Gamebox Asia
from PDAmill

8-17-04
- Contributing Editor 

• Three classic games: Mahjong, Shisen-Sho, and Nagori.
• Multiple Board Layouts: Over 80 default board layouts.
• Three different tile sets: Select from three unique tile sets.
• Tournament Mode: Test your skills to complete 28 levels of increasing difficulty.
• Multiplayer: Challenge a friend to see who can match tiles faster.
• Free Mode: Play the game at your own pace to practice for the Tournament.
• Unlimited Undos: Unlimited undos and replay feature gives you a chance to correct any error.
• Ambient music: Three sound tracks totalling over 15 minutes made by Jason Surguine, the well-known PDA musician.

Mahjong has been around for a long time. I was always under the impression it was a Chinese game from a thousand years ago. After reading the help screens in Gamebox Asia, I learned it was created in the 1800’s by two unknown Chinese brothers.

Gamebox Asia is actually three versions in one. The first being Mahjong (the classic game), Shisen-Sho (a variation) and Magori (a memory matching game).

Years ago, I tried Mahjong on the PC. A friend of mine set me down in front of it and told me to give it a try. I started playing after learning the basic rules. I cleared the screen on my first try. I though… man, this is too easy! Needless to say, it was a full month before I was able to clear the screen again. As I recall, that old PC version didn’t allow reshuffling. Gamebox Asia is clearly the best Mahjong game available for the Pocket PC.

What makes this one the best? Well, the tiles are much easier to see. There is a feature (that can be turned off for the serious player) that shows the tiles that are ‘free’ in a lighter color. This makes it a lot easier. Mahjong consists of 144 tiles that are laid out in a pattern. There are quite a few different patterns available. I prefer the classic layout, but you can select from 26 different layouts (and create your own!). The object is to locate two identical tiles that can be moved either left or right off the board without being blocked. It sounds easy and actually it is. However, it’s very addicting.

I love Mahjong. My wife loves the game as well. She plays online Mahjong. I showed her Gamebox Asia and now she’s just as hooked. I’ve considered purchasing a real set of tiles, but this is so much easier. There’s no labor in setting up all the tiles!

The graphics are very pleasing to the eye as well with the sound effects. There are plenty of options. You can play a free game, where you can select any layout and play. All games are timed and will record the best time for each layout. There is also a tournament play, where you start at the bottom and work your way through all of the layouts. The game is timed and you must be quick.

In the options menu, you can select from three different tiles sets. You can have a simple set or the original set, or one in between. In easy or medium mode, you are given a smaller set to play with. You won’t get all of the seven sets to play with. This makes it easier for the beginner. Normally, you’d have four of each tile to match together. Some may be hidden, or even on top of one another. You must decide which match to use. In the easy and medium levels, you are given six of each tile. This can make it easier for some (and tougher for my wife!). She’s an old hand at Mahjong and likes the hard level. This way you get all of the available sets and only four of each.

Shisen-Sho is a different variation. With this game, you have different layouts and to match a tile, it not only must be free (able to move left or right) and be in an imaginary straight line with its match. It’s a diversion from the original, but refreshing none the less. Magori is a completely different variation. This is a matching or concentration game. As usual, you have many layouts to choose from and all of the tiles are face down. You flip two over and try to find a match. Once you find a match, they disappear. The percentage of your accuracy is kept on the top of the screen. This is tougher than you think, but very fun to play. My daughter loves playing that version.

As you can see, there is enough to keep the youngsters happy as well as us older folks who love the variations and the old original game. I think this is the “Must Have Game for 2004”. Download a trial version of the game and give it a try. You can purchase the game for only $9.95. It’s well worth it! I’m sure you’ll be addicted just like the rest of us.

The game runs on ARM or X-Scale Pocket PC’s and there is a version available for the Palm devices as well. The Pocket PC version takes up about 2.2MB of space on your storage card. Since it’s possible to create your own layouts, I wonder if they will be posting some of the user created layouts on their website. I would find that most enjoyable.

Earlier in the review, I mentioned this was the BEST Mahjong game for the Pocket PC. I know this because I purchased another version two years ago. I’ve played it and it was okay. I thought the tiles were too small and it seemed to dark to play. The colors on Gamebox Asia are brighter and much easier to see. This is a landscape game (meaning you turn your Pocket PC sideways to play). I actually find that much easier.

My wife wanted me to add that she gives the game a full ‘two thumbs up!” She would know best. I’ve never seen anyone play Mahjong for nearly five hours straight, but she can do it. Now that she has a portable version, I’m sure the batteries in her iPAQ will be getting a workout!

Special thanks to Zita from PDAMill for allowing us to review Gamebox Asia.
This game was testing EXTENSIVELY on a Compaq 3955 iPAQ and the Samsung i700 Pocket PC Phone Edition. (both running Windows Mobile 2003).