Samurai Shodown II (Neo Geo)

News Article

Samurai Shodown II Coming To North American VC In August

Posted Thu, 31 Jul 2008 by Damien McFerran

Widely seen as one of the defining fighting games of all time, Samurai Shodown II was today confirmed by SNK Playmore as coming to the North American Virtual Console in August - the 4th, to be exact.

That's right - next Monday you could be crossing swords with the best of them!

We’ve already seen the sublime Samurai Shodown on Nintendo’s retro download service but the sequel is even better – in fact many fans rate it as the best in the entire franchise!

Here’s some of the press release:

Regarded as one of SNK's greatest games ever produced, SAMURAI SHODOWN II successfully integrated a brand new, dynamic fighting system that was years ahead of its time. The fighting system introduced players to several new offensive and defensive maneuvers including the ability to roll both forwards and backwards, ducking to avoid high attacks, hopping to avoid low attacks and the implementation of a 'parry' system that would allow players to deflect incoming attacks at the last second if performed successfully. In addition to the newly revised fighting system, SAMURAI SHODOWN II also features 16 unique playable characters, hidden bosses, a two player versus mode and of course all of the wonderful translations fans have grown to love.

This news also means we may start seeing some of the later Neo Geo titles on the VC, which can only be a good thing.

However, some of these titles are pretty big in terms of memory, so whatever you do, don’t mention internal storage…

Tags: Virtual Console, Coming Soon, Neo Geo.

Game Screenshots

User Comments

Jolted85

1. Jolted85 United States 31 Jul 2008, 16:54 BST

Glad we're getting Samurai Shodown II, gotta love the NeoGeo games.

AtTheDriveIn92

2. AtTheDriveIn92 United States 31 Jul 2008, 16:54 BST

I cannot wait!!!!

Dazza

3. Dazza United Kingdom 31 Jul 2008, 16:56 BST

Ooh goody, this is my favourite one of the series! :D

Bensei

4. Bensei Austria 31 Jul 2008, 17:03 BST

And I see again, Americans complaining about getting this game, saying it's a bad release because they aren't interested in it or because it's coming to a collection :P

megacody

5. megacody United States 31 Jul 2008, 17:06 BST

Hey, I'm just glad that some great games are coming. I probably won't download it(for now anyway)I'm waiting for two more games before I download anything.

romulo

6. romulo Brazil 31 Jul 2008, 17:14 BST

Any news about the western release of Samurai Shodown Anthology?

HeikeKagero

7. HeikeKagero United States 31 Jul 2008, 17:17 BST

Wow I really can't wait. I love this game

hansolo350

8. hansolo350 Canada 31 Jul 2008, 17:18 BST

August is looking like a very good month for the VC.

greg

9. greg United States 31 Jul 2008, 17:31 BST

Awesome!! August is shaping up nicely.

Kultist

10. Kultist Canada 31 Jul 2008, 17:45 BST

Well nothing for me here, but it's good to see some of the best fighting games coming (all while restraining myself from pointing out this genre has already lots of offerings on VC...).
I'm just hoping it won't be the only release on August 4th, I'm still waiting for an end to my very personal VC drought. May the "unspecified day in August" be the 4th so I can get Ys :P

Rapadash6

11. Rapadash6 United States 31 Jul 2008, 17:53 BST

@Kultist

Same here. Virtual Console has been pretty solid the past few weeks with 2 releases each Monday. If Nintendo can keep that pace up, then my hope will be restored for the Virtual Console service and I can look foward to the games I personally want again. Let me just remind you all of what we know for sure is coming in August again:

-Samurai Shodown II
-Star Parodier
-Break In
-Ys Books I and II
-Neo Turf Masters (not confirmed but we all know it's coming very soon)

If the 2 games per week pattern keeps up that's still 3 more games we don't yet know about for the coming month. Mega Man seems likely and I know we're all hoping to see Mario RPG. It's been a while sinse it was released in Japan so it could very well happen, but probably not until the later half of the month.

Bass X0

12. Bass X0 United Kingdom 31 Jul 2008, 17:55 BST

never played it but i'll get it as soon as its up.

Will

13. Will Ireland 31 Jul 2008, 18:04 BST

At last............... something!! I havnt DLed anything since Metal-Slug, but this, I will DL.

Tony

14. Tony United States 31 Jul 2008, 18:24 BST

So Monday looks like SS 2 and Wild West guns. Anyway, I keep waiting for a press release on when Mega Man 1 and 2 will come out. I am wondering if they may not show up until September. (just a thought) I really think Neo Turf will be out this month and maybe Earthworm Jim and Phantasy Star 4.

worrybomb

15. worrybomb United States 31 Jul 2008, 19:29 BST

Wow. Samurai Shodown II along with the rumored Wild West Guns WiiWare game will make this Monday one of the better Wii Mondays in a while, in my opinion.

Corbie

16. Corbie United States 31 Jul 2008, 19:46 BST

Samurai Shodown II is fantastic. This is shaping up to be one of the best VC months yet!

Draygone

17. Draygone United States 31 Jul 2008, 20:01 BST

Is it just me, or does it seem developers are able to reveal the release dates for some of their games more often as of late? I hope Nintendo's started to be more open about game releases to their developers.

Kreegs07

18. Kreegs07 United States 31 Jul 2008, 20:01 BST

I hope this is the start of the upward climb! From what has been said August is going to be a much better month. Lets hope that continues and makes September even better!

NintendoBrad

19. NintendoBrad United States 31 Jul 2008, 20:09 BST

Doesn't catch my interest, but it's nice to see something noteworthy coming to VC.

Tony

20. Tony United States 31 Jul 2008, 20:32 BST

So after SS 2 the only other rated Neo Geo title are Neo Turf, Fatal Fury Special , and World Heroes 2. What will be next? Possibly Metal Slug 2?

Jazzem

21. Jazzem United Kingdom 31 Jul 2008, 20:38 BST

Woo can't wait! Nakoruru for life ;)

Atlantis1982

22. Atlantis1982 United States 31 Jul 2008, 21:09 BST

(Sees the article on RSS) W0000000000000000000T! (claps hands) ALRIGHT!

Andrew

23. Andrew United States 31 Jul 2008, 21:10 BST

Bring on Neo Turf Masters.

Mickeymac

24. Mickeymac United States 31 Jul 2008, 21:19 BST

This or the original Samarai Showdown? Who am I kidding, I'll just play them all on the Anthology. Well, I'll rent it at least, since I'm still not sure I l'll like it.

Edit: Having just read Bensei's post, I'd like to add that if Samarai Showdown II is indeed the best, I'll download it, instead of paying 50 bucks for a collection if I'm only gonna play one game.

Angelic Lapras King

25. Angelic Lapras King United Kingdom 31 Jul 2008, 21:38 BST

Another Neo Geo game? SHOCK! 0.0

Ah well, its a good one, so not a lot of complains there. Glad to see more dates be announced too. :)

Birdo

26. Birdo United States 31 Jul 2008, 22:24 BST

Wow, looks like next Monday is shaping up to be real fun. Hopefully we get another release though, as I'm still partial to those good old platformers.

Virus

27. Virus United States 31 Jul 2008, 22:34 BST

I will probably not get this one, but this is great news overall. I feel August is going to be one rocking month for the Wii Shop Channel.

Mickeymac

28. Mickeymac United States 31 Jul 2008, 22:38 BST

Yeah, Platformer are still my favorites too, heck it wasn't too long ago when Platformers and adventure games were basicly all I would play. Lately I've been broadening my interests, and I'm hoping Fighting games will be the next genre I'll be adding to my repetoire. I've never really played a fighting game before, and every time I intend on getting Street Fighters, a new iteration gets annouced that forces me to hold off on my purchase, until I lose interest in the entire endeavor. I'm hoping Samarai Showdown II will be the first fighting game I'm able to sink my teeth into, and from the near constant praise, I'm guessing I won't be disappointed.

Ricardo91

29. Ricardo91 United States 31 Jul 2008, 22:54 BST

August seems to be shaping up quite nicely for retro nerds! :)

If this is truly the pinnacle of the series, I'll just get this and not bother w/ SamSho 1. Unlike platformers and adventure games, there's not much reason to play predecessors to fighting games, as they play about the same imo. The sequels are just better.

edit: I might rent the SNK collection and play SamSho 1 on that though.

sadpanda212

30. sadpanda212 United Kingdom 31 Jul 2008, 23:03 BST

Cracking line up of games, hopefully a few of these make there way across the pond in August too. With Chase HQ to boot.

That Guy from Faxanadu

31. That Guy from Faxanadu Sweden 31 Jul 2008, 23:30 BST

Awww, lucky you. I´ll download this instantly if we get it too.

Objection_Blaster

32. Objection_Blaster United States 01 Aug 2008, 00:36 BST

Well, this gives me the oppurtunity to say i'm not worried about storage anymore because I am getting an SD card tomorrow. Sure it takes a lil bit to transfer and you cant play from the card but its better than downloading from the channel (faster and wont crash like shop chan does to me quite often!)

WarioFan63

33. WarioFan63 United States 01 Aug 2008, 00:40 BST

Well its good to this being so well accepted! I sure hope the rest of The Internet wont be NeoGeoists and hate it forever, considering I think Monday will be Neo Turf Masters and Samurai Showdown 2. But then again if Neo Turf Masters was coming monday as well wouldnt they announce it? Or perhaps this is just a special occasion.....Hmmmm........

FalcoLombardi

34. FalcoLombardi United States 01 Aug 2008, 00:59 BST

August may be the best month yet! Sweet chicken!

Objection_Blaster

35. Objection_Blaster United States 01 Aug 2008, 01:16 BST

August is looking to be the best month in 2008 since May! If this continues, the rest of the year could be amazing enough to give us YOU KNOW WHAT.

NintendoBrad

36. NintendoBrad United States 01 Aug 2008, 01:39 BST

Not that I'm complaining or anything, but what's this talk of August being amazing and stuff? Please elaborate. =P

el cabarto

37. el cabarto United States 01 Aug 2008, 02:10 BST

@NintendoBrad: Lot's of great games are confirmed for August. Just scroll down the front news page for the articles.

@All: Okay, August is looking to be about 3 times better than the last several months. Either someone awesome got hired by the VC office or someone retarded got fired. Either way, I'm psyched. This is the definitive Samurai Shodown and in my opinion that's what all the games on VC need to be: Definitive.

Mickeymac

38. Mickeymac United States 01 Aug 2008, 02:27 BST

Having just gone a few rounds of miniature golf, an event accompanied with much frustration and colorful language, I'd just like to say I hope Neo Turf Masters comes out this month. I'd gladly get it alongside Samurai Showdown II, it'll be like a "Neo Geo Week", at least for me.

deadly.by.design

39. deadly.by.design United States 01 Aug 2008, 02:48 BST

This is one NeoGeo title that shouldn't be complained about. I already downloaded the first one, and haven't really played this one anywhere else. May or may not buy, but I'm glad to hear it.

SlapStic.com

40. SlapStic.com United States 01 Aug 2008, 03:28 BST

I wonder what the best control configuration will be...?

DaDun

41. DaDun Canada 01 Aug 2008, 04:05 BST

NOOOOOOOOOO I waited so long and then spent my points on do country and mario bros 3 cuz I never thot it wud come soon. I literally bought those games yesterday Ffs. Gotta get a new card I guess :(

Mike

42. Mike United States 01 Aug 2008, 04:29 BST

We probably will get a TG-16 game on Monday as well.

Mickeymac

43. Mickeymac United States 01 Aug 2008, 04:34 BST

That reminds me, of course this comes when I'm out of cash! I better finish filling out these applications to Gamestop soon, if I plan on getting while I actually have the time.

@SlapStic.com

I take it your joking, but if you are serious it would of course be the Classic controller....which I need to get a new one of if I plan on playing SSII two-player.

@DaDun

Oh the irony!

Cally

44. Cally United States 01 Aug 2008, 07:31 BST

Good stuff, though the title of "SNK Arcade Classics volume 1" strongly suggests there MIGHT be a "2." I think I'll hold out and see what comes out on it.

RoninDennis

45. RoninDennis Netherlands 01 Aug 2008, 10:45 BST

Apparently you are also getting YS 1&2 coming monday.
Ho-lee shi'!!!
You know what sucks harder than not having Wii points? Having the Wii points but, due to a conflict with your provider, having no connection for a good 4 weeks. That's me, baby, ME!
I'll have a lot of catching up to do come september...

worrybomb

46. worrybomb United States 01 Aug 2008, 12:44 BST

@RoninDennis
You're right. It looks like it is coming out this Monday:

http://vc-pce.com/usa/e/title/ys.html

While this may not be 100% confirmation (look what happened to Star Parodier and Break In), it's indeed starting to look like one of the best VC Mondays North America will be receiving this year with hopefully many more to come.

Atlantis1982

47. Atlantis1982 United States 01 Aug 2008, 13:40 BST

Was about to mention the Ys Book game(s) as well. Nice, but I have zero interests for it.

7th lutz

48. 7th lutz United States 01 Aug 2008, 13:46 BST

I hope Hudson is correct about Y's Book 1&2 coming on Monday. If this is true, no one has the right to whine about bad games being released on this coming Monday.

I have been waiting for Y's 1& 2 to show up for a long time.

North99

49. North99 Canada 01 Aug 2008, 14:20 BST

I can't tell the difference between this fighter and all of the other nearly-identical fighters released in the last few months.

Cocoa Man5

50. Cocoa Man5 United States 01 Aug 2008, 14:35 BST

i'm sure that Y's book I & 2 will come out monday along with shodown2 because break-in and star parodier are coming on the 11th.

Objection_Blaster

51. Objection_Blaster United States 01 Aug 2008, 14:45 BST

If Monday includes this, Ys, Strongbad/Wild West Guns (or both yay!!) then anyone who complains will probably have to be shot.

RoninDennis

52. RoninDennis Netherlands 01 Aug 2008, 14:46 BST

@7th lutz: Oh, somebody will be irate for not getting SMRPG or Earthbound, you can bet your sweet potatoes! AND WE SHALL CRUSH THEM!

Rapadash6

53. Rapadash6 United States 01 Aug 2008, 15:13 BST

According to Hudsons Virtual Console site, Ys IS coming out Monday! Even though that leaves absolutely no room for any surprises for the next two weeks (what with Star Parodier and Break in confirmed for the 11th) it's still great to have reassurance that Nintendo is back to a reliable 2 games per week. Perhaps Nintendo will go on ahead and release Super Mario RPG to send off the summer in SNES bliss?

Cocoa Man5

54. Cocoa Man5 United States 01 Aug 2008, 15:21 BST

@rapadash6
wouldnt surprise me since it has been 5 months since a SNES game has been relesed, i'm sure they would want to return with a release of a big name title that has mario on the cover.
EDIT: i'm not really into the fighting genre but this game does look really fun!

Tony

55. Tony United States 01 Aug 2008, 16:06 BST

SNES games have been lacking lately. THe drought has to end eventually. I really wish Nintendo would balance each month and give us a game from each system.

Kidpit

56. Kidpit United States 01 Aug 2008, 21:40 BST

Personally, I would like to see a new N64 game over a new SNES game, as there are a ton of SNES games that I want but haven't downloaded yet (Actraiser, Super Street Fighter 2, Legend of the Mystical Ninja). The N64 has only half the games the that the SNES has on the VC. I would like to see Rocket: Robot on Wheels, Rayman 2, Mario Tennis, or Star Wars: Rogue Squadron on the service.

But if we do get a new SNES game, I hope its Kirby's Dreamland 3. I love that little pink blob.

Cally

57. Cally United States 01 Aug 2008, 22:03 BST

Now I just have to use some refined interrogation techniques to find out what in the blazes a "Shodown" is, if it isn't one of the most epic typos of all time. :P

Adamant

58. Adamant Norway 01 Aug 2008, 22:55 BST

@7th lutz: " If this is true, no one has the right to whine about bad games being released on this coming Monday."

Ahaha, you really, honestly think they won't?

7th lutz

59. 7th lutz United States 02 Aug 2008, 03:12 BST

@Adammant

Nope.

Spoony Bard

60. Spoony Bard United States 02 Aug 2008, 04:43 BST

I remember playing this game in the arcade... oh the money I use to dump into this game... and only because the SF2 and MK machines were always full. It actually turned out to be the best of the three in my opinion.

NESgamer

61. NESgamer Mexico 02 Aug 2008, 09:52 BST

Will download this.No point on getting the first now right?.

alxtlvra

62. alxtlvra Mexico 02 Aug 2008, 11:19 BST

Wonderful!

Still some early NeoGeo games that havent been released would also be worth to buy immediately, particularly I am waiting for NAM-1975, a great pack-in launch title about Vietnam war of the firsts featuring real voice acting (NOT in compilation).

I may erase KOF94 now that the compilation has been released to get back some blocks.

Adamant

63. Adamant Norway 02 Aug 2008, 11:44 BST

"the firsts featuring real voices"

That's a bit of a stretch.

What WAS the first game to have voices, by the way? Berzerk?

slangman

64. slangman United Kingdom 02 Aug 2008, 16:30 BST

Awesome looks like things are looking up for you americans. I might download this when it comes out (only the anthlogy disc version is stopping me from downloading this game).

andy836

65. andy836 United States 03 Aug 2008, 00:14 BST

does anybody know if you can do super powers in this game. I know its probably a noob question lol.

Mickeymac

66. Mickeymac United States 04 Aug 2008, 08:37 BST

@andy836

If you mean special attacks, then yes. If you mean finishers, then yes. If you mean super powerful special attacks actived by a power gauge, then also yes. I think. It may be the same thing as a finisher, I'm not sure.

MrLopez

67. MrLopez Netherlands 04 Aug 2008, 23:16 BST

Europe?

Mickeymac

68. Mickeymac United States 08 Aug 2008, 09:32 BST

@MrLopez

Yes

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