Samurai Shodown V Special is a re-release of the base game, which was the first game in the main series not developed by SNK , but designed by Yuki Enterprise instead. A few problems were corrected in this release, along with the addition of some new features.
The gameplay is similar to the base game, but it adds new possibilities for players, such as the ability to kill your opponent with Fatalities , and hidden Zetsumei Ougi moves for each character. The weapon damage is based on a green Sword Gauge, which depletes when many weapon moves are used in succession, and then regenerates. Other special moves are based on rage with a Rage Gauge, and Rage Explosion for invincible attacks.
Players can also choose the opposite strategy by meditating, using the Concentration One gauge to slow down the opponent's moves or perform Fatal Slashes . The game now includes more original backgrounds, although the amount of backgrounds has been reduced.