The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE is a home video game console that was released in Japan in 1987 by NEC Corporation, and in North America in 1989. It was designed to compete with the popular Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Genesis consoles, but it offered unique features that set it apart from its competitors. One of its main selling points was the inclusion of a CD-ROM drive, which was a groundbreaking feature at the time and allowed for much larger and more sophisticated games than its cartridge-based competitors. Another unique feature of the TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was its use of a 8-bit CPU, which was combined with a 16-bit graphics processor to deliver impressive graphics and sound quality for its time.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was powered by an 8-bit CPU and had 8KB of RAM. It was capable of displaying 482 colors at once, and had a resolution of 256x224 pixels. The console's graphics were powered by a custom video processor, and it also featured an optional add-on that allowed it to play games on CD-ROM. The CD-ROM drive provided a massive storage capacity of 256 megabytes, which allowed game developers to include more content, such as full-motion video and CD-quality audio, in their games. The console was also notable for its unique controller, which featured a directional pad, two action buttons, and a "turbo" button that allowed for rapid fire in games that supported it.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE had a library of over 650 games, many of which were exclusive to the system. Some of the console's most popular and critically acclaimed games include Bonk's Adventure, a platformer featuring a prehistoric caveboy, Ys Book I & II, an action role-playing game with a memorable soundtrack, and R-Type, a side-scrolling shooter that was praised for its challenging gameplay and impressive graphics. Other notable games for the console include Ninja Spirit, a fast-paced action game, and Devil's Crush, a pinball game that was considered one of the best in its genre at the time. The console also had a number of popular sports games, such as World Class Baseball and Victory Run.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was not as commercially successful as its competitors, but it remains a beloved console among retro gaming enthusiasts. Its CD-ROM technology paved the way for the use of optical media in gaming, and many of its games are still highly regarded for their innovation and gameplay. The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE also paved the way for future consoles that would utilize optical media, such as the Sony PlayStation and the Sega Saturn. In addition, the console's unique controller design and features, such as the turbo button, have influenced the design of many modern game controllers. In 2019, Konami released a miniature version of the console called the TURBOGRAFX-16 Mini, which featured a selection of classic games and was well-received by fans of the original console.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE had a large library of games, many of which were exclusive to the system. The console's game library was known for its diversity and innovation, with games covering a wide range of genres, including platformers, role-playing games, action games, and shooters.
One of the most popular genres on the TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was platformers, and the console had several notable titles in this genre. Bonk's Adventure, which starred a prehistoric caveboy named Bonk, was one of the console's most popular games and became a mascot for the TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE. Other popular platformers on the console included Keith Courage in Alpha Zones, a sci-fi platformer that was packed in with the console, and Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair, a colorful and fast-paced action game.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE also had a number of popular role-playing games, with Ys Book I & II being one of the most well-known. This game featured fast-paced action gameplay, an engaging storyline, and a memorable soundtrack. Another notable RPG on the console was Dungeon Explorer, a multiplayer action RPG that allowed up to five players to explore dungeons together.
Action games were also well-represented on the TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE, with games like Ninja Spirit and Blazing Lazers becoming fan favorites. Ninja Spirit was a fast-paced action game that had players taking on hordes of enemies as a ninja, while Blazing Lazers was a top-down shooter that featured impressive graphics and sound for its time. Another notable action game on the console was Splatterhouse, a horror-themed game that was controversial for its graphic violence but gained a cult following for its unique style and gameplay.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was known for its impressive library of shooters, with games like R-Type and Soldier Blade becoming classics of the genre. R-Type was a side-scrolling shooter that was praised for its challenging gameplay and impressive graphics, while Soldier Blade was a vertical shooter that featured multiple weapon types and a memorable soundtrack. Other notable shooters on the console included Gate of Thunder, a horizontally scrolling shooter that was known for its impressive graphics and sound, and Lords of Thunder, a side-scrolling shooter that was praised for its challenging gameplay and heavy metal soundtrack.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE also had a number of popular sports games, including World Class Baseball, Victory Run, and Super Volleyball. World Class Baseball was one of the console's most popular sports games, and was praised for its realistic graphics and gameplay. Victory Run was a racing game that featured several different types of vehicles and terrain types, while Super Volleyball was a fast-paced and fun arcade-style volleyball game.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was a video game console that was released in 1987 in Japan and 1989 in North America. The console was developed by NEC Home Electronics and Hudson Soft, and was designed to compete with the popular Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis consoles.
One of the unique features of the TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was its use of a CD-ROM drive, which was a relatively new technology at the time. This allowed games to have larger amounts of storage space and better sound quality than traditional game cartridges, and also paved the way for the use of full-motion video in games.
The TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE was initially released in Japan under the name "PC Engine," and quickly gained a following for its impressive graphics and innovative games. The console was also popular in North America, although it faced stiff competition from the more established Nintendo and Sega consoles.
Despite its innovative features and popular games, the TURBOGRAFX-16/PC ENGINE ultimately struggled to gain a significant market share and was eventually discontinued in 1994. However, the console has since gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts and is still remembered fondly for its unique games and pioneering technology.