Original Release: Bullet-Proof Software, 1987, NES
The first Go game for consoles to use regular rules, albeit on a shortened board (and ported from a BBC Micro title)
Igo: Kyuu Roban Taikyoku (Famicom, Bullet Proof, 1987)
Where to Buy: eBay
How to Emulate: coming soon!
Review by: C. M0use
Apparently the first console game to use real Go rules, this title is a bit odd due to compressing the board to about half its regulation size (due to AI being too slow in choosing moves, it’s still slow sometimes even with the smaller board) and having you go through a series of “levels” in which some pieces are already placed on the board. Early levels provide a handicap in your favor, that gradually shifts to a handicap for the opponent in later levels. But you can also choose which level you want to start with.
The other selling point is presentation, it made more effort than most board game conversions by having cutesy ninjas throwing the pieces onto the board and doing little situational animations. Not a selling point is the repetitive attempt at “traditional” Japanese music that quickly gets annoying, but overall it deserves some credit for attempting to be polished and appealing right out of the gate.
There isn’t much reason to go back to it now, but it strikes me as maybe being a good way to learn the absolute basics of Go given the smaller board and appealing presentation. You’ll probably want to move on to a more robust game before long though.
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