PC Engine CD-ROM² Games Announced for Virtual Console

Wii

by Aaron Kaluszka - September 14, 2007, 12:42 am EDT
Total comments: 32 Source: Nikkei PR

Initial availability is scheduled for next month.

Hot on the heels of the Neo-Geo announcement, Hudson has revealed that PC Engine CD-ROM² and Super CD-ROM² (TurboGrafx-CD in the US) games will soon be released on Virtual Console. Starting in October, Hudson expects to release at least five titles this year and an additional ten or more games next year. The planned price is 800 Wii Points (regular PC Engine games cost 600 points).

There is not yet any official word on which games will be available, however, Hudson has promised that CD titles will launch in all four world regions. The press release did provide sample screenshots of two titles, the classic RPG Ys Book I & II and an oddball shooter called Cho Aniki. It is also not clear how the games will be packaged since an uncompressed version of a CD-ROM game could be larger than the entire Wii flash memory.

PRESS RELEASE

Turbo/Super CD Games Confirmed for N. America

Hudson will bring yet another system to the Virtual Console, starting in October.

Turbo CD to be added as a "Virtual Console™" platform on Wii ™ !

Turbo CD and Super CD games available for download starting in October

September 17, 2007 -- Hudson Soft Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Hidetoshi Endo) is pleased to announce that Turbo CD and Super CD game software will be available for download via the Virtual Console™ feature on Nintendo’s Wii™. Wii owners with a high-speed Internet connection can redeem Wii Points™ to download these classic games through the Wii Shop Channel. Soon, Wii™ owners will be able to enjoy even more software titles previously released on other platforms. These titles will be available for download beginning in October of this year in Japan , and thereafter will extend to North America, Europe and Australia . Now Wii™ gamers will be able to play games originally created specifically for CD-ROM media, in addition to TurboGrafx-16 game titles already available via Virtual Console™.

Players will simply select their favorite games in the Wii Shop Channel to download the software via the Internet. Each Turbo CD and Super CD download will be priced at 800 Wii Points, which can be purchased either by credit card or through a Wii Points Card which are available at various retail locations.

*1 Wii Point = JPY1 = USD0.01 = EURO0.01 = AUD0.01

In November 2006, Hudson Soft launched its Virtual Console™ business in North America, extending the service to Japan and Europe in December and to Australia in July of this year. As of the end of August 2007, 49 titles were available in Japan , and an impressive amount of titles were being distributed outside Japan (including third-party software). Hudson Soft will continue adding to the lineup of popular games for Virtual Console™.

About the download service for Turbo CD and Super CD games

Price per download: 800 Wii Points per title

Projected distribution: over 5 games in 2007, over 10 games in 2008

About the PC Engine and the TurboGrafx16

The PC Engine was a video game console marketed by NEC Home Electronics, Ltd. (release date: October 30, 1987; price: 24,800 yen) with a unique LSI “C62 System" (microchip system) developed by Hudson Soft. The console’s cutting-edge speed and performance surpassed the conventional computing wisdom of the day. Among the PC Engine’s noteworthy features were high-speed CPU processing, gorgeous 512-color graphics, and a powerful sound system with up to two output channels and six stereo audio channels. Another feature that got people talking was the small, high-capacity plastic ROM “Hu-CARD (Turbo Chip)" that the PC Engine used as software. A successor to the original PC Engine, the “PC Engine CD-ROM2 System" became the world’s first game console to utilize CD-ROM as a gaming media platform when it was launched on December 4, 1988. An overseas version of the PC Engine was marketed in North America from 1989 under the name TurboGrafx16, and subsequently in Europe as Turbografx.

Talkback

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorSeptember 13, 2007

Great news! Next up... Sega CD!

Infernal MonkeySeptember 13, 2007

Sega/Mega CD on the VC would be absolutely amazing.

Also I think these are the first two CD games to hit, since they're on the site that broke the news.

EROTIC SHOOTER.

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerSeptember 13, 2007

Hopefully this is confirmation of a storage expansion add-on of some kind.

Infernal MonkeySeptember 13, 2007

Compression can go a long way!

TMWSeptember 14, 2007

The only reason I was hoping for the PC Engine CD Rom was so I could get some Rondo of Blood action going on...but its going to be available on the PSP next month...

Oh well. Any other good PCECD games?

TanookisuitSeptember 14, 2007

I think this plus Neo Geo is amost confirmation of harddrive support.

planetidiotSeptember 14, 2007

Most of those CD rom games were CD audio tracks. Compressed as mp3 they aren't nearly as big. Still, with all these large files, I don't think Nintendo's policy of "just delete them and download them again later!" will hold out much longer. The no-brainer solution is to pull channels from the SD card so you can save VC games there and run them without copying files around. I think that's more likely than a hard drive, but I'd very much like to be wrong about that.

NeodymiumSeptember 14, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: TMW
The only reason I was hoping for the PC Engine CD Rom was so I could get some Rondo of Blood action going on...but its going to be available on the PSP next month...

Oh well. Any other good PCECD games?

Ys I and II is fantastic, there are several amazing shooters, and a lot more that I can't think of on short notice because I've been out of the whole collection and retrogaming scene for too long.

Jonnyboy117Jonathan Metts, Associate EditorSeptember 14, 2007

This is awesome. You know what's next... SATURN!!!

cubistSeptember 14, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: insanolord
Hopefully this is confirmation of a storage expansion add-on of some kind.

My thoughts exactly. The only problem: How do you boot off of the storage expansion and/or SD card?

ShyGuySeptember 14, 2007

You could still put the boot sector on the internal 512mb storage then have it redirect to the SD card.

BlackNMild2k1September 14, 2007

Wait for the next firmware update, I'll bet it will come sometime around TGS.
I also bet it will include a new feature or two that will be needed to support the massive success of the VC.

Didn't Reggie mention that something was going down this month?

NWR_insanolordJ.P. Corbran, Community ManagerSeptember 14, 2007

The SD would be fine by me, considering how much I've fit into the 512 inside the system, and that that also houses saves and the other channels, even if I could only go up to 2GB that's quintuple the storage space. Oh, and I'll need a way to extend the channels by a few pages, I only have 8 or 9 channel slots left.

And after the Saturn I wan't the Dreamcast. Give me Armada, and maybe a WiiWare version of Armada 2: Star Command, the online-enabled sequel that never materialized.

Ian SaneSeptember 14, 2007

"This is awesome. You know what's next... SATURN!!!"

I don't know about that. I've heard Saturn emulation is really hard due to the complexity of the original hardware.

The VC just keeps getting better but as others have said Nintendo needs a better method of storing games now that larger titles are avaiable. I still want GB/GBC. There's no reason why Nintendo isn't offering that. You can't buy those games in stores anymore. To me, that's the requirement for the VC. Any format Nintendo can obtain the rights for (ie: not Playstation) that isn't available in stores anymore should be on there and with the Gameboy Nintendo doesn't even have to negotiate with anyone. It's entirely their decision.

KDR_11kSeptember 14, 2007

CHO ANIKI!

AHAHAHAHAHAHA

LouieturkeySeptember 14, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
CHO ANIKI!

AHAHAHAHAHAHA

Wasn't a spiritual sequel just announced for this game as a WiiWare title?

Ian: Emulation could happen if Sega were the ones making the emulator for it. They probably have a better chance at getting it right than anyone.

that Baby guySeptember 14, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"This is awesome. You know what's next... SATURN!!!"

I don't know about that. I've heard Saturn emulation is really hard due to the complexity of the original hardware.

The VC just keeps getting better but as others have said Nintendo needs a better method of storing games now that larger titles are avaiable. I still want GB/GBC. There's no reason why Nintendo isn't offering that. You can't buy those games in stores anymore. To me, that's the requirement for the VC. Any format Nintendo can obtain the rights for (ie: not Playstation) that isn't available in stores anymore should be on there and with the Gameboy Nintendo doesn't even have to negotiate with anyone. It's entirely their decision.

To go along with Ian and Louie Turkey, I think that if anyone could create a powerful emulator of the Saturn, it would be Sega. Back in the day, Sega knew hardware. They knew how to push the limits of their systems, and they knew how to do some pretty complicated things. For instance, Sega was able to emulate NES games using the genesis, and this was pretty much back in a time when emulation was basically unheard of. To emulate a console that's only one generation below the one you're using as an emulator is a pretty difficult thing to do, IIRC.

So basically, I'm saying that if any of Sega's hardware wizards remain, I think they'd be able to do it.

KaironCarmine Red, Associate EditorSeptember 14, 2007

I'd be happy with Sega CD, honestly.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 14, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: thatguy

So basically, I'm saying that if any of Sega's hardware wizards remain, I think they'd be able to do it.

I think the only wizards that remain at Sega are of the fraudulent nature.

planetidiotSeptember 17, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"This is awesome. You know what's next... SATURN!!!"
I still want GB/GBC. There's no reason why Nintendo isn't offering that. You can't buy those games in stores anymore. To me, that's the requirement for the VC. Any format Nintendo can obtain the rights for (ie: not Playstation) that isn't available in stores anymore should be on there and with the Gameboy Nintendo doesn't even have to negotiate with anyone. It's entirely their decision.

I'm guessing they're waiting for their next portable system, which I'm guessing will support VC games in some way. To most people, playing a gameboy game in front of the tv is a fairly weak experience.

Infernal MonkeySeptember 17, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Jonnyboy117
This is awesome. You know what's next... SATURN!!!

More like Master System.

America needs to experience all the awesome SMS games Europe and Japan were enjoying.

UERDSeptember 17, 2007

I'm waiting for the Demo Channel. They have the VC infrastructure already (demoes would fundamentally be 'free' VC games, but without the emulator/compatibility layer), and they now know that people aren't exactly scared to download stuff off the internet onto their console.

Ian SaneSeptember 17, 2007

"I'm guessing they're waiting for their next portable system, which I'm guessing will support VC games in some way. To most people, playing a gameboy game in front of the tv is a fairly weak experience."

That's probably a fair guess though it kind of sucks for us until then. Though knowing Nintendo the DS won't last a full five years before its replaced just like how the GBC and GBA didn't. The portable VC might appear sooner than later.

Still Nintendo could make even more money if they had TWO Virtual Consoles, one for the consoles and one for the portables. It's total rip-off bullsh!t BUT I think the endless GBA ports (as well as the DS launching with a port as the only first party game and selling regardless) shows that people will gladly (by that I mean stupidly) buy a game they already own again just to play it on a portable. After all many games that appeared on the GBA, that are thus playable on the DS, are available on the VC. Nintendo doesn't seem worried that Super Mario Bros on the VC is going to hurt GBA Super Mario Bros sales or vice versa.

And I've never met anyone until now that found playing Gameboy games on a TV a weak experience. Why would anyone think that? No rinky dink screen, no battery concerns, no comfort problems. Seems like the luxurious way to play Gameboy games.

"More like Master System."

The Genesis is actually backwards compatible with the SMS. The adapter was really just a cartridge slot. All the actual hardware was in the Genesis itself so it probably is not very hard at all for them to release SMS games.

that Baby guySeptember 17, 2007

And, in effect, since the Game Gear and SMS were about the same thing, Game Gear games are just as possible. The only difference, IIRC, is that the cartridges of the Game Gear were smaller.

MashiroSeptember 17, 2007

Can we get some arcade perfect Sega titles please? Like SPACE HARRIER.

Pretty please Sega?

planetidiotSeptember 18, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane

Still Nintendo could make even more money if they had TWO Virtual Consoles, one for the consoles and one for the portables. It's total rip-off bullsh!t BUT I think the endless GBA ports (as well as the DS launching with a port as the only first party game and selling regardless) shows that people will gladly (by that I mean stupidly) buy a game they already own again just to play it on a portable. After all many games that appeared on the GBA, that are thus playable on the DS, are available on the VC. Nintendo doesn't seem worried that Super Mario Bros on the VC is going to hurt GBA Super Mario Bros sales or vice versa.

And I've never met anyone until now that found playing Gameboy games on a TV a weak experience. Why would anyone think that? No rinky dink screen, no battery concerns, no comfort problems. Seems like the luxurious way to play Gameboy games.

"More like Master System."

The Genesis is actually backwards compatible with the SMS. The adapter was really just a cartridge slot. All the actual hardware was in the Genesis itself so it probably is not very hard at all for them to release SMS games.

I think it's a weak experience. 4 shades of gray on a square pixelated screen with beep boop sound playing a watered down NES game is pretty weak IMO. Put it on a portable and it's not as bad. Just my opinion of course, but then there's no gameboy games on VC, so someone else out there thinks it isn't a great idea either. If you're referring to GBA games, the GBA line isn't quite discontinued yet. They won't be putting Gamecube games on VC any time soon either. I think the idea is to sell classic games you can't get any more. GBA will be around for a while, even after they stop manufacturing them, and you can still play them on the DS.

Regardless of what (if anything) they plan to do with portable VC, I would hope that they only charge you once for the game. They could work something where you can "check out" the game from your Wii to one portable system at a time or some DRM goofery like that. Which of course introduces headaches like, "my portable system broke/got stolen, and now my game is checked out forever." But it's either that or buy another copy for the portable, so I'll hope for the former along with some lenient support folks who can make it all better pretty quickly.

As for the master system, as I understand it, the power base converter just used the Genesis's sound chip (a z-80) as the main cpu (which was the SMS cpu), along with the controller inputs, power and video out. So I think there was some extra stuff going on there besides a cartridge adapter. I'm curious if the PBC had it's own sound chip, as the SMS used a Yamaha YM2413 FM chip for sound, and I'm not sure the Genesis had one on board. The SMS hardware was however identical to the Game Gear (with a slightly higher resolution on the SMS). But yeah, there's no reason for them not to release SMS games regardless.

Ian SaneSeptember 18, 2007

From Wikipedia:

"The Power Base Converter does not contain any SMS components, instead functioning as a pass-through device."

So that's what I'm going on for backwards compatibility. It looks like all the hardware for the SMS is in the Genesis itself except the cartridge slot's aren't compatible. It's like how the GBA has the GBC hardware itself included.

"4 shades of gray on a square pixelated screen with beep boop sound playing a watered down NES game is pretty weak IMO."

Doesn't seem much different than 4 shades of green on a small blurry non-backlit screen with beep boop sound playing a watered down NES game.

To me it's as simple as this: Link's Awakening. Can you get that game in stores anymore? No. So Nintendo ought to do something about that.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorSeptember 18, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
To me it's as simple as this: Link's Awakening. Can you get that game in stores anymore? No. So Nintendo ought to do something about that.

I agree with this post.

GoldenPhoenixSeptember 18, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
To me it's as simple as this: Link's Awakening. Can you get that game in stores anymore? No. So Nintendo ought to do something about that.

I agree with this post.

Link's Awakening needs to stay buried.

MashiroSeptember 18, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: GoldenPhoenix
Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
To me it's as simple as this: Link's Awakening. Can you get that game in stores anymore? No. So Nintendo ought to do something about that.

I agree with this post.

Link's Awakening needs to stay buried.

I get castrated for saying the game isn't the best game ever and no one replies to GP?

Sexual bias CONFIRMED.

UltimatePartyBearSeptember 18, 2007

Most of us have learned to ignore her trolling by now.

Athrun ZalaSeptember 18, 2007

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
I'd be happy with Sega CD, honestly.

only if we get Snatcher... oh, and Lunar...

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