Play Samurai Shodown (Europe) Online

Samurai Shodown on SNES is a solid port of the Neo-Geo classic, though it’s missing some of the arcade’s flashier animations. You’ve got all the usual suspects—Haohmaru with his massive sword, Galford and his annoying dog—but the real fun is in the slower, deliberate swordplay. No button mashing here; one good slash can take half your health bar if you’re not careful.

The pixel art still holds up, especially the dramatic zoom-ins when someone’s about to eat a critical hit. I spent way too long trying to master Nakoruru’s bird attacks before realizing I’m terrible at her playstyle. Stick with Earthquake if you just want to club people over the head.

It’s not perfect—the load times between rounds drag a bit—but it’s still one of the better fighting games on the system.