Hon Shogi: Naitou Kudan Shogi Hiden

About

Hon Shogi: Naitou Kudan Shogi Hiden is a digital adaptation of traditional Japanese chess, developed by SETA for the Family Computer in 1985. It sticks to standard Shogi rules, with the player making the first move and aiming to defeat the AI in as few as 15 moves. The interface shows a full board alongside animated figures representing the player and computer in a traditional setting, mirroring each move in real time. There are no adjustable difficulty settings or handicaps, making each match a direct test of strategy and speed. The game was shaped by Naito Kunio Kudan, a renowned Shogi player and author who contributed to its design. A real-world legend, Naito later earned Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun and ran a sports column for decades. In 1990, the game competed in the first World Computer Shogi Championship as the only NES entry, finishing fourth with two wins and three losses. Its no-frills approach and professional pedigree make it a niche but respected title among Shogi enthusiasts.