Samurai Shodown! 2 (Japanese title: Samurai Spirits! 2 / サムライスピリッツ! 2) is a handheld game in SNK's Samurai Shodown series of fighting games. Unlike its predecessor, it was released on the Neo-Geo Pocket Color system, so its graphics were no longer monochrome. The game had been ported to the Nintendo Switch as a digital pre-order bonus for Samurai Shodown (2019). It was designed as a conversion from the most recent game in the Samurai Shodown series, Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage, and almost all of its story events, endings and cutscenes are derived from its arcade cousin. Almost all of the characters from Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage are included (the sole exception being Hanma Yagyu). It also re-added two series favorites who were not in the arcade, Charlotte and Yagyu Jubei. Gameplay Samurai Shodown! 2 retains most of the gameplay elements of its source game, albeit modified to work within a 2D setting. The Slash and Bust modes for each character were retained, with all of the moves from the arcade kept intact (except for Yuga, who had a third form in the arcade, which was mostly excised). The original "CD combo", first introduced in Samurai Shodown IV, was also retained, but simplified and streamlined from its origins. Being a game on a handheld platform, versus play was not a primary focus, so SNK added in a "Collection" mode, to extend the game's longevity. This came in the form of virtual cards, which could be traded with other people who owned the game, by linking up systems. There are eight per character (four for Slash, four for Bust). Each card contains a different piece of art, drawn in the game's cartoonish art style, and a bonus that can be equipped on characters. The bonuses come in four types: Power Up - Increases the damage done by the character's attacks. Defense Up - Decreases the damage taken when the character is hit. Special Move - Enables the player to do a special move which is not otherwise available. Power Up Special - Makes a particular existing special move do more damage, usually accompanied by additional animations. Plot Since it follows the same story as Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage, the setup is the same. In an unknown land an eerie disturbance disrupts the sky, leading a dark mass to the land. It is the ultimate evil-it is the reincarnation of