SNK’s partnership with exA-Arcadia is bringing the company’s fighting games back to arcades beyond Japan. The first announced release under that agreement is Samurai Shodown V Perfect, a revised arcade edition of the long-unreleased fighter.
From cancelled MVS game to modern arcade release
SSVP was originally slated for a release on the Neo Geo MVS back in 2003. However, it was cancelled shortly after testing began, and the project disappeared for many years. The planned version was intended to refine elements of Samurai Shodown V and feature 28 playable fighters, including every boss from earlier entries.
The game was rediscovered during an interview with its original creator, Kouji Takaya. It was later localised and released on consoles in 2020 as part of the Samurai Shodown Collection. The upcoming exA-Arcadia edition now returns the title to dedicated arcade hardware.
What is changing in Samurai Shodown V Perfect?
New information was presented at a special Samurai Shodown event held at Mikado Arcade in Tokyo. The presentation was delivered in Japanese and covered the exA-Arcadia platform before discussing the new version of Samurai Shodown V Perfect. Further details are expected before its planned summer release.
The currently announced changes and features include:
- One frame of input lag, matching the responsiveness of the original MVS version.
- New character artwork by Shiroh Ohno, known for his work on Samurai Shodown III and the Samurai Shodown RPG.
- A revised localisation that removes the original awkward English, supported by a new stylised font.
- Expanded storylines for every character.
- Additional gameplay balancing.
- 4K display support for compatible monitors.
- A dedicated art package containing an A1 poster and instruction card, as is standard with exA game kits.
New Haohmaru and Nakoruru artwork
The event displayed pop-up and standee-style artwork for Haohmaru and Nakoruru, created by Ohno. Similar promotional materials may be offered in limited quantities, as has happened with other exA releases such as with releases like Crimson Katana EXA.
One-frame input response
A presentation slide compared input-lag figures for current and upcoming exA-Arcadia fighting games. Axel City 2 and Dynamite Bomb!! are also targeting one frame of input lag.
That software-side response is comparable to the immediacy associated with an older CRT display, although the final result still depends on the LCD panel and its game mode. The comparison also highlights exA’s focus on reducing delay, with the platform aiming to respond faster than many console and PC fighting-game setups, which commonly add five or more frames of lag.
Arcade presentation and scanline support
The game was previously shown at IAAPA 2021, where it looked promising but was running in Japanese and did not yet include most of the announced updates. Scanline support was available, allowing players to reproduce a more traditional display appearance if desired; scanlines were also visible in the event stream.
For readers comparing the project with modern arcade machines, the key appeal is its combination of classic Neo Geo lineage, updated presentation and highly responsive fighting-game controls. Players planning a home setup can also review RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide and browse upright arcade cabinets.
Release timing
exA-Arcadia was planning to release Samurai Shodown V Perfect in summer, with more information due to arrive during the lead-up to launch. The revised localisation, new artwork, balancing work, 4K support and one-frame input target make this more than a straightforward reissue of the recovered 2003 project.
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