Samurai Shodown VI

### Rating

ESRB: T for Teen - Violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, use of alcohol, use of tobacco

***Samurai Shodown VI***, best known as ***Samurai Spirits: Tale of the World's Greatest Swordsmen*** in Japan, is a competitive fighting videogame developed by Yuki Enterprise, released and distributed by SNK Playmore in 2005. It’s the tenth installment in the Samurai Shodown series, and sixth in the main two-dimensional series.

After the release of the last Neo Geo game (*Samurai Shodown V Special*), all SNK Playmore productions were move to home videogame systems and Sega/Sammy’s Atomiswave. This arcade board saw releases like *King of Fighters XI*, *Neo Geo Battle Coliseum*, *Metal Slug 6*, and *Samurai Shodown VI* included, among others.

Under the status of Dream Match, this game brings back all characters in the 2D series, included long-awaited characters like Nicotine or Earthquake, all bosses, and certain previously unplayable characters; home ports added EX versions of some characters and all pets are playable (Puppy, Paku Paku, etc.). Also there are four brand-new characters. And as main attraction, *Samurai Shodown VI* features a new Spirit series of gauges.

In 2016 SNK individually released *Samurai Shodown VI* on the PlayStation Store to be played on PS4 (also compatible with PS5 through backward compatibility). This version is taken directly from the one found in *SamSho Anthology* (even the "PlayStation 2 intro" remained). Some time later the company Limited Run Games published a physical edition with a limited number of copies.

## Overview

This was the first *Samurai Shodown* release after the demise of the Neo Geo Multi Video System and Advance Entertainment System. Yuki development team had the idea of bring all positive things of previous five games in one game. The number of characters is the higher in all history of the franchise, while each Spirit in the game is a wink to the game it represents; basic and special movements from all games are present here, alongside new mechanics. All new backgrounds were made in hi-resolution, while musical pieces are an evident departure from the traditional Min-yo genre. The soundtrack (original and arranged ) was bundled with the soundtracks of *Samurai Shodown V*.

Development team presented details that are reminiscent from early games, like stages around the world (not only Japan), the presentation of a world map and a brief quote of characters before a match, and the return of the referee and the delivery man during battles. But one detail that failed to satisfy fans were the absence of blood and violence (after the gore fest seen *SSV Special*); each slash attack only leaves colorful flashes, while violent moves were removed; all of this allows the game to be recognized by its gameplay and features, rather than violence and controversies. The game has two dubs: the original arcade with new voice actors, while the home ports presents a second dub with the original voice actors.

## Gameplay

Thanks to the best capabilities of the Atomiswave arcade board compared to the old Neo Geo, this game change the button layout adding a new button, being as follows: **Light Slash**, **Medium Slash**, **Strong Slash** (obtaining again a dedicated button), **Kick**, and **Special**. The **Special button** allows the player to perform a series of defensive or special maneuvers according the Spirit the player is using; movements all players can perform no matter which Spirit its being used are Sword Stun (parry when character is holding his weapon) and **Barehanded Sword Snag** (counter to unarm opponents when the player character is disarmed). Regarding game system, the Sword Gauge returns fulfilling its basic function: with each attack the gauge decreases and thereby the strength of the character; automatically fills if the character makes no attacks for a moment.

Traditional basic movements like **Bakufu Blitz**, **Flying Retreat**, Defense Breaker, and **Pounce Jab** (down-forward with Strong Slash when opponent is knocked-down) make a return in this game. The player can press Special button just when his character is about to fall knocked-down. Other basic moves may be present or not depending on the Spirit used by a player.

Kuroko, the classic and mysterious referee from early games is brought back formalized the matches, while Hikyaku (the Edo Express Delivery Man) also returns throwing items like money, food, bombs, or objects for use against the enemy.

## New to the series

* **Mikiri Slide** - A new defensive addiction to the *Samurai Shodown* series is the Mikiri Slide pushing Special button (only works with certain Spirits). When it’s perform, the character moves (either backwards, leaping in his place, or ducking in combination with the joystick/directional pad) and produces a series of shadows; if an enemy slash hits such shadows, a parry occurs and the player leaves unharmed from that attack. With Spirit VI this move helps to increase the length of green gauge.

* **Entire Defense** - This move is exclusive for Spirit VI. When the player push Light and Medium Slash buttons at the same time, a barrier encircle the character, making him invincible for an instant, but requires energy from the Rage Gauge .

* **Hidden super special** - Besides Weapon-Breaking and Knocking on the Sword super special moves, *Samurai Shodown VI* features the Hidden super special moves; each character has one Hidden move, which only subtracts the opponent’s energy. This super special move only can be performed with certain Spirits. Some Hiddens are representations of past super special moves of each character seen in previous *Samurai Shodown* games, and others are original super special moves for this game.

### Spirit Gauge

*Main article: Spirits*
This is the main addition to the gameplay of *Samurai Shodown VI*. After choose a warrior players are prompted to choose a Spirit, which basically is inspired from the gameplay and mechanics from past games. Each Spirit has features in common with others, but mainly, each one proposes a different game style ranging from balanced, power-focus, combo-oriented, aggressive, etc. The Spirits system replaces the generic use of Rage Gauge, while past features like Rage Explosion, Concentration One, or movements like Fatal Flash and Weapon-Breaking super specials are brought back in their respective Spirits. In home ports new Spirits were added, among them a Spirit for edit.

## Plot

### Intro

(as stated by SNK Playmore in *Samurai Shodown Anthology* instruction booklet)

*The official notice of the Sunpu tournament in the Imperial presence was first announced in Edo and word spread to various lands, finally becoming familiar new throughout the world. The age: Tenmei. The venue: the world. The prize: glory. The curtain now rises on the samurai's greatest spectacle. "En garde! Let the games begin!"*
### Story

*Samurai Shodown VI* takes the basis of the *Samurai Shodown V*’s plot, but it develops it in a parallel world during an unknown year. Yoshitora is now the Shogun during Tenmei period, and proclaims a world scale tournament to bring together the best warriors in the world. The winner of the contest will can make a wish and it will be fulfilled.

## Characters

There are a grand total of 28 playable characters, all from *Samurai Shodown V Special*, hidden characters, and classic characters not seen since *Samurai Shodown II* (now with reworked sprites). Pets are also included. All character sprites are the same since Neo Geo days, what may seem unfavorable in comparison with the new stages, besides sprite recycling.

### New Character

* Andrew - He is an american patriot that travels to Japan with the desire to unify the world into one nation, but first he needs to face his political leader, the Shogun called Yoshitora Tokugawa, engaging in a rivalry.
* Iroha - She is actually a crane that can morph into a beautiful maid girl. She only serves to his unknown "master".
* Sugoroku Matsuribayashi - A cheerful fighter who uses a kind of bell for combats. He wants to have a good time during the tournament.
* Ocha-Maro Karakuri - A japanese mechanical puppet created to fight demons.

### Returning characters

* Basara Kubikiri
* Cham Cham
* Charlotte Christine Colde
* Earthquake
* Enja
* Gaira Caffeine
* Galford D. Weller
* Genan Shiranui
* Genjuro Kibagami
* Hanzo Hattori
* Haohmaru
* Jubei Yagyu
* Kazuki Kazama
* Kusaregedo Youkai
* Kuroko
* Kyoshiro Senryo
* Liu Yunfei
* Mina Majikina
* Neinhalt Sieger
* Nicotine Caffeine
* Nakoruru
* Rasetsumaru
* Rera
* Rimururu
* Sankuro Yorozu
* Shizumaru Hisame
* Sogetsu Kazama
* Suija
* Tam Tam
* Ukyo Tachibana
* Wan-Fu
* Yoshitora Tokugawa
* Yumeji Kurokouchi

### Boss characters

* Gaoh Kyougoku Hinowanokami
* Mizuki Rashojin
* Shiro Tokisada Amakusa
* Zankuro Minazuki
* Demon Gaoh (final boss, not playable)

### Pets

* Chample
* Poppy
* Shikuru and Mamahaha
* Paku Paku

### Alternative versions

* Purple Nakoruru (Bust version)
* Galford (Bust version)
* Kim Ung Che
* EX Yoshitora
* EX Mina
* EX Yunfei
* EX Kusaregedo

## Stages

Backgrounds in this game make a return to locations around the world. Because the "festival" feeling on *Samurai Shodown VI*, most of the stages are based on festivities, like Independence Day of USA, Halloween, or Chinese New Year. First time in the 2D series, the stages in SSVI have 3D effects and were made in high resolution.

* Africa
* America
* Caribbean Sea
* Inca
* Ireland
* Kyoto
* Ooedo
* Ousyuu
* Shin
* Sunpu
* Makai

## Gallery

*Main article: Samurai Shodown VI/Gallery*
Atomiswave cover artJapanese arcade flyerTitle screenSelect screenGameplay screenshot