Sega does what Nintendon't', but what does TurboGrafx do?

If you were to ask around "What was the best console of the late 80s and early 90s?", undoubtedly most people would answer either 'Nintendo' or 'Sega'. After all, who else mattered in the console wars of that decade gone by? Well, if you ask enough people that question, you'd surely also get one person who would proudly answer: "TurboGrafx was the best!" and, by some measures, they'd be right too. If you've never taken a look at the console lineup from NEC, then blow in that cartridge and change it to channel 3 'cause it's Turbo-Time, and were goin' back to the end of the 8-bit generation.

TurboGrafx-16 ( PC-Engine )

The PC-Engine was first released in Japan in late 1987 and, despite its 8-bit CPU, it was marketed as the first "16-bit console" because of its 16-bit VDC. This gave it quite the graphical edge over the Nintendo NES, and it even competed with the Sega Mega-Drive that released in the same region in the following year. In fact, at one point, the PC-Engine outsold both the NES and Mega-Drive in Japan.

Original Japanese system (left) and Western markets model (right)

Because of its success, in the summer of '89 NEC saw fit to bring the PC-Engine to US shores. However, it underwent substantial re-marketing for the localization. Armed with a bigger, black shell and the new name of "TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment SuperSystem", NEC's console was ready... to come last in the US console-wars. Despite its rampant success in the land of the rising sun, the console died out west; selling only just over 1 million units in its time. (Compared to the near 4 million sold in Japan). Unlike the revised Japanese versions, the TuboGrafx-16 lacked A/V output outside of a separate additional attachment, and it failed to surpass Sega of America's 90's attitude in the public perception. Sure 'Sega does what Nintendon't', but what does TurboGrafx do? Well, TurboGrafx does a lot, actually. It has unique cards for cartridges; Hu Cards, aptly named after NEC's collaboration with 'Hudson' on the system. (One of the reasons it's home to so many Bomberman, games, and other Hudson properties.) In addition, it's the first game console to offer CD support with an add-on module. Sega didn't do that for a few years by comparison. Despite its failure in the west, the systems' many great games make up for any commercial shortcomings. In fact, it boasts a wide assortment of unique titles, superior ports, and interesting exclusives you can't play anywhere else.

Bonk's Adventure

Year: 1990

Known as "PC-Genjin" in Japan, the Bonk series was a staple of the NEC consoles for many years. A fun little platformer where you just smash everything with your massive caveman head, all to the upbeat soundtrack that will easily get stuck in your own skull. What could be more fun? What's even more interesting about the character is that even though Bonk was the result of the seemingly mandatory 90's tradition of game consoles always having mascots, the series still showed up on a number of other competitors' consoles, with the last game (Super Genjin 2) being a Japanese Super Famicom exclusive. There is, interestingly, also a down-port of Bonk's Adventure to the NES, which was a rare event in the 90's that a mascot for one company would appear on another's console.

Neutopia 2

Year: 1992

It's often said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and it proves true with this title. Often noted as having taken nearly every cue from the NES' "The Legend of Zelda", Neutopia was seen by many as nothing more than "Zelda for TurboGrafx". Honestly though, is that so bad? Despite taking so much from the aforementioned Nintendo title, Neutopia and its superior sequel is a fantastic game that has its own story and levels, and is one of the best games on the system.

Ninja Spirit

Year: 1988

When you're playing Nintendo, and you want action ninja platforming, you turn to Ninja Gaiden. If you're playing Sega, it's Shinobi you'll go back to over and over. While there is a port of the 1st Ninja Gaiden game to the Japanese PC-Engine, with upgraded visuals, it's not the answer. On TurboGrafx you want Ninja Spirit to satisfy your ninja needs. In itself a port of an arcade game, it's another example in a great group of games that were only ported to this system for their home version. You'll be running, jumping, slashing and nabbing all sorts of power ups in this 2D action title.

TurboGrafx-CD ( PC-Engine CD )

In 1988 the PC-Engine became the first dedicated video game console to support the CD-ROM format. Coupled with RAM expansions that would populate the normal Hu Card slot, the CD-ROM add-ons for the system supported a number of CD titles in 3 tiers; the CD-ROM^2 (pronounced CD-ROM-ROM), the Super CD-ROM^2, and the Japanese exclusive Arcade CD-ROM^2 games.

Eventually, the CD format made its way to the west in 1990, with the same branding as the main console. Now titled the "TurboGrafx-CD" NEC's disc attachment was home to some of the best early 90's CD-based games, a great deal of which you won't find on other systems.

Castlevania – Rondo of Blood

Year: 1993

Everyone remembers the great "Symphony of the Night" for Playstation. It's often heralded as the greatest Castlevania ever released. So what would you say if we told you it was a sequel? That its predecessor is thought to be the pinnacle 'classic' Castlevania experience? That the SNES version of this game was a subpar port that changed a significant amount of content? Well, you'd probably want to play the original! Luckily EP has got you covered with the Japanese version of the Turbo CD game. This is the original, real version of the game that didn't grace the US until it was included as a bonus unlockable mode in the PSP 2.5D remake released over a decade later.

Fighting Street

Year: 1988

Everyone knows the Street Fighter series. They've played the various versions of Street Fighter 2, 3 and alpha on every platform. With 4's wild success and 5 currently in everyone's hands, it's hard to deny Street Fighter's legendary status in the gaming world after all these years. We wonder though, how many of us have ever played just the plain old "Street Fighter"? In comparison to its juggernaut sequels, the original Street Fighter has flown under the radar. Well, good news! The TurboGrafx-CD has the only true console port of the game, albeit with a simplified control scheme that has you holding buttons longer to perform stronger attacks.

Gate of Thunder

Year: 1992

If you're a big TurboGrafx fan, and you've read this far, you are no doubt wondering "Where are all the Shmups!?" You see, NEC's line of systems are home to some of the greatest 2D Shmups in console gaming. In fact, there are so many that they could make an article all their own. However, if there has to be only one here it should be "Gate of Thunder". Released as a pack-in game for the TurboDuo variation of the system, this is an easy shmup to pick up and play for those who are not heavily invested in the genre. It's art, music, and gameplay is a great showcase for why the genre has such a following as well. If you don't care for multi-game discs, the JP version of the game is extremely import friendly. Most of the ext, if not all, is actually in English.

Other Consoles

NEC was an innovator in hardware and released a number of other revisions to the consoles throughout its lifespan. There were multiple PC-Engine re-releases like the "Core Grafx" and the "Core Grafx II" that sported A/V Inputs and some slightly improved hardware. There was even the failed update to the system called the "SuperGrafx" and its 5 exclusive games, 7 if you include the Darius games that enhanced from the PC-Engine. They also released the TurboDuo systems, which were combinations of "Core Grafx II" and "Super CD-ROM^2" hardware. allowing you to play all formats natively (with the exception of the Arcade CD-ROM^2 titles, which still needed a RAM-expansion).

Last, but not least, NEC tried to make a jump into the 32-bit era in late 1994 with their "PC-FX" console. This system was unable to compete with the upcoming Playstation and Saturn, and subsequently never made it to western shores, marking the last time NEC would make a game console. While most games for the system are heavy in Japanese text, there are a couple of import friendly fighters and some translation patches for a few of the games as well. Whether you need to revisit some of the glory of NEC or are a new player who wants to dig through the classics, exclusives, and unique ports available for one of the TurboGrafx consoles, we've got you covered at Emuparadise! On EP, you can download games for every variation of the hardware and software so you don't have to miss out on reliving classic favorites or make new memories with old games. To explore some more awesome TurboGrafx’s titles, check out these lists on EP: TurboGrafx Gold by SkyHighGam3r, and Best Turbografx16 Games by AmySaturn. Which is your favorite TurboGrafx game? Tell us about it on Twitter or Facebook. You can also create a list of your favorite games and share with us on our social channels. (To create a Game List, simply sign in to EmuParadise with your EPForums account. And then click on the + Add to List button on any game page, it’s that simple!)