Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan III (Japan)

Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan III is a Shogi (Japanese chess) game for the NES system, focusing on guiding and improving players' skills. This is the third installment in the series, indicating a development and refinement in its Shogi educational aspects.

Upon starting the game, players are presented with a simple yet functional interface, characteristic of NES titles. The core gameplay revolves around traditional Shogi matches. Players control their pieces on a 9x9 board, moving them according to the specific rules of each piece type, such as the King, Rook, Bishop, Knight, Silver General, Gold General, and Pawn. The ultimate goal is to checkmate the opponent's King. One of Shogi's unique aspects compared to Western chess is the ability to drop captured opponent pieces back onto the board as your own, creating incredible strategic depth.

The "Shinan" (guide/instruction) part of the game's title implies that the game is not just a simple AI opponent but also provides modes or features to help players learn. This could include lessons on basic rules, specific tactical situations, or puzzle exercises (tsume shogi) to train strategic thinking. Players can choose different difficulty levels to match their skill, from absolute beginners to experienced players looking to challenge themselves against a stronger AI.

The interface of Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan III is clearly designed, displaying piece positions and valid moves. Players use the NES controller to select pieces and confirm moves. Simple sound effects accompany each move, adding to the authentic feel. Although the graphics are not overly complex due to hardware limitations, the clarity and educational features make the game an excellent tool for familiarizing oneself with and developing Shogi skills.