Summary
- Release Year: 1994
- Genres: Card & Board Game, Puzzle
- Platforms: 3DO Interactive Multiplayer, Arcade, PC-FX, PlayStation, Satellaview, Sega Saturn, Super Famicom
- Developers: Kuusou Kagaku
- Publishers: Activision, Nintendo, St. GIGA, Sunsoft
Shanghai: Triple-Threat (1994) is a tile-matching puzzle game developed and published by Activision for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It is the third game in the Shanghai series, following Shanghai (1986) and Shanghai II: Dragon’s Eye (1990). Shanghai: Triple-Threat features three different game modes: Classic Shanghai, The Great Wall, and Beijing.
Gameplay
Classic Shanghai
The goal of Classic Shanghai is to remove all of the tiles from the board by matching pairs of identical tiles. Tiles can only be matched if they are not blocked by other tiles and if they have at least one open side (left or right). To remove a pair of tiles, simply click on them in succession.
The Great Wall
The Great Wall is a variation on Classic Shanghai in which the tiles are stacked vertically instead of horizontally. When a tile is removed, the tiles above it will fall down to fill the gap. This adds an element of strategy to the game, as you must think ahead to avoid creating situations where you cannot remove any tiles.
Beijing
Beijing is another variation on Classic Shanghai in which the tiles are arranged in a grid. Gaps can be created in the grid by removing tiles, and tiles can be slid into these gaps to create matches. This allows for more complex and challenging puzzles than in Classic Shanghai.
Triple-Threat Mode
In addition to the three main game modes, Shanghai: Triple-Threat also includes a Triple-Threat mode. In this mode, players can choose to play any of the three main game modes with a variety of different options, such as time limits, tile sets, and difficulty levels.
Reception
Shanghai: Triple-Threat was released to positive reviews from critics. Critics praised the game’s challenging and addictive gameplay, as well as its variety of game modes and options. The game was also a commercial success, selling over one million copies worldwide.
Legacy
Shanghai: Triple-Threat is considered to be one of the best tile-matching puzzle games ever made. It has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Game Boy, Game Gear, and Sega Genesis. The game has also been included in several compilation releases, such as Activision Anthology (2002) and Shanghai Collection (2006).
Tips for Playing Shanghai: Triple-Threat
- Look for exposed tiles. Tiles that are not blocked by other tiles are the easiest to match.
- Think ahead. When removing tiles, think about how the other tiles will fall or slide.
- Don’t be afraid to use the undo button. If you make a mistake, you can always undo your last move.
- Take your time. Shanghai: Triple-Threat is a challenging game, so don’t be afraid to take your time and think through your moves.
Conclusion
Shanghai: Triple-Threat is a classic tile-matching puzzle game that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s challenging gameplay, variety of game modes, and options make it a great choice for puzzle fans of all ages.
Review Score
8/10
