The first installment in D3 Publisher's long-running budget series for the Nintendo DS. Simple DS Series Vol. 1: The Mahjong features classic mahjong board game play in both competitive or a story mode. Players can customize rules, pick their tables, and even link up for two- to four-player versus play using only one cartridge.

The game utilizes the system's built-in touch screen capabilities by letting players scribble notes and quietly chat with each other, Pictochat-style.