Pocket Shougi is one of those classic Game Boy ports that somehow makes a board game feel right at home on a tiny screen. It's shogi—Japanese chess—but stripped down to the basics, which honestly works in its favor. The pieces are clearly marked, moves snap into place, and the AI doesn't pull punches even on the default difficulty.

First thing you'll notice? The controls are dead simple—d-pad to move, A to confirm. No frills, no clutter. The game throws you straight into a match, and if you're new to shogi, you might fumble a bit with promotions or drops. But after a game or two, it clicks. There's something satisfying about flipping an enemy piece to your side mid-battle.

It's not flashy, but it doesn't need to be. Perfect for quick matches when you're waiting around or just want to sharpen your strategy without digging out a physical board. The AI's got enough bite to keep you honest, too.