The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, first released in 1987, was a revolutionary gaming console that helped shape the video game industry as we know it today. Developed by NEC Corporation and co-developed by Hudson Soft, the console boasted impressive 16-bit processing capabilities that were far superior to its competitors at the time. Despite its relatively short lifespan, the console left an indelible mark on the industry, with a vast library of groundbreaking games that left an enduring legacy.
This article will delve into the history and impact of the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 gaming console. We will explore the console’s specifications, the history behind its development and release, its reception and sales during its time on the market, and its extensive game library. Additionally, we will conduct a critical evaluation of the console’s strengths and weaknesses and examine its legacy within the gaming industry.
Our aim is to provide a comprehensive firsthand look at this revolutionary gaming console that has played an important role in the evolution of gaming as a medium.
NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 Overview
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 was a revolutionary gaming console that hit the market in 1987. It was produced by the NEC Corporation and co-developed by Hudson Soft. The console boasted a 16-bit processing capability, marking a significant improvement over its nearest competitor.
The console had the following specifications:
- CPU: 1.79 MHz 8-bit Hudson HuC6280A (HuC6280 for TurboGrafx-16)
- RAM: 8 KB + 64 KB VRAM
- Colors: 512 on-screen colors out of a palette of 481/482
- Resolution: 256 x 240 pixels
Compared to other gaming consoles of the time, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Sega Master System, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 had a clear technological advantage. The console boasted superior graphics, faster pace, and unique features such as external add-on memory. It also had an extensive library of games in a variety of genres, including sports, arcade-style, platformers, and RPGs.
However, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 had some notable drawbacks. These included a lack of support for HDMI and other modern multimedia connectors, a limited number of controller and peripheral options, and a relatively short lifespan of only five years.
History of the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 gaming console was released by the Japanese electronics company NEC in 1987. The console was co-developed by Hudson Soft, and its predecessor was the ultraportable PCEngine GT, which was only released in Japan. In North America, the console was marketed under the name TurboGrafx-16, while in Europe and Australia, it was sold under the name PC Engine.
The console was created to compete with other popular consoles of the time such as the SEGA Master System and the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). In order to stand out from the competition, NEC built a console with 16-bit processing capabilities and capable of displaying 482 colors simultaneously. The console also had an advanced chipset that allowed for smooth and fast gameplay.
Upon its release in Japan, the console was received positively and quickly became the best-selling console of the year. However, its reception in other regions was not as successful. In North America, for example, the console faced stiff competition from the highly popular NES. Additionally, due to the high cost of importing games and the lack of a proper marketing strategy, the console’s sales figures were not as impressive outside of Japan.
Reception and Sales
When the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 was first introduced to the market, it received mixed reviews from critics and gamers alike. While some praised its advanced hardware capabilities and unique features, others were critical of its controller layout and game library. Nevertheless, it quickly gained a loyal fan base and performed exceptionally well in Japan.
In North America, the console was marketed under the name TurboGrafx-16, and while it did not perform as well as its Japanese counterpart, it still managed to carve out a niche in the gaming market. As compared to contemporaneous consoles like the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the TurboGrafx-16 offered distinct advantages like faster processing power and arcade-style gaming.
Overall, despite its mixed reception, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 performed well in the market, particularly in Japan where it dominated the console sales charts in its launch year. While its sales figures were not as high in North America or Europe, it still managed to attract a dedicated fan base, and its impact on the gaming industry cannot be ignored.
In comparison to other classic gaming consoles of the time, such as the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 may not have garnered as much attention or market share. However, its advanced technology and unique game library contributed to its lasting appeal among gamers.
In the next section, we will explore the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16’s impressive game library, which includes some of the most memorable titles of its time.
Game Library
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 game library was a significant part of the console’s appeal. It featured a diverse range of titles that set it apart from other game consoles of its time. The console was initially marketed with five game titles in Japan and six in North America.
Some notable titles that were exclusive to the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 included “Bonk’s Adventure,” a classic 2D platformer that set a new standard in its genre. The “Legendary Axe” is another fan favorite for its epic atmosphere and challenging gameplay. “Blazing Lazers,” a classic horizontal shoot ’em up, demonstrated the console’s capabilities with impressive graphics and action-packed gameplay.
The console’s library introduced gamers to a ‘TurboChip format,’ the same size and physical specifications as Nintendo’s cartridges but different in that it had its dedicated storage memory. This was the first time games and their memory weren’t limited to the console’s limited amount of memory. This resulted in an impressive variety of games, including arcade-style games and role-playing games such as “Ys Book I & II,” a critically acclaimed role-playing game that pushed boundaries and set a new standard in its genre.
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 game library boasts a long list of iterations and games, which no other consoles of the time had. Its diverse range of games still has enduring fanbases in the present day. These exclusive titles continue to demonstrate the console’s impact and influence on the video game industry.
Review and Assessment
As we reflect on the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 console, it is crucial to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses critically. We’ll focus on the following components to assess how the console fared during its runtime:
- Hardware specifications
- Game library
- Controller design
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 boasted of a 16-bit processing capability that was a vast improvement over its immediate competitors. Powered by a CPU and GPU, it also had a 64-color palette that allowed more vibrant and robust graphics. Furthermore, the console was the first to feature a CD-ROM add-on, which at the time, was superior compared to its rival’s offerings.
However, the console had some weaknesses that impacted its performance. The limited memory size meant that some games had to be split into several sections, with players having to swap game discs when moving between levels. The controller’s design was also problematic, with the right and left D-pads positioned adjacent to each other. This odd configuration made it challenging for gamers to differentiate between the left and right D-pads, which caused unnecessary confusion.
Despite its shortcomings, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 made a significant impact on the gaming industry. It was responsible for inspiring many gaming developers to venture into the industry. Additionally, it introduced excellent hardware features that would eventually inspire the development of many modern gaming technologies that we have today.
The console’s legacy is still felt today, and its iconic games are still remembered fondly. The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 boasted a collection of some of the most memorable games that are still playable and enjoyable today. Its tremendous impact is undeniable, and it has helped shape the gaming industry into what it is today.
Conclusion
After exploring the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 (1987) Retrospective, Video Game Console Overview, History, Reception, Sales, Games, and Review, it is evident that this console holds a unique place in video gaming history. Its 16-bit processing capabilities and impressive library of games made it a hugely successful console, particularly in its home country of Japan.
Despite its shortcomings, it was a console ahead of its time, paving the way for future consoles and inspiring the development of many of today’s modern gaming technologies. Its impact is still felt today, with many of its transcendent games still holding up well, even against today’s modern games.
Overall, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 gaming console has earned its name in the gaming history books, securing its place in the industry as a true gaming legend. Its influence on modern gaming is undeniable. Without consoles like the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16, we would not have many of the beloved gaming classics that we cherish today.
FAQs
1. What makes the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 unique compared to other consoles of its time?
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 was one of the first consoles to use a CD-ROM drive as a primary source of games, giving players access to bigger and better games than ever before. It also had a unique design, being more compact than its competitors like the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
2. What were some of the most popular games on the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16?
Some of the most popular games on the console were Bonk’s Adventure, Keith Courage in Alpha Zones, and Splatterhouse. Bonk’s Adventure was the console’s mascot and helped to sell many consoles due to its unique gameplay and good level design
3. How did the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 fare in terms of sales?
The console had mixed success in sales. In Japan, it was quite popular, outselling the Famicom in some regions. However, in North America and Europe, it struggled to compete with the likes of the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. Ultimately, it sold just under 10 million units worldwide.
4. Why is the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 often overlooked in discussions of classic gaming consoles?
The NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 was not as popular as some other consoles of its time, so it often gets left out of discussions of classic consoles. Additionally, it was not well-supported for very long, which meant that many gamers did not have access to a lot of games on the console.
5. What is the lasting legacy of the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16?
Despite not being as popular or well-known as some other consoles, the NEC PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 had a lasting impact on the gaming industry. Its use of the CD-ROM drive paved the way for future consoles to use CDs as their primary source of games, and its unique design and gameplay helped to inspire other developers to think outside the box when it came to console design.
