Hidden Super Special

The **Hidden Super Special**, best known in Japan as **Hidden Secret Art** (秘奥義, *Hi Ōgi*?) is a type of Super Special move featured in some games of the Samurai Shodown series that is not either Weapon-Breaking or Weapon-Flipping Technique, with elaborated sequences on the joystick/directional pad and the possibility to inflict high amount of damage.

First found in the 1994 game *Samurai Shodown II* the Hidden Super Specials were kept in secret by SNK because the commands did not appear printed in any of the company’s official sources as the arcade strip of moves, marquee title card, and even the instruction booklet. After the release of some strategy guides in Japan the players were able to know the existence of these techniques.

On games like *Samurai Shodown 64* and *Warriors Rage 64* this technique was the only type of Super Special move, and late games like *Warriors Rage (PS1)*, *Samurai Shodown VI*, and *Samurai Shodown (2019)*, the Hidden Super Special is an alternative option to techniques like Weapon-Breaking or Weapon-Flipping, adding some rules of use depending on the game.

## Origin

In *Samurai Shodown II* each character of the playable roster has 1 Weapon-Breaking Technique as Super Special move, and at least 4 special attacks (Charlotte and Genjuro only have 3 special moves). But then, the developer team added 1 additional special move to some characters. This movement is regarded as “secret” because officially was never mentioned by SNK through the arcade strip of moves, the marquee title card, and the instruction booklet of the game itself. Was until some strategy guides were printed in Japan when players learned of the existence of these movements.

These hidden moves were only available for the characters Haohmaru, Nakoruru, Hanzo Hattori, and Galford, regarded as part of their normal set of Special techniques. This is because Rage Gauge at MAX is not required to perform unlike Weapon-Breaking Techniques, and can be performed without limits during a match. Also, these hidden techniques require complex movements on the joystick/directional pad to input the command. When hit the opponent successfully an automatic combo occurs and the damage inflicted is almost equal to a Weapon-Breaking Technique (only applies to Haohmaru and Nakoruru), but at least the affected character do not lose his/her weapon.

The next is the list of Hidden Super Special moves in *Samurai Shodown II*:

* Heavenly Wind Slash (Haohmaru)
* Elelyu Kamui Rimuse (Nakoruru)
* Shadow Dance (Hanzo, non-offensive move)
* Backstab (Galford, non-offensive move)

## 3D games

The 2 games that appeared on the Hyper NeoGeo arcade board (*Samurai Shodown 64* and *Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage*) were the first games in the series to drop the Weapon-Flipping Techniques. Still SNK featured Super Special moves with the nick name **Hidden Secret Art**, showing powerful routines and aesthetic auto combos, but this time the characters can’t lose their weapons. Note that new characters introduced in this Yuga Saga like Hanma Yagyu, Enja Kazuki, and Suija Sogetsu don't carry weapons in their hands, so the development team made this change conveniently.

The Hidden Super Special returned for the PlayStation-exclusive game *Samurai Shodown: Warriors Rage*, this time alongside Weapon-Flipping Techniques and, for the first time, SNK created rules to use the secret technique: only can be used the character has the third, final portion of the Life Gauge flashing red. The player can use the Hidden Super Special an unlimited number of times but, after performed (whatever if hit or not) the player first needs to lose any portion of Life Gauge to use it again.

## Later 2D games

*Samurai Shodown VI* gathered all of the gameplay mechanics from previous titles, and the Hidden Super Specials returned as well. Players can use this technique only with the Spirit Gauges VI and II. When using Spirit VI the Hidden Super Special can be performed when the character’s health reach the green portion of the Life Gauge and the Rage Gauge is full. After use (whatever if hit or not) the green mark disappears for a brief moment. Such green portion can be increased using Mikiri Slides. The command for all characters is:

 **+**   (character facing right)

By other hand, the players can do the Hidden Super Special any time when using the Spirit II with no Rage Gauge required, but only can be performed once per match. Also, like *Samurai Shodown II* the commands have complex directions to do with the joystick/directional pad, and each character has his/her own command.

For the 2019 soft reboot title the Hidden move (english name is simply **Super Special Moves**) are again featured alongside Weapon-Flipping Techniques. Only can be used once per match and no full Rage Gauge is required. When command is done the characters make a brief pose, slowing the flow time and becoming invincible. If hits successfully the background turns in yellow tones and the character perform his/her routine with a cinematic follow-up with the camera. As usual this move does not disarm opponents, but can inflict around 70% of damage. The command for all characters is:

  **+**