Engineering:Computer Mah-jong Yakuman

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Short description: Handheld electronic game made by Nintendo


Computer Mah-jong Yakuman
DeveloperNintendo R&D1
ManufacturerNintendo
TypeHandheld electronic game
GenerationSecond
Release date
Introductory price¥16,800 (equivalent to ¥20,846 in 2019)[2]
DisplayDot-matrix display
SuccessorGame Boy
Related articlesGame & Watch


History

Mahjong has existed since at least the 1800s[3] and became widely popular in Japan from the 1920s onward after its introduction from China.[4] Seeking to capitalize on this popularity, Nintendo developed a portable electronic version of the game. The device was created by Nintendo Research & Development 1, the team behind the Game & Watch and later the Game Boy.[5][6]

Nintendo released Computer Mah-Jong Yakuman in 1983 for ¥16,800 (equivalent to ¥20,846 in 2019).[2] Despite its technical innovations, it struggled commercially. It was priced nearly three times higher than a Game & Watch and even surpassed the cost of the Famicom home console, released the same year at ¥14,800 (equivalent to ¥18,365 in 2019), which had a mahjong game available.[1][7]

Overview

Computer Mah-jong Yakuman featured a black-and-white dot-matrix LCD and an intricate control system with 20 buttons, alongside a power switch and a screen contrast switch. Thirteen buttons corresponded to the tiles in a mahjong hand, while the remaining facilitated gameplay functions.[2]

The device ran on four AA batteries but also supported an optional AC adapter sold separately for ¥1,000 (equivalent to ¥1,241 in 2019). It was also the first handheld Nintendo device to feature a link cable, sold separately for ¥2,000 (equivalent to ¥2,482 in 2019), that enabled two consoles to connect for head-to-head play.[2]

The game simulated Japanese mahjong in a format tailored for electronic handheld play.[2] While its controls reflected the game's complexity, the computer opponent followed relatively simple logic, making its play style predictable for experienced mahjong players.[8]

Legacy

Despite its commercial struggles, Computer Mah‐jong Yakuman holds an important place in Nintendo's history. As the company's first handheld device featuring a link cable for multiplayer play, it set a precedent for portable gaming connectivity, a concept that would later be refined with the Game Boy's Game Link Cable.[5][6]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Voskuil, Erik (January 8, 2012). "Nintendo Computer Mah-jong Yakuman Leaflet". http://blog.beforemario.com/2012/01/nintendo-computer-mah-jong-yakuman.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Voskuil, Erik (March 19, 2011). "Mah-jong Yakuman". Before Mario: the fantastic toys from the video game giant's early days. Omaké books (published November 20, 2014). ISBN 978-2-919603-10-7. http://blog.beforemario.com/2011/03/nintendo-computer-mah-jong-yakuman-1983.html. Retrieved March 17, 2025. 
  3. ↑ Walters, Ashley (July 15, 2013). "From China to U.S., the game of mahjong shaped modern America, says Stanford scholar" (in en). Stanford University. https://news.stanford.edu/news/2013/july/humanities-mahjong-history-071513.html. 
  4. ↑ Matsutani, Minoru (June 15, 2010). "Mah-jongg ancient, progressive". The Japan Times. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2010/06/15/reference/mah-jongg-ancient-progressive/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Aetas (July 15, 2022). "ゲームボーイの生みの親・岡田 智氏が任天堂での開発者時代を語った「黒川塾 八十八（88）」聴講レポート" (in ja). 4Gamer.net. https://www.4gamer.net/games/999/G999905/20220720007/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Kurokawa, Fumio (2022). "Satoru Okada – 2022 Retrospective Interview". 4gamer.net. https://shmuplations.com/okada2022/. 
  7. ↑ "Computer Mah-jong Yakuman by Nintendo" (in en-US). http://videogamekraken.com/computer-mah-jong-yakuman-by-nintendo. 
  8. ↑ "Nintendo Computer Mah-jong Yakuman Hardware" (in en). https://www.lucklessheaven.com/nintendo-computer-mah-jong-yakuman-hardware. 

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