![Shanghai III [Model SHVC-AS3J-JPN] screenshot](images/game/62140_2.png "Shanghai III [Model SHVC-AS3J-JPN]")
上海 © 1994 Sunsoft.
(Shanghai III)
Shanghai III is the third entry in the renowned tile-matching puzzle series on Nintendo’s 16-bit console. Building upon the classic Mahjong Solitaire mechanics—where players must clear a board of tiles by matching identical pairs that are free on at least one side—this iteration introduced enhanced graphical fidelity, a wider array of tile sets, and more sophisticated AI opponents for competitive play.
![Goodies for Shanghai III [Model SHVC-AS3J-JPN]](images/covermini160/62140_1.jpg)
GAME ID: SHVC-AS3J-JPN
Original release barcode: 4907940200964
Meisaku Series edition barcode: T4907940201817
Specifications: The game utilizes an 8-megabit cartridge.
Shanghai III for Super Famicom was released on September 15, 1994 in Japan. It was then released as a Meisaku Series edition on July 25, 1997, and then as a Nintendo Power edition on August 1, 1998.
Sunsoft’s Puzzle Pedigree: Sunsoft was instrumental in popularizing the Shanghai franchise on home consoles. By 1994, the series was a gold standard for puzzle games in Japan, and this version was designed to feel like a high-end, definitive edition, offering smooth performance and an interface that removed the clunkiness found in earlier, less polished clones.
Expansion of Modes: Beyond the standard single-player puzzle experience, Shanghai III provided robust local multiplayer support. The inclusion of competitive modes—where players race to clear boards or clear specific tile types—helped solidify the title’s longevity in living rooms across Japan.
Aesthetic Polish: The game features clean, crisp tile artwork and subtle background animations that provide a relaxing atmosphere, perfectly suited for a game that emphasizes patience and pattern recognition.