SHANGHAI: GREAT MOMENTS

Reviewed By: Carole Stewart McDonnell
VOLUNTEER GUEST REVIEWER

GAME TECH INFO

Computer Platform: Windows
Produced by: Activision
Price Range: $19-40
Learning curve time: 1 hr.
Age level: 10+

Genre: Puzzle
Christian Rating: 5 of 5
   (nothing offensive)
Gameplay: 5 of 5
   (excellent)
Violence: 5 of 5
   (none)
Adult Content: 5 of 5
   (none)

There are many mahjongg computer games on the market. One of the best is also one of the oldest: Activision's "Shanghai: Great Moments". For those who have never played it, mahjongg is a tile-matching game from China. It has been around for thousands of years and is now commonly played around the world. Generally, other CD-ROM mahjongg games only have games in the classic mahjongg format. On this CD-ROM, there are four different kinds of mahjongg games: The Great Wall, Classic Shanghai, Action Shanghai and Beijing. A player can also choose which type of mahjongg game she wishes to play and which tile-set to use. The tile sets include: a set made from art masterpieces, American folk songs, famous lovers, great scientists/inventions, and old Sci-fi films. When a tile is matched with its partner-tile, an animated video and audio clip is played. Players can also play in Solitaire mode, 2-player mode or tournaments. With its many animations and video clips, this CD-ROM game makes each moment an education and a joy. This game is a perennial in stores and continues to be one of my favorite pastimes.

There is nothing offensive in this game. People who are offended at the naked human form might be offended by some of the great art pieces included in the Art masterpieces tile set. But that's about it.

There are other Shanghai games from Activision. "Shanghai: Great Moments" sometimes is combined with those games and sometimes is sold as a stand-alone. When buying this game, check to see that you have bought the "Shanghai: Great Moments".

One additional note: the program requires that your system be installed for 256 colors and windows 95 must be configured to run in those colors if the game is to be played. Generally, most CD-ROM programs which require computers to be set at 256 colors are flexible enough to accept an alternative color choice which is greater than the choice they requested… i.e. 32 bit color. But some programs are not that flexible. They will stall, refuse to run, or refuse to be installed. This is one of them. If your computer is set to 256 colors, this game will run magnificently on your computer. If not, you'll have to go through the bother of re-setting your system colors and rebooting your computer every time you wish to play the game. The newer editions of this game might have repaired this little bug. My 1995 version still retains it.

Year of Release—1995

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this Christian Spotlight review are those of the reviewer (both ratings and recommendations), and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Films for Christ or the Christian Answers Network.