Telephone Mahjong (Japan 890111)

Telephone Mahjong is a two-player tabletop game released in 1988 by Nichibutsu. This unique arcade title blends the strategic gameplay of mahjong with an unusual visual theme featuring characters engaged in phone conversations while playing. Two players face off across a traditional mahjong board, utilizing a four-way joystick to manipulate tiles and form matching sets according to standard mahjong rules. The game's distinctive aesthetic is driven by its soundtrack delivered through both a YM3812 sound chip and a digital audio converter. Players control their character’s tile selection and placement with the simple controls of a four-way joystick and two buttons, aiming for strategic combinations while observing their opponent’s moves. Designed for mature audiences, Telephone Mahjong offers a challenging and novel twist on the classic tabletop game, providing a focused, competitive experience for two players at once.