Where To Buy PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 Mini

Can't wait loved my PC Engine may get it out if storage to blast some R-Type baddies

Nintendo life should be given some sort of prize for posting the most dead links. Definitely picking up a coupls of Turbo Grafx-16. The greatest console of all time.

Def gonna pick up one of those bad boys. Come to daddy

@YANDMAN a couple?

@Ooyah Similar here. Bonk, Parasol Stars and Salamander among others.
Splatterhouse is sadly misssing.

Snatcher probably won't be localized in English, but having access to Sapphire without paying $1,200 for a loose cd is nice. https://www.ebay.com/c/1637930367

@Ventilator - You can play Splatterhouse as a part of the Namco Museum Arcade Pac on Switch.

I did want one of these, as I’ll never get a PC Engine myself so it’s a good way to play many of the games without investing in original hardware. I have no nostalgia for the machine and I have Rondo and Ys I&II from the Wii VC. Everything else is mere curiosity.

However, £100 seems steep. Why is this more than the £60/£70 we’ve seen from the other mini consoles?

@Sean161 Clicks and affiliate links.

And everything "retro" and "mini" is of course for the Nintendo fanbase.

@Sean161 another slow news day for Nintendo Life

@ClassSonicSatAm We are in the middle of summer you random silly person on the internet. What did you expect?

@Sean161 tenuous link to Nintendo, some of the games were on the vc other than that it's all about those affiliate links

Phew! A little expensive.... but I've got a preorder now haha

Sadly not in Amazon Spain yet, but there's still a few months for them to list it there. Looking forward to get this mini, because I never had a PC Engine, and luckily we Europeans are going to receive the Japanese model, the Coregrafx, instead of the arguably uglier Turbografx, which was the one that saw a limited release (but a release after all) even in Europe.

@antdickens I certainly appreciate the heads up about orders being live. Been reading since the VC reviews days and this is right up my street. I'd love to buy one but I already have a clutch of mini consoles I'm not using often enough. Can I stop myself?

Y’all monsters for hating on a Turbo Grafx post. The console was nearly destined to never make the news again, one of the greatest consoles. Kids these days...no appreciation for the classics... And probably they’d happily read one more post about yet another third party controller for the Switch...what a world!

Funny that old Wii still is the best Virtual Console that Nintendo has released and Switch has NES only.

@antdickens Yup, that is where I'm at with this. I've never used a real PC Engine but the small number of games I have downloaded from the VC (on the sound advice of this very site) have been great! This is getting me from nostalgia for the Wii/U Virtual Console as well as the early 90's gaming vibe... Must stay strong...

And another thing: Sapphire wasn’t on the Wii VC. Absolutely one of the most impressive looking shooters made for a 8 or 16 bit home console. I had to pay $70 just for the arcade card to play the game on the PCEngine, and forget owning an original disk copy! That game alone nearly justifies the price and existence of this mini console, if you’re a shooter lover

Fantastic! The links didn't take me to the product pages, but I'm hopeful the impending US retailer listings do. Keep us posted

@Magician Yes. Quite expensive on Ebay, but you can still emulate it anytime you want.

@NinChocolate I never ownerd TG16/PCE, but i always knew of it's many great games.
It's probably the 2nd best mini console so far after SNES.

@Ventilator oh it’s amazing. The history of hudsonsoft in this console makes it so worth rereleasing. It’s the most archival entry of the mini consoles because it’s success was limited to japan. Also a much better release of disc based games than the PlayStation ended up being. It was just pure no frills gaming hardware.

Konami May just be trying to get a piece of the pie, but for the sake of Video game history this a good thing

I’m in the US so I’ll be waiting to see when these go live here. I don’t know much about this system but did have a few games on my wii. Would love this for rondo of blood and the new adventure island. Snatcher I’ve always wanted to try but is it playable with no translation? I just wish we knew who was handling the emulation before preordering, M2 would sure be nice.

Amazon UK also have the official multi-tap for the mini here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Turbo-Engine-Coregrafx-Electronic-Games/dp/B07TDQYHQN/ref=sr_1_11?keywords=pc+engine&qid=1563188845&s=gateway&sr=8-11

But I couldn't find additional controllers.

Looks like this only comes with one controller though which is a bit mean isn't it?

There'a a bit of text on the Amazon product page that says "Some English games are localizations of Japanese titles."

I'm hopeful they'll add an English locations for such a text heavy game. I mean, what's actually stopping them from actually including the Sega CD version rather than the PC-Engine version? I wouldn't be mad about that.

@DarkLloyd It means two.

Ive never seen or owned one of these so have got my pre-order in. good that its next year as I can save up for it!

To everyone complaining that this has nothing to do with Nintendo: The site is called 'NintendoLife'. I reckon that gives them free reign to talk about Nintendo... and all other aspects of Life that they choose to write about!

Hmmm Did they ever finalize the games list? Especially the US list...

Is there a reason why Konami the company that mistreats their employees still hasn't listed the preorder up on Amazon US? What is taking this scumbag company so long to list their overpriced 100 dollar emulator that is missing the 2nd controller and ac adapter part? This thing cost more than 150 bucks when you get everything for the console. This is a total rip off.

Yes, I’ll be getting one. Even though I didn’t grow up playing the system I did enjoy a good amount of games on the Wii VC.

@Sean161 Then you could always subscribe to NintendoForce magazine, or go pick up the latest issue of the Wal-Mart gaming magazine for free in store.

Back on topic, I am interested in this, but the price point will probably keep me away. I discovered the TG-16 library thanks to the Wii U Virtual Console, and found a system that just fascinates me.

Preordered the white Japanese one this morning. God I hope the UI and games can be played in english.

The selection of games is great too! I plan on putting the entire library on mine but what they give you is pretty damn good.

Why is the US version only on the Japan store?

@Jokerwolf How do you plan on putting the entire library? Is the entire library that small or are you going to add more storage some how?

@bstoppel Konami is a dumb company that's why. What other explanation is there?

Really cool, but I just got my 3600X. That is my Gaming hardware buy for the year.

Hope it does well.

@NinChocolate
Everyone wants in on Mini bandwagon, but it's fine.
I hope someone makes a Vectrex mini too, but with original screen size.

PS1 mini is probably the worst mini console so far. It came with a cheap underpowered CPU/GPU which weren't good enough, and were also lacking in games.

@Magician why assume Snatcher won't be translated? It has already been localized.

@Tsusasi Snatcher probably won't be translated because it's listed as one of the Japanese games. It's basically Konami giving the middle finger to westerners. Unless you're talking about putting a translated english rom on the console.

heres the lineup for the Core /Turbo Grafx versions:

American:Alien Crush
BlazingLasers
Bomberman ’93
Bonk’s Revenge
Cadash
Chew-Man-Fu
Dungeon Explorer
J.J. & Jeff
Lords Of Thunder
Military Madness
Moto Roader
Neutopia
Neutopia II
New Adventure Island
Ninja Spirit
Parasol Stars
Power Golf
R-Type
Soldier Blade
Space Harrier
Victory Run
Ys Book I & II

Japanese: Akumajō Dracula X: Chi no Rondo (Castlevania: Rondo Of Blood)
Aldynes Appare!
Gateball
Bomberman ‘94
Chō Aniki Daimakaimura (Ghouls ‘N Ghosts)
Dungeon Explorer
Fantasy Zone Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire Gradius Gradius II: GOFER No Yabō Jaseiken Necromancer Nectaris (Military Madness) Neutopia Neutopia II Ninja Ryūkenden (Ninja Gaiden) PC-Genjin (Bonk’s Adventure) Salamander Snatcher Star Parodier (Fantasy Star Soldier) Super Darius Super Momotarō Dentetsu II Super Star Soldier
The Kung Fu (China Warrior)
Ys I & II

Does anyone have actual links?

I loved my TG-16 sooo much as a kid.
I remember some kid at my school convinced me that NEC stood for Nintendo Entertainment Corporation, and that it was some sort of offshoot company of Nintendo proper. Made no sense, but I believed him anyway....

Does anyone know what time this is going up on Amazon US for preorder? Why does Konami think we all have time to sit on our butts and wait until they put it up? Also, is it true that there's only a limited amount that can be preordered? That's really stupid if true. They have 8 months to produce these and they have a limit?

I don't usually buy these retro "consoles" as the last thing I need is another device to plug into my tv, but since I don't have my TG16 anymore I feel compelled to get this one. The only thing is which games will it contain? Some of my favorites seem to be missing and I'm not crazy about the price. Also, are the games featured on the PC Engine and TG16 versions actually different???

Edit: BTW, whoever owns the rights to the Neo Geo right now should totally produce one of these retro devices (if possible). I would definitely buy it as, like many gamers, I couldn't afford it at the time. Even though I've played most of those games via compilation discs, owning a mini Neo Geo would be so awesome!
👍😎

@KonamiSucks The library is decent in size, but it could definitely fit the entire US library if we do not include all of the CD or FX titles.

@electrolite77 i never said it was a bad thing i am just saying it's the reason this article exists

I’ll wait and see first... it could be horrible like the PlayStation mini

It is 12pm on the East Coast and it's still not up for preorder on Amazon US. Good job Konami at wasting my time. It's a beautiful day outside and I'm stuck indoors.

Even with Sapphire on it, that price is ridiculous.

@HikaruKitsune The price is really ridiculous since you have to pay another 25 and 20 bucks for a controller and ac adapter. The console isn't even complete. Meanwhile the Snes was only 80 bucks when it came out and it had two controllers and an ac adapter. Konami is being airheads. This console is probably going to sell like a turd for them because they're asking a lot of $$$ for an incomplete console. So price tag is closer to 150 or more.

@antdickens cheers fella, love that NL covers all the retro stuff.

Amazing system luckily I have the PC Engine Duo R. Lords of Thunder alone is worth ownership:)

Ignore the haters. Any and all PCE/TG16 coverage is welcome by me. I don't pre-order on principle, but can't wait for these to come out so I can buy one.

I'm very tempted but I wouldn't get it until the price drops quite a bit (especially considering you only get one controller in the box) and only after I've learned more about the quality of the emulation and seen how the menu/UI works.

@Sean161 You clearly don't know or quite get that this site is created and run by some of the same guys that were part of the likes of Mean Machines magazine* and the whole UK gaming scene in those days (including the popularity of import gaming and so on), and that is why they also like to cover old Sega, NEC, SNK and more consoles on the site (Master System, Mega Drive, PC-Engine, Neo Geo, etc), even though it is obviously primarily for Nintendo content. It was also merged with some other retro sites too initially back in the day, WiiWare World and Virtual Console Reviews, which were both highly focused on retro gaming and the aforementioned systems. So it's not that much of a stretch to see an article on the PC-Engine Mini when you understand the history and context going on here.

http://www.meanmachinesmag.co.uk/

Has this gone live in the USA yet?
It looks like Amazon US has already sold out.

@spoonmanx I haven’t seen it. I just assumed they sold out. I preordered from Amazon Japan just in case. Locked in a TG16 mini (which they say WILL ship to the US) and a PC Engine Mini (which only ships to Japan). I can always cancel later.

I'm not so sure the white Japanese version is more attractive than the blue/grey European one you know.

It’s now on amazon US. @KonamiSucks @Spoonmanx

@Beatley82 Yeah, the European one might be ideal. It has the smaller size of the PC Engine, and the turbo buttons on the controller like the TG16 of my youth. But I don’t have anyone in Europe to send it to me. Also I read today rumors that Japanese gamers are disappointed in the lineup, and that more games may be added. I’m wondering how many of those would be added to western models. If they strike a deal with some companies I could see them only bringing them to Japan.

Got mine from Amazon US. Might not last long

Preorders on US Amazon are still up. I don't know if they're limited or not. Maybe people aren't ordering it because of the price. It's 100 bucks for the console that isn't including an ac adapter or a second controller. Maybe it's putting people off because really it's closer to 150 bucks when they buy everything for it. I don't see as many people hyping the Turbografx up either. It is a lesser known console and heck I never owned one as a kid.

@KonamiSucks I think a lot of people didn’t realize it was coming up for preorder. I was watching the site (even looked at it on Friday) and was caught totally unaware until I heard about it on a podcast this morning. The official site said they would be updating regularly, suggesting it would be awhile. Not that I expect this to go mainstream, I don’t.

@Sean161 Nintendo made the Turbo Grafx obviously.

@Joekun For christs sake just hack thje system, like all the other mini's that exist. That's what everyone will be doing.

They were supposed to have it live on Amazon at 3am est in the USA. It was late. Finally available now.

Thanks for posting the links, I'm trying to pick up mini versions of all my childhood cartridge-based consoles

@YANDMAN That’s true. I haven’t actually owned any mini consoles before, so that hadn’t occurred to me. Although it isn’t like there aren’t other ways to play these games either.

@Joekun Yep but the otherw ays arent goign to allow you to do it with a proper controller.

is it on amazon germany

@antdickens Why would you buy this and not play it? never had this system back in the day (90's Genesis guy) But Im totally pumped to play some of these treasures. Especially the shooters!!

@antdickens Geez, why do you feel the need to be a d!** about it?

And we aren't stupid, we know it's all about those affiliate links. You could try not treating your userbase like idiots next time.... I know in a post Gamergate world it feels like video game "journalists" can do no wrong but you may be surprised how many people turn on adblockers and quit using affiliate links after seeing "snark" like this.

@Gamer707b Some people collect them, and apparently some people think they make cool looking paperweights.

TBH I would probably fall into the latter if there was an easy way to play the NEs/SNES classics on PC, but plugging them into my PC/laptop/monitor never seems to work.

@KonamiSucks It's $100 for a mini console with 1 controller, 24 english games, and a bunch of Japanese games, most of which either are duplicates or will be semi-unplayable without an English patch.

TBH it sounds like a worse deal than the PS classic, and threatening limited availability is probably the only reason it will earn any sales.

On the other hand Sega isn't doing much better selling the 6 button controller separately. It's hard to believe that even with all the missteps NNINTENDO has handled their mini consoles best.

@antdickens Sarcastic smiley emojis, "sorry you can't see what I am doing", ect gives off a very dickish, condescending tone. The latter particularly comes across as implying that everyone who disagrees is an idiot.

Does anyone know how to power the Japanese version. Can I just use an iPhone usb plug like the SNES nes megadrive minis??

@Oakleyleeds
It seems all versions are using USB micro-b: https://www.konami.com/games/pcemini/feature/jp/ja/

Like the SNES/NES Mini, it requires a 5V DC to power (which is what USB provides https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hardware#Connector_types). It looks like you have to buy AC Adapter separator, but it comes with a USB micro-b cable.

So you can just plug the USB end into a device that has a USB slot (power must be on), or buy an AC adapter USB Micro B which the right plug for your country.

SEGA probably sold more MASTER SYSTEMS worldwide (ok, not in japan).. Let's have a Master System mini!!

@antdickens when I see a Master System Mini, it's game time!

@stevep the system wasn't that great anuway, minus Y's of course.

Mom: We have a PS5 at home

This is a semi-obscure console I never had at the time, although I saw reviews of its games in magazines. I grew to want it, but it was too late. It wasn't officially distributed in my country, it was available as an import product from France I think, and just like then, as a cruel joke, Konami decided not to distribute it here this time either, so I have to resort to Amazon France, Italy or UK, meaning I'll have to pay more (because of the delivery) for a mini that's already pricier than others.

Now, it has been delayed until who knows when because of the Coronavirus.

But I'll keep fighting and I'll get one as soon as I can. It's an excellent system that simply had too much competition in the West.

As for the models, I think Coregrafx Mini, what we will receive here in Europe, is pretty enough, and the Japanese one just has 2 more games not really interesting anyway. Not getting the ugly Turbografx model -which is weird, because the original console was distributed in that model in the 90s in Europe- makes us lucky enough. Black or white I don't care. Or at least not enough to pay even more for importing it from Japan.

I'm glad I kept my American pre-order. I cancelled three controllers for Animal Crossing New Horizons. I just wish that weren't arriving in the dead of night.

I cancelled my preorder - too expensive and not one single game that is compelling for me. Thus said, never had a coregrafx, so nostalgia is not a thing for me. But the line up just doesn't attract me. I always have been a Nintendo guy

I’ve had the turbografx preorders since early February and it doesn’t seem like it’s coming this week still. So if f you order the pc engine from Play-Asia you could get it this week?

It turns out that the Japanese version includes 2 secret games accessible from Tokimeki Memorial, which is one of the two exclusives of that version, so... PC Engine Mini it is. And Splatterhouse uncensored.

Huh. I thought these were delayed indefinitely due to the coronavirus.

Playasia is great but expect heavy import tax for items.

PC-Engine Mini showing at $159.99 on Play Asia

So is there any different games with the import version? It just seems like a way to spend a lot more.

@omalleycat215 They are, at least the Western ones. NL just doing their usual greedy tactics of not fully informing you in hopes you'll click their affiliate link and preorder a console with no release date.

@JayJ

From what I gather the pc engine has a dating sim and rpg both of which appear to have a lot of Japanese text and an uncensored version of slaughterhouse. The tg16 and CoreGrafx have salamander aka lifeforce which for me is the true winner here.

Pre-ordered mine in July. Please, Amazon, please send me a sign.

Why Play Asia anyway? Amazon Japan allows switching to English and you just have to write "PC Engine Mini" in the browser bar. In fact, Amazon Japan allows us to buy any of the models. And when you pay you have to pay a customs tax deposit, so you don't have to worry and you get the usual Amazon reliability.

What’s the difference between the three versions mentioned?

Wish it included all of the Splatterhouse games, not just chapter one. Regardless- I’m definitely grabbing one of these.

I wish Konami would do a PC Engine LT recreation. An unboxed original goes for over £1000 now.

@NihilistNirvana Only the first one was released on this line of systems. The other ones were on Mega Drive

@Tim_Vreeland oh. That explains a lot now. Thanks.

Thanks for discussing all retro content NL. Great article as always.

Amen to a Sega mastersystem mini (with 3D glasses 😎)

@Moroboshi876 where did you read about the secret games? I searched, but couldn’t find anything.

@Joekun Check it out.

https://twitter.com/lunchbox244/status/1240558081886408704?

It's awesome! It has to be in Tokimeki Memorial, one of the two Japanese exclusives, so I guess these games aren't in the Western models.

@Moroboshi876 Great, thanks! That is Tokimeki Memorial in the video. The games look pretty easy to access. You just push the select button either 2 or 3 times it says.

My PC Engine Mini was supposed to come yesterday, but was delayed. Should be here Monday.

@Joekun After posting I did some research and it turns out those two games were actually unlockable games inside Tokimeki Memorial anyway, so they're not technically extra games, just accessible with the select cheat when selecting TM. And given that this game isn't in the Western versions' list, we won't get them either unless we decide to buy the Japanese model.

@Moroboshi876 Oh, interesting. I ordered the Japanese version. It was supposed to be here yesterday, but was delayed. It’s in country though. I expect I’ll see it in 2-3 days.

@Moroboshi876

Any idea if these included games are playable without knowledge of Japanese? I’m really wanting one of these and who knows how long I’ll have to wait to get my tg16 preorder. The one plus to that one is life force for me but I’d say we’ll be able to add games to this eventually anyway.

@TYRANACLES If you're talking about the secret minigames inside Tokimeki Memorial yes, both are shmups.

But there are other full games in the PC Engine Mini itself -and in the other models- that aren't translated, i.e. Snatcher. No matter the version, there are games in English but also others in Japanese.

Had mine pre-ordered for some time now.

I went ahead and just ordered the pc engine off Amazon jpn. It’s about the same I was going to pay for the turbografx. I do like the look of it better but life force would’ve been nice. Still I just wanted to go ahead and dig in, it’ll be here as early as the 29th or as late as the 1st.

Sod the PC engine, I just want that packet of Quavers.

I've long said that my favorite retro gaming console is actually a tie between two, the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, and the TurboGrafx16 / PC Engine. I have both of the classic original "actual" systems. I also have both of Nintendo's miniaturized systems as well as the Genesis mini. So it's one of those "barring complete, and completely unpredictable catastrophe" situations, for me. It's pretty much a foregone conclusion that I intend to pick one up....

.....it's just a matter of deciding which region version I want. Probably US. We'll see.

I hate that it was delayed, of course, but am glad that at least it was delayed before I uploaded my TG16/PCE episodes as the month's reruns in celebration! Now to see whether there will be enough advance notice of its actual final arrival to give me time to act and still release the series...once again, we shall see!

Cheers!

“I’m getting one.”

– Peregrin Took

@NerdNoiseRadio I just received my US version Turbo Grafx Mini in the mail ,I ordered mine from a US seller that has ties to a distributor in Japan ..Apparently Japan has already released both the Japanese PC Engine Mini and It’s US counterpart ,the Turbo Grafx Mini ..I had already long pre-order the latter from Amazon,but I could not stand to wait for it to ship due to the delay on Amazon ..

@TYRANACLES eBay has both the Turbo Mini ,as well as it’s Japanese counterpart available right now ..Sure some sellers list them slighter higher in price than the listed Amazon price ,but at least you don’t have to wait for Amazon to ship ...To me the slight price increase is worth it ..

@GravyThief probably because this mini has more titles ..

Yeah... yeah. I better pick one up. 😪

As @johnvboy said, the packet of Quavers totally stole my attention.
You know what happens when games with product placement make you want what's advertised?
This time the opposite happened. The Quavers pack made me want to boot up Push-Over again.

@AlexSora89,

Not a Quavers fan I see, but what if it was some beef monster munch.

Just got my CoreGrafx the other day

@antdickens I really like this type of content so keep it coming!

I do not get it why people are so excited for an overpriced toy. It is so easy to fool people to buy the things that they can have for less price or even free.

@nin10dobot https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07H472N6H/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_iZ33EbQD93M3S

Was tempted with this but decided will just get what games I wanted off the Wii U virtual console as already own a few of the games on there anyway. The price is just too high for me.

Thankfully I already got Gate of Thunder before the Wii virtual console shop closed.

It took less 3 days to get mine from Japan to US. Couldn't wait anymore for the pre-order that never shipped.

I checked the link you said Amazon had them for $99, but it was $200 for a used one. What gives?

Welcome back, oldass news post So I just went to amazon.ca and Konami is listing these for $299.99 CAD....like, holy shoot, who’s paying that? Why so much for a plastic mould with a crappy little emulator board? $300? Damn me

Already have all these games and 100 more plus Turbografx CD games on my Wii. It's the only retro console I need

@antdickens I’m glad you guys are sticking to your vc reviews roots. That’s what brought me to Nintendo life !

Yeah! Finally pulled the trigger on a PC Engine Mini via Amazon Japan! (Plus a Turbo Controller)

EDIT: I see I commented in April 2020 (and again in May) that I was getting one... well, at least I eventually followed through lol.

Got one a little late, but glad it was before prices went way up and availability went way down. Might’ve had to pay 10 extra bucks or something.

EDIT: I didn’t realize I already mentioned it here last July… and that that was still the last comment on this thread. 😅