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| Action | Keyboard | Controller |
|---|---|---|
| D-Pad Up | ↑ | D-Pad up |
| D-Pad Down | ↓ | D-Pad down |
| D-Pad Left | ← | D-Pad left |
| D-Pad Right | → | D-Pad right |
| ✕ Cross | X | Bottom face |
| ○ Circle | Z | Right face |
| □ Square | S | Left face |
| △ Triangle | A | Top face |
| L1 | Q | Left shoulder |
| R1 | E | Right shoulder |
| L2 | Tab | Left trigger |
| R2 | R | Right trigger |
| Start | Enter | Start |
| Select | V | Select |
| Left Stick Up | T | Analog up |
| Left Stick Down | G | Analog down |
| Left Stick Left | F | Analog left |
| Left Stick Right | H | Analog right |
| L3 (stick press) | — | Stick press |
| Right Stick Up | I | Right stick |
| Right Stick Down | K | Right stick |
| Right Stick Left | J | Right stick |
| Right Stick Right | L | Right stick |
| R3 (stick press) | — | Stick press |
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Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood is a 1995 fighting game developed and published by SNK for the Neo Geo arcade and home platforms. While it is the third game in the main Samurai Shodown 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 Story Behind Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood
Hamster Corporation re-released the game as part of their ACA Neo Geo series for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Android and iOS. The Game Boy port was released only in Japan by developers Takara, the same team responsible for the porting of several other SNK arcade games to multiple consoles and handhelds. 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.
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. The first part of a two-chapter story that is chronologically set between the events of Samurai Shodown and Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown III follows the journey of a young semi-amnesic boy named Shizumaru Hisame as he and many other warriors seek out a powerful and dangerous swordsman named Zankuro Minazuki for their own personal reasons. Samurai Shodown III was released on SNK's Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo CD consoles as well as the PlayStation and Saturn systems.
How Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood Plays
Samurai Shodown III was released on SNK's Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo CD consoles as well as the PlayStation and Saturn systems. All of the characters have been completely redrawn. The more light-hearted characters (Earthquake, Cham Cham, and Gen-an) from the previous games have been excised, and the kabuki master, Kyoshiro Senryo, received a redesign, transforming him from a flamboyant stage performer into a grim-faced, muscular man.
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. The pace of the game shifted somewhat, as many basic attacks can be canceled into special moves, something which is extremely rare in the first two installments. Gameplay is significantly changed introduction of two selectable versions of each character: "Slash" (chivalry) and "Bust" (treachery).
Why Players Still Load It Up
Samurai Shodown III was released on SNK's Neo Geo AES and Neo Geo CD consoles as well as the PlayStation and Saturn systems. New warriors added to the series include the following: The Game Boy version omits Kyoshiro and Gaira, but adds Jubei Yagyu as a special boss and secret character. Gameplay is significantly changed introduction of two selectable versions of each character: "Slash" (chivalry) and "Bust" (treachery).
In Japan, Game Machine listed Samurai Shodown III as the most-popular arcade game of the year. 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. The game has a darker aesthetic compared to its predecessors.
Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood — Frequently Asked Questions
How many players does Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood support?
Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood supports 1 player(s) in this browser version.
Can I play Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood online for free?
Absolutely. The full game loads in the player at the top of this page and runs right in your browser — no installs, no plugins, no waiting.
Do I need a controller to play Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood?
No. Keyboard controls work out of the box (see the controls panel), and any USB or Bluetooth gamepad is detected automatically.
Who developed Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood?
Development was handled by its developer, with its publisher publishing the release.
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