Samurai Shodown / Samurai Spirits

Neo Geo CD

One of the greatest of the Neo Geo's iconic covers, Haohmaru, looking awfully like John Stamos, stands poised for battle at the edge of a sea teaming with the power of nature.

(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "zemonn")

An EXTRAORDINARY Grade Game for the "Neo Geo".

Back:
A 12 sword super-clash! Now, time for the 'serious' match!
The slicing, kicking and rage within Japan's grand Samurai stage meet on the Neo Geo CD!

The heretics have appeared and spread throughout Japan; 12 samurai, ninja, knights and warriors. Take your trusted blade and go to town! If your sword gets knocked out of your hands, you'll be fighting with fists! Countless secrets, ninja arts and hidden sword techniques will decide the course of battle! The "Anger Gauge" will increase your attack power, letting you aim for a massive counter attack! What's more, bombs and restorative items appear, making this the place of EXTREME KATANA BATTLE! You can also play with identical characters and join in to challenge during the single player mode.

Mega Drive 

The Mega Drive received a port that was surprisingly superior in both sprite size and even audio, but the largest character, Earthquake is missing. 

Images taken from Gamefaqs (contributed by user "hydao")

Blades meet and the sparks scatter! It's a SUPER EXTREME katana battle!

Caption 1: Amakusa is included in the 12 characters you can choose from in the VS. mode.
Caption 2: You can even assemble a group for team battles!
Caption 3: With the "anger gauge," your attack power will increase for a massive counter attack!

Slice, Rage, Punch, Kick.

Game Gear

The Game Gear version was quite colorful, but pretty much all of the graphical elements were simply shrunken down rather than being redrawn to accommodate the smaller display. This was even considered a feature in the package's marketing, though pretty much all fighters for the rudimentary portable hardware of the 80s through late 90s were better received when making use of a super deformed art style. Backgrounds featuring static images of the crowds look particularly awkward.

(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "JeanFrancisFreitag")

A meeting of the Samurai Spirits! Superior white hot fencing action, along with the character's "real size" make it to the Game Gear version.

(Left caption) Rage explosion!! When the rage gauge becomes full, it's your chance for a counterattack!
(Center caption) Choose from 9 swordsmen and 'Fight for your Life'.
(Right caption) After clearing the game, you'll be able to control Amakusa Shiro Tokisada!!

Game Boy

Reprogrammed with the Game Boy in mind, sprites are redrawn for easier visibility on the Game Boy screen, the more ambient style musical tracks were replaced, and there's plenty of charming original artwork. Despite being one of the weakest platforms the game was ported to, Earthquake manages to make it in.

Images taken from Gamefaqs (contributed users “hydao” and "lockshaw13")

Now, the real battle is on!

12 Samurai, Ninjas, Knights and Warriors unravel the battle in a wild dance! All the secret techniques, ninja arts and special moves are here to use. Crush the rulers corrupting the world!!

The climatic gameplay systems such as rage, locking swords and sword grasping made it here unchanged, along with the addition of an original presentation on the Gameboy. Heat things up even more with link up battles.

(Top right caption) Haohmaru
(Bottom right caption) You can compete on the Super Game Boy!

3D0

Like Super Street Fighter II Turbo, Samurai Shodown was considered an amazing port for an unlikely system. The amazing artwork that graced nearly all the other packages was swapped for some Samurai gear. Maybe they figured if someone could afford a $700 3D0, they were also in the market for an authentic kabuto helmet or ougi fan?

Images taken from Gamefaqs (contributed users “hydao” and "lockshaw13")

A huge hit in arcades! As the winds of the blades stir, you're called to join in!

Original 'splatter scenes' leap out of the screen in this authentic fighting game! Using beautiful sword moves and ninja arts, head off to beat and slash through formidable opponents!

* 2 Player Versus!
* 12 swordsman with intense personalities!
* Battle action heads right towards your eyes!