Guees what? We got our hands on a TurboGrafx Mini too!! so to compare the original to the new an improved spinoff.
NES…check
Genesis mini?…check
TG16 mini?…..CHECK
Here we 4listed the TG16 mini. Not as robust as NES, not as review-y as SG mini, but 4listed non the less
#1: Inside The Box
The TurboGrafx-16 Mini
One Gamepad
One HDMI cable
One microUSB cable
It does not come with an AC adapter. I know the common response to that is “everyone has one,” but when nearly every mini-console lacks it, hooking up multiple units is annoying if you have to buy adapters for them.
The actual unit houses a “back cover,” which needs to be removed to actually slot the HDMI cable and the microUSB power cable into it. The latter is a bit finicky, as you need to slot the USB male end in just right since there’s a protective shell around it.
Other than that, installation is straightforward and similar to the original.
#2: The console:
As you can see in our comparison image, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini isn’t so mini relative to the other micro-consoles. Clocking in at roughly half of the actual dimensions of the source console, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini is not winning any aesthetic awards, but it is sleek and convenient to lug around, with the cover on or off.
Sadly, the base package only sports one controller: you’ll need to buy more as an add-on. As a mini collector, this has become a huge pet peeve of mine, as casual fans will no doubt pick it up and be unable to play multiplayer out of the box. Also, years down the line when this product is no longer for sale, well-worn remotes will become mere fairy tales as folks try to track them down on eBay.
That annoyance aside, the controller itself more than gets the job done, as it feels authentic and has a lengthy nine-and-a-half-foot cable that puts most micro-consoles to shame (and two turbo settings is a nice touch). Oh, and by the way: if you hook up your unit and can’t control anything, note that the first player slot is on the top of the console. The TurboGrafx-16 Mini comes with two controller ports by default: you’ll need to buy a multitap accessory (specific to the Mini) to handle more.
The UI is absolutely adorable, as little cartridge mascots adorn the menus, which are easy to read and feature cute little animations for when a game “loads.” Pressing “run” [start] and select at the same time during a game brings up a universal menu with four save slots, on top of any in-game save functionality a title might have. Swapping between menus is near-instant and you can skip the cart insert animation (thanks!) to get into a game quickly.
The TurboGrafx-16 Mini boasts six languages out of the box, as well as five display options (four aspect ratios, one cute “screen within a screen” effect), a CRT filter, four wallpaper selections, and two menu designs. As is customary, manuals are found online via QR codes. Games can be sorted alphabetically, by format and release date.
Speaking of games…
#3: The games:
Let’s start with a primer first.
The TurboGrafx-16 is actually a combination of two collections: US releases (TurboGrafx-16) and Japanese releases (PC Engine). There are 57 games total in the western release of the mini. Here’s the full rundown.
TurboGrafx-16 list:
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
Moto Roader
Neutopia
Neutopia II
New Adventure Island
Ninja Spirit
Parasol Stars
Power Golf
Psychosis
R-Type
Soldier Blade
Space Harrier
Splatterhouse
Victory Run
Ys Book I & II
PC Engine list:
Akumajo Dracula X Chi no Rondo
Aldynes
Appare! Gateball
Bomberman ’94
Bomberman: Panic Bomber
Cho Aniki
Daimakaimura (Ghouls ‘n Ghosts)
Dragon Spirit
Dungeon Explorer
Fantasy Zone
Galaga ’88
The Genji and the Heike Clans
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire
Gradius
Gradius II – Gofer no Yabo
Jaseiken Necromancer
The Kung Fu (China Warrior)
Nectaris (Military Madness)
Neutopia
Neutopia II
Ninja Ryukenden (Ninja Gaiden)
PC Genjin (Bonk’s Adventure)
Salamander
Snatcher
Seirei Senshi Spriggan
Splatterhouse (PC Engine)
Spriggan Mark 2: Re-Terraform Project
Star Parodier
Super Darius
Super Momotaro Dentetsu II
Super Star Soldier
Valkyrie no Densetsu
Ys I & II
Notice just a few repeats? Also, keep in mind that the PC Engine games are still in Japanese — so you’re not getting a magically translated version of Snatcher, folks.
It’s going to be a deal-breaker for some, but Konami knows its audience. A large swath of people (myself included) are going to want to pick this thing up and don’t mind playing imported games or seeking out fan-translated menu walkthroughs. In fact, the opportunity to play original Japanese releases in a legal fashion is tough to come by, as “mini or micro-console” manufacturers typically just leave them out of production entirely.
Regardless of those aforementioned hangups, there are some real classics bundled into this mini. Bomberman ’93 and Bomberman ’94 are pretty much universally beloved, and still hold up today as Konami constantly tries to chase what made the original run so special. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood needs no introduction (even if it has no shortage of systems that run it at this point), and the same goes for Fantasy Zone, Gradius, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, Ninja Gaiden, R-Type, and Splatterhouse.
Konami also isn’t afraid to deliver a few completely bizarre offerings, like JJ & Jeff: an adventure platformer that features literal toilet humor and cartoony physical detective comedy. On the flipside, there’s games like the hidden gem Lords of Thunder — a shoot ’em up (shmup) with a heavy fantasy theme and RPG elements — or Parasol Stars, the often forgotten third game in the Bubble Bobble series that features Bub and Bob as humans.
There’s a lot to work with here and there’s a great selection for pretty much every retro enthusiast. At the end of the day you just need to realize this console was released in Japan in 1987 as the PC Engine, and came westward as the TurboGrafx-16 in 1989. If old games aren’t your thing, very few of these entries are going to completely convert you.
#4 :The Conclusion
Grievances against the hardware pack-ins aside, if you’re a collector, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini absolutely worth adding to your collection.
In terms of UI aesthetics and functionality, this is one of the most fun micro-consoles I’ve experienced. Everything is lightning fast and not annoying to sift through in the digital realm. There’s also a lot of potential for retro parties (once this whole pandemic thing is over) with the separate multi-tap accessory that allows for three to five players for specific games (Dungeon Explorer, Bomberman ’93, Bomberman ’94, Bomberman Panic Bomber, Moto Roader).
If you want it, the console is exclusive to Amazon and will you run $100 for the system and one controller. It currently does not have a worldwide release date due to the pandemic situation.