CD-ROM²

This article is for the CD-ROM² accessory. For the CD-ROM² format, see CD-ROM² systems.

CD-ROM²
Manufacturer: NEC Home Electronics
Release Date RRP Code JP 1988-12-04 ¥32,80032,800 CDR-30 FR 1990

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The CD-ROM² (シーディーロムロム, officially pronounced "CD-ROM-ROM") is an add-on for the PC Engine allowing the console to run games from CD-ROMs. It was originally released in Japan in December 1988, with its Western equivalent being the TurboGrafx-CD.

Hardware

Unlike most of its competitors, particularly the Sega Mega-CD (from 1991) and the likes of the Neo Geo CD (1994) or Atari Jaguar CD (1995), the CD-ROM² is by default, a regular audio CD-ROM player. Plugged into the mains and a pair of speakers or headphones, the CD-ROM² functions as an entirely separate device and theoretically does not need to be concerned with video games at all (which is not dissimilar to earlier home computers reliant on compact cassettes).

For the CD-ROM² to become a PC Engine accessory, it requires an Interface Unit (originally sold separately, later bundled with the CD-ROM²), which makes use of a special expansion port on the back of the device to communicate with the PC Engine console. Playing games, however, requires the use of a System Card, which will provide the combined unit with instructions on how to interact with itself, and allow it access to more ROM and RAM.

If the console of choice doesn't physically fit in the Interface Unit (e.g. a PC Engine SuperGrafx), the RAU-30 is also an option to communicate with a CD-ROM².

CD-ROM² units are were also an option for the PC-8801 MC. The units which shipped with PC-8801 MCs are identical to their PC Engine counterparts, albeit with the "²" removed.

As time moved on, there became less of a need for a stand-alone CD-ROM². The Super CD-ROM² offers more functionality and products such as the PC Engine Duo or LaserActive have the data found on System Cards built-in.

Magazine articles

Main article: CD-ROM²/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

CD-ROM², JP
Cover