Samurai Shodown II
Cold steel, one big slash that decides everything and a referee watching from the back.
Coming soon to UsuArcade
Votes to bring it to the arcade: 0
In the meantime, head into the arcade and play the cabinets that are already there
- Year
- 1994
- Manufacturer
- SNK
- Players
- 2 players at once
- Genres
- Fighting games
- Decade
- '90s arcade games
Samurai Shodown II was the fighting game that played by different rules. While the cabinet next door was all combos, here a single heavy slash could take half your life bar, and matches came down to a couple of well-timed swings. The crowd actually got quiet when two good players sized each other up.
It isn't playable in our arcade yet, but it's on the UsuArcade wish list, and the more votes it gets, the sooner it shows up.
History
SNK released it in 1994 on its Neo Geo system, just a year after the first Samurai Shodown, and plenty of fans still call it the best in the series. Set in feudal Japan with a dash of fantasy, it brought back the original cast and added new faces like Genjuro, Haohmaru's eternal rival.
In Japan the series is called Samurai Spirits, and this sequel added more defensive moves, more fighters and more background detail than the first game.
How to play
Every fighter brings a weapon: katanas, spears, claws, even an animal sidekick. You get light, medium and heavy weapon attacks plus kicks. Heavy slashes do huge damage but leave you wide open if you whiff, so patience beats button mashing.
The rage gauge fills as you take hits; max it out and your character hits harder for a while. A courier in the background sometimes tosses items into the arena: food that restores health or bombs you'll want to dodge. You can even knock the weapon out of your opponent's hands and make them fight barehanded.
Fun facts
- In Japan the series goes by Samurai Spirits.
- Genjuro Kibagami made his debut here as Haohmaru's rival.
- A courier in the background throws food and bombs into the fight.
In the arcade
Samurai Shodown II is on the UsuArcade wish list: coming soon to UsuArcade. Vote for it with the “I Want to Play It” button to move it up the line of games to add.
In the meantime, if head-to-head fights are your thing, you can challenge a friend in Street Fighter II in our arcade, and if you'd rather brawl as a team there's Final Fight and Double Dragon, all with spectators, chat and arcade high scores.
Once Samurai Shodown II lands in the arcade, you'll be able to play it online two-player, each on your own phone or PC, in the same game.
FAQ
Can I play Samurai Shodown II on UsuArcade?
Not yet. It's on the wish list and you can vote for it with “I Want to Play It.” Street Fighter II is already in the arcade.
What year did Samurai Shodown II come out?
It came out in 1994 from SNK on the Neo Geo.
How many players is Samurai Shodown II?
Two players at once, head-to-head, or one player against the CPU.
What makes Samurai Shodown II different from other fighters?
You fight with weapons and every heavy hit does big damage, so matches are more about spacing and timing than long combos.
