House Mannequin Roppongi Live hen (Japan 870418)

Nichibutsu’s House Mannequin Roppongi Live hen, released in Japan in April 1987, offers a tabletop mahjong experience for two players. The game presents a unique take on the traditional tile-matching genre, incorporating elements suggested by its subtitle, which translates to "Roppongi Live Stories.” Players engage in strategic gameplay as they attempt to form valid mahjong hands by drawing and discarding tiles. The visual presentation utilizes a palette of over sixty thousand colors across a horizontal screen resolution of 512x352 pixels, contributing to the game’s distinctive aesthetic. A Zilog Z80 processor drives the action at 5 MHz, while an AY8910 sound chip and DAC provide accompanying audio. The LCD control panel facilitates player input as they navigate the complexities of mahjong strategy. House Mannequin Roppongi Live hen is part of a series that began with House Mannequin - Yuuwaku Nikki hen, released in the same year. This title provides a glimpse into a specific era of Japanese arcade gaming, offering a familiar pastime with a uniquely presented theme.