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TurboGrafx Games

The Turbografx 16 was first released in 1987 as the "PC Engine" in Japan. It was the first system in the 16-bit video game generation that included the Sega Genesis and the Super Nintendo. It was also the first console to offer games in the CD-ROM format with its Turbografx 16 periphery. The Turbografx 16 is notable for its quirky library of titles, including classic platformers, shooters and role-playing games.

Platform Games
- The Bonk series of games, including "Bonk's Adventure" and "Bonk's Revenge," starred a caveman with a large head that he used to "bonk" his enemies. Bonk was this system's equivalent to Nintendo's Mario or Sega's Sonic the Hedgehog, and the games garnered rave reviews for their innovative gameplay. "Keith Courage In Alpha Zone," the game included with the Turbografx 16 console, was less well received, with one reviewer calling it "dull and lopsided."
Shooters
- The Turbografx 16 offered a large library of scrolling shooters. The most popular ones were "Gates of Thunder" and "Lords of Thunder." "Gates of Thunder" received good reviews for its level design and heavy-metal soundtrack. Its sequel, "Lords of Thunder," was one of the first games available on Turbografx CD. The extra storage offered an even more impressive soundtrack and graphics that were highly detailed for their time. The setting was unique in the shooter genre -- players controlled a flying wizard in a medieval fantasy world. Other well-reviewed space shooters included "Super Star Soldier" and "Sidearms."
Role-Playing Games
- The "Ys" series of role-playing games were Turbografx classics. While they were later released systems such as NES, the "Ys" series started as a value proposition for Turbografx owners, who got the first crack at the "Ys" fantasy world. "Ys III" is notable for its inclusion of anime cut-scenes to punctuate important parts of the story, a convention that later became a staple in the role-playing genre.
Sports
- The Turbografx 16 never really excelled at sports titles. While Sega Genesis owners had access to EA Sports' acclaimed series of sports sims, Turbografx owners had to make do with NEC's "TV Sports" series. Unlike EA's games, the "TV Sports" series did not have the rights to team and player names. Fictional teams squared off against one another in titles like "TV Sports Hockey" and "TV Sports Basketball." Reviews mentioned poor control schemes and issues such as very long innings and periods that could not be adjusted.

Classic Console Games