Konami continues to mine its video game heritage with three new mini-consoles based on the PC Engine.
Although E3 is usually focused on the future of games, Konami has taken the opportunity to revive a much-loved but often overlooked console from the past.
The cult 1980’s games console was first released as the PC Engine in Japan in 1987, before coming to North America as the TurboGrafx-16 in 1989. Konami will be releasing three regional variants as teeny-tiny devices in the vein of the upcoming Sega Genesis Mini, and Nintendo’s best-selling NES and SNES micro-consoles.
NEC’s console was not a huge success in the West, and it never came close to wresting control of the video games market from Nintendo and Sega. Nonetheless, it has a solid library of games, many of which received a second lease of life when they came to the Nintendo Wii and Wii U Virtual Consoles.
The PC Engine Core Grafx Mini will be released in Europe, with the TurboGrafx-16 Mini coming to the US, and the PC Engine Mini headed for Japan. Each console will include one controller and some new quality of life improvements including save states, HD output, and support for five player multiplayer using a multitap peripheral. Which is sold separately, of course.
Six games have been announced so far with more to come soon. We’ll update this list as they are confirmed
This story was updated on July 12, 2019, to include the full lineup.
What games are on the TurboGrafx-16, PC Engine Core Grafx, and PC Engine Mini?
English TurboGrax-16 games
- 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
- Ninjaspirit
- Parasol Stars
- Power Golf
- Psychosis
- R-Type
- Soldier Blade
- Space Harrier
- Victory Run
- Ys Book I&II
Japanese PC Engine games
- 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 Ryūkenden (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
Konami is yet to confirm a release date for the new range of consoles. Stay tuned for more news soon.
The mini-console will launch on 19th March 2020 and will cost around £80.
For weekly updates on the new games coming to Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4, visit our new releases page.
