The Slash/Bust system of the last few games was done away with, and each character now only had one version, though in several cases, the Bust mode was replaced by a new character of very similar setup. Keep in mind that digital copies of this game, or even the Samurai Shodown Anthology on the PS2 that includes this game, are most likely far easier (and more likely cheaper) to find and purchase. The gameplay was sped up slightly from Samurai Shodown IV, and the button layout was changed again.
SAMURAI SHODOWN ANTHOLOGY PS2 COVERL SERIES
This created its own issues with the series timeline. Word finally got out that the game was to be a true prequel to the rest of the series, taking place two years before Samurai Shodown.
In spite of this, SNK managed to raise excitement by announcing that Nobuhiro Watsuki, the creator and author of the Rurouni Kenshin manga and anime series, was hired to design some of the new characters, and they were gradually revealed by way of silhouettes on the official website, and slowly showing the official artwork.
Note that certain character and system behaviors are not consistent with the original Neo Geo version, which renders labbing (particularly back hit combos) unduly difficult in it. It has a training mode built into the game and is easily emulated. This announcement caused considerable unease among series fans. The only official training mode for SamSho 3 is in the Samurai Shodown Anthology for Wii, PS2, or PSP. As part of their reorganization, development duties were given over to the relatively-unknown Yuki Enterprise, which had mainly only created simulation and board games for the Simple 2000 series of PlayStation 2 games in Japan, and had no experience in developing fighting games. Gameplay screenshot showcasing a match between Mina Majikina and Kazuki Kazama.įollowing the revitalization of SNK after its collapse in 2001, the company decided that it would be worthwhile to create another game in the largely-defunct Samurai Shodown series.