SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION

The Samurai Shodown is not a thing with a big wheel that determines who goes on to the Samurai.

78%Game Brain Score

graphics, optimization

music, gameplay

80% User Score Based on 137 reviews

Critic Score 75%Based on 7 reviews

Platforms

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About

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION is a single player and multiplayer fighting game. It was developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE and was released on June 11, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

The "Samurai Shodown NEOGEO Collection" contains 7 games from the classic weapon-based fighting series, including the never-before-released "Samurai Shodown V Perfect." Each game features online battle modes, a museum mode, and a music player, making it a must-have for fans of the series.

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SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION screenshot

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80%

Audience ScoreBased on 137 reviews

graphics5 positive mentions

monetization2 negative mentions

The collection features all seven classic Samurai Shodown titles, including the never-before-released Samurai Shodown V Perfect, providing a comprehensive experience for fans.
The Museum mode is rich with content, including artwork, interviews, and historical insights, making it a valuable resource for fans of the series.
The emulation quality is high, with responsive controls and various display options that enhance the nostalgic experience of playing these classic arcade games.

The online multiplayer experience is severely lacking, with a small player base and unreliable netcode, making it difficult to find matches.
The absence of a training mode and comprehensive tutorials can frustrate newcomers, as the games expect players to learn through trial and error.
The collection is criticized for its high price point, especially considering it lacks modern features found in other collections, leading many to suggest waiting for a sale.

graphics
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
60%
15%
The graphics of the collection are rooted in classic pixel art, maintaining the original aesthetic of the Samurai Shodown games from the mid to late 1990s, which many fans appreciate for its nostalgic value. While there are various display options for customization, including scanlines and bezels, the games themselves have not been visually remastered, and some users noted a lack of graphic improvements or filter settings. The accompanying museum features extensive artwork, character designs, and interviews, enriching the overall visual experience despite the dated graphics.
- “Various display options allow for scaling, scanlines, and bezel customization, ensuring both nostalgic and modern players can enjoy the visuals in their preferred format.”
- “While the games themselves have not been visually remastered, their preserved pixel art remains striking, demonstrating how effective 2D animation can be when it’s built on strong aesthetic foundations.”
- “The arcade filter, the museum with the interviews, the detailed character info and artwork are amazing.”
- “No graphic improvement, little to no graphic/filter settings, and most of all, the clunky controls!”
- “One minor note, the graphics are mid to late 1990s standards.”
- “A collection of Samurai Shodown titles, using the original graphics, sometimes bordered.”
music
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
58%
21%
The music aspect of the game collection is highly praised for its extensive soundtrack library, featuring hundreds of tracks that enhance the cultural significance of the titles. While the original soundtracks are celebrated, some users express disappointment over the absence of arranged versions, particularly from the Neo Geo CD, and feel that the overall presentation could be more concise. The inclusion of music alongside character artwork and development insights adds depth to the experience, making it a valuable resource for fans of the genre.
- “Coupled with the complete soundtrack library—featuring hundreds of tracks spanning every title—the museum mode transforms the collection from a bundle of old games into a cultural record of Japanese arcade history.”
- “Perhaps the most original fighting game in terms of soundtrack, storytelling, character design, and even fighting style.”
- “The games themselves are, for the most part, classic fighting games that earned quite the reputation among fighting game fans thanks to their solid cast of characters, inspired visuals and soundtracks as well as solid gameplay that encourages a more defensive and tactical approach to matches instead of rushing opponents with combos like most of its competition.”
- “Another major complaint of mine about these re-editions of classic SNK hit games is that they never include the Neo Geo CD versions of soundtracks, which I love too much to describe with words.”
- “I never could find a satisfying version of KOF '94, for example; old graphics plus arranged soundtracks is what I want for all the oldest KOF games.”
- “The main downsides for me personally are the steep price and lack of arranged soundtracks for any of the games (come on, it's 2022... even the PS2 Samurai Shodown Anthology had the inclusion of the arranged soundtracks).”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The gameplay across the series evolves from basic dueling mechanics in the early titles to more complex move sets and defensive strategies in later installments, appealing to fans of tactical fighting. While the games feature impressive visuals and a solid character roster, some players find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in story depth. Additionally, the collection offers arcade versions of the games but misses opportunities for online multiplayer and training modes, which could enhance the learning experience.
- “Each installment refines these ideas differently: the first two titles prioritize fundamental dueling mechanics, while the later games introduce deeper move lists, defensive techniques, and more cinematic flourishes.”
- “The games themselves are, for the most part, classic fighting games that earned quite the reputation among fighting game fans thanks to their solid cast of characters, inspired visuals and soundtracks, as well as solid gameplay that encourages a more defensive and tactical approach to matches instead of rushing opponents with combos like most of its competition.”
- “Cool visuals, cool characters, good fighting mechanics but sadly almost no story to speak of.”
- “Repetitive gameplay.”
- “Cool visuals, cool characters, good fighting mechanics, but sadly almost no story to speak of.”
- “Gameplay-wise, the collection gives you the arcade versions of the games and that's it.”
story
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
The game's story aspect receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the unique character storylines and the ability to save mid-match, while others criticize the overall narrative as lacking depth. Although the visuals and character design are praised, many feel that the story elements are minimal, particularly in the international version, which lacks a fully translated story mode. Overall, the storytelling is seen as a secondary feature in an otherwise engaging fighting game.
- “Occasionally I still come back to play this excellent game with my buddies, fighting each other just for some uncompetitive fun, or going solo by finishing each character's unique storylines.”
- “Perhaps the most original fighting game in terms of soundtrack, storytelling, character design, and even fighting style.”
- “Its martial arts and storytelling in a fighter game.”
- “Paper-thin story elements.”
- “Cool visuals, cool characters, good fighting mechanics, but sadly almost no story to speak of.”
- “It's a shame Samurai Shodown V here doesn't include its story mode's official English translation.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
Overall, the game's optimization is generally well-received, with smooth performance and natural input response across various control methods. However, some users have reported occasional stuttering, particularly in "Samurai Shodown V," despite the overall decent emulation quality.
- “The games run smoothly, and input response feels natural whether you play on a controller, keyboard, or arcade stick.”
- “Optimization is really good.”
- “The game is pretty well-optimized.”
- “Having all the classic Samurai Shodown games (besides RPG) in a single convenient package is great. The emulation is pretty decent; however, I noticed some instances of stuttering here and there, particularly in Samurai Shodown V.”
- “Pretty well-optimized.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere is richly crafted, with meticulous sound design that enhances the intensity of feudal duels, complemented by the artistry of hand-drawn sprites and the impactful weight of each action, reflecting classic SNK craftsmanship.
- “The attention to detail continues in the sound design; every sword clash, shout, and background melody evokes the fierce atmosphere of feudal duels.”
- “It preserves the artistry of hand-drawn sprites, the weight of every swing, and the atmosphere of classic SNK craftsmanship.”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Reviewers praise the character development in the game for its originality, highlighting the unique storytelling, character designs, and diverse fighting styles. The pixel art and music further enhance the overall experience, making it a standout in the fighting game genre.
- “Perhaps the most original fighting game in terms of soundtrack, storytelling, character design, and even fighting style.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game has been criticized for being exploitative, with users feeling that it prioritizes profit over quality, leading to a poor port experience. Additionally, there are concerns about the community management's response to feedback, which some players perceive as dismissive and untrustworthy.
- “Another cash grab, poor quality port!”
- “If you try to report a bug, the community managers will erase your comments and call you a liar, making insane claims that are disproven by their own advertising.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, noting that a considerable number of console game ports are buggy, with only a fraction performing well on gaming laptops like the RTX 2060 Omen-15.
- “For me, this was four buggy ports of console games out of about 200 games that were perfect buys for my RTX 2060 Omen 15 gaming laptop.”

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75%Critics’ scoreBased on 7 critic reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION is a fighting game.

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION was released on June 11, 2020.

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION was developed by DIGITAL ECLIPSE.

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its music.

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection, Mortal Kombat: Legacy Kollection, Killer Instinct, The King of Fighters XIV, SAMURAI SHODOWN and others.

SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION

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