PSXETekken 2, Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins, Frogger–these are just some of the much-loved retro games available on the PlayStation store. These games have been a huge success, speaking to the nostalgia of those who first played them in the 80’s and introducing new generations to a style of play they might have never seen before.
Despite all this, there’s one game we think Sony absolutely needs to bring to life again, either in the much-loved retro style or built from the ground up with new tech and a sleek design. We are, of course, talking about Mahjong.
What is Mahjong?
Mahjong originated in China toward the end of the Qing dynasty and is a four-person game that beautifully marries skill and chance. The game uses tiles, decorated with Chinese icons and separated into suits. Players take turns either drawing new tiles, discarding old tiles, or obtaining the tiles of another player. Whichever player has the strongest hand at the end of the round, wins.
Although it was originally played as a board game, modern technology has allowed Mahjong to flourish, and it can now be played online, where real money wagers can be placed onto the game. Even you can play Mahjong365 now simply by clicking a few buttons or taking a little time to learn the strategies first.
A Retro Mahjong?
Deciding whether Mahjong should be developed by Sony as a retro style game, or with modern recognisable graphics is a difficult decision.
Since the game gained global popularity in the middle of the 20th century, that retro feel could really add to the nostalgia that many associate with the game. Combining pixel art, 8-bit audio, and nodding to arcade-style gaming along with PS5-level performance would surely speak to the hearts of many older players.
Something about the simplicity of the game itself might also lend itself well to a retro style, Mohjang was developed in small communities, and still thrives with various smaller groups now. Though for a while it was made bigger than it is, that fad soon died down and what remains is a legacy of community and simplicity.
A Modern Masterpiece?
But what if Sony let go of the retro feel and instead created a whole new game for Mahjong? There could be theming, beautiful graphics, and a sleek design. Mahjong in space? Why not? If Sony were to build a Mahjong game using all the tech available to them in the modern age, one thing is certain…it would be beautiful.
The music would be intense, each sound of the tiles clicking would have the player on the edge of their seat. Perhaps a story could be built around it with a customizable character and room to play in?
Or maybe Mahjong could make its re-appearance in a subtler way. Perhaps it could be only a small part of a much larger game (like playing Poker in Red Dead Redemption.)
The Building of Community
Whether Sony opted for a retro feel or a modern sleek design, if Mahjong was to make its way onto the PSstore, one thing is certain–it would need to be an online multiplayer game. There would need to be chat boxes or voice chat, anything that enables players to communicate with each other.
Because this is really where Mahjong has always shone. Unlike poker, where rounds end and begin again rapidly after a quick shuffle of the cards, resetting a round in classic Mahjong takes time. The time that it took for opponents to reset each round led to them talking to one another and fostering a community.
Of course, a PlayStation version of the game could reset the tiles almost instantly, but that doesn’t mean we should forget the true reason Mahjong became so popular, bringing people together.
