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Shanghai

TurboGrafx-16

TurboGrafx-16

Shanghai is one of the first video game adaptations of the tile-based game played with the Chinese mahjong stones - essentially a puzzle game that has little to do with real mahjong rules. The gameplay involves 144 tiles, each depicting different images, which have to be removed by matching th...

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Developer
Hudson Soft

Released on
1987

Size
1–2 Players

Version
TurboGrafx-16

Requirements
NEC TurboGrafx-16

Downloads
Board Game

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Shanghai is one of the first video game adaptations of the tile-based game played with the Chinese mahjong stones – essentially a puzzle game that has little to do with real mahjong rules.

The gameplay involves 144 tiles, each depicting different images, which have to be removed by matching them into pairs. The tiles are arranged in a gridded pattern, which is higher near the center. A tile can only be removed if it has no tile next to it on at least one side.

This computer implementation can generate a random board layout to take on and features five preset challenges, some of which have time limits of five or ten minutes, as well as a multiplayer mode.

Shanghai

Overview & History

Originally conceptualized by Activision's Greg K. Johnson based on the ancient Chinese puzzle game Mahjong solitaire, *Shanghai* found a sophisticated home on the NEC TurboGrafx-16 in 1989. Developed by Sunsoft and published by Turbo Technologies Inc., this HuCard iteration brought the tranquil yet deceptively challenging tile-matching phenomenon to home consoles with crisp, vibrant visuals and an atmospheric traditional soundtrack. Unlike traditional four-player competitive Mahjong, *Shanghai* is a solitary endeavor revolving around the Great Turtle layout. The game challenges players to deconstruct a multi-layered pyramid of 144 intricately carved tiles by matching identical symbols—such as Dragons, Winds, Bamboos, and Characters—until the board is completely cleared, testing both spatial awareness and long-term planning.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

The core gameplay loop of *Shanghai* on the TurboGrafx-16 hinges on strict rules of accessibility: a tile can only be selected and removed if it is completely "free." A tile is considered free if it has no adjacent tile blocking it on either the left or the right side, and no tile resting on top of it. While the classic "Turtle" formation is the marquee layout, the game features multiple unique configurations that alter the difficulty and strategy required. Because tiles are stacked vertically and laterally, every removal alters the board state, meaning a seemingly innocent match early on can accidentally trap crucial matching tiles deep within the pyramid later in the game. The TurboGrafx-16 version enhances the traditional experience with a polished interface, a running timer to encourage speed, and a smooth cursor-based selection system that allows players to meticulously navigate the dense stacks without frustration.