| Graphics: |    3.5 |
| SFX: | 3.5 |
| Music: | 4 |
| Gameplay: | 4 |
| Challenge: | 2 |
| Replay: | 3 |
| Overall: | 3.5 |
| Genre: | Puzzle |
| Reading ability: | Not Required |
| Company: | Character Soft |
The Game:
This is a version of the game Shanghai, intended for children. As you may already know, the video game Shanghai takes mahjong tiles, arranges them into a pile, and you must take away the tiles in pairs. The tiles must be free on at least either the left or right side, and they must not have another tile on top of them. It's a very easy gameplay concept, yet it is very challenging.
However, don't expect much of a challenge with this game. Sanrio Shanghai is, after all, a child's game. The tiles are of Sanrio characters instead of mahjong tiles. They are very large, and the tile layout is rather simplified.
The game has a two-player option as well as mouse support! Gameplay is greatly enhanced with the SFC mouse.
Graphics:
Graphics are clear, cute and functional. Who doesn't like Hello Kitty? Communists and terrorists, that's who.
Music/Sound:
The music is surprisingly very good. I was expecting some cute fluff, but the music is pretty solid. And fortunately, the BGM is randomized so you aren't listening to the same tune nonstop.
Challenge and replay:
For an adult, the game isn't very challenging. However, I bought this game so that I can play this with my daughter when she gets older. This game will be a great way for her to learn matching and hand/eye coordination. One challenge for children will be teaching them to distinguish from similar-looking tiles, such as the difference between Kitty-chan and her sister, Mimi-chan. (Kitty-chan wears a bow on the right, while Mimi-chan wears hers on the left. Yes, I know these things. You have a problem with that?) Every once in a while, there's a challenge presented in which you must match the silhouette of a character to his/her picture. Neat!
The Good:
Hello Kitty and Keroppi!
The Bad:
I don't see Pochacco or Badtz Maru. Maybe they hadn't been invented by the time this game was released?
Overall:
Unless you're a die-hard Sanrio fan, you won't be missing anything by skipping this game since there is very little challenge to playing this game. I've played several boards into this game and have yet to see any real increase in challenge or tile layout.
As I mentioned, I bought this for my daughter so that she may someday play this game. She's nearly 3 now, so maybe in another year, I will revise this review to reflect my experience playing this game with her. I look forward to playing a two player game with her!
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