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PC Engine mini

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Revision as of 15:01, 6 January 2022 by SorachiJirachi (talk | contribs)
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PC Engine mini
Manufacturer: Konami
Built-in games: 58 (JP), 57 (US/EU)
Release Date RRP Code
PC Engine
JP
¥10,50010,500
CERO: D
TurboGrafx-16
US
$100.00100.00
ESRB: Mature 17+
TurboGrafx-16
EU
€99.9999.99
TurboGrafx-16
UK
£99.9999.99[1]
PEGI: 12+

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The PC Engine mini, known as the TurboGrafx-16 Mini in North America and the PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini in Europe, is a miniturised version of the PC Engine, TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine CoreGrafx, respectively, containing 50 built-in games. Released by Konami in 2020, it follows a trend of plug-in-and-play "mini consoles" started by Nintendo, which has since been replicated by SNK, Sony and Sega.

Hardware

While the design of each "mini" console is tailored for the three main regions, the list of games are mostly identical. Other than the sake of variety, it is not known why Europe received a CoreGrafx console, given that the system was not officially released in that region.

The PC Engine mini chooses to group its lineup as either "TurboGrafx-16 games", or "PC Engine games", but in reality a number of systems are represented, from the SuperGrafx games Aldynes and Daimakaimura, to CD-ROM², Super CD-ROM² and Arcade CD-ROM² games from both the US and Japan. Most of the games included were originally released by Konami or Hudson Soft (now owned by Konami), though third-party titles by Taito and Sega are also included.

The console also ships with either PC Engine Pads or Turbo Pads, though this time the controllers connect via USB (and all units have two controller ports). The system is also powered by USB, and connects to televisions exclusively through HDMI. In Japan, Hori offers a five-way multi-tap and extra controllers to get the most out of games which support more than two players.

List of games

There are a total of 60 games across all regional models of the console, 54 of which are unique. As the TurboGrafx-16 struggled in the US market and was virtually non-existent in Europe, 32 games in the western library were originally exclusive to Japan while the other 25 are TurboGrafx-16 games for a total of 57 games, whereas the Japanese model has 34 PC Engine games and 24 TurboGrafx-16 games for a total of 58, one more than western models.

Five of the games are counted twice by Konami as they are available in both their TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine versions on all models, which are Dungeon Explorer, Military Madness, Neutopia, Neutopia II and Ys Book I & II. Splatterhouse only has the original PC Engine version available on the Japanese model, while the censored TurboGrafx-16 version is only available on the western models.

Five games have hidden alternative versions which can be accessed by highlighting them and holding  SELECT  when launching the desired game. Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rondo includes its joke mini-game "Akumajyo Dracula Peke", Soldier Blade includes its "Special Version", and Gradius, Fantasy Zone and Salamander have arranged "near arcade" versions.

TurboGrafx-16

PC Engine

Physical scans

PC Engine, JP

TurboGrafx-16, US

PC Engine, UK

References