Mahjong Triple Wars (Japan)

Nichibutsu’s Mahjong Triple Wars, released in Japan in 1989, offers a unique blend of tabletop strategy and role-playing elements for two players. This arcade game presents mahjong gameplay with a distinctive twist; players choose from selectable characters and utilize items to gain an advantage during matches. The experience incorporates familiar mahjong rules while layering on RPG mechanics that influence the course of each round. Players engage in head-to-head matches utilizing a specialized keyboard designed for mahjong tile manipulation. Beneath the surface, the game’s functionality is powered by two Zilog Z80 processors and sound hardware including a YM3812 chip. Mahjong Triple Wars was followed by several sequels, beginning with Mahjong Triple Wars 2 in 1990.