SNK's vintage Samurai Spirits (called Samurai Shodown outside of Japan) fighting game series took a step in an all new direction last week with the release of Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits: Bushido Retsuden for the PlayStation, Saturn, and SNK's own Neo Geo CD.

　　This role-playing game, well over two years in the making, expands on the plot of the original Samurai Shodown and its 1994 sequel in two distinct quests that may be played in any order. Gamers choose one of six main characters as a partner to help in the challenge against the evil, effeminate wizard Amakusa Shiro Tokisada or the demon witch Rashoujin Mizuki. Partner choices include the wine-guzzling, self-proclaimed master swordsman Haohmaru; his clean cut, cold and calculating sociopathic rival Genjuro Kibagami; happy-go-lucky American ninja Galford; Ukyo Tachibana, the terminally ill, haiku-spouting romantic; Nakoruru, damsel defender of nature; and Cham Cham, the feral fisherman's daughter.

　　With the exception of Genjuro who refuses to cooperate with anybody, the other characters will meet up and align with the likes of other Samurai Shodown personalities including fencing femme Charlotte and Kabuki pikeman Kyoshiro Senryo. Virtually every character from the first three Samurai Shodown fighting games comes into play over the course of Bushido Retsuden, and many new friends and enemies are also introduced. The game is composed entirely of colorful hand-drawn artwork, and features fully interactive battles that allow the player to input his character's signature attacks . The player can also readily defend against and counter any enemy strikes. Combat control can be relinquished to the computer for those not interested in Bushido Retsuden's fighting game roots.

　　Each of the three versions of the game includes its own unique features. The PlayStation version contains an art gallery; the Saturn version offers a question and answer session about the game, hosted by the mysterious referee Kuroko and wily monk Caffeine Nicotine; and the Neo Geo CD version boasts a unique mini quest featuring cameo appearances by characters from SNK's other fighting games.

　　The Neo Geo CD, with fully four times more system memory than the PlayStation or the Saturn, has less frequent loading times and more frames of animation than the other two versions. The game features professional voice acting and a great deal of Japanese text. An English translation of the game is improbable.

　　Stay tuned for a full review of Bushido Retsuden on VideoGameSpot shortly, and check out these screenshots and movie in the meantime.