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Samurai Shodown, known in Japan as Samurai Spirits (サムライスピリッツ) is the name of a versus fighting game series by SNK. It is considered to be the premier 2D (now 3D) white weapons fighter, and is one of the best-known video games created by SNK.

Despite the name of the series, most of the characters are not samurai in the true sense of the word. In Japan, the name of the series is officially in katakana, but is alternately written in Kanji (侍魂, Samurai Damashii), with the second character pronounced supiritsu, "spirits", to better reflect the game's setting.

The earlier arcade games are also notorious for their "Engrish", such as the word 'victoly' which appears at the end of each match. In fact, even the title is misspelled. As with many game titles developed in Japan, Samurai Spirits had its name changed for other regions.

Overview

Samurai Shodown - SNK 40th Special Art

Special Illustration by Senri Kita for the SNK Brand 40th Anniversary.

The stories in the series takes place in 18th century Japan, during the Sakoku or seclusion period of Japan (the first four games run across 1788 and 1789), with great artistic license so that foreign-born characters (including some from places that didn't exist as such in 1788) and fictional monsters can also be part of the story. The plot of each game is quite different, but they circle a central group of characters and a region in Japan.

Samuraishodown30thanniversary

Illustration for the 30th anniversary of the series, by Yumi Saji

Samurai Shodown consequently portrays snippets of the Japanese culture and language internationally with little edits. For instance, unlike most American versions of Japanese video games, the characters in the series (including the announcer) generally speak only in Japanese, with dialects ranging from archaic formalities and theatricalism to modern-day slang. Win quotes and other cut scenes provide subtitles in several languages, including but not limited to English, Portuguese, and German. Much of the music includes traditional Japanese instruments (predominately the shakuhachi) and later enka. Several characters are loosely based on real people from Japanese history.

Development

"The Samurai-Gumi"

Samurai Gumi Members

From Left to Right: creator Yasushi Adachi, composer Tate Norio, director Tomoaki Fukui and designer Kiyoji Tomita.

There are two main artists responsible for the character designs and illustrations. For the early games (Part 1 to 4), the characters are created and illustrated by Shiroi Eiji. Her illustrations featured a distinctive, traditional Japanese calligraphy style. While she continues to design for a few of the later games, they are illustrated by another artist named Kita Senri until the fifth title. Early development team had about 20 people, later games had the team expand to 50 people. According to Yasushi Adachi, there are four games in particular inspired him when developing Samurai Shodown: [1]

  • Street Fighter 2 (CAPCOM), “because of the system’s collision handling”;
  • Mortal Kombat (Midway), “because of the moody setting in a serious battle”;
  • KLAX (Atari): “I liked the effects and impact from blows”;
  • Dragon Spirit (Namco), “the inspiration for the [Japanese] title Samurai Spirits”.

The Samurai Shodown games are most famous for their "POW" or "rage" gauge, a super combo gauge that only increases as a player receives damage. Earlier games also have a referee in the background, officiating the match.

Plot Timeline

Here is the official timeline taken from the official Samurai Shodown V website. All the series' chronology takes place during the Edo period and considering the seasons of Northern Hemisphere:

Year/Period
Japanese Era
Game
1786 (January through late summer)
Tenmei Era (6th Year)
Samurai Shodown V
1787
Tenmei Era (7th Year)
Samurai Shodown (2019)
1788 (early spring through early summer)
Tenmei Era (8th Year)
Samurai Shodown I
1788 (summer through early autumn)
Tenmei Era (8th Year)
Samurai Shodown III
1788 (autumn through early winter)
Tenmei Era (8th Year)
Samurai Shodown IV
1789 (spring through summer)
Tenmei Era (9th Year)
Samurai Shodown II
1789 (autumn) through 1790 (summer)
Tenmei Era (9th Year) and Kansei Era (1st Year)
Samurai Shodown 64
1789 (mid-autumn)
Tenmei Era (9th Year)
Samurai Shodown V Special & Samurai Shodown V Perfect (non-canon entries)
1790 (late autumn through winter)
Kansei Era (1st Year)
Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage
1791
Kansei Era (2nd Year)
Samurai Shodown Sen
1799 (new century start)
Kansei Era (10th Year)
Samurai Shodown VI (non-canon entry)
1811
Bunka Era (7th Year)
Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage


The series begins during the Tenmei famine in Japan, which lead to a severe depression and near chaos throughout the country. Upset by his country men's lamentations and the Shogun's indifference to their plight, the former Tokugawa general, Kyogoku Hinowanokami Gaoh, stages a rebellion in his land, Hinowa, against the reigning Tokugawa. He also hopes that his revolt will make the next Shogun in line, Yoshitora Tokugawa, realize his responsibilities to his country. The war caused by the conflict gains the interest from several warriors. At the war's end, Gaoh is defeated and Yoshitora is elected the new Shogun.

A year later, the entire country is beset by a terrible and looming evil. Fire, ruin and famine ran rampant throughout Japan. Meanwhile, as these events unfold, a sinister cloud envelops the air with a foreboding sense of dread. Shizuka Gozen (loosely based on the historical figure), the deceased spirit of a young woman who is possessed and trapped in Yomi (labeled Eternity in the game itself) threatens to destroy Japan. Warriors from all across Japan and beyond the ocean, driven by their own needs and desires, converge to investigate these evil forces and vanquish them.

Amakusa Shiro Tokisada (loosely based on the historical figure), once leader to a Christian rebellion, made a pact with an evil entity named Ambrosia moments before his execution, resurrected as an undead specter. Amakusa defeated Haohmaru, a ronin, who recently left his tutelage from his master, Caffeine Nicotine. After absorbing amount of evil energy within Shizuka until her death, Amakusa took over the body of Shinzo, one of Hanzo Hattori's sons, and completing his resurrection two years after the events of Hinowa.

More than a decade before the series begins, after taking over Shinzo's body, Amakusa begin his plan to get revenge on those who reigned against him, intending to resurrect Ambrosia into the mortal realm upon his release. He steals the sacred item, the Palenke Stone, from Green Hell to gain the necessary power he needs for the ritual. The sorcerer’s activity stirs evil phenomena across the globe, stretching from Japan to China to Europe and America, drawing several brave warriors to their calamities’ source. Amongst these warriors is Haohmaru, who wants a rematch against Amakusa. He sees the foe as a chance to sharpen his swordsmanship. An Ainu priestess, Nakoruru, though a pacifist, takes up her blade to save Mother Nature from further pain. Though several fighters attempt to slay the fiend, these two are successful in defeating him, apparently killing him in the process.

Months later, another "demon" rises in Japan. However, he is not related to Amakusa or Ambrosia. He is a man named Minazuki Zankuro, a powerful warrior who has earned the label "demon" for his merciless slaughter of innocent people, village after village. Zankuro eventually finds the error of his ways and retires to hermitage, only agreeing to kill skillful warriors in duels. One of the victims he spared was a child whom Haohmaru finds and raises. The child's name is Hisame Shizumaru Hisame, who seeks revenge for his family's murder under Zankuro's hands. He sets out with Haohmaru to test their strength against Zankuro, challenging other fighters along the way. Eventually, they meet and duel, Shizumaru being the victor. Though Zankuro was heavily wounded, he tries to deliver a final blow only to be struck down by the heavens. He dies complementing the victor and his body is entombed.

The grave doesn't last long, as Amakusa revives his efforts for revenge and steals the fallen warrior as an implement for destruction. This time, Amakusa's spirit is split into two halves; the original, good and just; the other, corrupt and ambitious. As the evil half brings destruction to Japan from Shimbara, the good half struggles to restores it. The evil Amakusa kidnaps a young kunoichi named Kazama Hazuki from the Kazuma ninja clan. Hazuki, adapt with ki and welding a special life force inside her, is used by the sorcerer to control Zankuro's bloodlust. Her elder brothers, Kazuki and Sogetsu, race to her rescue. Though several outcomes of this battle are interpreted, Kazuki is officially successful in slaying the evil Amakusa and Zankuro is finally put to rest by Sogetsu. Labeled nukenin, or rogue ninja, by their clan, Hazuki and Kazuki go into hiding while Sogetsu lets them escape. So that the clan won't go after them, Sogetsu pretended to kill Kazuki.

Six months after this conflict, a priestess possessed by the evil demon, Rashojin Mizuki, emerges to send the world into chaos again. Mizuki, as a loyal servant to Ambrosia from 1000 years ago, is awakened by evil from Amakusa's malevolent half. Her awakening causes several worldwide disasters, and though her spirit is awake, she has yet to ascend to the human realm. She preys on unlucky warrior's souls and uses the fallen to strengthen her and Ambrosia's powers. The good Amakusa saves Haohmaru and other virtuous souls but he too falls to her bane. Warriors travel to Hell itself to battle her soul before it resurrects. Haohmaru and Nakoruru are able to make the journey to Hell and stop Mizuki, sealing her into the Makai (demon world) after her defeat.

Yuga the Destroyer, another being originating from the Makai realm, moves to conquer the world half a year after Mizuki's defeat. Twenty years prior to Amakusa's resurrection, it enters the human realm and steals various babies from mother's wombs and using its power, bestows superhuman abilities upon them. It silently re-inserts the unborn children, and waits for them to grow into superhuman warriors. Upon their adulthood, it appears before all of them and brainwashed all of them to become its loyal slaves through a magical puppet show. One of its victims is a mysterious woman named Shiki, the perfect female counterpart for Yuga's vessel. Yuga orders Shiki to find the perfect male counterpart, intending to merge the two for its eventual resurrection. Haohmaru is selected but Yuga underestimates him in their battle. Haohmaru defeats it and frees Shiki from its mind-control.

A year passes, and Yuga, better prepared, revives itself. With its second appearance, Asura, a destructive being (which wreaks havoc in order to bring about "the unification of this world and the Netherworld...") escapes from his prison from the Netherworld. Yuga, realizing the strength of Asura, clones him and creates its loyal servant Hanmen no Asura. His orders are to reclaim Shiki and return to Yuga with her. However, he falls in love with Shiki and turns against his master. Both Asuras defeat Yuga entirely and merge together, leaving Shiki with a child. She leaves the child to Haohmaru's care, feeling unworthy of motherhood.

Twenty years pass, with the age of samurai and swordsmen drawing to a close. Those not abiding to the peaceful change of era are outlawed to a prisoner island. Zealous inhabitants rise up and try to create a "new world exclusively for the chosen ones", whom are intent on destroying the shogunate. The group they form is called the "League of the Three Blades of Domination" and the island becomes known as Ritenkyo. Their leader is an old man named Oboro. A member of the Shogunate, Seishiro Kuki, is ordered by his superiors to assassinate the ones responsible for the uprising. An older Haohmaru goes to find his "niece", Mikoto, and to free her from her torn past.

Games

Mainline Titles

Dream Match Games

Compilations

Spin-off Games

Neo Geo Pocket/Color Games

Mobile Games

In Other Media

Anime/OVAs

Mangas/Novels

Additionally, various manhua have been printed for the series. One of them is currently being released in Hong Kong.

  • Samurai Shodown (Dengeki)
  • Samurai Shodown II (Dengeki)

OSTs/Drama CDs

Pachinko/Pachislot Games

Card Games

Samurai spirits hanafuda deck

Full SamSho Hanafuda card deck.

In December 2006, Sabertooth Games released a Samurai Shodown V collectable card game set along with King of Fighters 2006 for it's Universal Fighting System (UFS) game. UFS is meant to be a universal system, as other games like Street Fighter and Soul Calibur III are also included into the series. Featured character starter decks were also released for Haohmaru and Ukyo Tachibana. STG staff favorites from the Samurai Shodown side tend to favor towards characters Nakoruru and Hanzo Hattori.

The series also had a hanafuda deck printed with the series's characters.

Characters Introduction

SamSho I

SamSho II

SamSho III

SamSho IV

SamSho RPG

SamSho 64

SamSho 64: Warriors Rage (A.K.A. 64-2)

SamSho Warriors Rage

SamSho V

SamSho VI

SamSho Sen

SamSho (2019)

Original Characters

Crossover Characters (Only as DLC)

SNK Original Character
Crossover Guest Characters
  • Warden (Ubisoft's For Honor series)
  • Gongsun Li (Tencent's Honor of Kings mobile series)
  • Baiken (Arc System Works' Guilty Gear series)

NPC Characters

Characters' Participation

Participation of the characters in the mainline games of the series, either they canonical or not.

Note 1: The order of the tables are based on the appearances on the first mainline game of the series.
Note 2: About the colors in the table, they follow the logic below:
  • Yellow: for table titles and undefined/dual status.
  • Law Green & Red: for the characters' participation in the series.
  • Forest Green & Fire Brick: the first color indicates the characters who participated in all games of the series, and the second indicates the characters who were absent from, at least, one game in the series.

SNK Characters

Character
Former SNK Era
64 Series
Playmore Era
Current SNK Era
SamSho I
SamSho II
SamSho III: Blades of Blood
SamSho IV: Amakusa's Revenge
SamSho 64
SamSho 64: Warriors Rage
SamSho Warriors Rage
SamSho V
SamSho V Special
SamSho V Perfect
SamSho VI
SamSho Sen
SamSho (2019)
Haohmaru
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Nakoruru
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Unplayable Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Ukyo Tachibana
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Charlotte Christine de Colde
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Galford D. Weller
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Jubei Yagyu
Regular Character
Regular Character
GameBoy Exclusive Boss
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Earthquake
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Hanzo Hattori
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Kyoshiro Senryo
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Tam Tam
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character (in a new version)
Regular Character (in a new version)
Regular Character (in a new version)
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Wan-Fu
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
DLC Character (Season 1)
Genan Shiranui
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Genjuro Kibagami
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Cham Cham
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
PlayStation Exclusive Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
DLC Character (Season 3)
Neinhalt Sieger
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Nicotine Caffeine
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Shizumaru Hisame
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Free DLC Character (Season 1)
Rimururu
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Unplayable Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
DLC Character (Season 1)
Basara
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
DLC Character (Season 1)
Gaira Caffeine
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Kim Ung Che
Absent
Absent
Korean Exclusive Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Kazuki Kazama
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
DLC Character (Season 1)
Sogetsu Kazama
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
DLC Character (Season 2)
Shiki
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Hanma Yagyu
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Asura
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Shadow Asura
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Half-Shaded Shiki
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Taizan Morozumi
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Karakuri Hanma
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Enja Kazuki
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Suija Sogetsu
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Seishiro Kuki
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Jin-Emon Hanafusa
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Jushiro Sakaki
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Rinka Yoshino
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Saya
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Haito Kanakura
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Yaci Izanagi
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Garyo the Whirlwind
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Ran Po
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Minto
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mikoto
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Tohma Kuki
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Tashon Mao
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Daruma
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mugenji
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Yuda
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Samurai
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Hanzo Hattori (WR)
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Iga Ninjas
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Brute
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Kunou Seishiro
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Yoshitora Tokugawa
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Regular Character
Mina Majikina
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
DLC Character (Season 2)
Rasetsumaru
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Rera
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Enja
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Suija
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Liu Yunfei
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Youkai Kusaregedo
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Andrew
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Iroha
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
DLC Character (Season 2)
Sugoroku Matsuribayashi
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Ocha-Maro Karakuri
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Purple Nakoruru
Absent
Absent
Alternative Character
Alternative Character
Alternative Character
Alternative Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Alternative Character
Absent
Alternative Character
Galford (Rasetsu)
Absent
Absent
Alternative Character
Alternative Character
Alternative Character
Alternative Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Alternative Character
Absent
Absent
Suzuhime
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Angelica
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Takechiyo
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Garros
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
J.
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Kim Hae-Ryeong
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Walter
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Jinbei Sugamata
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Black Hawk
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Kirian
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Claude
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Yashamaru Kurama
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Darli Dagger
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Wu-Ruixiang
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Hibiki Takane
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Crossover DLC Character (Season 3)
Kuroko
Game Boy Exclusive Character
Console Exclusive Boss
Mid-Boss
Absent
Hidden Character
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
NPC Character
Regular Character
Absent
NPC Character
Hikyaku
Game Boy Exclusive Character
NPC Character
NPC Character
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
NPC Character
NPC Character
Absent
Absent
Gandara
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mid-Boss
Sub-Boss
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Deku & Dekuina
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mid-Bosses
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Oboro's Amazons
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mid-Bosses
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Yumeji Kurokouchi
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Sub-Boss
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Sankuro Yorozu
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mid-Boss
Absent
Absent
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Shiro Tokisada Amakusa
Final Boss
Absent
Regular Character
Regular Character & Final Boss (His Normal & Aku Version)
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mid-Boss
Mid-Boss
Regular Character
Absent
DLC Character (Season 3)
Mizuki Rashojin
Absent
Final Boss
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Final Boss
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Zankuro Minazuki
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Final Boss
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Mid-Boss
Mid-Boss
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Yuga the Destroyer
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Final Boss
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Oboro
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Gaoh
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Mid-Boss
Mid-Boss
Regular Character
Absent
Absent
Demon Gaoh
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Absent
Absent
Draco
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Sub-Boss
Absent
Golba
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss
Absent
Shizuka Gozen
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Final Boss

Crossover Characters

Character
Former SNK Era
64 Series
Playmore Era
Current SNK Era
SamSho I
SamSho II
SamSho III: Blades of Blood
SamSho IV: Amakusa's Revenge
SamSho 64
SamSho 64: Warriors Rage
SamSho Warriors Rage
SamSho V
SamSho V Special
SamSho V Perfect
SamSho VI
SamSho Sen
SamSho (2019)
Warden
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Crossover Guest DLC Character (Season 2)
Gongsun Li
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Crossover Guest Free DLC Character (Season 2)
Baiken
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Crossover Guest DLC Character (Season 3)

Mascots & Pets

Character
Former SNK Era
64 Series
Playmore Era
Current SNK Era
SamSho I
SamSho II
SamSho III: Blades of Blood
SamSho IV: Amakusa's Revenge
SamSho 64
SamSho 64: Warriors Rage
SamSho Warriors Rage
SamSho V
SamSho V Special
SamSho V Perfect
SamSho VI
SamSho Sen
SamSho (2019)
Mamahaha
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Poppy
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Paku Paku
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
PlayStation Exclusive Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
Absent
Shikuru
Absent
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
Absent
Chample
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Absent
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Playable Mascot/Pet
Absent
DLC Playable Mascot/Pet (Season 2)

Trivia

  • Even today, the word "Showdown" is still misspelled as "Shodown;" this dates back to the Neo-Geo era where sprite data and storage is an important factor. Rather than correctly spelling out Showdown and alter display code per region, because in Japan, the title is Samurai Spirits, the word Shodown (whose letter count is the same as Spirits) is instead used. Possibly due to its established recognizability, this manner of misspelling has been retained and never changed.
  • Ironically, very few of the samurai characters in the series are proper samurai and are rōnin instead.

External links

References

SNK games
Major series Fatal FurySamurai ShodownThe King of FightersMetal Slug
Minor series Micon KitIkari WarriorsAthenaBeast BustersBaseball StarsSengokuWorld HeroesArt of FightingSuper SidekicksTwinkle Star SpritesThe Last BladeNeoSNK vs. CapcomDragon GalDays of MemoriesSuper OtousanSky LoveSister QuestDoki MajoKamitamaSNK Gals Island
Duologies VanguardAlpha MissionJongbouPrehistoric IsleKing of the MonstersQuizCrossed SwordsStarStakes WinnerPuzzle de Pon!Shock TroopersPuzzle LinkUnitronCool CoolKentei Mezase!KyujiNanairo MiraiSavage Reign
Crossovers ADK WorldSNK Gals' FightersNeo Geo Battle ColiseumNeo Geo Heroes: Ultimate ShootingSNK Dream BattleThe Rhythm of FightersSNK Heroines Tag Team Frenzy
Standalone developed YosakuSafari RallySasuke vs. CommanderThe Monkey / Monkey FriendSatan of SaturnFantasyPioneer BalloonLassoMunch MobileMarvin's MazeMahjong ClassroomGladiatorJumping CrossMain EventMad CrasherHAL 21T.N.K. IIICanvas CroquisBermuda TriangleGuerrilla WarWorld WarsPaddle ManiaFighting SoccerFighting GolfChopper IIron TankP.O.W. - Prisoners of WarGold MedalistCountry ClubMechanized AttackStreet SmartThe Next SpaceSAR: Search and RescueCrystalisNAM-1975Mahjong KyōretsudenTop Player's GolfDexterityLittle League BaseballRiding HeroThe Super SpyCyber-LipPuzzledLeague BowlingGhost PilotsRobo ArmyFootball FrenzySoccer BrawlMutation NationLast Resort3 Count BoutTop Hunter: Roddy & CathyRoads EdgeXtreme RallySonic the Hedgehog Pocket AdventureMezase! Kanji OuGanbare Neo Poke-KunOgre Battle: Legend of the Zenobia PrinceBig Bang Pro WrestlingZupapa!HanasakariVait LordKimino YushaTouch Down FeverTsukibitoKimi Wa Hero
Standalone published Ozma WarsAtom SmasherMeijinsenTime SoldiersSky SoldiersGang WarsSky AdventureSatomi HakkendenSuper Champion BaseballMagician LordNinja CombatBlue's JourneyEight Man2020 Super BaseballBurning FightThrash RallyNinja CommandoAggressors of Dark KombatMaster of SyougiNeo Turf MastersOver TopNinja Master'sRagnagardPleasure Goal: 5 on 5 Mini SoccerIroncladZintrickThe Irritating MazeMelon Chan's Growth DiaryPocket TennisCrush RollerDoko Demo MahjongNeo Poke Pro YakyuuParty MailShigeru Mizuki's Yokai Photo AlbumDynamite Slugger
Console published Legend of Success JoeMinnasan no Okagesama DesuBakatono-sama Mahjong Man'yukiAndro DunosViewpointSpin MasterWindjammersGururinFight FeverFighter's History DynamiteJanshin Densetsu: Quest of JongmasterAero Fighters 2/3Puzzle Bobble/Puzzle Bobble 2Zed BladePower Spikes IIStreet HoopGoal! Goal! Goal!Bomberman: Panic BomberGalaxy Fight: Universal WarriorsDouble DragonKabuki KlashIdol Mahjong Final Romance 2Voltage Fighter GowcaizerChibi Maruko-chan Deluxe QuizSuper Dodge BallTecmo World Soccer '96Magical Drop II/III/PocketNeo Drift Out: New TechnologyWaku Waku 7BreakersMoney Puzzle ExchangerNeo BombermanNeo Mr. Do!Battle Flip ShotBang BeadGanryuCaptain TomadayShanghai MiniDive AlertPac-ManPuyo PopDensha de Go! 2KoudelkaFaselei!Strikers 1945 PlusPocket ReversiNightmare in the DarkCool Boarders PocketFantastic Night Dreams: CottonPicture PuzzleEvolution: Eternal DungeonsSuper Real Mahjong Premium CollectionRage of the DragonsPower Instinct MatrimeleePochi and Nyaa
Other Neo CarnivalNeo Geo CD SpecialSNK World-iSNK Slot Panic iN•A•K•E•R•UNeo Geo Online CollectionNeoGeo Pocket Color SelectionSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate
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