Released in 1989 by Pony Canyon, Koji Tanigawa no Shogi Shinan 3 represents the pinnacle of the Famicom’s premier shogi simulation series. Endorsed by the legendary Grandmaster Koji Tanigawa, who was a dominant force in the professional world at the time, the game aims to provide a rigorous and authentic experience. It moves away from the arcade-style fluff found in some contemporary titles, focusing instead on deep tactical play and educational value for those looking to master the "Game of Generals."
The core gameplay offers several modes, including standard match play against varying levels of CPU difficulty and a comprehensive "Tsume Shogi" puzzle mode. The AI in this third installment is noticeably more sophisticated than its predecessors, utilizing the Famicom’s hardware to its limits to calculate moves, though this often leads to significant "thinking" time during the later stages of a match. For Western players, the interface is a daunting wall of kanji and traditional symbols, making it nearly impossible to navigate without a translation guide or a prior understanding of shogi notation.
Visually, the title is as spartan as one would expect from a 1980s board game simulation, prioritizing clarity over flair. The board and pieces are rendered in a clean, legible style, though the lack of background music during matches can make long sessions feel somewhat sterile.
