Figured I'd lift the discussion on this one out of the
E3 2019 thread, hopefully this is more convenient.
So Konami is smelling that sweet, sweet PlayStation Mini money and is repackaging a bunch of TG-16/PC Engine/SuperGrafx games into a mini console of their own. 52 unique games are included (57 if you count duplicates), one controller, savestates, it includes a HDMI cable, optional scanline filter, is USB powered - the usual mini console stuff.
1. Console backgroundIn Japan the PC Engine was a fairly successful home console from NEC, which competed with the Sega MegaDrive/Genesis, SNES, and I guess the Neo Geo (did they even get the Philips CD-i?). In North America, it was released as the TurboGrafx-16 (to pretend it was 16-bit compared to the NES' 8-bit I suppose, even though TG-16 was an 8-bit system - it just had a 16-bit GPU). In Europe it never really saw a wide release I think, perhaps some key markets only (U.K.?).
Games were released on HuCards, small credit card sized carriers with exposed pins.
NEC and Hudson Soft worked on the PC Engine/TG-16 together, so with Konami owning Hudson, they're now the ones capitalising on that 1989 nostalgia.
2. More history: Add-ons & successorOf course the fourth console generation was littered with add-ons. Sega CD, SNES SatellaView, and the Super Game Boy are all examples. Naturally PC Engine/TG-16 needed an add-on of their own, so they brought out several disc attachments. This allowed for animated cut-scenes and actual recorded dialogue to be added into games, amongst others. Fun fact, one of the disc formats was called Super CD-ROM², pronounced "CD-Rom-Rom" (seriously).
Later the CD drives were incorporated into the main unit, this combo-device was called the TurboDuo in North America. To make matters even more confusing, the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 also saw a successor, the SuperGrafx, which was backwards compatible for all HuCard games and all CD/Super CD-ROM² games through the add-ons. SuperGrafx itself was a massive flop however; it was rushed to market, made only modest changes over the original TurboGrafx, and only saw 6 actual games produced for the system.
3. Mini consolesUnique about Konami's new mini consoles is the fact they're producing different regional variants, despite near-identical software libraries (unlike NES/SNES/PlayStation mini, which all had different games in certain regions).
Annoyingly the original consoles had just 1 controller port, you needed a multitap (Turbotap) to connect up to 5 players. The mini consoles fix this, by adding a second USB controller port. Multitaps will be released too.
Left to right:
-Europe: PC Engine CoreGrafx mini (CoreGrafx was a different PC Engine model, with A/V out instead of RF).
-Japan: PC Engine mini (note the absence of turboswitches on this controller!)
-Americas: TurboGrafx-16 mini
4. GamesIn this section I'll cover all the games with a brief mention of what they are.
Weirdly, since all 3 regions share a near identical line-up of included games, many included on American/European systems will just be in Japanese without English translation. I've split them up by language, the ones that might be difficult without knowing Japanese are marked as such.
Note: The Japanese model includes two games that won't be on the Western models, Tokimeki Memorial, which I believe is either a dating sim or about gossiping? The second one is Tengai Makyō II: Manji Maru, an RPG. Meanwhile on the American and European models, Salamander (a.k.a. Life Force) is included, while it is absent on the Japanese model.English language games:-
Air ZonkSide scrolling shoot-em-up starring Zonk, who is basically the Mega Man X to Bonk's Mega Man.
-
Alien CrushSci-fi/horror themed pinball game in the style of Alien. Multiple screens, camera doesn't scroll up or down.
-
Blazing Lazers a.k.a.
GunhedGood, fast-paced vertically scrolling shooter. Used to be a pack-in title for TurboGrafx-16.
-
Bomberman '93The first Bomberman game with 5-player
multiplayer. This is a good one.
-
Bonk's Revenge2nd game in the Bonk series. Platformer with the TG-16's mascot. Eat food, headbutt dinosaurs.
-
CadashSidescrolling action game, looks like oldschool Castlevania. Has co-op
multiplayer.
-
Chew-Man-Fu a.k.a.
Be BallPuzzle game with action elements, you kick a ball around to beat foes and knock down walls.
-
Dungeon ExplorerTop-down action RPG, best in
multiplayer. Think Gauntlet.
-
J.J. & JeffSlapstick action-platformer. This looks very strange, I'm intrigued/horrified.
-
Lords of ThunderSidescrolling shooter of RFN fame. Known for its rocking soundtrack thanks to CD expansion.
-
Military Madness a.k.a.
NectarisThink Advance Wars, but with hexagonal grids instead. Heard this is a good one.
-
Moto RoaderTop-down racer, Micro Machines style. Has 5 player
multiplayer. Looks sluggish.
-
NeutopiaRather blatant top-down NES Zelda clone. Well-regarded, the sequel is even better.
-
Neutopia IISequel to Neutopia. Fixed collission issues. Pretty good, but can't compete with SNES Zelda.
-
New Adventure Island4th game in the Adventure Island series. Side scrolling action-platformer with boomerangs.
-
Ninja SpiritIrem Soft game, think Ninja Gaiden meets Legend of Kage. Supposedly scored the first 10 in EGM.
-
Parasol StarsSingle screen puzzle game. Lots of levels, has 2 player co-op
multiplayer. Heard it's good once.
-
Power GolfTop-down golf game, looks okay. Neo Turf Masters this ain't. 3 Player
multiplayer.
-
Psychosis a.k.a.
ParanoiaHorizontal shooter. Some levels are set in the player's mind, fighting inner demons. Has Options like R-Type.
-
R-TypeIncludes both R-Type I & II; the game was too big on HuCard, but on CD it worked to fit both on!
-
Soldier Blade4th game in the Star Soldier series. One of the best looking games on TG-16.
-
Space HarrierNot the best version of this "3D" railshooter. Better on 3DS, 32X, Genesis, and inside Shenmue on DreamCast.
-
SplatterhouseTG-16 getting this bloody, horror-themed hack & slash games was a major draw during its heyday.
-
Victory RunArcade racing game similar to OutRun. Notoriously difficult.
-
Ys Book I & IIMade great use of the CD-ROM to become epic RPGs. Subject of
RFN Retroactive 26.
Japanese language games:Notes: "language" denotes possible language issues expected. Titles in red indicate they are duplicates; the English version is also loaded on the mini consoles.-
Akumajō Dracula X Chi No Rondo a.k.a.
Castlevania: Rondo Of BloodCoveted Castlevania entry. Includes cutscenes & spoken dialogue thanks to CD expansion.
-
AldynesHorizontal shooter. This was one of 6 SuperGrafx games. Also on PSN.
-
Appare! GateballSo this looks like croquet and might be the nichest sports title ever?
-
Bomberman '94 a.k.a.
Mega BombermanAnother good entry, fun story mode. Has
multiplayer.
I was fond of it.
-
Bomberman Panic BomberA match-3 puzzle game featuring Bomberman. Hate when companies do this, remember Worms Blast?
-
Chō AnikiAnother RFN Hall of Famer. Horizontal shooter leaning heavily on the Super CD-ROM² for visual... flourish?
-
Daimakaimura a.k.a.
Ghouls 'N' GhostsArcade port of Ghouls 'n' Ghosts, one of six SuperGrafx releases.
-
Dragon SpiritFantasy themed vertical shooter. Play as a dragon, breathe fireballs. Catchy music.
-
Dungeon ExplorerDuplicate Japanese version, see description under English section.
-
Fantasy ZoneCute horizontal shooter. You can go left or right, levels don't autoscroll. First game in its franchise.
-
Galaga '88Classic space shooter set mostly on a single, static screen. Has some vertically scrolling parts.
-
The Genji and the Heike ClansAction game, alternates between big sprite sideview and three-quarter view levels. A very deep cut.
-
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire a.k.a.
SapphireOne of the most expensive PC Engine games. Lots of counterfeit discs as a result. Never released outside Japan.
-
Gradius a.k.a.
NemesisSide-scrolling arcade shooter port. Includes the PC Engine-only desert stage.
-
Gradius II – Gofer No Yabō a.k.a.
Nemesis IISide-scrolling arcade shooter port. Includes an extra level over the arcade version.
-
Jaseiken Necromancer a.k.a.
NecromancerJapanese-only RPG. Lots of brown dungeons. I have this on Wii U and it's basically unplayable due to
language.-
The Kung Fu a.k.a.
China WarriorSide scrolling beat-em-up with absurdly large sprites. Another RFN darling.
-
The Legend of ValkyrieAction-RPG. Top down Zelda x Golden Axe. Some
language issues with shops and (random?) quiz moments.
-
Nectaris a.k.a. Military MadnessDuplicate Japanese version, see description under English section.
-
NeutopiaDuplicate Japanese version, see description under English section.
-
Neutopia IIDuplicate Japanese version, see description under English section.
-
Ninja Ryūkenden a.k.a.
Ninja Gaiden a.k.a.
Shadow WarriorsHas completely redrawn graphics, new soundtrack, different enemy placement to the NES version.
-
PC-Genjin a.k.a.
Bonk's Adventure a.k.a.
Bonk a.k.a.
BC KidFirst in the Bonk series, TG-16's mascot, a headbutting caveman. Fun fact: this got a JP-only remake on GameCube.
-
Salamander a.k.a.
Life ForceShooter. Gradius spin-off with horizontal & vertical levels. Includes 2 player co-op
multiplayer.
-
Seirei Senshi SprigganVertical shooter from the team behind MUSHA. Spin-off from Spriggan Powered on SNES.
-
SnatcherEarly Hideo Kojimi detective game. The Sega CD version is infamously expensive. I anticipate
language issues.
-
Spriggan Mark 2 a.k.a.
Spriggan Mark II: Re-Terraform ProjectHorizontal shooter, play as a mech. Sequel to SNES title. Amusingly jaunty music. Good use of voice.
-
Star Parodier a.k.a.
Fantasy Star SoldierVertical shooter. Colourful Star Soldier parody. Includes a playable PC Engine, as well as Jetpack Bomberman.
-
Super DariusHorizontal shooter, CD-Rom² game. Port of the 3-screen arcade Darius. Multiple routes like Outrun.
-
Super Momotarō Dentetsu II5 player
multiplayer boardgame where you run a train company? Expect severe
language struggles.
-
Super Star Soldier2nd game in the Star Soldier franchise. Vertical shooter. Good series in general, very tough.
-
Ys Book I & IIDuplicate Japanese version, see description under English section.
In summation: 21 shooters, 8 sidescrolling action games, 4 platformers, 4 adventure games, 3 RPGs, 3 puzzle games, 2 racing titles, 2 sport sims, 1 video pinball, 1 boardgame, 1 strategy game, and 2 Bomberman titles (don't really fit under action do they).
5. Virtual console comparisonMany of the games above were already available through Virtual Console on Wii and Wii U respectively. Here's what is on Wii U Virtual Console, but not on the new mini consoles. Most are owned by Konami, so they must've been left off on purpose.
-Battle Chopper (owned by Irem Soft I think)
-Battle Lode Runner
-Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
-Break In
-Detana!! TwinBee
-Devil's Crush
-Digital Champ: Battle Boxing
-Double Dungeons (owned by Masaya/Extreme)
-Final Soldier
-Image Fight
-Image Fight II
-Legend of Hero Tonma (owned by Irem Soft)
-Shockman (owned by Masaya/Extreme)
-Vigilante (owned by Irem Soft)
-World Sports Competition
6. ThoughtsOverall my first thoughts are cautiously optimistic. Konami is really bad at marketing though, their website includes spelling errors, no easy way to compare lists per region, and nothing is sorted alphabetically. Pre-orders appear to only go through Amazon which is already annoying, and finding the price is up to the buyer to convert (90-100$ I expect). Not a word about who is doing the emulation either. I hope it's M2, or just straight up the Wii U virtual console emulator, that one's really good. [EDIT: Confirmed M2 is working on this, also confirmed Konami can't market well.]
Obviously some weird omissions.
TurboGrafx-16 without Splatterhouse is basically N64 without GoldenEye, although Splatterhouse is a bad game of course, but it's iconic for the system.[EDIT: Splatterhouse was announced later on.] It's also beyond me why Bonk's Adventure is only on there in Japanese and Bonk 3 is missing when both exist on Virtual Console in English.
There's many more notable exclusions (Final Soldier, Gates of Thunder, Devil's Crush, Raiden, Legendary Axe, etc.) but I guess they just don't wanna go for 75 or even 100 games.
I never had a TG-16, but have played several titles on Virtual Console which were mostly good. Seriously considering to get this as my first Mini Console, although the Genesis one also looks interesting and Sega have been much better about communicating features. But the TG-16 games seem a bit more mysterious...
Show Posts
