With subsequent Neo Geo version only available to the affluent, ordinary mortals enjoyed debut of SNK's flagship franchise in arcades.
Rather than harping on about what we already know, I dig much deeper.
Origin and Inspiration
Planner, producer, director and creator Yasuchi Adachi originally conceived game as side-scrolling beat 'em up, with green-skinned anti-hero kicking monster ass.
Unnamed protagonist was the only aspect carried over to finished article.
But thanks to Street Fighter II's success, 'Double Dragon meets Golden Axe' was scrapped.
Others cited as influences are Mortal Kombat (moody setting), Klax (effects and impact from blows) and even though Irem's Ninja Spirit existed, Namco's Dragon Spirit inspired Japanese title.
Alternative spelling
SNK's U.S. distributor believed Japanese title wouldn't mean anything to Western audience, so they suggested changing it to Showdown. This soon evolved into 'Shodown', a reference to 1980 TV movie Shōgun (adapted from TV miniseries of same name).
WTF?
Feudal Japan setting aside, what has Will Adams, a real-life English sea-captain and adventurer got in common with game?
Ikari gauge
Logic would suggest a nod to Ikari Warriors, but...
Yasuchi Adachi dreamed up the idea, but officially came to be when he and background designer Tomoki Fukui were smashing SF II (for R & D purposes) and Fukui won, which really pissed off man at helm.
After a moment of tense silence, Adachi suddenly shouted "Ikari gauge!"
So that instance of anger and frustration was incorporated into Samurai Shodown.
Ridiculous but true.
By the way, the kanji for 'anger' is 怒
Character design
Yagyu Jubei and Hattori Hanzo were (obviously) based on famous real life samurais.
Similarly, Haohmaru and Tachibana Ukyo were originally called Musashi and Kojirō respectively.
The two duelled in 1612, with Musashi quickly killing his rival using a bokken.
Jubei appears to be modelled directly on Sonny Chiba portraying geezer in Kinji Fukasaku's 1981 film Samurai Reincarnation.
Also.
Amakusa vs Kenji Sawada's villain of same name
The idea of Galford's mutt Poppy originated from manga Dobutsu no Oishi-san, as Masaki Nishine owned a Siberian husky named Chobi.
Fact.
He and Nakoruru were the first fighting game characters to utilise pets during battle.
Gen-an's glove wasn't inspired by Freddy Krueger.
Instead, Tim Burton's cult fantasy romance Edward Scissorhands was responsible.
Wanna know something else?
Great.
Backstory amongst development team is he was part of the Shiranui tribe that defeated invading aliens.
Such a smashing way to insert pop culture.
Kabuki enthusiast Senryo Kyoshiro is probably based on a number of sources.
The rest?
A combination of imagination and mythology.
Ninja Scroll
Let's just say, AMAZING sequel had a lot to thank anime for.
Caffeine Nicotine vs Dakuan
Just... HA HA HA!
Adachi came up with the name because at the time, he was addicted to both cigarettes and coffee.
Neinhalt Sieger vs Himuro Genma
Bionic arm seals it folks.
Here's how Tachibanya Ukyo looked in original.
Now compare sequel's portrait to Utsutsu Mujuro.
Hmmm.
Mizuki Rashojin vs Yurimaru
Rings bells yes?
In name only, the villainous Genjuro Kibagami could be a nod to protagonist Jubei Kibagami.
Backgrounds
Series has always been a massive fan of bamboo.
And.
Temple Mist vs random scene
Ippon.
Finally, Samurai Shodown III also got in on the act.
Basara vs Shijima
If not clear cut, then check out special move which takes unfortunate into shadow pit.
Even dilapidated temple steals setting.
UNBELIEVABLE.
Rather than harping on about what we already know, I dig much deeper.
Origin and Inspiration
Planner, producer, director and creator Yasuchi Adachi originally conceived game as side-scrolling beat 'em up, with green-skinned anti-hero kicking monster ass.
Unnamed protagonist was the only aspect carried over to finished article.
But thanks to Street Fighter II's success, 'Double Dragon meets Golden Axe' was scrapped.
Others cited as influences are Mortal Kombat (moody setting), Klax (effects and impact from blows) and even though Irem's Ninja Spirit existed, Namco's Dragon Spirit inspired Japanese title.
Alternative spelling
SNK's U.S. distributor believed Japanese title wouldn't mean anything to Western audience, so they suggested changing it to Showdown. This soon evolved into 'Shodown', a reference to 1980 TV movie Shōgun (adapted from TV miniseries of same name).
WTF?
Feudal Japan setting aside, what has Will Adams, a real-life English sea-captain and adventurer got in common with game?
Ikari gauge
Logic would suggest a nod to Ikari Warriors, but...
 |
| When filled, character literally saw red and became stronger. |
After a moment of tense silence, Adachi suddenly shouted "Ikari gauge!"
So that instance of anger and frustration was incorporated into Samurai Shodown.
Ridiculous but true.
By the way, the kanji for 'anger' is 怒
Character design
Yagyu Jubei and Hattori Hanzo were (obviously) based on famous real life samurais.
Similarly, Haohmaru and Tachibana Ukyo were originally called Musashi and Kojirō respectively.
The two duelled in 1612, with Musashi quickly killing his rival using a bokken.
 |
| How intro climaxed was FUCKING GENIUS. |
Also.
 |
| The Yagyu Conspiracy (adapted from Shogun's Samurai). |
The idea of Galford's mutt Poppy originated from manga Dobutsu no Oishi-san, as Masaki Nishine owned a Siberian husky named Chobi.
Fact.
He and Nakoruru were the first fighting game characters to utilise pets during battle.
Gen-an's glove wasn't inspired by Freddy Krueger.
Instead, Tim Burton's cult fantasy romance Edward Scissorhands was responsible.
Wanna know something else?
Great.
 |
| Devil's Island Dinner Alien bones are cooking inside huge cauldron. |
Such a smashing way to insert pop culture.
Kabuki enthusiast Senryo Kyoshiro is probably based on a number of sources.
The rest?
A combination of imagination and mythology.
Ninja Scroll
Let's just say, AMAZING sequel had a lot to thank anime for.
Caffeine Nicotine vs Dakuan
Just... HA HA HA!
Adachi came up with the name because at the time, he was addicted to both cigarettes and coffee.
Neinhalt Sieger vs Himuro Genma
Bionic arm seals it folks.
Here's how Tachibanya Ukyo looked in original.
Now compare sequel's portrait to Utsutsu Mujuro.
Hmmm.
Mizuki Rashojin vs Yurimaru
Rings bells yes?
In name only, the villainous Genjuro Kibagami could be a nod to protagonist Jubei Kibagami.
Backgrounds
Series has always been a massive fan of bamboo.
 |
| Samurai Shodown |
 |
| Samurai Shodown II |
 |
| Samurai Shodown III and IV |
 |
| Jubei vs Mujuro |
Finally, Samurai Shodown III also got in on the act.
Basara vs Shijima
If not clear cut, then check out special move which takes unfortunate into shadow pit.
Even dilapidated temple steals setting.
UNBELIEVABLE.
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