PixlBit

Nestled in between the overflowing amount SFV info today (not all of it good) was a gem of a rumor too good not to talk about. It appears SNK Playmore maybe doing another Samurai Shodown coming in 2017. This will be the first Samurai Shodown game in nearly 8 years. Even if this is a rumor, this is a big deal. Its also worthy to take quick look back at the importance of the Samurai Shodown series, if only to not talk about “Pavement Warrior Go” for a brief second.

Samurai Shodown, Samurai Spirits in Japan and SamSho for short, is actually a very important franchise in SNK history. Its the third fighting game that SNK had ever created that premiered in 1993. It is only second behind KOF as SNK’s longest running franchise. The first game was one of the first weapon based fighting games released as well as one of the first behind Art of Fighting to feature a “super meter.” Samurai Shodown also was known for featuring fatalities in their games to, a nod to the popularity of ultra violent arcade games at the time. Beyond just the versal flairs of violence, SamSho had real depth to it. Later entries are still competitive staples today in many circles and its game play became inspiration for many games. Street Fighter IV’s Ultra gage, for example, is based around SamSho’s rage gauge meter system. Like KOF, SamSho was a franchise SNK was very flexible with, allowing for various fighting game and non-fighting game outings. SamSho is the only fighting game from SNK to have multiple 3D entries (with a some of them being pretty good…and the last one being really bad), an RPG, manga, OVAs, dating sims, audio dramas, maid….competition sims (?), and even multiple pachinko entries because the “P” in SNK Playmore stands for pointless pachinko games. There’s a reason and rationale why this rumor maybe true: SamSho definitely has some presence in SNK’s social identity.

The rumor of the new SamSho states that it would resemble of KOF XIV by being 2D but with 3D sprites. Given the large scale negative reaction to the graphics of KOF XIV, I can understand people being hesitant about being excited the possibility of new SamSho in that similar style. The last game to bear the SamSho name, Samurai Shodown: Warrior’s Rage/Samurai Spirits Sen, was a mess of game that left the series in worst shape than the weird fatalities present in that game. It makes sense than SNK Playmore scaled back on the franchise and maybe still doesn’t want to return to the series if the rumor is just that. But with SNKP’s supposedly newfound zeal from being bought out by a Chinese gaming company, there is a small flickering spark of hope for another entry in the series. I mean Giant Bomb ranks it the best fighting game of all time for its Ranking of Fighters series**. That must count for something right?

*Kirikaeshi a term for striking practice in Kendo, the Japanese Way of the Sword. Sorry but I’ve practiced Kendo for four years in college and loved it. Anytime I can find a way to cheese it into something, I will do it. Here’s a video of it and yes,you do have to scream like your killing someone (I mean that what it was practice for back in the time of real samurais). Its a part of practice and its super respectful if you don’t do it.

**It should also be mentioned that Giant Bombs Ranking of Fighters only has a four episodes and six entries on their list of the best fighting games. But its a fighting game list that doesn’t have any Capcom nor Namco fighters on it, so SNKP might as well hang that achievement on a wall. Or at least the employee’s lounge fridge.