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Samurai Spirits
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Samurai Spirits (Japan)

also known as Samurai Shodown
Sega Game Gear
🇯🇵
Reviewed in
1994
61
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✪ Reviewed on May 26, 2026
56

Samurai Shodown adapts the Neo Geo hit to Game Gear with a trimmed roster and unavoidably simpler animation. Sword strikes keep their impact even without the original flair, and controls stay workable. An ambitious port for fans, without rivaling the 16 bit console versions.

Your verdict
Category
Fighting 2 players 12+
Description
The Japanese version of the sword-fighting game Samurai Shodown.

Samurai Spirits review

3/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Polished"
3/5
Music
★★★★★
"Memorable"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Gameplay
"Decent"
Fun
"Pleasant"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Balanced"
Lifespan
"Average"
Ranking
12th in Top 20 best SNK games
Technical info
💾0,3 MB 📅09/12/1994
Published by Takara

Samurai Spirits (Game Gear) price, value & rarity

Sought-after
Q1 loose
 $24 Q6 complete
 $162 Q10 new
 $292 !
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Other versions
Samurai Shodown
USA
01/01/1995
🇬🇧

Collector interest

Samurai Spirits is the Japanese edition of the Game Gear port, released under Takara in December 1994 with its original title and distinct Japanese case. Scarcer than the Western release, it appeals to SNK fighter devotees and collectors of JP versions with their own packaging, often favored for authenticity. The limited Japanese run and steady complete value make it a coherent piece for documenting Neo Geo conversions on Sega's handheld rather than a mere regional duplicate.

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