Samurai Showdown on the Net
SNK's sword-happy fighting game is headed online later this year, but only for some.
Everyone likes humiliating their friends in the time-honoured tradition of video game fisticuffs, but what do you do when you can't be bothered to wipe the crisp crumbs off your shirt to go all the way to your friend's house? Why, that's easy - you pop in an Xbox Live-compatible fighting game like Ignition's latest, Samurai Shodown V.
The Samurai Shodown series, created by SNK, is part of the hearty diet that hardcore 2D fighting fans have lived on for over a decade. This latest instalment brings several tweaks to the fighting itself, apart from various other additions, like the aforementioned online versus modes, nine new characters (bring the total to nearly 30) and redrawn 2D sprites.
The game has also been optimised for the European market and offers a 60Hz mode, for true pugilists for whom slowdown means death.
And those unfortunate enough to not own an Xbox need not fret. Samurai Shodown V is also coming for PlayStation 2, though sans online play. Both versions should be in stores this September at a wallet-pleasing price of £19.99.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games
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