RyuKyu (Rev A, Japan) (FD1094 317-5023A)

RyuKyu is a single-player puzzle game released in Japan by Sega in 1990. This unique title combines elements of card games and pattern recognition as players attempt to create scoring poker hands. The goal is to arrange five cards into vertical, horizontal, or diagonal lines, forming pairs through royal flushes; each round requires meeting a specific score target to advance. Drawing inspiration from the former Ryukyu dynasty of Okinawa—meaning "Nine Dragons" in Japanese—the gameplay revolves around strategic card placement and anticipating the required hand combinations. Success developed this game utilizing Sega’s System 16B hardware, offering a distinctive challenge for puzzle enthusiasts. RyuKyu has seen several ports to other platforms, including versions for the NEC PC-Engine, Sega Game Gear, and various computers such as the Sharp X68000. Players control movement with an eight-way joystick and utilize two buttons to manipulate the cards on screen.