Play Shougi 3 (Japan) Online

Shogi 3 on the Game Boy Color is basically Japanese chess that fits in your pocket—no distractions, just clean, brutal strategy. The AI doesn’t mess around, and neither does the local multiplayer if you’ve got a friend willing to suffer through a match. The graphics are pure late-90s pixel charm, which somehow makes getting checkmated by a tiny, low-res rook feel oddly nostalgic.

If you already love shogi, this is a no-brainer—it’s the same game you know, just portable. If you’re new? Expect to lose a lot at first. Pieces flip when they’re captured, turning into your opponent’s weapons, and suddenly that pawn you dismissed becomes their secret weapon. It’s the kind of game where you’ll stare at the screen for five minutes, make a move, and immediately regret it. But that’s the fun part.

No tutorials, no hand-holding—just you, the board, and the slow realization that you might actually be bad at this. The Game Boy’s chiptune soundtrack somehow makes every defeat feel dramatic. Perfect for bus rides or pretending to be a samurai tactician in your bedroom.