View source for Samurai Shodown V

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Samurai Shodown V
| image = Samurai Shodown V arcade flyer.jpg
| developer = [[Yuki Enterprise]]
| publisher = [[SNK#2003–2016: SNK Playmore|SNK Playmore]]<br />Ignition Entertainment<br /><small>(PS2/Xbox)</small>
| producer = Yasuo Tanaka
| designer = Koji Takaya (Dorio)<br />Tōru Sakurai
| programmer = [[Kazuro Morita]]<br />M. Kawamura<br />Yoshihiro Nakamura
| artist = C. Takahashi<br />Daisuke Shimada<br />Manabu Sakai
| composer = Haruhiko Kuroiwa<br />Kennosuke Suemura
| series = ''[[Samurai Shodown]]''
| platforms = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade game|Arcade]]}}|[[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo AES]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]{{efn|The Xbox version of this game is not compatible with [[Xbox 360]].}}}}
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[2003 in video gaming|2003]]}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|WW|10 October 2003}} '''Neo Geo AES'''{{vgrelease|WW|11 December 2003}} '''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease|JP|29 July [[2004 in video gaming|2004]]|EU|16 June [[2006 in video gaming|2006]]}} '''Xbox'''{{vgrelease|NA|18 January 2006}}}}
| genre = [[Fighting game|Fighting]]
| modes = {{flatlist|
*[[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
*[[Multiplayer video game|Multiplayer]]}}
| arcade system = [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo MVS]]
}}

'''''Samurai Shodown V'''''{{efn|Also known as {{nihongo|'''''Samurai Spirits Zero'''''|サムライスピリッツ 零|''Samurai Supirittsu Zero''||lead=yes}} in Japan.}} is the eighth game in [[SNK Playmore|SNK]]'s ''[[Samurai Shodown]]'' series of [[versus fighting game|fighting games]].<ref name="NEOGEOsnk">{{cite web|url=http://neogeomuseum.snk-corp.co.jp/english/catalogue/|title=Title Catalogue - NEOGEO MUSEUM|publisher=[[SNK#2003–2016: SNK Playmore|SNK Playmore]]|date=2010|access-date=2020-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828035857/http://neogeomuseum.snk-corp.co.jp/english/catalogue/|archive-date=2018-08-28|url-status=live}}</ref> It was one of the last games to be released on the [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo Geo]]. This title takes place before the first ''Samurai Shodown''.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:NEOGEO Samurai Shodown V (Samurai Spirits Zero).png|thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot showcasing a match between [[Mina Majikina]] and [[Kazuki Kazama]].]]
Following 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. 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. This announcement caused considerable unease among series fans.

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. 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''. This created its own issues with the series timeline.

The gameplay was sped up slightly from ''Samurai Shodown IV'', and the button layout was changed again.

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.

== Synopsis ==
Seven years after the release of ''[[Samurai Shodown IV]]'', the storyline of this game is a prequel for the rest of the series, two years after the events of the original [[Samurai Shodown]], focusing in a new protagonist called [[Yoshitora Tokugawa]] that, besides other warriors, must face the rebellion of his former mentor Gaoh Kyogoku Hinowanokami. This prequel created little conflicts with the argument of previous games.

== Development ==
SNK Playmore hired Yuki Enterprise (later became [[Examu]]) to develop a new ''Samurai Shodown'' installment, where project lead Koji Takaya was a former SNK employee and worked on the main titles of the series. Takaya and the team developed the title based on decompiled ROM of ''Samurai Shodown IV'' with their own development tools.

== Release ==
{{Expand section|date=April 2020}}

=== Samurai Shodown V (Xbox) ===
In 2005, a remixed version was released on the Xbox that had Sankuro Yorozu and Yumeji Kurokouchi as playable characters.{{citation needed|date=June 2023}}

=== Samurai Shodown V Special ===
{{see also|Samurai Shodown V Special}}
{{Expand section|date=April 2020}}

== Reception ==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 58%<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/samurai-shodown-v/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox | title=Samurai Shodown V | website=[[Metacritic]] }}</ref>
| EGM = 58%{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
| G4 = 40%{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
| GSpot = 69%<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |title=Samurai Shodown V Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/samurai-shodown-v-review/1900-6143066/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref>
| GameRev = 42%<ref>{{cite web |title=Samurai Shodown V Review |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/36492-samurai-shodown-v-review |website=[[GameRevolution]] |date=30 January 2006 |access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref>
| GSpy = 3/5<ref name="GSpy">{{cite web |title=Samurai Shodown V (Xbox) |url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/samurai-shodown-v/683067p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060203161430/http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/samurai-shodown-v/683067p1.html |archive-date=February 3, 2006 |website=[[GameSpy]]}}</ref>
| IGN = 62%<ref name="IGNreview">{{cite web |title=Samurai Shodown V |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/26/samurai-shodown-v |website=[[IGN]] |date=26 January 2006 |access-date=June 14, 2024 }}</ref>
| OXMUK = 50%{{citation needed|date=August 2017}}
}}
{{Expand section|date=April 2020}}
The game had mediocre reception. GameSpot said "This 2D fighting game is a real blast from the past, but its big cast of fairly interesting characters and its online play can make it worthwhile for NeoGeo fans."<ref name="GSpot"/> IGN said "It's got lots of moves, a deep fighting system, and the online play is a big plus, but it really isn't that enjoyable in the end."<ref name="IGNreview"/> GameSpy summarised it as "A competent port of an iffy game in a good series",<ref name="GSpy"/> while EGM said "this classic weapons-based fighting series has lost much of its soul. While the original cast moves as fluidly as ever, the newer faces are the epitome of mediocre design and animation".{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} The Official Xbox Magazine said it was "an obsolete relic".{{citation needed|date=August 2017}} Metacritic rated the Xbox version of the game 58% based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|https://samuraianiv.snk-corp.co.jp/english/title/samurai-shodown8/index.php}}
* [https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/arcade/919233-samurai-shodown-v ''Samurai Shodown V''] at [[GameFAQs]]
* [https://www.giantbomb.com/samurai-shodown-v/3030-3387/ ''Samurai Shodown V''] at [[Giant Bomb]]
* [https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=12835 ''Samurai Shodown V''] at [[Killer List of Videogames]]
* [https://www.mobygames.com/game/samurai-shodown-v ''Samurai Shodown V''] at [[MobyGames]]

{{Samurai Shodown series}}
{{Nobuhiro Watsuki}}
{{Portal bar|Japan|Video games}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samurai Shodown V}}
[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:ACA Neo Geo games]]
[[Category:Arcade video games]]
[[Category:Fighting games]]
[[Category:2D fighting games]]
[[Category:Neo Geo games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Switch games]]
[[Category:Nobuhiro Watsuki]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 4 games]]
[[Category:Samurai Shodown video games]]
[[Category:SNK games]]
[[Category:SNK Playmore games]]
[[Category:Video game prequels]]
[[Category:Video games about samurai]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:Xbox One games]]
[[Category:UTV Ignition Games games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Hamster Corporation games]]
[[Category:Examu games]]

[[ja:サムライスピリッツ#サムライスピリッツ零]]