Renju & Ojama Dogs
Renju & Ojama Dogs on MSX1
Renju & Ojama Dogs is an MSX 1 title that blends the classic board game of Renju with a quirky, dog-themed twist. Released during the early 1980s MSX era, this game appears to be a Japanese exclusive, though its exact developer and publisher remain undocumented in most Western sources. The name suggests a standard Renju match (a five-in-a-row variant of Gomoku) with some kind of canine interference - "Ojama" meaning obstacle or nuisance in Japanese - but without a verified catalog summary, the specifics of that twist are uncertain.
What the player actually does in Renju & Ojama Dogs likely follows the core rules of Renju: two players take turns placing black and white stones on a 15x15 grid, aiming to get exactly five in a row. The "Ojama Dogs" element might add special stones or random events that block or alter placements, similar to a board game variant. On the MSX 1, gameplay would be turn-based, controlled via keyboard or joystick. Menus are almost certainly in Japanese, so players unfamiliar with the language may need to rely on pattern recognition or trial and error.
Today, Renju & Ojama Dogs is a niche curiosity for MSX collectors and fans of obscure board game adaptations. It stands as an example of how Japanese developers experimented with traditional games by adding eccentric themes. Its rarity and lack of documented information make it a puzzle in itself - a title worth exploring if you enjoy uncovering forgotten software from the MSX library, but not something that will impress players expecting deep strategy or polished production. Honest appraisal: it's a simple, likely short game best suited for retro enthusiasts who appreciate oddities.
How to Play Renju & Ojama Dogs Online
Getting Started
When you boot up Renju & Ojama Dogs, you will likely see a title screen followed by a menu in Japanese. Use the arrow keys to navigate and press Enter to start a game. The typical Renju setup involves selecting a game mode (likely 1-player vs AI or 2-player) and then confirming your choice. Since the menus are untranslated, pressing Enter on the first option usually works for starting.
The core gameplay is turn-based: you control black stones, the computer or second player controls white. Use the D-Pad to move a cursor over the grid and press X (A button) to place a stone. The objective is to form an uninterrupted line of exactly five stones horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. If the "Ojama Dogs" effect is active, watch for random events that may block your line or remove stones - adapt your strategy accordingly.
If you are playing against the computer, expect basic AI that attempts to block your lines. There are no save options, so finish a match in one sitting. For two-player mode, take turns using the same controls. This is a straightforward implementation of Renju with a slight gimmick, so learning the rules of standard Renju is sufficient to get started. If you encounter a screen you cannot read, try pressing Enter or V (Select) to proceed.
Renju & Ojama Dogs Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: Trigger 1
- S: Trigger 2
- Enter: Start
Comments (0)