Released by Athena in 1994, Pro Mahjong Kiwame 2 serves as a refined follow-up to its predecessor, positioning itself as a premier simulation of Riichi Mahjong on the Super Famicom. Unlike many of its contemporary rivals that relied on "strip mahjong" tropes or anime gimmicks, the Kiwame series emphasizes professional play and tactical depth. It proudly features licensed professional players from the Japan Professional Mahjong Federation, ensuring that the AI logic reflects the high-level strategies found in real-world competitive circuits.
The presentation is clean and functional, utilizing large, legible tiles and a straightforward interface that prioritizes speed of play. For those fluent in the rules of the game, the flow is exceptional, offering various modes including a deep league system that tracks player statistics over lengthy campaigns. While it lacks the flashy 16-bit pyrotechnics found in more arcade-style titles, the focus remains squarely on the mental duel, backed by a soundscape of satisfying tile-clacking effects and a surprisingly catchy, if repetitive, lounge-style soundtrack.
However, the barrier to entry remains incredibly high for Western gamers due to the dense Japanese text and the inherent complexity of the Mahjong scoring system. Without a firm grasp of the language and the Yaku (winning hands), the experience can be impenetrable, as the game offers no assistance for beginners.
