Can I play Shisen-sho offline?

Not reliably. The game loads from the web each time you open it, so you need a connection to start. Once running, a brief dropout may not matter, but do not count on it.

Is there a way to skip a stage I cannot solve?

That depends on the game. Some offer a skip or hint button, others expect you to solve each stage in order. Try the menu inside the player to see what is available.

Does it work with a mouse or do I need a touchscreen?

Either. On a desktop you click and drag with the mouse, and on a phone or tablet you tap and swipe. A keyboard is rarely needed for puzzles.

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Browser game · Puzzles

Shisen-sho

Shisen-sho is a mahjong puzzle game to remove all mahjong tiles according to rules.

4.3

Play now — it's free

Runs in your browser · no download

Category: Puzzles
Score: 4.3
Device: Mobile + Desktop
Access: Free Play
Controls: Mouse + Keyboard
Type: HTML5 Game

The guide

Overview

Shisen-sho is a mahjong puzzle game to remove all mahjong tiles according to rules. It is a simple game but addictive.

What it's like to play

Unlike action titles, a puzzle game asks almost nothing of your hands and everything of your attention. The board sits still until you move. You can take thirty seconds or ten minutes on a single decision, and the game does not care. Progress comes from noticing things: a tile that only fits one slot, a color that appears twice, a rule you misread. Each solved stage feels earned.

Controls

2 pieces with same picture can be removed at a time 2 pieces can be removed only if they can be connected with a maximum of three lines Click the Hint button to show a pair of tiles which can be removed Click the Undo button to undo a last action

How to play

1Scan the whole board once before your first move so you know what pieces, colors or shapes you are working with.
2Select a piece with a click or tap, and look for highlighted spaces that show where it can legally go.
3Work from the edges or corners inward where possible, since those positions have the fewest options.
4If a stage has a move counter or timer, plan two moves ahead rather than reacting one at a time.

Features

Free to play, nothing to install, no account needed
Loads in the browser tab and opens full screen when you press Play
Plays best with the phone turned sideways or on a wider screen
Mouse and keyboard controls, with touch support on most devices
Listed under Puzzles

Why it's worth a go

Shisen-sho is low commitment. There is no account, nothing to download, and no tutorial to sit through. You open the tab, think for a while, close it. The satisfaction is in the small click of a solution falling into place, and that holds up on a phone as well as a desktop.

Who it's for

Anyone who prefers thinking over twitch reflexes. It works for teenagers and adults alike, and for older players who want something unhurried. Kids who can follow a simple rule will manage the first stages.

FAQs

Can I play Shisen-sho offline?: Not reliably. The game loads from the web each time you open it, so you need a connection to start. Once running, a brief dropout may not matter, but do not count on it.
Is there a way to skip a stage I cannot solve?: That depends on the game. Some offer a skip or hint button, others expect you to solve each stage in order. Try the menu inside the player to see what is available.
Does it work with a mouse or do I need a touchscreen?: Either. On a desktop you click and drag with the mouse, and on a phone or tablet you tap and swipe. A keyboard is rarely needed for puzzles.