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 | Hori, Konami |
| Type | Dedicated console |
| Release date |
|
| Lifespan | 2020-present |
| Introductory price | US$100
€99.99 ¥10,500 |
| Media | Internal flash memory |
| System on a chip | ZUIKI Z7213 |
| Storage | Flash memory |
| 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, also 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 home video game console by Konami modeled on NEC's TurboGrafx-16, which was designed by Hudson Soft, a video game developer which Konami acquired in 2012. The Mini emulates the original console's 8-bit hardware. The Japanese model contains 58 games total while the international models contain 57. The Mini was originally set to release worldwide on March 19, 2020 exclusively through Amazon,[1] but was indefinitely delayed everywhere except for Japan due to production delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It was shipped in North America on May 22, 2020 and in Europe on June 5, 2020.
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 are 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]
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 model, 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). Soldier Blade also has its Caravan edition, while Gradius, Fantasy Zone and Salamander have received arrangements listed as near Arcade versions. These four alternative versions can be played by highlighting them and holding Select while booting the desired game.[3]
- TG-16 = North American HuCard game for the TurboGrafx-16
- TG-CD = North American CD-ROM game for the TurboGrafx-CD add-on
- PCE = Japanese HuCard game for the PC Engine
- PCE-CD = Japanese CD-ROM game for the CD-ROM² add-on or Super CD-ROM² add-on
- PCE-CDA = Arcade CD-ROM² (Japanese CD-ROM game for the Super CD-ROM² add-on with Arcade Card upgrade)
- SGFX = SuperGrafx-exclusive HuCard game
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.[7] It is also confirmed that the American[8] and European[9] representative stores of Hori Japan sell them through their area of continents coverage.
On March 6, 2020, Konami announced that the launch of the TurboGrafx-16 Mini and its peripheral accessories will be delayed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 outbreak.[10][11] The console was shipped in North America on May 22, 2020.[12] The CoreGrafx Mini released in Europe on June 5, 2020.
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.
- ^ "『PCエンジン mini』、本日発売！ 株式会社コナミデジタルエンタテインメント". Konami (in Japanese).
- ^ "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
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (March 6, 2020). "Konami delays PC Engine Core Grafx mini over coronavirus". Eurogamer. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ @konamieu (March 6, 2020). "[Notice] We have added the notice "Regarding the manufacturing and shipping delays of the PC Engine Core Grafx mini products due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)" to the official website. Check here for more details: https://konami.com/games/pcemini/eu/en/ #CoreGrafx" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Devore, Jordan (May 14, 2020). "The TurboGrafx-16 Mini is shipping next week in the US". Destructoid. Retrieved May 14, 2020.
