TURBO GRAFX-16 (what is so great about it?)

[classicb]

I hear a lot of talk about this system from classic gamers but I know very little about it. All I remeber is playing Bonk's Adventure on the store demo. I thought it was cool at the time but ended up going for the Genesis. Well I'm thinking about getting one now as a collector but have no idea why I want one maybe somone could tell me why to get one and what to get. What would be a good price to pay for one? What should be my first three games. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[Ed Oscuro]

That's Genesis.

Personally, I hate the TG-16 and its foolish "bigger is better" take on the gaming scene, when the PC-Engine (Japanese version) is so much better in every way -- smaller, better packages, better games. Life's too short to be playing China Warrior LOL

To see these (mostly) amazing PC-E games I speak of, check out Classicgaming's Japangaming site (http://www.classicgaming.com/japangaming/) -- good stuff! :D

All joking aside, though, I think that when people think of the sounds of an early 1990s video game system, they think something along the lines of a TG-16, even if they don't know the system's name (or even that it exists). Very charming audio from that system -- I like the SuperGrafx take on the Ghouls 'n Ghosts level one stage music :D

[cratermaze]

I LOVE my turbografx, but alot of that is probably nostalgia because I never had an NES or Genesis back then. LOL Its a neat system from a packaging standpoint, even though they made it larger compared to the PC Engine, its still smaller than a genesis and the way the cards load into it, it fits into a stereo cabinet better too. All the games (except for the very last Hucards) came in CD jewel cases so they are way easier to store than any other cartridge games and there were quite a few quality titles for it. If you go with the CDROM it also plays CD+G's so you can play Karoake discs on it. Its the ultimate party video game machine! LOL I would recommend getting the turbo tap and 5 turbopads and Bomberman. Bomberman is a blast with four other people, and I think this is the only 5 player version available (I could be mistaken) Other good games to get (that are reasonably priced)are:

Keith Courage in Alpha Zones (because its cheap (it was the pack-in) and not a bad game for a couple of bucks)
Bonks Adventure/Revenge
Blazing Lazers
Galaga 90
Dungeon Explorer
Silent Debuggers (some people dont like this one, but I think its pretty fun)
Splatterhouse

Thats all I can think of right now, but there are other great games too, since so few titles came out for this, its pretty easy to find out what was good and what wasn't

[Querjek]

I wouldn't even bother... the graphics are mediocre, the games are mostly bad, and the controllers only have a 1-foot cord. But, if you must buy one, get the Bonk games.

[AB Positive]

Querjek, you really need to play games other than China Warrior and Keith Courage :D

I just got a region modded Turbo Duo (finally) which is probably the way to go when you decide you want the entire TG experience. It isn't a true 16-bit system geek-spec wise, so consider it a NES or SMS on steroids. Take a spin through the bomberman series, Dungeon Explorer, Splatterhouse, World Court Tennis (Tennis RPG, beautiful), Military Madness, Blazing Lazers...

those are all US Hu-cards and thusly playable on the cheapest TG experience, the base Turbo Grafx-16 system.


Oh, also note, there are other 5-player games, including Bomberman '93 and Moto Roader.


The controller cord is kinda short, I recommend getting a single extension cord and a turbo tap. Extended multiplayer fun!


this also reminds me, I need to add my Turbo Grafix to my sell list, since I don't need it due to the Duo :)


-AG

[vision89]

The Turbografx is a great system, though I'd recommend going with the region modified duo. Having either your' Turbografx or Duo region modified will allow it to play the Pc Engine HuCards, and there are a lot of em! The Duo can already play Pc Engine cd's. If you get a Turbografx keep an eye out for Cadash and Neutopia also. The Turbografx' real drawback is that you can't save the games. The Duo has built in memory so you can save games. If you want to save your' Turbografx games you'll have to use a password and it's a real pain in the ass. You can buy a Turbo Booster for saving your' Turbografx games, but jeez, if you're going to shell out extra money you might as well go for the duo.

[ManekiNeko]

Back in the day, I resented the Turbografx-16 for daring to compete against the mighty Sega Genesis. I also felt that although the games certainly looked 16-bit, they didn't really FEEL that way... they lacked the depth of similar Genesis titles, feeling more like turbocharged NES games.

Eventually, I grew to appreciate the Turbografx-16. Its titles are pleasantly lighthearted and Japanese, qualities which are sorely lacking in today's humorless, ultraviolent video games. And these days, I don't mind the lack of depth in games like Cratermaze... the straightforward gamplay is what gives them, if you'll pardon the expression, "that arcade feel."

I recommend buying a Turbografx-16 or, if you can afford it, a TurboDuo. While the Turbografx-16 may not stack up to the Genesis, the TurboDuo easily outperforms the Sega CD with a library of fantastic games. You can't go wrong with Dracula X or Gate of Thunder.

JR

[gonzo90017]

If you're a shoot-em up fan like me the TG-16 is a dream come true. The best thing I like about it is the colors. Other systems had access to more but it seems that the game developers used each and every last one. It might be 8-bit but it makes the most of it's hardware especially the shoot-em ups. I personally own the PC-Engine GT.

[esquire]

First off, Bonk's Adventure was released on the NES, not the Genesis. If you stack the NES version against the TG16 version, the TG16 version is much better. Plus there's Bonk's Revenge, Bonk 3 and Air Zonk.

The TG16 and PC-Engine are great for shmups (shooters), especially the the pc-engine library. Other great games are:

Splatterhouse
Bloody Wolf
Boxyboy
Chew-Man-Fu
Chase H.Q.
Devil's Crush
Dragon's Curse
Dungeon Explorer
Neutopi I & II
Legenday Axe (first one is better than II)
New Adventure Island
Legend of Hero Tonma
Ninja Spirit
Samurai Ghost
Tiger Road
Vasteel
Y's Book I & II
Military Madness

The Cd system and games can run a bit. I highly reccommend either the TG16 or PC-Engine. It has far better graphics than the NES or SMS, other 8 bit consoles of its time. The TG16 was not a true 16 bit console, and contrary to the above posts, was not released to compete with the Genesis. The TG16 came out before the Genny was even released.

[spooie]

Anyone remember Parasol Stars? The missing link in the Bubble Bobble saga

While we're on the subject... does anyone know where I can order those little protective sleeves for the games? I have none. Back when I got the TG16, my aunt used to pick up the games for me at EB... put the fools there always kept the cases and sleeves... and only gave her the box, the card and the instructins.

O_O

[LazingBlazers]

I'll just say this:

Opinions are like assholes. Everybodys got one, and they don't smell like roses.

If I were you, classicb, I would formulate my own opinion via the use of emulation. It's not hard to download an emulator, some roms, and truly see for yourself.

My opinion is about as biased as they come, but I will tell you that TurboGrafx-16 is the best system ever. It just is. Okay, maybe that's arguable, but it certainly is in the same class as the arguably best systems of all time. If you disagree with that last sentence, you're dumb. I am not going to give you facts for my sentiments, nor am I going to argue about them, I'm just telling you the way it is, the way it was, and the way it always will be. And yes, Bret Hart agrees.

Bottom line, it is a fun system because the games are enjoyable and the hardware is neat... and that is all that matters.

[NE146]

Why is it that it seems when so many write of their experiences then, they either were "pro" Genesis or the TG-16. Is it such a small minority of us who embraced BOTH of them? :?

Genesis and the TG-16... Both systems provided the pinnacle of gaming back at that time period. Who WOULDN'T want both? They were both such a huge step from the NES (prior to the SNES coming out). I was blown away by Legendary Axe and Blazing Lazers, I was blown away by Ghouls and Ghosts and yes... Altered Beast.

If you pitted one against the other then you probably just didn't like games! At least that's how it seemed to me.

Anyway, what's so good about the TG-16? Like any system, it's the software when it comes down to it. And the PC-Engine/TG-16 had tons of great games. Can't get much simpler then that. :) You can collect all you want. But the true answer to what makes it great for it's time lies in the playing. :)

[sabre2922]

The Turbo was and still is one of my top3 favorite systems! great games and good graphix (for the time)
The Turbographix-16 is in essence an 8-bit system it has:
8-bit processor with a 16-bit color processor which is actually much more powerful than the Gennys weak 64color pallette. but anyways thats just spec stuff in my opinion the majority of games on the turbo look much better than most Genny games and comparable to many of the games released on the supernes
OH and NINJA SPIRITS! damn I want that game back :angry:

[Raedon]

two words: Military Madness

[Querjek]

Querjek, you really need to play games other than China Warrior and Keith Courage :D

-AG
Sad thing is that that is almost true.

[D-Lite]

I love the TG/PCE systems. Just awesome games from lots of genres. Especially if you get into the japanese games.

Realize this:

PCE was around from 1987 to 1995 ! I believe that run is second longest only to Neo-Geo

Nearly 1000 games released in Japan! about 140 in the US

Lots of really cool peripherals released in Japan for the freak hardware collectors (like me and neogeoman).

A region modded Duo is definitely the way to go. Actually, the ultimate experience is a region modded SuperGrafx with Super CDRom2 add-on! Throw in S-Video and you're in the new millenium!

[Ed Oscuro]

Actually, the ultimate experience is a region modded SuperGrafx with Super CDRom2 add-on! Throw in S-Video and you're in the new millenium!
That's what I'm planning on doing (all but the S-video mod, anyhow) :D

And I don't know what I was thinking when I said the PC-E had "smaller packages" than the TG-16...both use jewel cases as far as I know, I knew that at the time I posted that, even! O_o

[Anthony1]

The Turbo was my first system as a "hard core" gamer. I had a Atari 2600, Atari 800XL and a NES all prior to the Turbo, but I was nowhere near hardcore with those systems. I was just a little kid. And I primarily played sports games with my buddies.

But when I got the Turbo, because it lacked any real sports games early on (other than World Class Baseball which I think is a highly underated game of baseball. Also known as Power League Baseball for the PC Engine) I was basically forced to play the adventure games, which really wasn't my thing up to that point.

But after playing games like Splatterhouse and Legendary Axe and Keith Courage (yes, I actually liked Keith Courage) and Bonk, I got hooked on non sports games for the first time. It was at that point that I started to go in the direction of hard core gaming. Games like Military Madness and Devil's Crush and Bloody Wolf just caused me to fall in deeper and deeper.

So I have a special place in my heart reserved for the Turbo. ( I know, how gay!) But it's true. The Turbo is special to me. I also had a Genesis, and I liked both of them equally, but the Turbo was the beginning of me as a real deal video game nut.

Another thing about the Turbo is that although it wasn't a real 16 Bit system, more like a 8 Bit system on some high grade crack, it did have tremendous color. Way more color than the Genny. The Turbo was a very, very colorfull system. And if you get your Turbo modded to output a strong RGB signal, then it's on like DONKEY KONG!!!!!

The Turbo also had a damn good sound chip, considering how early it was released, 1987 in Japan! I think the Turbo actually has better sound than the Genny.

The Turbo is kindof like a NES and Super NES hybrid. It's inbetween the power of a NES and a SNES. The great color of the SNES, and almost the sound of the SNES, but then no special effects and more like NES performance in gameplay.


Bottom line is that the Turbo is a damn fine system. Especially if you can experience the wares of Japan.

And I strongly encourage everyone to actually see their Turbo in RGB. Once you see the Turbo in RGB, it's like a dream come true. Does everybody remember that level in Bonk 1, where you go inside that Dinosaurs mouth? You go inside his stomach? You are like swimming around in his stomach? Do you remember that? That is one of the most colorfull levels ever. But if you see that level in RGB on a RGB monitor, then you have seen what Heaven looks like. (OK, maybe that was a slight exageration!)

But I'm serious about the RGB for the Turbo. You guys have to freaking see it!!!!!!!!!!