Super Shougi 3 - Kitaihei is one of those deep, polished shogi games that flew under the radar outside Japan. If you've ever tried shogi before, you know it's like chess but with way more chaos—pieces flip sides when captured, and the board feels like it's constantly shifting. This version nails that intensity with clean SNES-era sprites and a surprisingly smooth AI that doesn't pull punches.

First thing you'll notice? The menus are all in Japanese, but the symbols and layout make it manageable even if you're fumbling through. I spent my first match dropping pieces in dumb places before realizing the AI was quietly setting up traps. The music's this weirdly calming synth that somehow makes losing half your army less painful.

If you're into strategy games that actually make you think three moves ahead, this one's a hidden gem. Just don't expect mercy from the higher difficulty settings.