Samurai Shodown IV on Saturn, polished SNK episode port. The fatal slice system is visceral and satisfying. Less technical than SS2 but still just as fun. For weapon-based versus fighting fans.
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Category
Fighting2 players12+
Description
Fourth installment in the Samurai Spirits series featuring a brutal decisive blow system. Published by SNK, released in Japan in 1997. Sixteen warriors with historical and fantastical weapons, devastating desperation attacks triggered when near death, destructible arenas, story and versus modes. Saturn port of the 1996 arcade with some additions.
Samurai Spirits - Amakusa Kourin review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
The line hardens compared with earlier episodes: drier silhouettes, oversized weapons and stylised sprays of blood punctuating the decisive blows. The arenas borrow from woodblock prints and theatre, storm skies, falling petals, red lanterns, and the contrast between those contemplative backdrops and the brutality of the duel gives the series its visual identity.
Taiko percussion, shamisen and flutes carry the entire soundtrack, never giving in to the guitars usual in the genre. The character themes draw on traditional repertoire according to their origin, and tension rises through accelerating drums rather than sheer volume. A singular sonic identity that sets up the duel before the first blow lands.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
Japan exclusive Saturn edition of Samurai Spirits Amakusa Kourin, distributed by SNK in July 1997, a Samurai Shodown IV conversion that relies on the 1 MB RAM expansion cartridge for Neo Geo animation fidelity. SNK Japan run was short, jewel case with intact obi and dedicated 1 MB cart, and the fourth Samurai position in the SNK 2D creative apex makes a complete with obi copy a central archive object. Sought after among SNK Saturn completists.
Better with friends
A weapon-based fighter where any exchange can end in a flash on a well-placed strike, in a tension worthy of a real sword duel. The competition rewards patience and composure, the rage gauge offering explosive counter windows to those who know how to wait. Demanding yet heady, it sets up face-offs where a single mistake costs you dearly and the rematch imposes itself at once.
Is Samurai Spirits - Amakusa Kourin still worth playing in 2026?
The fourth entry of the SNK saga, Samurai Spirits Amakusa Kourin offers samurai sword duels with the return of evil Amakusa and new Wrath and Slash gauges system. The sublime Japanese art direction, technical handling and strategic depth make it an absolute weapon versus reference on Saturn. The RAM cartridge improves Neo Geo faithfulness. For anyone fond of Samurai Shodown or seeking a historical SNK versus, an absolutely essential recommendation today still truly here indeed.
