Nintendo FDS Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi is a classic game released in Japan on the Famicom Disk System (FDS) in 1987. The game was developed by Nintendo's internal development team and designed to challenge experienced players with its unique gameplay mechanics.

Gameplay

Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi is a strategy board game that takes place on a grid, similar to traditional Western-style chess. However, the twist in this game lies in its use of a unique piece called the "tan" (, which moves diagonally in any direction). The tan is the most powerful piece in the game and can capture pieces by jumping over them.

Players take turns moving one of their pieces along a row or column to an adjacent square. Pieces can only move forward, never backward, and cannot move diagonally if another piece of the same color is between them. If a player lands on a square occupied by an opponent's piece, they capture that piece and remove it from the board.

The objective of the game is to checkmate (a position where one's king is under attack with no possible moves to escape) your opponent's king. Each player starts with 16 pieces: eight tan, four goblins (, which can move horizontally or vertically in any direction), two knights (, which move in an L-shape), and two bishomon (.

Strategies

To win the game, players must carefully plan their moves to develop a strong attack on their opponent's position. The tan is a crucial piece that requires precision control to maximize its potential. Players need to think several moves ahead to anticipate their opponent's strategy and prepare countermeasures.

The goblins and knights are relatively weak pieces compared to the tan, but they can still play an important role in capturing enemy pieces or defending against opponents' attacks. The bishomon is another unique piece that can jump over other pieces to capture them.

Difficulty Level

Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi is considered a challenging game, even for experienced players. The game's difficulty level increases as the player progresses through the levels, with opponents becoming increasingly difficult to defeat.

One of the reasons why this game is so challenging is that it requires players to think critically and anticipate their opponent's moves. There are many potential strategies in this game, but only a small percentage of them will lead to victory.

Age Rating

The Famicom Disk System version of Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi is rated "All Ages" by the Japanese rating board, which means that it is suitable for players of all ages. However, due to its complexity and strategic depth, this game may not be suitable for younger children.

In summary, Nintendo FDS Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi is a challenging strategy board game that requires critical thinking and planning ahead to win. With its unique gameplay mechanics and level of difficulty, this game is a must-play for fans of strategy games and classic Nintendo titles.

Availability

The Famicom Disk System version of Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi can still be found in used game stores and online marketplaces. However, due to its rarity and age, it may come at a higher price than other classic Nintendo games.

In recent years, there have been rumors about the release of a Virtual Console version of Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi on the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. However, these releases have not yet occurred.

Fan Community

Despite its rarity, Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi has a dedicated fan community that continues to support and play this game. Fans of strategy games and classic Nintendo titles often seek out this game as a challenge and a way to experience one of the most unique and complex board games ever created.

Re-releases

In 2019, an enhanced version of Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi was released on the Nintendo Switch. The re-release includes additional features such as improved graphics, new game modes, and a manual that provides detailed information about the gameplay mechanics.

Conclusion

Tanigawa Kouji no Shougi Shinan II - Meijin e no Michi is a classic game that requires strategy, planning, and critical thinking to win. With its unique gameplay mechanics and challenging level of difficulty, this game is a must-play for fans of strategy games and classic Nintendo titles.

While the Famicom Disk System version may be rare, the re-release on the Nintendo Switch provides an accessible way for new players to experience this game. The fan community continues to support this game, ensuring that it remains a beloved classic among gamers worldwide.