Turbo Pad

Turbo Pad
Made for: PC Engine, TurboGrafx-16
Manufacturer: NEC Home Electronics
Type: Control pad
Release Date RRP Code JP 1987-10-30 ¥2,6802,680 PI-PD002 JP (Black) 1989-12-08 ¥2,6802,680 PI-PD6 JP (Gray) 1991-06-21 ¥2,6802,680 PI-PD8 JP (White) 1993-03-25 ¥2,6802,680 PCE-TP2 US 1989-08 $19.9519.95 HES-PAD-01 US 1992-10 $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.

The Turbo Pad was initially sold separately as a "premium" alternative to the standard Pad that came packaged with the original PC Engine console. But 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 CofeGrafx 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)

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  "Black" CoreGrafx/SuperGrafx model (PI-PD6)

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  "Gray" CoreGrafx II model (PI-PD8)

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  Duo model (not sold separately)

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  "White" Duo R model (PCE-TP2)

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  Pioneer LaserActive model (CPD-N1)

• PCE LPD PAD.jpg

  NEC LaserActive model (not sold separately)

United States

• 

  TurboGrafx-16 model (HES-PAD-01)

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  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

PC Engine, JP (grey)

PC Engine, JP (black)

PC Engine, JP (white)

TurboGrafx-16, US
Cover

TurboDuo, US
Cover