Turbo Pad
From NEC Retro
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| Turbo Pad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Made for: PC Engine, TurboGrafx-16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Manufacturer: NEC Home Electronics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: Control pad | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Turbo Pad (ターボパッド) was the standard-issue controller included in most versions of the PC Engine console. It is essentially identical to the original PC Engine Pad, but is equipped with two turbo switches placed above the main action buttons with up to three speed settings for each button.
Contents
Hardware
The Turbo Pad was initially sold separately as a "premium" alternative to the standard Pad that came packaged with the original PC Engine console. However, because the cost difference between the two controllers was pretty minimal for most consumers, the original Pad was quickly phased out as the Turbo Pad would be included with the subsequent models that were eventually introduced into the market, starting with the CoreGrafx and SuperGrafx, both released in the end of 1989 (the earlier Shuttle model instead came with the Turbo Pad II, which is functionally identical, but has a different form factor). The Turbo Pad has underwent numerous coloring and decal changes throughout the years, with each variant matching the design of the PC Engine model being sold at the time. Some variants of the Turbo Pad, such as the Duo version, were never sold separately and only came bundled with the corresponding console. The Duo-R would be the last model of the console that included a Turbo Pad, as the Duo-RX (which was consequently the last model of the console ever produced) came bundled with an Arcade Pad 6 controller instead.
Overseas, the Turbo Pad was standard-issue with the TurboGrafx-16 in North America, although this version of the controller uses a DIN 8 connector instead of the Mini DIN 8 used by the Japanese controllers. This type of connector would also be used for the European TurboGrafx and the Vistar in South Korea. The TurboDuo version of the controller, dubbed the Duo Pad, reverted back to using the same Mini DIN 8 connector as its PC Engine counterparts.
Gallery
Japan
Original model (PI-PD002)
"Black" CoreGrafx/SuperGrafx model (PI-PD6)
"Gray" CoreGrafx II model (PI-PD8)
Duo model (not sold separately)
"White" Duo R model (PCE-TP2)
Pioneer LaserActive model (CPD-N1)
- PCE LPD PAD.jpg
NEC LaserActive model (not sold separately)
United States
TurboGrafx-16 model (HES-PAD-01)
TurboDuo model (DUO-PAD-01)
- LaserActivePad US.jpg
Pioneer LaserActive model (CPD-N10)
Europe
TurboGrafx model
South Korea
Vistar model
Physical scans
| PC Engine, JP |
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| PC Engine, JP (grey) |
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| PC Engine, JP (black) |
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| PC Engine, JP (white) |
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| TurboGrafx-16, US |
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   Cover
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| TurboDuo, US |
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 Cover
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References
| PC Engine | |
|---|---|
| Topics | Magazine articles | Promotional material | HuCard |
| Hardware | PC Engine (1987) | CoreGrafx (1989) | CoreGrafx II (1991) X1 Twin (1987) | PC-KD863G (1988) | Shuttle (1989) | GT (1990) | LT (1991) |
| Add-ons | AV Booster (1988) | Interface Unit (1988) | Ten no Koe 2 (1989) | Print Booster (1989) | Backup Booster (1989) | Backup Booster II (1989) |
| Controllers | Pad | Turbo Pad | Cordless Pad | Avenue Pad 6 | Arcade Pad 6 Illust Booster | PC Engine Mouse |
| Accessories | AC adaptor | COM Cable | Cordless Multi Tap Set | Joy Tap 3 | Memory Base 128 | PC Engine Senyou Multi Tap | Photo Reader | RAU-30 | Ten no Koe Bank |
| TurboGrafx-16 | |
|---|---|
| Topics | Magazine articles | Promotional material | HuCard |
| Hardware | TurboGrafx-16 (TurboGrafx) (1989) | TurboExpress (1990) |
| TurboGrafx-16 Accessories | TurboBooster | TurboBooster-Plus | TurboCable | TurboPad | TurboStick | TurboTap |
| TurboExpress Accessories | AC Adapter | Car Adapter | TurboLink | TurboVision |