Windstorm adds a whole new dimension to playing Shanghai. Instead of just matching tiles that are free to slide left or right, in Windstorm, tiles are matched according to the prevailing wind.

When the prevailing wind is East-West, tiles can be matched when they are at a left or right edge. The prevailing wind changes to East-West when East or West Wind tiles are matched.

If the prevailing wind is East-West, tiles can only be matched the regular way: those that can be imagined to slide right or left. If the prevailing wind is North-South, tiles can only be matched that can slide up or down.

When the prevailing wind is North-South, tiles can be matched when they are at a top or bottom edge. The prevailing wind changes to North-South when North or South Wind tiles are matched.

And when there's a whirlwind, you've got it easy! Tiles can then be matched that can be imagined to slide either left/right or up/down.

When a whirlwind is in effect, tiles can be matched at any edge. Whirlwind occurs when a pair of Dragons are matched.

The prevailing wind changes when Wind tiles (EWSN) are matched that differ from the current prevailing wind. A windstorm occurs when two Dragon tiles are matched.

A whole new strategy for winning the game must be employed when the winds change. Once you have mastered the strategy, it is recommended that you use the Advanced or Master layouts when playing Windstorm.

You can tell what the prevailing wind is at any time during the game by the Prompts box and by the blowing leaves behind the layout.

Windstorm is best played with a tile set that contains Winds and Dragons. All of the Mah-Jongg tile sets, and all of the new Shanghai: Second Dynasty tile sets, work well for this game. If you choose to use a tile set that does not contain Winds or Dragons, the winds will seem to change randomly as you match tiles. The new non-Mah-Jongg tile sets included with Shanghai: Second Dynasty (India, Tarot, Soccer, Monsters, Pets, Spelling) have special tiles for the Windstorm game.

Example Winds and Dragons. Winds change the tile-matching direction from East-West to North-South, or vice versa. Dragons cause a "Whirlwind," in which tiles can be matched in any direction.

If you play Windstorm with a tile set other that a Mah-Jongg set (or with a non-Mah-Jongg tile set that was included in Shanghai: Dynasty, such as Astrology, Egypt, Prehistoric, Outer Space, Alphabet, Household) you will in time learn which tiles in those other sets correspond to the Winds and Dragons in the Mah-Jongg sets.

- On the Title screen put the cursor on Shanghai, and when the popup menu appears on the screen, select Windstorm.
- To start a Windstorm game from within another game mode, go to the Games menu in the Menu bar and select Windstorm.
- To change layouts, go to the Layout menu in the Menu bar and click on the layout of your choice.
- To change tile sets, go to the Tiles menu in the Menu bar and click on the tile set of your choice.
- To turn off tile animations, click on Tile Animation in the Preferences menu.
- To return to Classic Shanghai or another game from Windstorm mode, just pull down the Games menu and select the game of your choice.

- Learn to watch the prevailing wind to make sure you are looking for the currently available tile matches.
- Choose Winds matches wisely. Sometimes it may be better to wait a few moves before changing the prevailing wind. Other times, changing the prevailing wind as soon as you see the match will open up several other matches.
- Take advantage of a whirlwind. You can open up space for a greater number of matches by using your whirlwind dragons (or other whirlwind tiles) wisely.

Arcade Mode