Update (29th Aug, 06:45 BST): SNK has now uploaded the first Switch trailer of the game to its official YouTube channel. See it for yourself in the video above.


Original Article (28th Aug, 17:00 BST): Originally launching on PS4 and Xbox One in June this year, SNK's Samurai Shodown reboot now has a release date locked in for Switch. It'll be arriving on the Japanese eShop on 12th December.

The news comes from the latest issue of Weekly Famitsu magazine in Japan (thanks, Gematsu), where it has also been confirmed that it'll run at 60 frames per second and support single Joy-Con play, should you want to fight against a friend.

Gematsu also reports that those who pick up an early copy of the game will be treated to a Switch version of Samurai Shodown! 2, a 1999 title which originally appeared on the Neo-Geo Pocket Color. Here are some key features of the new release:

Key Features:
-
Exhilarating Weapons-Based CombatSamurai Shodown carries on the legacy of the tense battles the series is known for, where players are always one strike away from death, and one powerful attack away from victory.
- Evolving the Presentation – Using the power of Unreal Engine 4, SNK is able to modernize the unique atmosphere and setting of past titles in a gorgeously artistic package that achieves a detail and graphical quality like never before.
- Unique Cast of Returning and New WarriorsSamurai Shodown welcomes back iconic characters from past iterations, including the swordsman Haohmaru, his rivals Ukyo and Genjuro, the shrine maiden Nakoruru, and fan-favorite Galford. The starting roster will include a total of 16 characters—13 veterans and three newcomers to the franchise.
- All New Gameplay – Carrying on some of the key fighting mechanics that made the series popular, such as the Rage Gauge, Rage Explosion, Sword Clash and more, Samurai Shodown will also include several new techniques, including a powerful, one-time use attack from each character called the Super Special Move.
- Revolutionary New AI System – Titled Dojo Mode, SNK has developed a proprietary AI system that learns from player patterns and creates a specific Ghost clone from that data. With this system, players can fight against their own Ghost or take on the Ghosts of top players in mock battles.

The game's director Nobuyuki Kuroki recently spoke about his views on balancing in fighting games, saying that if Samurai Shodown's balancing was too "flat", it would be "boring".

Excited for this one? Hoping for a similar release date in the west? Tell us below.

[source gematsu.com]