畫面相當華麗的《侍魂零 SPECIAL》是該系列第六部作品，也是NEO GEO主機結束前所推出的最後一款遊戲，2004年街機版上市(有無法選擇BOSS級角色的設定)，之後在XBOX One、PS2、PSV、PS4、PC及NS等平台也有其復刻版，並收錄在2020年的PS4跟NS侍魂NEO GEO典藏輯。

《侍魂·零SPECIAL》是《侍魂·零》的加強版本，相較於前作，新增多位可操作角色，並對戰鬥系統進行更細緻的平衡調整。有28位可選人物，並無隱藏人物的設定，” 零 “的歷代BOSS也全部出現，還加入侍魂4的所有18位角色。這些角色來自《侍魂》系列的各個作品，包括經典角色如霸王丸和娜可露露，以及一些新角色。主要人物包括：

霸王丸（Haohmaru）：系列的主角之一，豪放不羈的流浪劍士，以追求自由和劍道極致為目標。他繼續在遊戲中扮演領導性角色，對抗邪惡勢力。

牙神幻十郎（Genjuro Kibagami）：霸王丸的宿敵，個性殘暴，憎恨一切束縛。他與同門的霸王丸對立是整個劇情中的一大看點。

娜可露露（Nakoruru）：北海道阿伊努族的巫女，守護自然與生命的象徵。角色在劇情中代表純潔和正義，與邪惡勢力對抗。

延續《侍魂·零》的前傳性質，背景設定為前作《侍魂》劇情之前的故事。背景仍然設定在日本江戶時代末期，武士和戰士們的故事線相互交織，每個角色都有各自的動機，有的為了復仇，有的是保護所愛，有的則追尋劍道極致，最終捲入日本命運的變局。主要敵人來自日本傳說中的黑暗勢力，在劇情模式中需要逐個擊敗其他武士，最終迎戰最強大的對手。

操作與前作《侍魂零》（サムライスピリッツ零）雷同，不論是音效及畫面，SPECIAL是大多數玩家公認最優秀的侍魂作品。在一分鐘之內解決對方就算獲勝，每場採三戰兩勝制 ，必殺技的COMBO能力更加強化。保留系列的經典格鬥操作，並加入一些改進。戰鬥系統圍繞武器進行，與其他格鬥遊戲不同的是，角色主要依賴於手中的刀劍和各類武器進行攻擊，而非徒手戰鬥。畫面進行流暢，具備快速攻擊和重擊的兩種基本攻擊方式，並配有各類必殺技和特殊技能。可以使用連續技和防禦技術來應對對手的攻擊，同時可以使用反擊技能來抓住敵方的破綻進行反擊。

一個重要的系統是“怒氣”槽（Rage Gauge），在畫面的最下方欄位。當受到攻擊時，怒氣槽會逐漸積累，當怒氣槽滿時，攻擊力會大幅增強，並且可以釋放強力的必殺技。如能熟悉COMBO招式的使用，就能在最短時間內取得完美的不失血勝利。此外，還加入“斬擊”（Slash）和“爆氣”（Bust）系統，這兩個系統允許根據戰鬥需要選擇不同的戰鬥風格，斬擊風格注重強大的攻擊力，而爆氣風格則側重於速度和靈活性。

值得一提的是，《侍魂·零SPECIAL》以其極具暴力的處決技而聞名，這些處決技在擊敗對手時可以施展出極具視覺衝擊力的斬殺效果。這也是該版本與前作的主要區別之一，這些設定讓戰鬥變的更加殘酷和血腥。

關卡設計與前作類似，需要逐個挑戰其他角色，每場戰鬥都發生在風格各異的日本古代場景中，如寺廟、森林、山間等。每個場景的設計都充滿日本江戶時代的氛圍，從背景音樂到場景細節，均展現濃厚的日本文化色彩。遊戲的最終BOSS戰非常具有挑戰性，擁有極高的攻擊力和難以預測的戰鬥模式，需要在反覆挑戰中找出其弱點並將其擊敗。每個角色都有自己的結局動畫，這些結局與角色的個人故事相呼應，增強遊戲的劇情體驗。

《侍魂·零SPECIAL》在市場上的評價褒貶不一。忠實的粉絲對其改進的戰鬥系統和新增的角色設計表示肯定，尤其是斬殺技的引入，使得戰鬥表現更加殘酷和刺激。評論者讚揚其深度的格鬥系統和富有挑戰性的戰鬥設計，特別是多樣的角色選擇和劇情走向，讓玩家可以反覆遊玩。然而，由於極端暴力內容，尤其是斬殺技和血腥的畫面，這款遊戲在某些地區遭到嚴格的審查和修改，這也導致一些玩家無法體驗到完整的遊戲內容。此外，有些玩家認為遊戲的難度設計過於苛刻，特別是在BOSS戰中，部分角色的攻擊模式難以預測，讓新手玩家難以應對。

總體而言，作為《侍魂》系列的一部重要作品，成功地延續該系列的武器格鬥傳統，並在原作的基礎上進行有效的改進。儘管遊戲的暴力元素引發一些爭議，但其在遊戲深度和戰鬥系統上的表現依然獲得廣泛的讚譽，並被視為該系列中的經典之作。PS:ROM卡帶的價格在二手市場居高不下，未修正版本更是難以入手。

The visually stunning Samurai Shodown V Special (サムライスピリッツ零SPECIAL) is the sixth installment in the Samurai Shodown series and the final game released for the NEO GEO console before its discontinuation. It was first launched for arcades in 2004, with certain versions restricting the ability to select boss characters. Later, it was re-released on platforms such as Xbox One, PS2, PS Vita, PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch, and was also included in the Samurai Shodown NEO GEO Collection for PS4 and Nintendo Switch in 2020.

Samurai Shodown V Special is an enhanced version of Samurai Shodown V. Compared to its predecessor, this version added several playable characters and made more refined balance adjustments to the combat system. It features 28 selectable characters with no hidden ones, including all the bosses from previous installments in the series. The game also includes all 18 characters from Samurai Shodown IV, with characters drawn from various titles in the Samurai Shodown franchise. This includes iconic figures like Haohmaru and Nakoruru, along with newer additions.

Key characters include:

Haohmaru: One of the series' main protagonists, Haohmaru is a free-spirited wandering swordsman whose goal is to achieve mastery in swordsmanship while living life on his own terms. He plays a pivotal role in leading the battle against evil forces.

Genjuro Kibagami: Haohmaru’s nemesis, Genjuro is a brutal and savage warrior who despises all forms of constraint. His rivalry with Haohmaru, stemming from their shared past, forms a central narrative point.

Nakoruru: A priestess from the Ainu tribe in Hokkaido, Nakoruru is the embodiment of nature and life’s guardian. She represents purity and righteousness, standing against the forces of evil.

The game's plot serves as a prequel, following the events before the original Samurai Shodown storyline. Set in the late Edo period of Japan, it weaves together the fates of various warriors and samurai, each driven by personal motives—some seeking revenge, others protecting loved ones, and still others in pursuit of perfecting their swordsmanship. They ultimately become entangled in the grand political upheavals that will shape Japan’s future. The enemies come from dark, mythological forces in Japanese lore, and players must defeat each warrior one by one before facing the most powerful adversary in the final battle.

The gameplay mechanics in Samurai Shodown V Special are similar to those of Samurai Shodown V, maintaining the core combat elements that fans loved. Many players regard this title as the finest entry in the Samurai Shodown series, particularly for its sound design and fluid visuals. Each match operates under a best-of-three format, with the winner determined within a minute. The ability to perform combo moves and unleash devastating special attacks was significantly enhanced in this version.

The game retains its signature weapon-based combat system, where characters rely on swords and other weapons rather than hand-to-hand combat. The smooth gameplay includes both quick strikes and heavy attacks, as well as special moves and ultimate techniques. Players can perform continuous attacks and defensive techniques while taking advantage of counters to exploit opponents' weaknesses.

One of the game’s core systems is the Rage Gauge, which appears at the bottom of the screen. As characters take damage, the gauge fills up. Once full, the character's attack power increases dramatically, allowing them to unleash powerful special moves. Players who master combo techniques can achieve perfect, bloodless victories in short order. Additionally, the game introduces the Slash and Bust modes, which allow players to choose between two fighting styles. Slash emphasizes power and strong attacks, while Bust focuses on speed and agility.

A standout feature of Samurai Shodown V Special is its infamous "Fatality" system. After defeating an opponent, players can execute visually brutal finishing moves that add a layer of visceral satisfaction to the combat. This is one of the primary differences between Special and its predecessor, giving the game a more violent and intense atmosphere.

The level design remains consistent with previous titles, with each stage featuring distinct settings inspired by ancient Japan, such as temples, forests, and mountains. These stages are designed to evoke the atmosphere of Japan's Edo period, complemented by traditional background music and intricate environmental details. The final boss battles are particularly challenging, with powerful foes that possess unpredictable attack patterns, forcing players to learn and exploit their weaknesses.

Each character has a unique ending sequence that ties into their personal story, enhancing the narrative depth and providing players with a richer experience.

Samurai Shodown V Special received mixed reviews in the marketplace. Longtime fans of the series praised its refined combat system and expanded character roster, with the introduction of the brutal Fatality system adding a heightened sense of excitement and realism to the fights. Critics lauded the depth of the fighting mechanics and the challenging nature of the battles, particularly the diverse character choices and branching storylines, which encouraged replayability.

However, the game’s extreme violence—especially the graphic Fatality moves—drew considerable controversy. In certain regions, the game was heavily censored or edited, preventing some players from experiencing its full content. Additionally, some players criticized the game’s high difficulty level, particularly during boss fights, where certain characters’ attack patterns were difficult to predict, leading to frustration for newcomers.

Overall, Samurai Shodown V Special stands as a key installment in the Samurai Shodown series, continuing the franchise's tradition of weapon-based combat while introducing meaningful improvements. Despite the controversy surrounding its violent content, the game is still widely praised for its deep mechanics and remains a classic entry in the series.