Shanghai Matekibuyuu (Japan)

Shanghai Matekibuyuu is a two-player tabletop game released in Japan by Sunsoft (distributed by Activision) in 1998. Part of an extensive series based on the classic Chinese tile-matching puzzle, players engage in strategic gameplay that blends familiar mechanics with new twists. The title translates to “Shanghai Story of True Valor,” hinting at a competitive experience where skill and foresight are key to victory. Players utilize an eight-way joystick and button controls to manipulate tiles arranged on a game board, aiming to create matching sets and clear the layout efficiently. Like its predecessors, the core objective revolves around removing tiles by pairing them according to suit or number—but expect fresh challenges and design elements that set this arcade version apart. Exclusively released in Japanese arcades, Shanghai Matekibuyuu later saw international distribution on PlayStation as "Shanghai True Valor." This iteration of the popular puzzle series provides a unique competitive tabletop experience for two players seeking a test of their tile-matching abilities.