Samurai Shodown Anthology

"Six times the Shoubu, but could've been Seven."

It's been a while, is the first thing that came to my mind when I played it. I'm a longtime Samsho Veteran but I haven't been around to play all the games when they came out sequentially. The first one I had the most fun with was Samurai Spirits 3, which no doubt rings a bell in many minds, although I'm sure the most popular and remembered game was 2.

Graphics: 7
I'm not about to claim these games are high-quality, but given the games' age, they've maintained their unique sprite quality over the years. While some may complain about precise display mode options having been taken out of the original Neo carts, I think that's besides the point, these games are so integrated you can now create your own custom colors for your favorite Slash/Bust characters. And while the Atomis Wave Tenkakuden (SS6) might have slightly higher graphic quality, nothing in particular is noticeable. Still, the games look good for being 15 years old. Be careful in more heated battles, however, as the PS2 will slow down slightly if two much happens on screen at once.

Sound: 9
If there was one thing I always remembered about the series, it was the sounds, music, and voices of the games. They are just as I remember them and it all makes the series come back to life as it was back in the day. What makes it even more interesting is that you have the option of selecting "Arranged" Mode music which is has better quality instrumentation from the authentic "Japanese" instruments of the 1600s on backwards, definitely worth a listen.

Controls: 6
A bit awkward at first, particularly since I'm not used to playing these games on anything but a Joystick, but regardless of this, the game's Key Config settings are fairly universal if somewhat limited (S+K should have been an option but oh well, I manage). It helps to be familiar with each game's internal gameplay system since some are drastically different than others. Read some faqs around here for tips on them.

Game System/Features: 6
I'll say this much for this anthology, its no complete slouch for extras. Online play (though I haven't specially tried it since I live in U.S.A.), Palette Mode, Music Test, Switching games on the fly (except Tenka), Blood is Red and intact, and SS3 and 4 retain their Fatal Issen and other finishers. For the most part I've enjoyed this collection, however there is one thing missing: Samurai Spirits V Special, though I hear the U.S. version will come out this fall with the missing game, I'm somewhat curious as to the reason SNK-P left it out of the Japanese version, but I hope the Online Play more than makes up for it.

Issues/Problems: 5
Aside from minor busy slowdown, loadtimes are fairly good, music is well integrated and there are slim to none in terms of bug issues. Details like hitboxes and other things vary from game to game of course, but nothing incredibly unsatisfactory that wasn't already in the game to begin with (Ukyo's Tsubamegaeshi Wiff for example if done low enough). Flicker isn't as exact as it was in the NeoGeo games but then it isn't a big deal. Any real complaints come from SS6 having to be loaded like a separate disc, and its overall setup not having changed much since it came out.

Worth the buy?: Depends on how you feel towards the series in general, control inputs and gameplay change from game to game, and it takes a while to relearn how characters fight and how they've evolved over the years. But anyone who likes a pickup slash-em-up fighter will like this one, authentic Japanese sounds and voices too.

Worth the rent?: To be sure. Give this a try, and if you don't like it try something else from SNK's collections, they're rare so be gentle. And its worth noting that games like Samurai Spirits laid the foundation for fighting game greats like Guilty Gear or the upcoming Blazblue.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/04/08

Game Release: Samurai Spirits: Rokuban Shoubu (NeoGeo Online Collection Vol. 12) (JP, 07/24/08)