“Mahjong looks complicated...... but I’m kind of curious.” If that’s you, then Touhou Gensou Mahjong is exactly what you should try. As the title suggests, it’s a unique work that throws the entire Touhou Project universe into mahjong. Over 130 characters make an appearance—and they don’t just sit there. Each one has unique “abilities” that directly affect the progress of the game. You might think, “Isn’t that cheating?” but that’s exactly the charm. You can’t just win with textbook play—but with enough knowledge and strategy, you’ll find your winning line even in this fantasy world. That depth is what makes it addictive.

Mahjong is usually all about serious matches. But this game goes one or two steps further. Hearing “tables with cheating allowed” might sound off-putting, but once you play, the absurdity becomes hilarious. Red dora fly everywhere, yakuman hands appear constantly, and the sheer chaos makes it impossible to keep a straight face. With over 20 different rules—from serious competitive ones to outright party-game-style chaos—you can play however you like. Bring your Switch and friends together, and it’s guaranteed to become the center of attention.

“I don’t even know the rules—how could I play a mahjong game?” That worry doesn’t apply here. Touhou Gensou Mahjong features a beginner-friendly mode called “Cirno’s Mahjong Classroom.” Cirno, Teacher Keine, and others guide you step by step, starting with simplified “7-tile mahjong,” so even total beginners naturally learn how to win and how hands work. The character interactions progress with great tempo, like reading a visual novel, making it easy to master the basics before you realize it.

Isn’t mahjong something you can’t enjoy alone? Not in Gensokyo. The Adventure Mode features a single-player story where you travel across Gensokyo, facing characters around a mysterious mahjong table. These aren’t just CPU matches—each opponent uses special rules tied to their abilities, creating excellent tactical depth. It feels like solving a puzzle, making it something you’ll actually want to dig into solo. Plus, it’s perfect for quick pick-up-and-play sessions.

Finally, we have to mention “Free Match Mode.” Here, you can play endlessly against the CPU with your favorite rules, characters, and tables—offering virtually infinite replayability. Beginners can practice at their own pace, while veterans can hunt for optimal strategies under the wild cheating rules. The artwork and music are top-notch too, with contributions from over 150 artists creating a fantastical atmosphere that sets it apart from ordinary mahjong games.