As we get closer to the 30 year anniversary of the TurboGrafx launch in North America this year, I thought it would fun to take a look back at its library. It's known for its quality 2d shooters but I think it remains pretty overlooked for platformers and other similar scrolling action games.
Since many people are familiar with the NES, and the PCE/TG16 had many quality successors tp its line up, it's a good way of showing newcomers some games they might be interested in but missed out on.
Fans of NES Bubble Bobble games
Might also like:
Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III
This isn't an arcade port but built from the ground up for PCE (and ported to NES and other formats). It takes the main characters from Rainbow Islands but brings the game design back closer to the original Bubble Bobble with its (mostly) non-scrolling stages.
Don Doko Don
This is another quality single-screen arcade platformer by Taito ported to Famicom and PC Engine. You play as dwarves with hammers.
Liquid Kids AKA Mizubaku Daibouken
Remember the water bubbles in Bubble Bobble that sent enemies floating away? This is a scrolling platformer designed around that idea.
Fans of NES Castlevania games
Might also like:
Akumajou: Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (CD) AKA Rondo of Blood is well known as one of the best Castlevania games so I probably don't need to say much about it to series fans. If you haven't played it, it's like Castlevania 1 and 3 on NES but with superior detail, music, playable Maria, and bad ass cutscenes.
Valis series
The quality of Valis games varies a lot and some games give the series a bad rap. I think the PCE CD got the best of the franchise with the definitive versions of Valis III, IV, and its remake of I. Valis III and IV are multi-character action games with anime cutscenes. They bare some resemblance to the Castlevania series, especially when played with Chaz, the whip wielder, and in other details like the ferryman. Playing the games for the first time today might not have the same impact in terms of how high budget the presentation was for its time but they do hold up as action games with solid controls, notable characters, and varied level structure.
Fans of Solomon's Key
Might also like:
Zipang
This is a bit of a strange one. Pack-in Video licensed Solomon's Key from Tecmo and the rights to the movie Zipang, and combined the two for some reason. Still, this Arc-developed conversion stands as one of the best editions of the puzzle/platformer and has its own art and music style.
Fans of The Legend of Kage and Demon Sword
Might also like:
Ninja Spirit
Taito's Kage and Demon Sword are known for their ninja action with super high floating jumps through forests. Irem's and other environments. Ninja Spirit continued the Kage tradition. The TG16 version is closer to the 1988 arcade game in graphics and controls than any of the Western computer ports, and it also includes an optional "PC Engine mode" which ditched the one hit deaths of the arcade.
Fans of Shinobi (by Tengen) and Wrath of the Black Manta
Might also like:
Shinobi (by Asmik)
The PCE port of Sega's Shinobi is far superior to Tengen's NES rendition, and it was easily the closest to the arcade game in terms of detail, art style, and physics. I prefer the Master System version overall (it was heavily re-designed to be a more fit for home game design) but the PCE version is great despite some levels missing from the arcade game. Using the turbo switches is a lot of fun and makes this version worth playing even with emulated arcade ones around.
The first NES Ninja Gaiden was also ported to PC Engine. It's worth checking out as a curiosity but I never liked the new art direction as much as the original or the weird way the backgrounds scroll.
Fans of Kung Fu
Might also like:
Vigilante
Vigilante was Irem's follow up to single plane beat 'em up/platformer Kung Fu AKA Kung Fu Master and pays homage to it with some of the music. The Turbo port was closer in design to the arcade original compared to the more loosely converted Sega Master System port.
Ninja Action: Kaze Kiri (CD) bridges the gap between Kung Fu and Shinobi type action games. It's not a deep game but it has some stylish shuriken and sword slashing.
Also see: China Warrior and Ninja Warriors
Fans of Astyanax and Trojan
Might also like:
Legendary Axe series
Rastan helped popularize barbarian themed hack 'n slash platformers in the late '80s, and the first Legendary Axe game was one available for the North American TurboGrafx-16 launch in August 1989 and was critically acclaimed by gaming magazines. Lead designer Tokuhiro Takemori went on to direct the arcade game The Astyanax which the NES version was based on.
The second Legendary Axe game wasn't as well received by critics but I thought it was of similar quality. It's not quite as methodical and ultra difficult as the original but I dig its creepy atmosphere. This one bears a greater resemblance to Rastan in its attacks and pacing.
If you want a sword slashing action game in a more light hearted, colourful anime style, check out Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman 3: Ikai no Princess (CD).
Fans of The 3-D Battles of World Runner
Might also like:
Jinmu Denshou Yaksa
World Runner is essentially "Space Harrier but on the ground with jumping". Yaksa did the same concept but with medieval Japan as the setting and some added jumping on to floating platforms. It's quite choppy due to the lack of hardware scaling but if you can appreciate it by 1989 console standards, it's pretty neat.
Fans of the Adventure Island games
Might also like:
New Adventure Island
This feels like a refined remake of the original Wonder Boy/Adventure Island as opposed to an evolution in the vein of the NES and SNES sequels. Given that Wonder Boy took a different, more adventure-y path with its sequels, New Adventure Island ended up being the best 16-bit era game in the old pure platformer style for me.
Aoi Blink
Wonder Boy developer Westone made this licensed game and it shares some artistic and gameplay similarities with that franchise.
Fans of Bionic Commando
Might also like:
Fausseté Amour (CD)
While very different thematically and more linear in design than Bionic Commando, I figured this was still worth recommending as it was one of the few action games from back then with a grappling mechanic.
Fans of Whomp 'Em
Might also like Son Son II
Son Son 1 did come out on the Famicom but not many people in the West played it. Later NES games like Whomp 'Em (with its long range weapons attacks) are closer in design to Son Son II anyway.
Fans of Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu (1990) and Kid Niki
Might also like Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu (1991)
Despite having the same name, TG16 Jackie Chan was not a direct a port. While the base gameplay is very similar to the first one, the level design and art style were overhauled. Some may prefer the shorter, less frustrating stages of the NES game but I think the greater detail, added colour, and voice effects make for a more memorable experience on TG16.
Fans of Super Mario Bros. games
Might also like:
Bonk series
The first Bonk was ported to NES but that's probably more obscure to many people than the PCE/TG16 version.
There's nothing quite like Mario on TG16 (not counting pirated ports). Maybe after Nintendo sued over Great Giana Sisters, no one wanted to try cloning it or making anything too similar. However, Bonk is a platform series where you jump on enemies' heads and it was often marketed as the console's mascot franchise so they're close enough to appeal to the same crowd.
A lot of what made these games stand out was the personality of the characters. The enemies were never generic; they were detailed and expressive. And the sprites were considerably larger than the average 8-bit game, the bosses in particular.
I prefer the first game overall as the turbo spin allows you to zoom across vast distances. That may not have been the developers' intention as the original PC Engine model didn't have those switches built into the controller but I think it's a welcome side effect that makes it more enjoyable. The sequels have a slower spin and more vertically designed levels so you can't speed through as much but there's still fine games.
Also check out these sites:
http://www.pcengine.co.uk/
https://necretro.org/PC_Engine
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/
www.mobygames.com
Anyway, your thoughts on PC Engine/TurboGrafx platform and action games?
Since many people are familiar with the NES, and the PCE/TG16 had many quality successors tp its line up, it's a good way of showing newcomers some games they might be interested in but missed out on.
Fans of NES Bubble Bobble games
Might also like:
Parasol Stars: The Story of Bubble Bobble III
This isn't an arcade port but built from the ground up for PCE (and ported to NES and other formats). It takes the main characters from Rainbow Islands but brings the game design back closer to the original Bubble Bobble with its (mostly) non-scrolling stages.
Don Doko Don
This is another quality single-screen arcade platformer by Taito ported to Famicom and PC Engine. You play as dwarves with hammers.
Liquid Kids AKA Mizubaku Daibouken
Remember the water bubbles in Bubble Bobble that sent enemies floating away? This is a scrolling platformer designed around that idea.
Fans of NES Castlevania games
Might also like:
Akumajou: Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (CD) AKA Rondo of Blood is well known as one of the best Castlevania games so I probably don't need to say much about it to series fans. If you haven't played it, it's like Castlevania 1 and 3 on NES but with superior detail, music, playable Maria, and bad ass cutscenes.
Valis series
The quality of Valis games varies a lot and some games give the series a bad rap. I think the PCE CD got the best of the franchise with the definitive versions of Valis III, IV, and its remake of I. Valis III and IV are multi-character action games with anime cutscenes. They bare some resemblance to the Castlevania series, especially when played with Chaz, the whip wielder, and in other details like the ferryman. Playing the games for the first time today might not have the same impact in terms of how high budget the presentation was for its time but they do hold up as action games with solid controls, notable characters, and varied level structure.
Fans of Solomon's Key
Might also like:
Zipang
This is a bit of a strange one. Pack-in Video licensed Solomon's Key from Tecmo and the rights to the movie Zipang, and combined the two for some reason. Still, this Arc-developed conversion stands as one of the best editions of the puzzle/platformer and has its own art and music style.
Fans of The Legend of Kage and Demon Sword
Might also like:
Ninja Spirit
Taito's Kage and Demon Sword are known for their ninja action with super high floating jumps through forests. Irem's and other environments. Ninja Spirit continued the Kage tradition. The TG16 version is closer to the 1988 arcade game in graphics and controls than any of the Western computer ports, and it also includes an optional "PC Engine mode" which ditched the one hit deaths of the arcade.
Fans of Shinobi (by Tengen) and Wrath of the Black Manta
Might also like:
Shinobi (by Asmik)
The PCE port of Sega's Shinobi is far superior to Tengen's NES rendition, and it was easily the closest to the arcade game in terms of detail, art style, and physics. I prefer the Master System version overall (it was heavily re-designed to be a more fit for home game design) but the PCE version is great despite some levels missing from the arcade game. Using the turbo switches is a lot of fun and makes this version worth playing even with emulated arcade ones around.
The first NES Ninja Gaiden was also ported to PC Engine. It's worth checking out as a curiosity but I never liked the new art direction as much as the original or the weird way the backgrounds scroll.
Fans of Kung Fu
Might also like:
Vigilante
Vigilante was Irem's follow up to single plane beat 'em up/platformer Kung Fu AKA Kung Fu Master and pays homage to it with some of the music. The Turbo port was closer in design to the arcade original compared to the more loosely converted Sega Master System port.
Ninja Action: Kaze Kiri (CD) bridges the gap between Kung Fu and Shinobi type action games. It's not a deep game but it has some stylish shuriken and sword slashing.
Also see: China Warrior and Ninja Warriors
Fans of Astyanax and Trojan
Might also like:
Legendary Axe series
Rastan helped popularize barbarian themed hack 'n slash platformers in the late '80s, and the first Legendary Axe game was one available for the North American TurboGrafx-16 launch in August 1989 and was critically acclaimed by gaming magazines. Lead designer Tokuhiro Takemori went on to direct the arcade game The Astyanax which the NES version was based on.
The second Legendary Axe game wasn't as well received by critics but I thought it was of similar quality. It's not quite as methodical and ultra difficult as the original but I dig its creepy atmosphere. This one bears a greater resemblance to Rastan in its attacks and pacing.
If you want a sword slashing action game in a more light hearted, colourful anime style, check out Kaizou Choujin Shubibinman 3: Ikai no Princess (CD).
Fans of The 3-D Battles of World Runner
Might also like:
Jinmu Denshou Yaksa
World Runner is essentially "Space Harrier but on the ground with jumping". Yaksa did the same concept but with medieval Japan as the setting and some added jumping on to floating platforms. It's quite choppy due to the lack of hardware scaling but if you can appreciate it by 1989 console standards, it's pretty neat.
Fans of the Adventure Island games
Might also like:
New Adventure Island
This feels like a refined remake of the original Wonder Boy/Adventure Island as opposed to an evolution in the vein of the NES and SNES sequels. Given that Wonder Boy took a different, more adventure-y path with its sequels, New Adventure Island ended up being the best 16-bit era game in the old pure platformer style for me.
Aoi Blink
Wonder Boy developer Westone made this licensed game and it shares some artistic and gameplay similarities with that franchise.
Fans of Bionic Commando
Might also like:
Fausseté Amour (CD)
While very different thematically and more linear in design than Bionic Commando, I figured this was still worth recommending as it was one of the few action games from back then with a grappling mechanic.
Fans of Whomp 'Em
Might also like Son Son II
Son Son 1 did come out on the Famicom but not many people in the West played it. Later NES games like Whomp 'Em (with its long range weapons attacks) are closer in design to Son Son II anyway.
Fans of Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu (1990) and Kid Niki
Might also like Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu (1991)
Despite having the same name, TG16 Jackie Chan was not a direct a port. While the base gameplay is very similar to the first one, the level design and art style were overhauled. Some may prefer the shorter, less frustrating stages of the NES game but I think the greater detail, added colour, and voice effects make for a more memorable experience on TG16.
Fans of Super Mario Bros. games
Might also like:
Bonk series
The first Bonk was ported to NES but that's probably more obscure to many people than the PCE/TG16 version.
There's nothing quite like Mario on TG16 (not counting pirated ports). Maybe after Nintendo sued over Great Giana Sisters, no one wanted to try cloning it or making anything too similar. However, Bonk is a platform series where you jump on enemies' heads and it was often marketed as the console's mascot franchise so they're close enough to appeal to the same crowd.
A lot of what made these games stand out was the personality of the characters. The enemies were never generic; they were detailed and expressive. And the sprites were considerably larger than the average 8-bit game, the bosses in particular.
I prefer the first game overall as the turbo spin allows you to zoom across vast distances. That may not have been the developers' intention as the original PC Engine model didn't have those switches built into the controller but I think it's a welcome side effect that makes it more enjoyable. The sequels have a slower spin and more vertically designed levels so you can't speed through as much but there's still fine games.
Also check out these sites:
http://www.pcengine.co.uk/
https://necretro.org/PC_Engine
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/
Video Game Database - MobyGames
The oldest, largest and most comprehensive video game database covering 275,547 games and 1 million game industry professionals.
www.mobygames.com
Anyway, your thoughts on PC Engine/TurboGrafx platform and action games?
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