Shanghai Pocket FAQ/Walkthrough

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Introduction

Welcome to another one of my FAQs. This particular FAQ covers Shanghai Pocket. Shanghai Pocket is a game centered around certain versions of mahjong tiles. Mahjong tiles is a game that came about around the end of World War I when Joseph Babcock fell in love with the game of mahjong during his travels in Asia, but "Americanized" it into a vastly different version than the original. Frankly, I prefer the original, poker-esque version, but each to his own I suppose.

It's been almost fifteen years since this game's initial launch back in 1998 by Sunsoft. And since then, not a single FAQ has been written for it. Well, there's always a first time for everything, no? Ever since the start of the GB FAQ Completion Project on GameFAQs several years ago - a project designed to get a guide out for every single GB game out there - many people have now been helped because older, rarer, less popular games have gotten guides.

And so, that is how I came upon this game. Thanks for listening to my ramblin'; hope you enjoy!

Basics of the Game

Shanghai

When the game begins from here, you first select a character to represent your level. The initial character will represent the easiest level - it gets progressively harder from there as you progress clockwise. Once you select your character, you'll proceed into a game of mahjong tiles.

That's all this mode is - mahjong tiles, but it's timed. You'll lose if time runs out.

The basic goal of mahjong tiles is to remove all of the tiles. You do so by matching tiles that are exactly the same. (There is an exception to this, in the tiles of the Flowers and Seasons suits.) To add additional difficulty to this, a tile must also be free. That means the tile must be visible, with no tiles atop it, and with one side not touching another tile. Match two free tiles exactly (or any two Flowers or any two Seasons) and you'll remove the tiles. You will keep going through this random puzzle as such until completion or losing. Completion results in going on to the next level.

There is no one real strategy you can use for this game, nor the other two modes, especially given that the puzzles are randomized. However, it does seem each puzzle is made so that there is, to some extent, one linear process you can use to solve it, so that may be comfort to some, because that just means the rest of the game is pure observation.

Kong Kong

Here, you can play against the AI or a human. The AI has three difficulty levels - slow, normal, and fast - if you press Left/Right on the D-Pad. Playing against a human requires the use of two GameBoys and a cable to connect the two.

This game will use the general rules of Shanghai's mahjong tiles as outlined above, but with a battle format. Basically, you need to saturate your opponent's field with tiles by removing your own and thereby lowering your opponent's health. So, like before, the faster the better. You also do need to note that there are three additional tiles, with purposes being obvious - swords for offense, shields for defense, and potions for healing. They are still matched with each other in the usual ways to unlock their effects.

Gold Rush

Here, you can play against the AI or a human. The AI has three difficulty levels - slow, normal, and fast - if you press Left/Right on the D-Pad. Playing against a human requires the use of two GameBoys and a cable to connect the two.

The goal of this game is simple. Again, it relies on the basic rules of mahjong as laid out in the section on Shanghai. This time, you basically race against your opponent to see who can first find and click on the golden "G" tile, often near the bottom of the stack.

Credits

In no particular order...

• GameFAQs, Neoseeker, and Supercheats:
  • For being the most amazing FAQ-hosting sites I know.

• CJayC, SBAllen, and Devin Morgan:
  • General sucking up to the GameFAQs admins. =P

• Me (KeyBlade999):
  • For making this FAQ. =P

• You, the reader:
  • For hopefully enjoying this FAQ.

Version History

• Final:
  • First and likely only version of this FAQ.
  • Time: 3:12 AM 4/14/2013.

Legalities

This FAQ may not be reproduced under any circumstances except for personal, private use. It may not be placed on any web site or otherwise distributed publicly without advance written permission. Use of this guide on any other web site or as a part of any public display is strictly prohibited, and a violation of copyright.

All trademarks and copyrights contained in this document are owned by their respective trademark and copyright holders.

ｩ 2013 Daniel Chaviers (a.k.a. KeyBlade999).

If you would wish to contact me concerning this or my other FAQs, use this e-mail: keyblade999.faqs@gmail.com, or PM (Private Message) me on the GameFAQs message boards.

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