Samurai Shodown III

Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood
Developer(s)
SNK
Publisher(s)
SNK
  • Takara (Game Boy)
    PlayStation
Producer(s)Eikichi Kawasaki
SeriesSamurai Shodown
Platform(s)
Release
1995
  • Arcade
    • WW: 15 November 1995
    Neo Geo AES
    • JP: 1 December 1995
    • NA: 1 December 1995
    • EU: 1 December 1995
    Neo Geo CD
    • JP: 29 December 1995
    • EU: 29 December 1995
    Game Boy
    • JP: 23 August 1996
    PlayStation
    Original release
    • JP: 30 August 1996
    • NA: 30 November 1996
    • EU: 1996
    Re-release
    • JP: 20 March 1997
    Saturn
    • JP: 8 November 1996
Genre(s)Fighting
Mode(s)
Arcade systemNeo Geo MVS

Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood[a] is an arcade game developed by SNK and released on November 15, 1995. It is the third game in SNK's Samurai Shodown series of fighting games. While it is the third game in the main series, it is the first part of a two-chapter story that is chronologically set between the events of Samurai Shodown and Samurai Shodown II.

The game has a darker aesthetic compared to its predecessors. All characters consequently underwent a visual makeover to match this new tone. The humor that characterized the series made way for a more somber and gritty feel. Along with the aesthetic overhaul came significant changes in the gameplay with introduction of two selectable versions of each character: "Slash" (chivalry) and "Bust" (treachery). Each version comes with its own moves and fighting styles; Slash is closer to the first two games, while Bust is a more aggressive style that introduces new moves.

Controls were also updated; a new layout dedicates three of four buttons to weapon attacks and one for kicking attacks, as opposed to two buttons for weapons and kicks each. Tactical changes include priority for special moves as well as replacing the free movement system with a more restrained parry system.

Samurai Shodown III was released on SNK's Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo CD consoles as well as the PlayStation and Saturn systems. A Game Boy version with a slightly different roster and features was released only in Japan by Takara, a team responsible for the porting of several other SNK arcade games to consoles and handhelds.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).