Samurai Shodown VI (Game)

Samurai Shodown VI

GAME » on September 14, 2005

Arcade (Platform)PlayStation 2 (Platform)PlayStation 4 (Platform)PlayStation Network (PS3) (Platform)

Originally released for the Atomiswave arcade system, Samurai Shodown VI is a "dream match" installment featuring all fighters from the main series and the ability to choose between a variety of different gameplay styles.

Game Images Reviews Samurai Shodown VI ReleasesRelated Pages

EditHistoryPage info

Overview

Samurai Shodown VI, known in Japan as Samurai Spirits: Tenkaichi Kenkakuden (loosely translated to "Samurai Spirits: Tale of the World's Greatest Swordsmen"), is a 2D historical-fantasy weapon-based fighting game developed by SNK Playmore (along with Yuki Enterprise (Company)) and released by Sega (Company) for arcades (using Dreamcast (Platform)-based Atomiswave (Concept) hardware) on September 14, 2005.

A "dream match" entry in the Samurai Shodown series, and its sixth main installment, Samurai Shodown VI brings together all combatants from every game in the mainline series for a non-canonical "festival" scenario. It is notable for being the last entry in the series with 2D character sprites, and features a "Spirit Select" system for choosing one of six gameplay styles (each based on a particular game in the mainline series). Like SNK's other Atomiswave games, it makes use of a five-button control setup and features higher-fidelity UI and backgrounds comprised of both 3D-rendered and hand-drawn 2D graphics.

It later received a home port for the PlayStation 2 (Platform), released by SNK Playmore exclusively in Japan on January 26, 2006, which adds online multiplayer and bonus unlockable characters. This version was also included in the PS2 and Wii (Platform) compilation Samurai Shodown Anthology (Game), and was later digitally re-released for the PlayStation Network (Concept) on November 19, 2014 (in Japan) and November 22, 2016 (in North America).

Gameplay

Samurai Shodown VI uses a five-button control scheme, with three Slash buttons (A, B, and C, for Light, Medium, and Strong), a Kick button (D), and a specialized Dodge button (E, or "Special").

Spirits

Similar to the Ism system in Street Fighter Alpha 3 (Game) and the Groove system in Capcom vs. SNK 2, Spirits is a new system where players can choose from a variety of gameplay styles, each with unique dodge choices and other techniques:

VI (剣, Ken) - Rage meter resets between rounds, but now builds by attacking and dealing damage and does not deplete automatically. Gain a A+B knockback parry (or "Hyper Guard"), which costs part of the Rage meter. Along with a standard super move, players have a second super move that can be done anytime at low vitality (shown in green). Dodge techniques include neutral, crouch, and backwards hopping.
I (怒, Ikari) - Based on Samurai Shodown! (Game). Super moves disabled, but players gain a powerful A+B slash ("Hyper Slash"). Cannot dodge.
II (真, Shin) - Based on Samurai Shodown II (Game). Super moves destroy the opponent's weapon. Gain temporary invincibility when entering Rage mode. Has access to secret techniques. Dodge techniques include rolling and hopping (neutral/crouch).
III (斬, Zan) - Based on Samurai Shodown III. Rage meter resets between rounds, but can now be charged manually with A+B. Rage mode is always active at low vitality. Dodge techniques include sidesteps, sways, and air parries.
IV (天, Ten) - Based on Samurai Shodown IV. Gain a unique chain combo tree (starting with A+B) and a one-use A+B+C "Rage Burst" (breaking a combo and gaining temporary Rage mode based on remaining vitality, then removing the meter for the rest of the match), the latter of which can be used to perform a powerful A+B+C "Issen" super move. Dodge techniques include sidesteps and sways.
V (零, Zero) - Based on Samurai Shodown V (Game). Can enter a one-time Zero state on the player's losing round by pressing D+E when vitality reaches the lower blue portion, causing a temporary buff where the opponent's speed is heavily reduced. Can reduce rage manually with A+B to increase the blue portion of the gauge. Includes IV's Rage Burst system, but Issen is now performed in the Zero state. Dodge techniques include rolling and hopping (neutral/crouch/forward).
0 (魔, Ma) - Used for the final boss fight (and unlockable for play in the PS2 version). Rage meter now builds by both receiving and dealing damage and does not deplete automatically, and the super move breaks the opponent's weapon on hit. Dodge technique limited to rolling.
VII (獣, Kemono) - Added in the PS2 version for Chample, Pak Pak, Poppy, and Shikuru & Mamahaha (and unlockable for others). Cannot block, but includes two unique systems: a delayed wakeup technique (which can recover health) and universal chain comboes. Uses VI's dodge system.
VIII (祭, Matsuri) - Added in the PS2 version as an unlockable. Customizable, with players having a limited amount of points to mix-and-match different parts of each other Spirit (including some exclusive parts, such as being able to move around before the round starts).

Characters

New Additions

Introduced in SS1

Haohmaru
Nakoruru (has an unlockable alternate EX version in the PS2 version)
Galford (has an unlockable alternate EX version in the PS2 version)
Hanzo Hattori
Ukyo Tachibana
Jubei Yagyu
Kyoshiro Senryo
Charlotte
Tam Tam
Genan Shiranui
Earthquake (Character)
Wan-fu
Amakusa Shiro
Kuroko (Character) (exclusive to the PS2 version, unlockable)

Introduced in SS2

Introduced in SS3

Shizumaru Hisame
Rimururu
Gaira Caffeine (Character) (has an unlockable "Kim Ung Che" version in the PS2 version, which is based on this game's Korean localization)
Basara
Zankuro Minazuki

Introduced in SS4

Introduced in SS5

Yoshitora Tokugawa (has an unlockable alternate EX version in the PS2 version)
Mina Majikina (has an unlockable alternate EX version in the PS2 version)
Liu Yunfei (has an unlockable alternate EX version in the PS2 version)
Kusaregedo (has an unlockable alternate EX version in the PS2 version)
Sankuro Yorozu
Yumeji Kurokouchi
Rasetsumaru (based on Haohmaru's alternate moveset from previous games)
Rera (based on Nakoruru's alternate moveset from previous games)
Enja (Character) (based on Kazuki's alternate moveset from previous games)
Suija (Character) (based on Sogetsu's alternate moveset from previous games)
Gaoh (has an alternate Demon form as the game's unplayable final boss)

Animal Companions

The game's animal companions were made playable in the PS2 version as unlockables. and can only use the VII (or "Kemono") Spirit.

Chample (Character)
Pak Pak
Poppy (Character)
Shikuru (Character) & Mamahaha (Character)

Similar Games

Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors (Game)

30 June 1994

Gothic horror-themed archetypes fight for the right to be "Lord of the Night" in the first entry of Capcom's off-beat second fighting game series.

PS1 ARC PS3N +1

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure (Game)

13 September 1999

A revised sequel to the 1998 game JoJo's Venture, adding more characters and game modes in this fighting game adaptation of the manga series of the same name.

PS1 ARC PS3N +2

Darkstalkers 3 (Game)

16 April 1998

The third (and final) major installment of Capcom's horror-themed fighting game series adds a variety of new characters and major gameplay changes (such as changing the round-based system to a lives-based system).

PS1 ARC PS3N +2

Sengoku Basara X (Game)

9 April 2008

A fighting game spin-off of Capcom's Sengoku Basara series of games, from the studio behind the Guilty Gear series.

PS2 ARC

Waku Waku 7 (Game)

20 November 1996

Seven wacky characters fight over seven legendary balls to grant their greatest wish in Sunsoft's second 2D fighting game.

ARC NEO NSW +2

Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge (Game)

6 April 1995

The second installment of the Darkstalkers franchise refines both the original game's story (adding two new fighters) and gameplay (including an improved "super meter" system where characters can stock up on multiple meters and can perform enhanced moves at any time).

ARC SAT

Rage of the Dragons (Game)

20 September 2002

Intended to be a spiritual successor to the Double Dragon fighting game, Rage of the Dragons is 2D tag-team fighting game for the Neo Geo.

ARC NEO NSW +4

Battle Fantasia (Game)

26 April 2007

A 2.5D fighting game by Arc System Works, featuring a "storybook fantasy" theme with fantasy RPG motifs and the use of 3D character models on a traditional 2D fighting plane.

PC X360 ARC +3

The Last Blade 2 (Game)

25 November 1998

The second and final chapter of the 19th-century Bakumatsu-era tale of swords and myths, adding some new warriors and techniques.

PC PS2 ARC +9

The Last Blade (Game)

5 December 1997

SNK's spiritual successor to their Samurai Shodown series, taking place during mid-19th century Japan.

PC MAC PS2 +12