PC Engine Core Grafx mini – full line-up revealed [Updated – more games added]

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In Europe, the 16-bit console war was a two-man battle between the SNES and Mega Drive. Things were different in Japan and America, with the TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine also trying to hold its own.

On 19th March 2020, European gamers finally get a piece of TurboGrafx-16 pie – albeit under the guise of the PC Engine Core Grafx mini – thanks to Konami giving the legendary, previously import-only, system the ‘microconsole’ treatment.

Ahead of pre-orders going live on Amazon next Monday (15th July – Amazon Prime Day), the full software line-up has been confirmed.

[Update] Konami has rummaged down the back of the sofa and found a handful of additional games. Namco’s 1990 horror classic Splatterhouse joins the line-up, playable in English. The Japanese versions of Dragon Spirit, Galaga ’88, The Genji and the Heike Clans, The Legend of Valkyrie, Seirei Senshi Spriggan, and Spriggan Mark 2 have also made the cut. This brings the total up to 57, although there is overlap between English and Japanese releases.

Stock is still available on Amazon, currently priced £99.99.

The updated trailer and revised game list can be found below.

In an unexpected twist, the mini console contains 24 TurboGrafx-16 games playable in English, and 26 untranslated Japanese PC Engine titles. It’s a peculiar move, especially when one of the PC Engine’s highlights is Hideo Kojima’s Snatcher – a text-heavy adventure game.

Thankfully, the majority of other titles are 2D shooters and action games (hello, Castlevania: Rondo of Blood) that are perfectly playable despite being untranslated.

The instances of overlap are more concerning. Both the Japanese and US versions of Neutopia, Neutopia II, and Ys Book I&II feature, taking up valuable slots. As we said, it’s a peculiar move.

It is at least pleasing to see that Konami has struck deals with other publishers, allowing the likes of Capcom’s Ghouls ‘N Ghosts, SEGA’s Space Harrier, and Taito’s Parasol Stars to be included.

As a whole, it’s a pretty enticing catalogue filled with classics and curios. Take a look:

TurboGrafx-16 Titles (in English)

  • Air Zonk
  • Alien Crush
  • Blazing Lazers
  • Bomberman ‘93
  • Bonk’s Revenge
  • Cadash
  • Chew-Man-Fu
  • Dungeon Explorer
  • J.J. & Jeff
  • Lords Of Thunder
  • Military Madness (Nectaris)
  • Moto Roader
  • Neutopia
  • Neutopia II
  • New Adventure Island
  • Ninja Spirit
  • Parasol Stars
  • Power Golf
  • Psychosis
  • R-Type
  • Soldier Blade
  • Space Harrier
  • Victory Run
  • Ys Book I&II
  • Splatterhouse

PC Engine Titles (in Japanese)

  • Akumajō Dracula X Chi No Rondo (Castlevania: Rondo of Blood)
  • Aldynes
  • Appare! Gateball
  • Bomberman ‘94
  • Bomberman Panic Bomber
  • Chō Aniki
  • Daimakaimura (Ghouls ‘N’ Ghosts)
  • Dungeon Explorer
  • Fantasy Zone
  • Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire
  • Gradius (Nemesis)
  • Gradius II – Gofer No Yabō (Nemesis II)
  • Jaseiken Necromancer
  • Nectaris (Military Madness)
  • Neutopia
  • Neutopia II
  • Ninja RyÅ«kenden (Ninja Gaiden)
  • PC-Genjin (Bonk)
  • Salamander
  • Snatcher
  • Star Parodier (Fantasy Star Soldier)
  • Super Darius
  • Super Momotarō Dentetsu II
  • Super Star Soldier
  • The Kung Fu (China Warrior)
  • Ys I&II
  • Dragon Spirit
  • Galaga ’88
  • The Genji and the Heike Clans
  • The Legend of Valkyrie
  • Seirei Senshi Spriggan
  • Spriggan Mark 2

A trio of accessories will also launch alongside the system, including a Turbo Controller, a Multi-Tap and an official AC adaptor.

Images via Amazon.co.jp

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