Samurai Spirits - Zankurou Musouken [Model NGM-087]

Runs on the SNK "Neo-Geo MVS" hardware.
Game ID : 0087

Main CPU : Motorola 68000 (@ 12 Mhz)
Sound CPU : Zilog Z80 (@ 4 Mhz)
Sound Chips : Yamaha YM2610 (@ 8 Mhz)

Players : 2
Control : 8-way joystick
Buttons : 4
=> [A] Light attack with weapon, [B] Medium attack with weapon, [C] Strong attack with weapon, [D] Kick

Samurai Spirits - Zankurou Musouken was released in October 1995 in Japan. Literally 'Samurai Spirits - Zankuro's Matchless Sword'.

This game is known outside Japan as 'Samurai Shodown III' and in Korea as Fighters Swords. The full US name for the game is Samurai Shodown III - Blades of Blood.

Kafuin Gaira is a Buddhist monk whose weapons are giant 'mala', or Buddhist prayer beads. When Gaira wins the first round of a match, he throws a few punches and says 'Tenchu!', which means 'retribution!'. Gaira says a traditional Buddhist prayer for his fallen opponent when he wins the final round of the match. 'Namu amida butsu', Gaira's prayer, is basically 'go to heaven' or 'rest in peace'.

Shizumaru Hisame is a homage to Himura Kenshin (a character from the manga 'Rurouni Kenshin').

Zankuro Minazuki is a homage to Raijyuta Isurugi (another character from 'Rurouni Kenshin').