Mahjong Taisen (Japan)

Mahjong Taisen (Japan) for the NES system is a classic mahjong game, offering a traditional strategic experience of this popular tile-based game. The primary objective for the player is to form a valid hand, also known as "tenpai," and ultimately achieve "winning" (agari) by assembling 4 sets (each consisting of 3 tiles) and 1 pair (2 tiles) from the 14 tiles in their hand.

Players will start with 13 tiles and take turns drawing a new tile from the wall. After each draw, the player must discard one tile. This process continues until a player completes their hand or the wall runs out of tiles.

The main actions in Mahjong Taisen include:

• Self-Draw (Tsumo): Drawing a tile from the wall. If this tile helps you complete your hand, you can "self-draw win" (Tsumo).
• Discarding a Tile: Choosing a tile from your hand to discard. This is where you need to strategize to discard unnecessary tiles and keep useful ones.
• Winning from a Discard (Ron): If an opponent discards a tile that you need to complete your hand, you can "win" (Ron) and claim victory.
• Calling a Pon (Pon): When an opponent discards a tile and you have two identical tiles in your hand, you can "call a Pon" (Pon) to form a set of three identical tiles.
• Calling a Chi (Chi): If the tile discarded by the player before you can form a numerical sequence with two tiles you already have (e.g., you have 3, 4 and the opponent discards 5), you can "call a Chi" (Chi) to form a sequence of three consecutive tiles.
• Calling a Kan (Kan): When you have four identical tiles, you can "call a Kan" (Kan). This can be either by self-drawing the fourth tile or taking a tile discarded by an opponent.

The game features a single-player mode against the computer (AI) and may include a two-player mode (if supported on NES, often via controller sharing or alternating turns). The game's AI is designed to provide a reasonable challenge, requiring players to have a basic understanding of mahjong rules and strategy. The game's interface is quite simple and intuitive, fitting the 8-bit graphics era of the NES, focusing on clear tile representation and essential information.

Overall, Mahjong Taisen is an excellent choice for mahjong enthusiasts looking to experience the game on a classic platform.