(LAST UPDATE: 7/13/09)
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Developer(s): SNK Playmore
Publisher(s): SNK Playmore
Platforms: PS2, PSP, Wii
Release: March 24th 2009 (PS2, PSP), April 7th 2009 (Wii)
Characters: Haohmaru, Ukyo, Hanzo, Nakoruru, Genjuro, Kyoshiro, Shizumaru, Gaira, Rimururu, Basara, Sogetsu, Kazuki, Gen-An, Cham Cham, Tam Tam, Charlotte, Galford, Jubei, Rera, Rasetsumaru, Suija, Enja, Yoshitora Tokugawa, Kusaregedo, Mina Majikina, Yumeji, Sankuro, Yunfei, Ocha Maru, Wan Fu, Earthquake, Nicotine, Sieger, Mizuki, Amakusa, Iroha, Sugoroku, Andrew, Paku Paku, Poppie, Zankuro, Gaoh, Demon Gaoh
Related Games: Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown 3, Samurai Shodown 4, Samurai Shodown 5, Samurai Shodown 5 Special, Samurai Shodown 6
General: Samurai Shodown Anthology is the complete collection of the original Samurai Shodown series: Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown III, Samurai Shodown IV, Samurai Shodown V, and Samurai Shodown VI... All on one disc. SNK originally announced that Samurai Shodown 5 Special would also be included in this collection, but unfortunately it's missing (unless it's unlockable). Samurai Shodown Anthology also marks the American home release of Samurai Shodown VI... Speaking of which, I didn't really get to sit down and fully enjoy SS6 (with English translation at that) until getting my hands on Anthology, so I, like many others, have been waiting for this little package for quite some time now.
Simply put, this collection is a
dream
come true for fans of the series since the beginning... What better
way to reminisce about what you loved and hated about each installment in the
series, and of course play through arcade mode to tackle that beloved computer
AI once more, who's always up for kicking your ass. Of course, if you
somehow missed out on any of the games in this great series, this package is
also a must have for you and is a great way to get you into the series! Since this collection
didn't see a next gen release, sadly there's no online mode... 
Hopefully you have some friends who play as well (or are willing to learn).
Options-wise, there's a decent assortment and some worthy extras as well. The
"BGM check" allows you to listen to every soundtrack in every game
(164 tracks from SS1-SS5 alone), which is pretty awesome. Soundtrack and voice settings
on Samurai Shodown 6 are also a nice touch, and the character color edit for every
character in every game is also a blast to play with... I've seriously got to
show off my sprite coloring skills!!! I also appreciate the pre-unlocked artwork
and endings in the SS6 Gallery... Good stuff SNK Playmore.
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The PS2 version is as arcade perfect as you'd expect, though I wish
there were a few more graphic settings just for fun. I
noticed they used "scan lines" on shadows and certain life bars
in the PS2 version (which aren't present in the original versions), but they
don't make much of a difference really. I'd definitely recommend the PS2 version
for the short load times and the best suited controller, but the Wii version
should hold up nicely too. The PSP version is decent, has a variety of graphics
settings, and SS1 through SS5
are indeed "arcade perfect" (minus the load times). The only problem
is: Samurai
Shodown 6 on the PSP version is simply no good. The resolution is
terrible (and cant be changed like in the other games) and the graphics were
horribly downgraded... So if you're looking to play SS6 in all it's glory,
you'll need a PS2 or Wii... On the flipside, being able to play arcade perfect
SS1, SS2, SS3, SS4, & SS5 on a handheld simply kicks ass and makes the PSP version worth
getting as well! 
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- Review is for PS2 version of Samurai Shodown Anthology - |
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9 / 10 |
Closing Comment:
I've been dreaming about an uncut "Samurai Shodown collection" for
years... I mean years. SNK made my fantasies come true,
first by continuing this series for as long as they did, and then when
they officially announced this generous compilation. If you somehow didn't
realize it yet, I do love this series (and many of it's characters) with a
passion. There are so many beautiful versions of Samurai Shodown
and there's something I like about every single one... For the record, Samurai Shodown
II and IV are still my absolute
favorites, and are two of my all time favorite 2D fighting
games. This is a 100% must have package for any fan of the series, and really
anyone who likes 2D fighting games and/or weapon based fighting games.
For a detailed review of each Samurai Shodown installment, please visit the
individual game profiles! ~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
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