Aztec Returns is exactly like Shisen-sho games, but with spectacular graphics based on the ancient Aztec culture. In many places, it is also called "four rivers". The game is based on Japanese tiles, similar to Mahjong tokens, only this time the tokens have been replaced by spectacular Aztec hieroglyphics tiles. The goal is to eliminate identical pairs of tokens or blocks, until every board is empty, like Mahjong games.

The rules are simple. As already mentioned, in this millenary ancient game of solitaire only two matching tiles can be removed at a time. They are only removed if it is possible to connect up to three horizontal or vertical lines, a U-shape, I-shape, L-shape or Z-shape, provided that the lines do not run into another piece or block and only crosses open spaces. If you do not have any more moves or all the tiles are removed from the board, the game ends, or you go to the next mahjongg board.