Idol no Himitsu (Japan 890304)

Digital Soft’s Idol no Himitsu, released in Japan in 1989, offers a unique tabletop experience for two players. This medal game combines elements of mahjong with an intriguing thematic layer suggested by its title, which translates to “Idol's Secret.” Players utilize a dedicated keyboard to perform the traditional actions involved in a mahjong match: drawing tiles, discarding, and attempting to form winning hands. The game features detailed graphics rendered at a resolution of 512x224 pixels with a palette of over four thousand colors, bringing the tabletop experience to life on screen. The Zilog Z80 processor manages gameplay while the General Instrument AY8910 sound chip and DAC provide audio feedback. Idol no Himitsu provides a focused challenge for fans of mahjong and those interested in exploring Japanese arcade games from the late 1980s.