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Checkers In Tantan Tanuki

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Checkers In Tantan Tanuki on MSX1

MSX 1
Board Game
Homebrew
5· 0 votes

Checkers In Tantan Tanuki is a homebrew board game for the MSX 1 computer, built around the classic checkers rules but given a Japanese flair by featuring a tanuki (raccoon dog) mascot. The exact release year and developer remain undocumented in mainstream archives, but the game likely dates to the late 80s or early 90s when hobbyist MSX development was most active. It is a simple, minimalist title that doesn't try to be anything more than a functional checkers implementation with a cute theme. Players take turns moving their pieces diagonally on an 8x8 board, capturing opponent pieces by jumping over them. The objective is to clear the board of all enemy pieces or block them from making legal moves. If a piece reaches the far opposite row, it gets 'kinged' and gains the ability to move and capture both forwards and backwards. The game follows standard international draughts rules, with no special twists or power-ups. It is strictly turn-based, with no time pressure or additional modes beyond a single match. For fans of retro MSX games, Checkers In Tantan Tanuki is a curiosity rather than a deep title. It stands out for its peculiar choice of mascot - a tanuki in a checkers setting feels like something you'd find on a dusty shareware disk. If you enjoy seeing how hobbyist developers adapted timeless games to the MSX 1's limited hardware, this one is worth a quick look. But if you're after a robust checkers experience, you're better off with a more polished commercial release. It's a small, honest piece of homebrew history.

GAME INFO

Platform: MSX 1
Genre: Board Game

How to play Checkers In Tantan Tanuki online

Getting Started

When you boot Checkers In Tantan Tanuki, you'll likely see a title screen with the tanuki logo and perhaps a menu written in Japanese. If the menu options are not in English, enter the game by pressing the A button (X key) or Start (Enter key). The game probably defaults to a 1-player versus CPU match or a 2-player local mode, so you may need to cycle through options using the D-pad (Arrow keys) and confirm with A. If the text is indecipherable, just press buttons until you land on a board.

The core loop is straightforward: select a piece by moving the cursor over it (using Arrow keys) and press A to pick it up. Then move to a legal destination - diagonal forward one square for normal pieces, or two squares if capturing - and press A again to place. Captures are mandatory if a jump exists; you cannot pass up a capture leg. After your turn, the CPU (or second player) will take theirs. The game ends when one side loses all pieces or cannot move. If you reach the opponent's back row, your piece becomes a king, unlocking backward movement.

If you're playing the single-player mode, the CPU's difficulty is likely low by modern standards, but it follows basic checkers logic. There is no undo or save feature, so play each match from start to finish. Because this is a homebrew title, expect a rudimentary interface - no fancy animations or sound effects. Just pure, no-frills checkers with a tanuki face watching over the board.

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: Trigger 1
S: Trigger 2
Enter: Start

Checkers In Tantan Tanuki FAQ

Who developed Checkers In Tantan Tanuki?

The developer is not widely documented; no specific person or team name appears in archived sources. It is likely an independent hobbyist project for the MSX 1 platform.

What makes Checkers In Tantan Tanuki stand out among MSX 1 titles of its era?

Its tanuki (raccoon dog) mascot gives the game a playful, distinctly Japanese personality that sets it apart from generic checkers programs. The title itself is catchy and unconventional for a board game on the MSX 1.

Is Checkers In Tantan Tanuki exclusive to MSX 1 or did it appear on other systems?

All available evidence points to it being exclusive to the MSX 1 computer. No ports or versions for other platforms like the Famicom, NES, or PC-88 have been recorded.