ABOUT:  Joining the ranks of most other well known 2D fighting game franchises, SNK's trademark weapon-based 2D fighting game series made the jump to 3D graphics for the first time ever with Samurai Shodown 64. Showing off a vibrant 2D art style, SS64 reintroduces many veteran characters from the series history and introduces a few newcomers, such as: Shiki, Yagyu Hanma, Deku, Dekuina, and Yuga.
   

  
The characters are presented in halfway decent 3D animation & graphics (for the time), though textures are fairly low quality and character models are plagued with noticeable pointy polygons. The overall gameplay is somewhat "slow" but retained most of the series' staple gameplay mechanics. The Rage Explosion returns from Samurai Shodown 4, and every character now has a powerful super move called a Fatal Flash. Unfortunately, special moves didn't vary in strength depending on the button the was used anymore, which might've put a damper on the gameplay dedicated players have come to expect.
   

  
Samurai Shodown 64's gameplay takes full advantage of its 3D engine... with the ability to move in any direction (in a fashion that was later refined in Namco's Soul Calibur series). SS64 is also the first 3D fighting game to use multi-tiered stages — where it's possible to knock an opponent through a wall or floor into a different section of the stage. This idea was later used in the Dead or Alive series, which is frequently (and erroneously) credited for the innovation. SS64 also lets characters knock each other out of the arena entirely, resulting with a "ring out" victory.

 

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Page Updated: January 8th, 2023 Developer(s): SNK Publisher(s): SNK Platform(s): Arcade (Hyper Neo Geo 64) Artwork By: Senri Kita Release Date(s): December 19th, 1997 Characters:  Haohmaru, Genjuro, Ukyo, Galford, Hanzo, Shiki, Yagyu Hanma, Sogetsu, Kazuki, Nakoruru, Rimururu, Gandara, Deku & Dekuina, Yuga Featured Video: Related Games: Samurai Shodown 64: Warrior's Rage, Samurai Shodown Warrior's Rage (PS1), Samurai Shodown Sen, Samurai Shodown (2019), Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown 2, Samurai Shodown 3, Samurai Shodown 4, Samurai Shodown 5, Samurai Shodown 5 Special, Samurai Shodown 6, Samurai Shodown Pocket, Samurai Shodown 2 Pocket, Samurai Shodown Anthology, Soul Blade, Soul Calibur, Bushido Blade, Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat 4, Dead or Alive, Fatal Fury: Wild Ambition, KOF: Maximum Impact, Final Fight: Revenge, Street Fighter EX, Street Fighter EX2, Street Fighter EX3    Gameplay Engine    Story / Theme    Overall Graphics    Animation    Music / Sound Effects    Innovation    Art Direction    Customization     Options / Extras     Intro / Presentation     Replayability / Fun     "Ouch" Factor     Characters     BOTTOM LINE           Final Words: Like most people outside of Asia... I've never had the opportunity to play this rare 3D incarnation of the Samurai Shodown series. Even though I've heard it's a disappointing game mostly due to the unrefined 3D gameplay, I won't give it an official rating until the day that I actually play it... if that day ever comes. In retrospect, the 3D stylized visuals and characters (in all their blocky glory) don't actually look that bad when compared to some other 1997 games. What Samurai Shodown 64 lacks in gameplay and in-game visuals... it makes up for with an amazing art style and interesting new character designs (some that later appeared in future SNK fighting games). In fact, SS64 actually has some of the BEST and most amazing artwork in the entire Samurai Shodown series history! (Check out some of TFG's Art Galleries linked on this page, below). The in-game "fatality sequences", utilizing some of the in-game artwork, is perhaps one of the most visually appealing aspects of the game. Shiki, one of Samurai Shodown 64's most prominent new characters, would later appear in SNK Vs. Capcom Chaos, Neo Geo Battle Coliseum and Samurai Shodown (2019). Besides Shiki, no other characters from the Samurai Shodown 64 series have appeared in another Samurai Shodown title or crossover fighting game. However, SNK has featured several of Samurai Shodown 64's unique characters in SNK's spin-off card fighting game for the NeoGeo Pocket, Card Fighters Clash. Thanks to YouTube and emulation, we can at least watch some Samurai Shodown 64 gameplay from those who have access to the game. I really hope to try out the Samurai Shodown 64 series someday and maybe even review this game eventually! ~TFG Webmaster | @Fighters_Gen     Click Here for all official artwork! Click Here for all character select art! FOLLOW    ON:                             TFG NEWS CHARACTERS GAMES