Back in the mid-80's at the time where the two major companies such as Nintendo and SEGA had bought their 8-bit home consoles like NES and SMS into the worldwide releases which dominates the gaming world with advanced graphics technology, melodic audio design, and full of killer apps software that end up became an mainstream franchises which is the reason why many consumers had bought the system to their home and spending their time to play an hours of fun on the simple platforming, big open-world adventures, fast-paced racing, and side-scrolling action.
There's one of the company like NEC, who are responsible for creating their Japanese PCs platform such as PC-88 and PC-98, are considering interested on creating their own gaming consoles with the collaboration of Hudson Soft had agreed to join with the team to create software titles exclusively on one particular system, so that is PC Engine being released in Japan of 1987, while it was later released for US in 1989 known as TurboGrafx 16 which is a one of the very first console being marketed as 16-bit console which is way ahead before the forthcoming of SEGA Genesis/MD and SNES in early 90's, but although it used a modified 8-bit CPU with two 16-bit graphics processors for the system and most of the games use the HuCard format which is a thin-sized ROM cartridge that insert into the front slot of the console.
It was initially successful in Japan, but except the US release which sold very poorly for its delayed release and inferior marketing due to it suffered with lack of support from third-party software developers and publishers, as well as having difficulty to compete with the rivalries such as SEGA Genesis/MD and SNES which outperformed the NEC's home system for console market in US are the reason why the 3rd party games gets so many support in Japanese market than the US counterpart which is sadly that the system didn't get the attention what it deserve because it's actually an damn impressive technology for its own libraries of games such as Bomberman, Adventure Island, and Bonk are quite an popular franchise by Hudson Soft, while sharing with large portion of horizontal and vertical-scrolling shooters such as Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, and R-Type.
It also has CD-ROM add-ons for the system called TurboGrafx CD or PC Engine CD which allows the console to play PC Engine games in CD-ROM format in addition to standard HuCards making the first video game console to use CD-ROMs as a storage media, so it has the well received classics such as Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Ys Book I & II, and Lords of Thunder are praised for its the use of CD quality audio and FMV presentation showing off the CD-ROM capabilities.
The console did get a model variation for PC Engine products such as CoreGrafx which is a model 2 version of PC Engine, while SuperGrafx is an enhanced variation of the PC Engine hardware with updated specs, and TurboExpress is a portable version of the PC Engine.
In 2019, Konami has finally announced the mini variant called PC Engine CoreGrafx (A.K.A TurboGrafx mini in US and PC Engine Mini in JP) which is a dedicated console developed by M2 and manufactured by Hori being released in 2020 featuring many built-in games and it is the first release of official hardware of the TurboGrafx-16 family since the closure of Hudson Soft in 2012.
Like the NES/SNES Classic Mini and SEGA Genesis/MD Mini, it features 57 built-in games which includes 25 US region games and 32 JP region games, and ability to save states.
First of all, I have never actually heard of this obscure console that you may not see it much from the video game stores or any market stall that sells random electronics in my 90's till I've discovered PC Engine through the internet browser in my mid-2000s which is the reason why the system is actually being long forgotten. I also learned that it also claimed that the PC Engine are also been officially imported in France on 1989, while the unofficially releases came to UK and Spain in 1990 simply known as TurboGrafx (without putting number 16 in it), so it's quite bizarre that nobody in EU had ever heard of the PC Engine console existence or maybe they never own the console as much compared with very common system like SEGA Genesis/MD and SNES are the only two recognisable video game system that most everyone remembers back in 90's.
It is unexpecting to see biggest company like Konami, who acquired the IP rights of Hudson Soft in 2012, had finally bringing the mini system to the modern-day gaming world featuring many great arcade titles and some cult-classics line-up which made me wanted to buy PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini.
I've spent time playing the system starting from side-scrolling shooter to colourful platforming or from bombing blast action to big adventurous RPGs, this is the system that I've been wanting to add my gaming collection because like I've enjoyed the Nintendo's very own mini system from 2 years ago which I've already covered on my console review, this time I'm gonna review this piece of technology to give out my overall experience of this mini system because I'm starting to enjoy it for the whole weeks of playing the console in all thanks to the choices of game's line-up they added and the quality wise of hardware emulation which I will discuss further on this review.
So without go further do, let's start the review.
Hardware and Design
On the box set of PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini, I really liked the image of the game system and controller on the front cover art followed by the huge bold title and logo with it. It has the mixed gradient of black and grey on whole box which really matches the colour of the game system and controller.
It looks pretty fine on the box set for EU releases which I don't mind as much, but it is not quite as detailed compared with other counterparts such as TurboGrafx 16 Mini (US) which has the red background image of someone holding the controller and has larger logo on middle of the front cover art gives a cool 80's vibes to it, while the PC Engine Mini (JP) has the authentic design of the front cover featuring triangular shapes, metallic backgrounds, and very detailed logo which is more eye catching matches the console's personality.
After unboxing things, it comes with one manual which has a guidance instructions to help you how to set up the game console correctly which comes in useful, it comes with one controller which you will need it in order to play games by plugging into the console USB ports, the USB power supply cable are used for powering up your console where you can plug it on the back of the mini USB port, and finally the HDMI cable are for connecting from back of game console's HDMI output port into the HDTV's output port which allows system to display the game in the HDTV screen. So far the actual game box are packaged nicely well especially with the brand new condition that keeps the overall product well neatly without any signs of damage.
The design of the mini console is just like any of the mini game system, but the difference is that the system itself is much less wider than the US counterpart, while the JP model is exactly the same as the EU model which I'm more preferred with a smaller compact system.
Some people had argue that the build quality is nowhere near as Nintendo and SEGA's own mini consoles, but to me I didn't had an issue with the system after I did give a weighing test with my own hands to see a system's durability, so the answer is that I didn't feel any of cheapness or anything fragile because it's a sturdy surface material are less likely to break which is good, and the outside of the whole console is nice and silky smooth which feels just right for the mini console.
What I've liked about the PC Engine model over the TurboGrafx 16 model is that is not just a small tiny system, but I just liked the overall design for its appearance where as TurboGrafx 16 mini is kinda look bulky and wide compared with the small and simple looking design which adds the console flexibility that fits right for your stuff like travel bags, TV cabinets, and multimedia furniture.
It has power switch on the front left-side of the console where you can able to turn on your console and the front-right side of the console has two USB ports where you can able to plug 2 USB controllers which is different from the original 1987's model only has one rounded-pins controller port which requires multi-tap adapter up to 5 controllers to play multiplayer modes specifically games like Bomberman 93 and 94.
The back of the system has mini USB power supply port which you will need to connect the USB cable into the back of the system and then plug it into the USB port of devices or USB adapter into power socket, while the HDMI output port connects from the system into the HDMI output port of HDTV.
While testing the PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini for more than the week, the hardware emulation is somewhat playable for most time with no sign of any game crashes and major slowdowns which I got to say that I am glad that the team has been made sure that the hardware emulation on every software library is fully functional throughout as possible. There are some minor flickering on couple of games was present on the original releases which I don't think it would effect the gameplay overall as long as it plays absolutely fine with no sign of display lags when playing these awesome game on HDTV.
Overall, it has nice small compact console, fine build quality, and responsive hardware emulation.
Presentation
On the menus, the user interfaces is mostly pretty impressive for the icons, images, colours and designs, so you have an selection of games to play, organising game's list from release date to alphabetical order, configuring settings, and selecting any two of the console format such as PC Engine and TurboGrafx 16, and I also liked the animated character known as PC Engine kun wandering around on the background seems to be quite neat.
The menus are easier to navigate things because it has highlighted red and yellow border around the icons which allows you to navigate things, as the navigation in the menus felt really smoother to control these selectable options, and it does have the amazing game's cover art throughout the menus which is easier to recognise what the game are actually represented, so after selecting the game you could get a nice animation of HuCard being inserted into the system and boots up game instantly, while the animation on CD-ROM based games are running on the CD-addons starts spinning followed by the simple boot-up screen which tells you to hit the run button to run the CD-based games which really adds the classic nostalgia at the time where everyone pops the CD or cart into the console and turn the system on are quite common back in 90's retro days.
Other features in the menus is that you have ability to change themes when selecting any of the two PC Engine console mode, so it can be configured through setting menu which gives you a two options to select any of themes such as CoreGrafx which has fully grey area on top to bottom screen and turquoise background, while PC Engine has plain white area on top to bottom and light grey background, so these can only applied to PC Engine console menus where as the TurboGrafx 16 console menus stays on the default black themes.
The PC Engine CoreGrafx mini has 57 bulit-in games including several of HuCard games and some CD-ROM titles.
It has 25 US version games and 32 JP version games for total of 57 titles, so it has some memorable titles like Bomberman 93, New Adventures Island, and Bonk's Adventures, while sharing with great arcade titles like SEGA's Space Harrier and Fantasy Zone, Namco's Splatterhouse, Dragon Spirit, and Legend of Valkyrie, and Capcom's Ghouls n Ghosts.
It has many fantastic shoot em ups titles like Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, Konami's Gradius and Salamander, Air Zonk, Irem's R-Type, and of course some quality CD-ROMS titles like Lords of Thunder, Taito's Super Darius, Star Parodier, Seirei Senshi Spriggan, and of course one of the super rarest game of all PC Engine CD-ROM library is Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire which I am quite surprised to see such an expensive title being included on the mini system.
There are really cool misc. titles like Irem's Ninja Spirit, Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden, Alien Crush, Chew Men Fu, and these two silly bizarre titles that are actually weird, but fun like Cho Aniki, and J.J and Jeff.
I am happy that they added the Castlevania: Rondo of Blood on the mini system which is a side-scrolling action-platform that initially never been released outside of Japan till it finally get a release for PSP under Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles and Castlevania Requiem for PS4.
I also been appreciated with the RPGs titles like Cadash, Military Madness, Neutopia, Dungeon Explorer, and of course an enhanced CD-ROM remake based off fan's favourite RPGs series such as Ys: Book I & II.
With many solid titles I've mention above, there are some games that I'm not a fan off such as Victory Run, Power Golf, Moto Roader, and China Warrior which I don't think it fits the game's system line-up, so it would have been better if they replace these 4 titles with other better games that weren't included in the system like Legendary Axe, Operation Bloody Wolf, Vigilante, and of course why not add the forgotten hidden gem like Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu could have been a better choice for this mini system.
I also wanted to point out with 4 of the games that I'm not able to play is due to Japanese-only text such as Appare! Gateball, Jaseiken Necromancer, Super Momotarō Dentetsu II, and of course the cult-following title such as Snatcher, created by Hideo Kojima who is responsible for Metal Gear Solid franchise, which sadly there are no English translation option for this version I'm afraid which makes it difficult to understand the presentation and being able to navigating through the game, so I didn't had problem with the rest of the Japanese version for shoot em ups, action platformer, and arcade titles which is fine it should be, but it's not that great for other genres like visual novels, RPGs, and party games when it's comes with tutorial and presentation side, so thank god with the RPGs games like Ys Book I & II, Neutopia, and Dungeon Explorer did have a both English and Japanese version so I can able to enjoy these game properly.
So far, I am happy with the games that I've enjoyed playing on the system because games like Bomberman 93 and 94 are my favourite multiplayer title, while I really liked the platforming games like Bonk's Adventures which is a first installiment of the series that has colourful visuals, simple gameplay, and cool boss battle where as follow-up title Bonk's Revenge is kinda good but not as fun compared with the first one, and I got to say the New Adventure Island is surprisingly a decent platformer with good levels and overall challenge.
I had a blast of playing an arcade games like SEGA's Space Harrier and Fantasy Zone, Capcom's Ghouls N Ghosts, Namco's Splatterhouse, Irem's Ninja Spirit, and of course the pinball action such as Alien Crush, and I'm also a fan of a shoot em ups titles like Irem's R-Type, Konami's Gradius I & II and Salamander, Soldier Blade, Blazing Lazers, Star Parodier, Seirei Senshi Spriggan, Lords of Thunder, and Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire are my favourite shooters on the mini system, and then finally I'm glad that I've played cult-following RPGs titles like Neutopia which I consider as a fun Zelda clone style where as Ys Book I & II is a fantastic port of the original two titles with enhanced graphics and arranged soundtrack thanks to CD-ROM format.
Overall, it has impressive UI design, nice boot-up animation, amazing cover art, and decent selection of games.
Controller
The controller itself is quite similar to NES and SMS controller for its layouts and design. It has rectangular shape of the controller with rounded d-pad, 2 buttons, Run and Select button, and of course it has 2 turbo functionally with 3 different speeds such as normal, slow rapid, and fast rapid which works mostly for shoot em ups title like Konami's Gradius as example.
The wired plug on the controller are USB rather than the rounded pins like the original PC Engine console, which I think it's lot more convenient because you can also plug any of compatible controller into any of two USB ports on the mini console which I will discuss it later on this review.
I got to say the cable on the controller is super long compared with the NES classic mini controller which is really good for those who sat far away from the TV screen meaning that you don't really need to buy the extended cable for this controller which I am happy that the company did the right job.
The build quality of the controller feels just right to hold without feeling any of squeakiness and lose at all that does not tend to break or fault while using the controller throughout the play. The d-pad feels tad on responsive, the 2 buttons is nice and authentic, the turbo function is working perfectly for some games, and the best of all you can also hit both Run and Select button together to access the save state menu where you can able to save progress, reset game, and head back to game menus which I kinda preferred this option a lot quicker than having to hit the reset button on the NES Classic Mini system.
So far, the responsiveness of the controller is quite playable with no issue whatsoever while playing the titles like Blazing Lazers where I can able to control the player's ship around while holding the button to shoot, In Bonk's Adventures where I can easily jump, climb, and headbutt throughout the game, and using the turbo function for Konami's Gradius which allows me to use rapid fire by holding the button rather than keep tapping the button which works absolutely great with no signs of input lags whatsoever meaning that the controller is actually pretty solid overall.
Overall, it has solid design, long cable length, and tight responsiveness.
Graphics and Sounds
The graphics in each titles are looking fantastic on the HDTV due to use of HDMI output can able to run on 720p resolution making it look more cleaner without any signs of screen tearing and shimmering images which means that you can say goodbye to old fashioned RGB video cables that are quite dated on the modern HDTVs nowadays unless you have a proper video converter devices like Framemeister or RetroTink brand works mostly for the old retro consoles.
You have the options to select any of five displays of aspect ratios such as 4:3 standards, full screen, pixel perfect, stretched, and turbo express screen with the options of CRT filters for old school look, so I am much preferred with the pixel perfect screen size which fits the game's appearances over the stretched out ratios seems to be looking too awkward compared with the small standard screen suits more better. I also preferred setting the CRT filter off as well to make the game look more new and appealing than being dull and grouchy like the old fashioned TV screen.
I am glad that the team did a good job of handling the displays output to make sure that the whole filters is looking more crispy and less smudgy on the screen.
I got to say I really liked the background music on the menus, so it has a CD quality menu song on the TurboGrafx 16 menus, while the PC Engine menus sounded more 8-bit style similar to NES Classic Mini which are pretty sounds awesome to listen while browsing the game titles through menus.
The sound emulation is just an near perfect as the original system with no sign of missing off melodies and sound delays which I didn't encountered with the audio lags at all while playing every amount of game libraries.
Each of the HuCard games does have an amazing soundtrack like Blazing Lazers, Soldier Blade, Air Zonk, and Alien Crush which I got to say that the PC Engine has the most impressive sound chip design that creates an unique music for software, whereas the CD-ROM format did add up the arranged quality tracks for games like Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Lords of Thunder, and Ys Book I & II are also receiving a enhancement sound design and fully voice acting during the FMV cutscene are the most incredible things that CD-ROM based system has ever produced.
Overall, it has crispy displays and near perfect sounds.
Special Features
What really made this mini system cool that aren't present on the original PC Engine console was the ability to use 4 save states that allows you to save game as a bookmarks so you can able to continue the game where you left off makes very easier for newcomers to save whatever they want.
You can also buy an individual official mini controller for 2-players and the Turbo Tap USB adapter which adds up to 5-players for multiplayer games like Bomberman 93 and 94 through Amazon or Ebay, but I also wanted to point out with the compatibility of 3rd party controllers is possible to work on this mini system (via USB Cable) except it sadly won't work with the 1st party controller like the official PS4, XBONE, and Switch controller, so I've tested with HORI's Playstation mini controller for an hour and it's seems to be working fine in every games except the controller did not have turbo functionally which is kinda shame, but you can also try out another 3rd party controller such as 8Bitdo's PC Engine wireless controller did actually have an turbo buttons which seems to be an better option for those who preferred using the controller wirelessly.
The cool bonus features in the mini console is that you can able to play a hidden alternative versions of Gradius, Fantasy Zone and Salamander have received an near arcade arrangements can be activated by following input code such as holding select button then hit start button while highlighting these games that I've mention above, and some mini games like caravan stage from Solder Blade, Force Gear, and Twinbee Time Attack which can be highlighted by following input code such as pressing once or twice select button and hit start button while highlighting Salamander.
Overall, definite a best features of mini console.
Advantages
Small compact console
Responsive hardware emulation
Decent selection of games
Solid controller with long cable and turbo functionally
Crispy displays
Near perfect sounds
Cool hidden features
3rd party controller compatibility
Disadvantages
Japanese-only text is unplayable for 4 games such as Appare! Gateball, Jaseiken Necromancer, Super Momotarō Dentetsu II, and Snatcher.
Some 4 games such as Victory Run, Power Golf, Moto Roader, and China Warrior aren't that great line-up.
Unlike 3rd party controller, 1st party controller won't work functionally on this system.
Final Verdict
Hardware and Design 8/10 - nice small compact console, fine build quality, and responsive hardware emulation.
Presentation 7.5/10 - impressive UI design, nice boot-up animation, amazing cover art, and decent selection of games.
Controller 8/10 - solid design, long cable length, and tight responsiveness.
Graphics and Sounds 8/10 - crispy displays and near perfect sounds.
Special Features 9/10 - cool hidden features and compatible 3rd party controller
Overall 8/10 - PC Engine CoreGrafx mini is quite a unique system that offers a impressive libraries of games especially with classic games like Castlevania: Rondo of Blood, Lords of Thunder, Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, and Ys Book I & II are the strongest highlight of all CD-ROMS based library, while HuCards had fair shares with excellent titles like Bomberman 93 and 94, Bonk's Adventures, Blazing Lazers, Alien Crush, Neutopia, Splatterhouse, and many more to play is the main reason why I've bought the system to my home.
The controller is pretty solid especially with long-ass cable and turbo functionally did help with my gaming experience with no encounter with the lags whatsoever, and you do get to see an incredibly impressive titles with outstanding visuals design and epic soundtrack that utilizes the system's powerhouse which is a amazing back in late 80's did hold up to today's standards.
With fantastic hardware emulation, solid choices of game libraries including the mix of arcade and cult-classics, responsive controller, and surprisingly comes with hidden features which makes the PC Engine CoreGrafx mini just a solid recommendation for hardcore retro fans which are worth £70 or less if it's on sales discount through Amazon and Ebay.
My second opinion is that as much I've loved SNES and SEGA Genesis/MD as a 16-bit hardware masterpiece, the PC Engine is one acceptation that should have deserve a same credit thanks to various of obscure titles which I considered as the most underrated video game system that is worth checking out, so I'm glad that I had this mini system right in my home.
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