Released by Pony Canyon in 1989, Kaettekita! Gunjin Shogi: Nanya Sore!? brings the traditional Japanese "Military Shogi" board game to the Famicom with a distinct layer of late-80s irreverence. Unlike traditional Shogi, Gunjin Shogi functions more like the Western game Stratego, where pieces are placed face-down, and their values are only revealed upon engagement. This digital adaptation attempts to spice up the tactical formula with quirky character designs and a humorous tone, as suggested by the subtitle "Nanya Sore!?" (What's that!?), providing a colorful contrast to the usually dry, militaristic presentation of the genre.
The gameplay centers on a battle of hidden information and deduction, where players must navigate a hierarchy of ranks from Engineers to Generals. The Famicom’s limited hardware is pushed to manage the "referee" logic required to resolve hidden-piece combat without a third-party human player, which was the primary draw of this electronic version. While the interface is functional, it remains heavily text-reliant, making it a difficult prospect for those without a firm grasp of Japanese. The AI is competent for the era, though it often relies on predictable patterns that seasoned board game enthusiasts will likely exploit within a few sittings.
While Japan was deeply invested in digital board games during this period, the global software landscape was beginning to diverge significantly. This illustrates the specialized nature of the Famicom library, where titles like Kaettekita! Gunjin Shogi flourished in a domestic market that prioritized local tabletop traditions over the abstract Western puzzle trends that were dominating the European 8-bit and 16-bit sunset years.
