On October 28, Hamster announced that *Console Archives: Maru Jan!!* will be released on October 29, 2026, as new content for the “Console Archives” series available on Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5.
A mahjong-style battle against the inhabitants of the “Kingdom of Mar,” featuring a flurry of special moves and cheating tactics
This title is a mahjong-style matching game originally released by Nippon Ichi Software for the original PlayStation in 2003. It was also made available on the PlayStation Archives for PS3 and PSP in 2011.
In this game, you embark on an adventure while competing against the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Maru in the mahjong-style game “Maru Jan!!.” You battle opponents one-on-one using “tiles” featuring character artwork, and the game follows simple rules: the first player to complete three sets of three matching tiles wins.
The gameplay closely resembles mahjong: you repeatedly draw one tile from a stack of eight and discard one, and you must declare “Riichi” when you’re one tile away from completing a set—otherwise, you cannot win.
The outcome of each match is determined by “Special Moves,” which vary by character, and “Cheat Moves,” triggered by “Help Tiles” that you occasionally draw.
Special moves can be used by filling a gauge—either by matching identical tiles or by drawing a tile with the same pattern as your character—and these moves are useful for disrupting your opponent or creating favorable conditions for yourself. Cheat moves have outrageous effects, such as pulling off a last-minute comeback from a disadvantageous situation or even nullifying the entire round.
In Story Mode, Kururu—the tomboyish princess of the Kingdom of Mar—takes center stage, and the story unfolds across 11 short scenarios plus extras. It’s said that previously untold episodes from Mar’s history will also be revealed.
In Free Battle Mode, you can choose any one of the 24 characters to battle against the computer.
In “Play with a Friend” mode, which supports two players, the match proceeds with both players’ pies fully visible to each other, so the key to victory lies in how skillfully you use special moves and trick moves. You can adjust the number of rounds and the time limit for drawing and discarding tiles in the options menu, and you can also change the background and pie colors.
“Console Archives” is a series by Hamster that faithfully recreates classic titles originally released on various home consoles for modern hardware. It also features convenient functions such as button and screen customization, as well as the ability to save and load anywhere.
*Console Archives: Maru Jan!!* is scheduled for release on October 29, 2026, for PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2, priced at 1,200 yen. Please check the official “Console Archives” website for details.
