High Stakes Gambling Deep cut
Game Boy · Board, Card & Party
Shanghai
| System | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Released | 1989 |
| Genre | Board, Card & Party |
| Developer | HAL Laboratory |
| Publisher | HAL Laboratory |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Shanghai |
| Legacy | Deep cut |
Developed by HAL Laboratory, Shanghai arrived on the Game Boy in 1989 as a board, card or party game.
It belongs to the Game Boy's earliest wave of games. Other notable Game Boy releases from 1989 include Super Mario Land, Tetris and Alleyway.
It is part of the Shanghai series. The series also appears on other systems with Shanghai (TurboGrafx-16) and Shanghai (Master System). HAL Laboratory also made Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby's Dream Land 2 and Kirby's Pinball Land for the Game Boy.
Shanghai supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you've played the Game Boy hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you want action or story rather than tabletop-style play
What playing Shanghai is like
Board, card, quiz and party games bring tabletop classics and social games to the screen, from chess and mahjong to trivia and casino games.
Tip for newcomers: These games are usually best with company; check how many players are supported before game night.
If you like Shanghai, the Matrix also picks…
Playing Game Boy games today
Game Boy games were designed for short bursts on the go, which makes them ideal for a coffee break today. Many are available through Nintendo Switch Online, and original carts play on any later Game Boy model.
Shanghai FAQ
When did Shanghai come out on the Game Boy?
Shanghai was released for the Game Boy in 1989.
Who made Shanghai?
It was developed by HAL Laboratory.
Is Shanghai multiplayer?
Yes. Shanghai supports up to 2 players.
How long does Shanghai take to play?
As a board, card or party game, Shanghai typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.