the First Round of the Match
During any match intro, wait until both characters jump out at the same time and the screen begins to turn white, then press Start. The music will be silent for the first round.
Neo Geo CD Exclusive Cheats
Unlock Hidden Character: Amakusa
Pick any character then enter the versus mode and lose the match on purpose. Afterward, save the game then pick Charlotte on the second player controller to continue with. During the bonus phase ahead simply press start on the first player controller and Charlotte will turn into Amakusa.
Unlock Hidden Character: Kuroko
At the versus character select screen the player who wants to be Kuroko should use this code: Up, Down, Left, Up, Down, Right+A. After the current match, the game will reset.
Game Boy Exclusive Cheats
Extra Samurai
During the intro screen, wait until the close-up of the fighter’s eyes fades out, then when the screen switches to the fighter cutting down the trees, press Select four times. You should hear a chime if done correctly and there will be three extra samurai to choose from at the character select screen.
Game Gear Exclusive Cheats
Play As Amakusa
Press right three times when the Takara logo is displayed.
SNES Exclusive Cheats
Play As Amakusa in 2-player mode
When the Takara logo appears, press: A, Y, X, and B. You will hear a strange sound. On the player select screen, hold down the L and R buttons on both controllers and press start when choosing a character.