Turbografx-16 Reviews
Turbografx-16 Hardware Review Grade: B
Turbografx-16 with controller and HuCard
The Turbografx-16 was released in the United States in 1989. Although it had bright, colorful graphics and an established library of games translated from the popular PC Engine, the poor TG-16 was doomed from the start. The TG-16 entered a market dominated by the Nintendo Entertainment System, and also was competing against the Sega Genesis, released 2 weeks earlier.
First, the faults. The Turbografx comes with only one controller port; you'll need a "Turbo Tap" to play multiplayer. The console also features the shortest cords and controller cables of any in my collection. To play sitting on my couch, I have to stretch the RF and power wires like a tripwire across the room. And the controller wire measures in at 45 inches, so you'll need that console close!
What's to love? For starters, the TG-16 features brighter, more colorful graphics than the Genesis and an overall "brighter" sound. The controllers come with built-in rapid-fire switches, a godsend for shooters. The console and controllers are durable, as are the game cards (HuCards or Turbo Chips).
The games. This system is a SHMUP-lover's dream. There were just under 100 games released for the Turbografx. A number of them were quality shoot-'em-ups such as exclusives Blazing Lazers, and Galaga '90, as well as possibly the best translations of R-Type, Raiden, and Sidearms. Action/platformer fans should also look for the Bonk titles and Legendary Axe games. And don't forget one of the best strategy games ever, Military Madness!
Bottom Line: The Turbografx was an overlooked gem from the early 1990s. It has a small library of mostly quality games and has a place in any retro-gamer's collection.
First, the faults. The Turbografx comes with only one controller port; you'll need a "Turbo Tap" to play multiplayer. The console also features the shortest cords and controller cables of any in my collection. To play sitting on my couch, I have to stretch the RF and power wires like a tripwire across the room. And the controller wire measures in at 45 inches, so you'll need that console close!
What's to love? For starters, the TG-16 features brighter, more colorful graphics than the Genesis and an overall "brighter" sound. The controllers come with built-in rapid-fire switches, a godsend for shooters. The console and controllers are durable, as are the game cards (HuCards or Turbo Chips).
The games. This system is a SHMUP-lover's dream. There were just under 100 games released for the Turbografx. A number of them were quality shoot-'em-ups such as exclusives Blazing Lazers, and Galaga '90, as well as possibly the best translations of R-Type, Raiden, and Sidearms. Action/platformer fans should also look for the Bonk titles and Legendary Axe games. And don't forget one of the best strategy games ever, Military Madness!
Bottom Line: The Turbografx was an overlooked gem from the early 1990s. It has a small library of mostly quality games and has a place in any retro-gamer's collection.
Blazing Lazers - Turbografx-16 Grade: A
Title screen
Known as "Gunhed" in the Land of the Rising Sun, Blazing Lazers is one of the many reasons to own a TG-16. This vertical shooter does just about everything right. As in most shooters, you control a lone ship tasked with defeating an entire invading force, in this case, the Dark Squadron (scary). You start the game with a simple, forward-shooting cannon, but you can upgrade your weapons by collecting different power-ups. The power-ups offer four types of weapons, from powerful wave cannons to the difficult-to-use but fun-to-look-at lasers. You also can collect secondary powers such as homing missiles or a shield. Each weapon also can be powered up by collecting orbs that rain down from defeated foes. I'm a laser and homing missile type of guy. The difficulty has a smooth curve that will let most players breeze through the first couple of levels, but have you pulling your hair out by level 6. I've still never seen the final level (9). Each level ends with an impressive, screen-filling boss. They start out mechanical, but eventually reveal a more organic foe. Overall, if you like space shooters, this is a must-have for your TG-16 collection.
Galaga '90 - Turbografx-16 Grade: B+
Title screen
If you were writing the history of shoot-'em-ups, the original Galaga would be near the top of the family tree. Galaga '90 (Galaga '88 in the arcade) takes everything from the original and ramps it up. Enemies still fly in and settle into formation, but there are several new types of baddies and they seem to be better shots as well, making this a more difficult game. There are also environmental hazards such as asteroids to destroy or avoid. There are still challenge stages, which have oddly been renamed "Galactic Dancing."
Galaga introduced the interesting game mechanic of purposely allowing your craft to be captured so that you could later free it and form the classic double fighter. How could you improve on that? Try a triple fighter! Now you can merge 3 fighters into one super bug-busting fighter. It sports impressive firepower, but also makes for a large target.
Gameplay is now separated into various worlds and dimensions (think OutRun's branching map). Each ending in a large boss battle.
Overall, Galaga '88 is a great ending to the Galaxian family tree. The varied enemy types, dimensional travel, and challenging difficulty make it a great play.
Galaga introduced the interesting game mechanic of purposely allowing your craft to be captured so that you could later free it and form the classic double fighter. How could you improve on that? Try a triple fighter! Now you can merge 3 fighters into one super bug-busting fighter. It sports impressive firepower, but also makes for a large target.
Gameplay is now separated into various worlds and dimensions (think OutRun's branching map). Each ending in a large boss battle.
Overall, Galaga '88 is a great ending to the Galaxian family tree. The varied enemy types, dimensional travel, and challenging difficulty make it a great play.
R-Type Grade:A
R-Type is the great-granddaddy of all scrolling space shooters. The Turbografx-16 does a wonderful job of bringing the arcade experience (with all of its difficulty) into the home.
Gameplay: R-Type is a horizontally scrolling space shooter. You control the R-9, a lone fighter charged with blasting the Bydo Empire back to the 26th century. What sets this series apart is the inclusion of the "Force Pod," an indestructible ball that can be attached to the front or rear of the ship. It can be used as a shield and launched to attack enemies. And there are plenty of enemies. Defeating a level often comes down to memorizing the pattern of enemies, then figuring out the best way to survive to the gory, screen-filling level boss.
Music: The TG-16 does a fine job of recreating the eerie, memorable soundtrack. Battle sounds are forceful and compelling.
Graphics: This is the best looking version of R-Type released before the near-perfect PlayStation translation. Sprites are colorful and large. The powerup icons are bright and clear, and your ship is as beautiful as it gets. There is a good bit of flicker most noticable while fighting the huge level bosses and some slowdown will creep in at times as well.
Overall: This is one of the best ports of a timeless shooter. This version also added a level boss after the 6th stage, which does not have one in any other release of the game.
Gameplay: R-Type is a horizontally scrolling space shooter. You control the R-9, a lone fighter charged with blasting the Bydo Empire back to the 26th century. What sets this series apart is the inclusion of the "Force Pod," an indestructible ball that can be attached to the front or rear of the ship. It can be used as a shield and launched to attack enemies. And there are plenty of enemies. Defeating a level often comes down to memorizing the pattern of enemies, then figuring out the best way to survive to the gory, screen-filling level boss.
Music: The TG-16 does a fine job of recreating the eerie, memorable soundtrack. Battle sounds are forceful and compelling.
Graphics: This is the best looking version of R-Type released before the near-perfect PlayStation translation. Sprites are colorful and large. The powerup icons are bright and clear, and your ship is as beautiful as it gets. There is a good bit of flicker most noticable while fighting the huge level bosses and some slowdown will creep in at times as well.
Overall: This is one of the best ports of a timeless shooter. This version also added a level boss after the 6th stage, which does not have one in any other release of the game.