SAMURAI SHODOWN NEOGEO COLLECTION

If you are not buying this because of Required internet connectivity/Epic account connection. Those reviews are wrong as of 10/8/2025, It might have been true as of 2019 but it's not true in 2025. I unplugged my ethernet and turned off all wi-fi to ensure I had no internet and I was still able to access nearly everything. The only feature that was not available was...shocker ONLINE PLAY. Even when I was online, I was never asked to link up with Epic, It uses your steam profile data
Other than that. Its a collection of Classic Samsho games, I wish we got the non-neo-geo games but these are still good ol Samsho, Absolutley worth it for 6 bucks on sale.

A great fighting game , distance and knowing your characters moves so can counter is very important.Samurai Showdown 2 is my personal favorite.

This is nice collection of SNK's classic weapon based fighting games. Also included is a little museum of documents and art. As well as a sound player to listen to some incredible music tracks. To be honest, the features and user interface is a little bare bones, but functional.
As a casual fan of fighting games back in the day, Samurai Shodown as something a bit different. It was one of the more popular fighting games to be based on the fighters using weapons. With the series taking the idea of samurai film type duels to heart. As many of the games reward creating an opening and dealing large amounts of damage with deadly weapons.
If I am fair, the series is pretty uneven. Although, by Shodown IV and V it became refined enough to be something special. The Shodown series does take a different approach to fighting games compared to its peers, but it rewards the players that figure out that approach of peace and fury.
I appreciate this collection existing. Bundling these games all into one place for an easy, and legal, way to play them. I can't comment on any of the online stuff. If I am going to play PvP here, my opponent is going to be on the other side of the couch in the same room.
I like this collection and didn't find any major faults with it. My biggest complaint is the selling price of $40 US. Which seems a tad steep. Easily solved waiting for a Steam sale to cut it to half or 3/4 off. Which feels more reasonable for ~30 year old games and modest UI and extras.

I wish it had some sort of practice mode, and that it had Samsho 4 Special. Samsho 3's arcade mode is as unfun as everyone has made it out to be; the CPU will be reading your inputs no matter what level.

Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection, developed by Digital Eclipse and published by SNK Corporation, stands as both a celebration and a preservation of one of the most iconic weapons-based fighting game series in gaming history. This collection gathers together seven classic titles from the NeoGeo era—Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown III, Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa’s Revenge, Samurai Shodown V, Samurai Shodown V Special, and the never-before-officially-released Samurai Shodown V Perfect. For fans of SNK’s legacy or newcomers curious about the lineage of precision-based fighters, this collection represents an exhaustive archive that captures not only the evolution of the franchise but also the broader artistry of 2D fighting during its golden age. Digital Eclipse, known for their work in retro game preservation, handles the technical emulation with impressive care, ensuring that the games look, sound, and feel true to their original arcade incarnations.
At its heart, Samurai Shodown has always been about deliberate combat—the contrast between stillness and sudden motion, patience and violence. This design philosophy remains intact throughout every game in the collection. Unlike other fighters that emphasize rapid combos or flashy chains, Samurai Shodown thrives on the intensity of timing and positioning. A single well-placed strike can decide the outcome of a duel, reflecting a philosophy that blends game design with the samurai ethos itself. Each installment refines these ideas differently: the first two titles prioritize fundamental dueling mechanics, while the later games introduce deeper move lists, defensive techniques, and more cinematic flourishes. Playing them back to back reveals a fascinating historical progression, from the raw but charming early entries to the more complex and polished Samurai Shodown V Special. The inclusion of Samurai Shodown V Perfect—previously unreleased—serves as the crown jewel of this collection, completing the historical record for enthusiasts who have followed the series for decades.
The authenticity of the emulation work cannot be overstated. Digital Eclipse’s approach to recreating the arcade experience is meticulous, capturing the sound, pacing, and even the visual grain of the original NeoGeo hardware. The games run smoothly, and input response feels natural whether you play on a controller, keyboard, or arcade stick. Various display options allow for scaling, scanlines, and bezel customization, ensuring both nostalgic and modern players can enjoy the visuals in their preferred format. The attention to detail continues in the sound design; every sword clash, shout, and background melody evokes the fierce atmosphere of feudal duels. While the games themselves have not been visually remastered, their preserved pixel art remains striking, demonstrating how effective 2D animation can be when it’s built on strong aesthetic foundations.
One of the most outstanding aspects of the collection is the Museum mode, a vast gallery of archival content that showcases the series’ development history. It includes concept art, design sketches, character bios, promotional materials, and in-depth interviews with the original development team. For long-time fans, this feature is almost as valuable as the games themselves, offering a rare glimpse into SNK’s creative process and the design philosophy that shaped one of the most distinctive fighting franchises ever made. Coupled with the complete soundtrack library—featuring hundreds of tracks spanning every title—the Museum mode transforms the collection from a bundle of old games into a cultural record of Japanese arcade history.
While the offline experience is excellent, the online component is one of the few shortcomings. Although the collection includes online play with rollback netcode, the player base is unfortunately small, making it difficult to find consistent matches. The netcode works well when connections are stable, but the limited community diminishes its long-term value as a multiplayer experience. Additionally, newcomers might find the lack of a comprehensive training mode disappointing. The original games were designed for arcades and expect players to learn through repetition and observation, but in a modern context, the absence of tutorials or practice tools makes mastering each title a slower process. These omissions do not detract from the collection’s overall quality but do place it more in the realm of historical preservation than a fully contemporary fighting game platform.
Despite these caveats, Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection is a masterful anthology that honors SNK’s legacy and Digital Eclipse’s commitment to authenticity. It captures the spirit of a series that defined the concept of tension and restraint in fighting games, proving that measured combat can be as thrilling as fast-paced brawls. Whether you are reliving arcade memories or discovering these games for the first time, the compilation offers an insightful look into how design philosophies matured across successive generations. Each duel feels deliberate and intense, each victory earned through precision rather than brute force. In a time when fighting games often chase spectacle and accessibility, returning to the purity of Samurai Shodown’s sword-based combat feels refreshing.
In conclusion, this collection is both a time capsule and a celebration. It preserves the artistry of hand-drawn sprites, the weight of every swing, and the atmosphere of classic SNK craftsmanship. While its lack of modern features may limit its appeal to casual players, for purists, historians, and fans of traditional fighting design, Samurai Shodown: NeoGeo Collection is essential. It stands as one of the finest examples of how video game preservation can be done right—respecting the past while making it accessible to the present. Through its careful restoration and inclusion of never-before-seen content, it ensures that the legacy of Samurai Shodown continues to inspire admiration for the art of the duel.
Rating: 8/10

Great collection and a lot of fun. Interesting history included in the collection as well. I've bought this collection twice (switch and steam) because it really is that good. Online multiplayer may be difficult to use but that's due to a low online player base.

Nice collection with art, drawings, interviews and videos from tournaments! <3 Fun game to play with friends. ^_^