TurboGrafx-16 Mini
| Also known as | PC Engine Mini (PCエンジン mini, Pī Shī Enjin mini), PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini |
|---|---|
| Developer | Konami, M2 |
| Manufacturer | Konami |
| Type | Dedicated console |
| Release date |
|
| Lifespan | TBA |
| Introductory price | US$100
€99,99 ¥10,500 |
| Controller input | 2 USB controller ports (up to five through a new Multi Tap) |
| Power | USB Micro-B |
| Dimensions | 240 mm x 156 mm x 35 mm (TG-16 Mini) 120mm×115mm×35mm (PCE Mini, PCE CoreGrafx Mini) |
The TurboGrafx-16 Mini, known as the PC Engine Mini (PCエンジン mini, Pī Shī Enjin mini) in Japan and PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini in Europe, is a dedicated video game console by Konami modeled on NEC's TurboGrafx-16, which was designed by Hudson Soft. The Mini emulates the original console's 16-bit hardware. The Japanese model contains 58 games total while the international models contain 57. The Mini is set to release worldwide on March 19, 2020, and is sold exclusively through Amazon.[1]
Hardware
The Mini is half the size of the original TurboGrafx-16 video game console and can support two controllers (instead of one) out of box.[2] It includes one full-size replica controller (that connects through USB, thus original controllers will be incompatible), a USB-to-Micro-B power cable, and an HDMI video cable. Sold exclusively through Amazon, there is separate Mini console releases for North America, Europe and Japan, as the Mini and its included controller that reproduces the original console's regional decal and color variations.[2] An officially licensed USB AC adapter, a multi-tap accessory (for three to five player game play) and additional replica controllers made specifically for the Mini is sold as a separate purchase through the company Hori. Currently the multi-tap accessory and additional replica controllers are only offered in the regional decal and color variation of the PC Engine for Japan, though this may change in the future.
Games
A total of 60 titles were announced between all regions for the Mini, 54 of which are unique games. Konami lists the titles either under the category of "TurboGrafx-16" for the American games or "PC Engine" for the Japanese games; though this listing is heavily simplified as TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM², Super CD-ROM², Arcade CD-ROM² and SuperGrafx titles are also included on all regions of the Mini. The Japanese model includes 24 TurboGrafx-16 (American) games and 34 PC Engine (Japanese) games for a total of 58 games. The international models however includes 25 TurboGrafx-16 (American) games and 32 PC Engine (Japanese) games for a total of 57 games. Five of the games are counted twice by Konami as they are available in both their TurboGrafx-16 (American) and PC Engine (Japanese) versions on all region's models. The title Splatterhouse is also technically counted twice, with the uncensored PC Engine (Japanese) version being exclusive to the Japanese model and the censored TurboGrafx-16 (American) version being exclusive to the international models. In addition, three of the other PC Engine (Japanese) games are also exclusive to a specific region, with Tokimeki Memorial and Tengai Makyō II: Manji Maru being exclusive to the Japanese model and Salamander being exclusive to the international models. Aside from Splatterhouse and the five games listed as two game titles, all TurboGrafx-16 listed games remain in English only and all PC Engine listed games remain in Japanese only respectively on all region's model of the Mini (even if both an English and Japanese version exist due to the game being released in both regions during the original console's lifespan).
- TG-16 = North American version for the TurboGrafx-16
- TG-CD = North American version for the TurboGrafx-CD add-on
- PCE = Japanese version for the PC Engine
- PCE-CD = Japanese version for the CD-ROM² add-on or Super CD-ROM² add-on
- PCE-CDA = Japanese version for the Super CD-ROM² add-on with Arcade Card upgrade (Arcade CD-ROM²)
- SGFX = Japanese version for the SuperGrafx
Production and release
The Mini was first announced at the E3 show in June 2019.[2] The announcement was part of a trend of releasing smaller versions of 1980s and 1990s retro video game consoles.[2]
Through their Japanese YouTube channel, Konami revealed all the titles from the Mini's lineup, including both American / European and Japanese lineups. The Japanese game controller maker Hori also revealed some accessories for the Mini, including a Turbo Pad controller, a Multi Tap that add the number of players up to 5 and an AC Adapter that accepts USB A to USB Micro-B connectors.[6] It's also confirmed that the American[7] and European[8] representative stores of Hori Japan sell them through their area of continents coverage.
References
- ^ Romano, Sal (July 12, 2019). "TurboGrafx-16 mini / PC Engine CoreGrafx mini / PC Engine mini launches March 19, 2020". Gematsu. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ a b c d Plunkett, Luke (June 11, 2019). "Konami Announces The Turbografx-16 Mini". Kotaku. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
- ^ "TurboGrafx-16 Mini". Konami.
- ^ "PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini". Konami.
- ^ "PCエンジン mini（PC Engine Mini）". Konami (in Japanese).
- ^ https://hori.jp/topics/htg/pce_mini/
- ^ http://stores.horiusa.com/official-turbografx-16-mini-accessories/
- ^ https://www.hori.co.uk/coregrafx-mini
