DETAILS Format Neo Geo Released 1 Dec 1995 Publisher SNK Product ID NGH-087 Size (cm) 22 x 17 x 4 Weight (kg) 0.70

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STATUS

The third Samurai Spirits game has split opinions ever since it was released; and today remains just as loved as it is loathed. Regardless of personal opinion it remains an absolutely superb production - this is SNK at their peak! Snap-lock Neo Geo case, 282Mbit cartridge, monochrome booklet.

DETAILS Format Audio CD Released 16 Dec 1995 Publisher Pony Canyon Product ID PCCB-00200 Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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STATUS

Complete 'Original Soundtrack' to the Arcade / Neo Geo version. Includes 'Voice & S.E. Collection'. CD case, 57-track audio CD, 16-page booklet, spine card.

DETAILS Format Neo Geo CD Released 29 Dec 1995 Publisher SNK Product ID NGCD-087 Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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STATUS

Aside from the loading times, this is as good as the Neo CD gets: perfect port, crisp gameplay, superb CD soundtrack, cheap price. Yay. 'Neo Geo' stamped CD case, Neo Geo CD CD-ROM, 28-page monochrome booklet, spine card.

DETAILS Format Magazine / Book Released 16 Jan 1996 Publisher Shinseisha Product ID Gamest No.161 Size (cm) 25.7 x 21 x 0.6 (AB) Weight (kg) 0.40

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STATUS

'Extra' issue of Gamest magazine, titled 'Book of Secret Principles'. Starts off with a small fold-out poster, then focuses on a series of in-depth profiles for the entire cast, with move galleries and complete command lists. 112 pages, full colour, Japanese.

DETAILS Format Guide Book Released 26 Jan 1996 Publisher ASCII Product ID ISBN4-89366-463-8 Size (cm) 21 x 14.8 x 1.9 (A5) Weight (kg) 0.58

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STATUS

Luxurious 'Official Guide Book' from Famitsu, subtitled 'Fencing Teaching Book'. Features in-depth profiles, illustrated move lists, combos charts, official & original art, interviews, columns, and an extensive b&w section covering versus tactics, all finished off by 30 pages of concept art & designs. Very nice indeed. 320 pages, 192 in colour, Japanese.

DETAILS Format Audio CD Released 7 Feb 1996 Publisher Pony Canyon Product ID PCCB-00204 Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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Remixed 'Arrange Soundtrack', uncut in its entirety, along with the odd bout of 'audio drama' thrown in: "Blah blah blah... <KANG!> Aaaaaargh!" etc. View [back] for tracklisting. CD case, 22 track audio CD, 16-page b&w booklet, tape inlay, spine card.

DETAILS Format Manga Released 10 Mar 1996 Publisher Shinseisha Product ID ISBN4-88199-224-4 Size (cm) 21 x 14.8 x 1 (A5) Weight (kg) 0.30

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Humourous collection of 4-panel jokes and craziness based on the cast. Part of the Gamest Comics collection. 128 pages (black & white), Japanese.

DETAILS Format Game Boy Released 23 Aug 1996 Publisher Takara Product ID DMG-ASZJ-JPN Size (cm) 10 x 9 x 2 Weight (kg) 0.06

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STATUS

Downsized version of Samurai 3 for the Game Boy; not bad but the GB was looking very antiquated by 1996. Features a surprise guest character. Super Game Boy and link-up cable compatible for 2P versus play. Standard GB packaging, 8Mbit cartridge, 16-page colour booklet.

DETAILS Format PlayStation Released 30 Aug 1996 Publisher SNK Product ID SLPS-00350 Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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STATUS

The PlayStation conversion of Zankuro Musōken was SNK's second release on the format, and that must be the reason why it is so sub-standard. The game suffers from severe slowdown, jerky animation and dodgy collisions. Still, that didn't stop the game from selling like hot cakes. CD case, PlayStation CD-ROM disc, 24-page colour manual, spine card.

DETAILS Format Guide Book Released 25 Sep 1996 Publisher Keibunsha Product ID ISBN4-7669-2571-8 Size (cm) 21 x 14.8 x 1.1 (A5) Weight (kg) 0.34

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STATUS

Smooth, clear, and beautifully paged 'Official Guide Book' for the PS ver. Features profiles, move lists (listed with the PS button layout), versus tactics, and a bonus 'rough sketch' section. 144 pages, 112 in colour, Japanese.

DETAILS Format Sega Saturn Released 8 Nov 1996 Publisher SNK Product ID T-3104G Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 3 Weight (kg) 0.25

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STATUS

Thanks to the 1MB RAM cartridge the Sega Saturn musters up a near-perfect conversion of the Neo Geo original, light years ahead of the ropey PS port. This 'Extended RAM Bundle Edition' includes both the game (Sega Saturn CD-ROM disc in case w/ 30-page colour manual) and 1MB RAM cartridge [HSS-0150].

DETAILS Format Sega Saturn Released 8 Nov 1996 Publisher SNK Product ID T-3106G Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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STATUS

Stand-alone release of SNK's excellent Sega Saturn conversion. Perfect for those who might already have the essential 1MB RAM cartridge [HSS-0150]. CD case, Sega Saturn CD-ROM disc, 30-page colour manual, spine card.

DETAILS Format PlayStation Released 20 Mar 1997 Publisher SNK Product ID SLPS-91024 Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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STATUS

'PlayStation the Best' re-issue. CD case, PlayStation CD-ROM disc, colour manual, spine card.

DETAILS Format Sega Saturn Released 6 Aug 1998 Publisher SNK Product ID T-3123G Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 2.4 Weight (kg) 0.20

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STATUS

2-in-1 re-issue of both Samurai Spirits games for the Sega Saturn: - Zankuro Musōken (1995) - Amakusa Kōrin (1996) Initially intended as a 'budget' pack, this is slowly becoming quite a sought-after SNK release on the Sega Saturn. Both titles require the 1MB RAM cartridge [HSS-0150] to run. Double CD case, Sega Saturn CD-ROM disc x 2, colour manual, spine card.

DETAILS Format PlayStation Released 24 Apr 2003 Publisher Playmore Product ID SLPS-91514 Size (cm) 14.2 x 12.4 x 1 Weight (kg) 0.10

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Second re-issue of the PlayStation version, this time for the 'SNK Best Collection' PSone Books label. CD case, PlayStation CD-ROM disc, colour booklet, spine card.

DETAILS Format PlayStation 2 Released 24 July 2008 Publisher SNK Playmore Product ID SLPS-25839 Size (cm) 19 x 13.5 x 1.5 Weight (kg) 0.17

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STATUS

Superb 6-in-1 Samurai Spirits pack for the PS2, 12th and final release of the Neo Geo Online Collection. Features every 2D game of the series: - Samurai Spirits (1993) - Shin Samurai Spirits (1994) - Zankuro Musōken (1995) - Amakusa Kōrin (1996) - Samurai Spirits Zero (2003) - Samurai Spirits Tenka (2006) Each title is beautifully presented with interactive menus, galleries, move lists, music tests and practice modes. PS2 case, PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM disc, colour booklet.

DETAILS Format Wii Released 24 July 2008 Publisher SNK Playmore Product ID RVL-RSSJ-JPN Size (cm) 19 x 13.5 x 1.5 Weight (kg) 0.15

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STATUS

The Wii also gets its share of classic Neo Geo samurai action: - Samurai Spirits (1993) - Shin Samurai Spirits (1994) - Zankuro Musōken (1995) - Amakusa Kōrin (1996) - Samurai Spirits Zero (2003) - Samurai Spirits Tenka (2006) Go for it blindfolded - every single game featured is a bona fide masterpiece. Standard Wii case, Wii optical disc, colour booklet.

DETAILS Format PlayStation 2 Released 18 June 2009 Publisher SNK Playmore Product ID SLPS-25934 Size (cm) 19 x 13.5 x 1.5 Weight (kg) 0.17

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STATUS

Cut-price 'The Best' re-issue of the PS2 Samurai Spirits collection. Content remains identical: - Samurai Spirits (1993) - Shin Samurai Spirits (1994) - Zankuro Musōken (1995) - Amakusa Kōrin (1996) - Samurai Spirits Zero (2003) - Samurai Spirits Tenka (2006) PS2 case, PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM disc, colour booklet.