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Turbo Pad

From NEC Retro

TurboPad PCE.jpg
Turbo Pad
Made for: PC Engine, TurboGrafx-16
Manufacturer: NEC Home Electronics
Type: Control pad
Release Date RRP Code
PC Engine
JP
¥2,6802,680 PI-PD002
PC Engine
JP
(Black)
¥2,6802,680 PI-PD6
PC Engine
JP
(Gray)
¥2,6802,680 PI-PD8
PC Engine
JP
(White)
¥2,6802,680 PCE-TP2
TurboGrafx-16
US
$19.9519.95 HES-PAD-01
Super CD-ROM²
US
$19.9519.95 DUO-PAD-01

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.

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

United States

Europe

South Korea

Physical scans

PC Engine, JP

PC Engine, JP (grey)

PC Engine, JP (black)

PC Engine, JP (white)

TurboGrafx-16, US
TurboPad TG16 US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngTurboPad TG16 US Box Front.jpg
Cover
TurboDuo, US
DuoPad TG16 US Box Front.jpg
Cover

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