Haohmaru
A wandering swordsman and one of the series' central protagonists, known for powerful, direct attacks.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Joystick | Move, crouch, and jump |
|---|---|
A | Light slash |
B | Medium slash |
C | Heavy slash |
D | Kick |
Control notes
The arcade cabinet uses an eight-way joystick and four action buttons.
Button strength and direction determine many normal and special attacks.
How it plays
How does Samurai Shodown V Special play?
Matches are viewed from a side-on perspective and normally consist of one-on-one bouts. Players select a warrior, defeat opponents through a sequence of fights, and use movement, attacks, blocking, jumping, and special techniques to manage distance and damage.
Each fighter uses a weapon with different reach and speed. The game rewards careful footwork, whiff punishment, weapon clashes, and accurate defensive timing rather than continuous attacks. Strong attacks can inflict major damage, while the Rage system and character-specific moves provide comeback opportunities. Arcade progression ends with a final battle after the opponent sequence.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Samurai Shodown V Special?
Prioritize spacing over constant attacking. Learn the effective range of your character's weapon and punish missed heavy attacks with a fast slash or a damaging special move.
Watch the opponent's Rage state and avoid trading blows carelessly when either fighter is near defeat. Use blocking, crouching, jumping, and deliberate retreats to force mistakes, then commit to a decisive counterattack.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Nakoruru
A young Ainu warrior who fights alongside her falcon companion and protects nature.
Genjuro Kibagami
Haohmaru's ruthless rival, recognized for his aggressive style and crimson blade.
Sogetsu Kazama
A water-element ninja who uses a ring-shaped weapon and precise elemental techniques.
Kazuki Kazama
A fire-element ninja whose fast attacks and flame techniques emphasize offense.
Amakusa Shiro Tokisada
A recurring supernatural antagonist associated with dark spiritual power.
Documented inputs
What cheats and unlocks are documented?
Documented unlockNo reliable universal cheat code is confirmed here; arcade progression and character access are generally handled through normal play and score-based completion.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Study weapon reach and recovery before relying on heavy attacks.
- 2
Use training and repeated arcade matches to learn matchup-specific punishments.
- 3
Treat Rage and powerful finishing attacks as resources rather than automatic answers.
Community discussion
What are players saying? 0