Parlour Games

Parlour Games

Overview & History

Released by Sega in 1987 for the Master System, Parlour Games is a charming digital recreation of traditional British pub and Victorian parlor pastimes. Developed during an era when Sega was eagerly experimenting with non-traditional genres to broaden the Master System's library, the game bypassed traditional martial arts and platforming tropes. Instead, it invited players into a quiet, wood-paneled virtual tavern devoid of any overarching narrative or storyline. Rather than featuring named characters with distinct combat moves, the game focuses purely on physics-based leisure and strategic precision, offering a relaxing alternative to the high-octane action dominating the late-1980s console market.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Parlour Games features five distinct activities: Billiards, Darts, Chess, Backgammon, and Target. Each event relies heavily on precise timing and spatial calculation rather than frantic button mashing. In Billiards, players must carefully adjust the cue ball's angle, power, and spin to clear the table. The Darts minigame requires mastering a fluctuating crosshair to hit triple-20s or bullseyes against a computer opponent. The classic board games, Chess and Backgammon, offer surprisingly competent AI opponents that test tactical foresight, while Target challenges players to shoot moving objects with a pistol cursor. The game transitions smoothly between these diverse rule sets, backed by a quaint, minimalist chiptune soundtrack that enhances the cozy, indoor atmosphere of a rainy Victorian evening.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Aim cursors, navigate menus, and adjust angles
• Action Keys: Confirm selections, set shot power, or throw darts
• Enter: Start / Pause