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Shanghai

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MSX 2 Puzzle Pub Activision Dev Activision 1986 1 Player 5 (0) 3

Shanghai

Shanghai - Puzzle Classic

Compiled by Alfred J. Hall · Editorial standards · Published June 28, 2026

Shanghai is a 1986 mahjong solitaire game originally programmed by Brodie Lockard and published by Activision. It arrived on systems like the Commodore 64, Amiga, and MS-DOS, and this MSX 2 edition brings the same tile-matching puzzle action to Japanese home computers. If you've ever played a modern version of mahjong solitaire, this is where the formula really took off. It's a single-player experience all about clearing a pyramid of tiles by finding pairs.

The goal is straightforward: remove all tiles from the board by clicking matching pairs. A tile can only be selected if it's not covered by another and has at least one of its left or right sides free. The layout follows the classic "turtle" or four-tier pyramid pattern. You'll need to plan your moves carefully because not every pair is equally accessible - sometimes you have to free a tile by clearing others first. The game tracks your remaining tiles and time, but there's no strict timer, so you can think through each match.

Shanghai stands out as a polished, early example of the mahjong solitaire genre. The MSX 2 version runs smoothly and captures the same clean, tile-based puzzle feel that made it a hit across multiple platforms. It's not a flashy action game, but if you enjoy logic puzzles that reward careful observation and planning, it holds up surprisingly well. The simple rules make it easy to pick up, while the randomized layouts keep each session fresh. A classic that's worth a few rounds.

How to Play Shanghai Online

Getting Started: Shanghai is a tile-matching puzzle game where you clear a pyramid of mahjong tiles by finding identical pairs. Use the arrow keys to move a cursor over the tile you want to select, then press X (the A button) to confirm your pick. A tile can only be chosen if it has no tile on top of it and at least one side (left or right) is free - tiles in the middle of the stack may be locked until you remove those around them.

The core loop is simple: scan the board for two identical tiles that are both free, select them in turn, and they vanish. Keep doing this until all tiles are gone. If you get stuck, you may need to undo a move or restart - the game usually allows you to reshuffle remaining tiles once. Pay attention to the layout; removing pairs from the top layers first often helps open up more matches. Menus are likely in English since this is an Activision title, but even if you see Japanese text, the controls and puzzle logic are universal.

Shanghai Keyboard Controls

Controls

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shanghai an official release, a fan hack, a prototype, or another kind of build?

Shanghai is an official commercial release published by Activision in 1986. The MSX 2 version is a legitimate port of that original game, not a hack or prototype.

Roughly how long does it take to finish Shanghai?

A single game of Shanghai can be finished in 10 to 20 minutes if you find all the pairs quickly, but the layout is random so games vary. There is no campaign or story, just one puzzle per round.

Is Shanghai considered easy to pick up or challenging?

The basic rules are very easy to learn - match two free same-tile images. However, winning requires careful planning because bad early moves can trap key tiles, making the puzzle quite challenging to solve completely.