Shanghai: True Valor (Very Rare)

by Playstation

Product Features

• Since the advent of the PC, gamers of all ages have invested an eternity in solving the puzzle of the mahjongg tiles
• SHANGHAI: True Valor, a special collection of the greatest Shanghai puzzles of all times makes its first appearance on the Sony PlayStation
• The different modes of play include the perilous Arcade mode, which counts down your time and the more meditative Classic mode that gives you the needed time to solve the puzzles

Product Details

• ASIN: B00002STOV
• Item Weight: 8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,611 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

GameSpot Review

Shanghai. A puzzle game that has been with the human race since before time was time. OK, maybe not, but it's certainly been floating around on PCs and console systems for many years now, even if it isn't exactly ancient. If you've never played it before, it goes something like this: mahjongg tiles are set up in a complex pattern a few deep, and you must remove them from the playing field in pairs. Tiles you remove must be free to slide to the left or right and must match each other. It's basically just another form of solitaire - using tiles instead of playing cards. Simple? Yes. But it is also a nice, mellow time-waster, and that's why it's been around as long as it has. It's nothing to get excited about, obviously, but it does offer some mind and finger activity. True Valor endeavors to liven up this traditional game with some new modes, and they aren't half bad. To begin with, there are classic and arcade modes; classic has no time limit, but arcade does. Arcade also has different levels, which can be accessed through a password. It's kind of bizarre that the game uses a password system - as it frequently alerts you, it writes to the memory card. The only thing that is saved, however, is system data. There is also a new "rolling" Shanghai, in which the tiles are set up around four sides of a cube, and L and R rotates this construct. Not exciting, but it's something. This brings us to versus mode: a cute idea for what is essentially solitaire. In this mode, you get to pick your favorite ancient Chinese warlord to represent you in the Shanghai arena. (As you will discover if you read your history, the ancient Chinese often ended deadlocked battles with a calm game of Shanghai.) You are then presented with two side-by-side mini-Shanghai setups. Clearing blocks quickly and cleanly adds to the mayhem on your opponent's side. The loser is the one whose time runs out first, as clearing a set of blocks also momentarily halts the flow of time. It's not exciting, but it helps add to the variety of the game, and that's always a good thing. On a technical level, Shanghai is about as polished as you'd expect from a bottom-tier developer on this generation of the PlayStation. The tiles are polygonal, but there seems to be no reason for this until you play rolling mode, since in classic mode this only serves to obscure the tiles' faces due to the mediocre texture quality of the game. The background is made of low-key stuff like blurry battlefields and harbors. More of an eyesore than eye candy, it gets the job done... just barely. There are only three tile sets to choose from: traditional mahjongg, household, and alphabet. Household is easily the most confusing and garish tile set that could have ever been conceived, so it really boils down to two. The music is on the same par as well. You're probably going to want to find your own CD to listen to while you play the game. Still, it can't be denied that it's fun in a low-key way. Add in the variety of modes and you've definitely got something. It just boils down to whether you're the kind of person who is in the mood to play solitaire. If so, go for it. Otherwise, there are only several hundred other PlayStation games on the market. I'm sure you can find something more suitable to your tastes. If you even remotely think you might enjoy this, though, rent it. You might be surprised.--Christian Nutt--Copyright © 1998 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited.

Product Description

This is the game Shanghai: True Valor for the Playstation 1. This game may not come with the original case and instructions. We stand by our products and offer a 60 day guarantee. If a game does not work within 60 days from the time you receive it we will gladly exchange it for you.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Odd Combination of Relaxation and Fun in one game, November 30, 2001

By 

"cartercrazy" (Macon, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shanghai: True Valor (Very Rare) (Video Game)

The game won't have you jumping out of your chair but that's why it's so wonderful. I've found it to be a wonderful stress reliever because it's slow, easy-going and you can't rush through it no matter how hard you try. The object is to find two "tiles" that match and are not blocked in. Simply click on them to make them disappear. There are numbers, small pictures or sometimes plants on the tiles. A match doesn't always mean the two tiles will look just alike. It's a very easy game, and the real challenge is being able to sit still long enough to play it. Oh yeah it's very addicting!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mellow Game, November 13, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Shanghai: True Valor (Very Rare) (Video Game)

I first learned to play this game on a computer, and I loved it. However, the computer program allowed you to cheat. Since you can't cheat, it takes longer, and is more of a challenge. Since my Mom never cheats, she likes it a lot. I also like it too.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars good game, November 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Shanghai: True Valor (Very Rare) (Video Game)

The game seemed a little hard at first but once you understand it it becomes easier and a little hard to put down the control!