The TurboGrafx 16/PC Engine was an interesting console. It never reached the heights of Nintendo and Sega in the west, but it was a success in Japan. It had so many great games that stand out and I would like to take a look at some of them today. Be aware, that I will be including CD and Japan only games on this list as they will be games I feel stood out the most overall.
Dungeon Explorer
One of the more ambitious games for the system, Dungeon Explorer was a mix of action adventure rpg and Gauntlet-style dungeon crawling. There was a main storyline and NPCs to interact with, but the highlight was that up to five players could join in on the action via the Turbo Tap add on. Getting your friends together to take on bosses and plow through the dungeons made this a fun title to play and a precursor to how some modern dungeon crawlers play. Its clear this title influenced many others over the years.
Blazing Lazers
A disclaimer: This is one of my two favourite games for the system and for good reason. Blazing Lazers is simply one of the best shoot em ups of the 16-bit era. Fun gameplay with a nice variety of powerups, enemies and bosses, some of the best music on the system and tons of replay value were part of this. The game was actually a licensed title in Japan but the license was removed for the localization and it works out well. This is a must play for anyone wanting to try out the system.
Bonk Trilogy
I am cheating here by including the entire trilogy and this will not be the only cheat on the list. The Bonk trilogy is essential for any TG 16 owner, and not just because Bonk was the system mascot. These are some of the best 16-bit platformers around, especially the second entry, which had the most refined music and platforming. The third game tried some neat stuff via the growing and shrinking mechanics, but it was the second entry that stands out as the most polished. Expertly designed levels, fun bosses, and just an overall sense of wonder made this excellent.
Alien Crush
Alien Crush is my other absolute favourite game on the system. Devil crush, its sequel is arguably better, but its a matter of preference for me. Alien Crush is a sci-fi themed pinball game that uses heavy influence from the Alien film franchise and other Giger-esque imagery to create a truly atmospheric game. This is not just pinball with a sci-fi coat of paint on it, but a game that really uses its setting well. The bonus areas include boss fights against alien monsters for instance, and the overall satisfaction is high. This is a pinball fan’s must play.
Bloody Wolf
Run n Gun games are a favourite genre for many and Bloody Wolf is an excellent choice to play. A faithful port for the most part, of Data East’s arcade game, Bloody Wolf plays like a cross between Ikari Warriors and the latter series Shock Troopers from SNK and offers a lot of intense action. You will need to take out enemies and rescue hostages in order to progress and get new items, while also dodging enemy fire. There is some slowdown in certain areas, but overall this is one of the must-have titles for TurboGrafx period.
Neutopia 1 and 2
This is my other cheat for the list. Neutopia 1 and 2 were action adventure games in the mold of Nintendo’s Legend of Zelda series. This is not to disparage the games as clones, but it must be said that they take heavy influence. The games manage to add their own spin in the right areas however, and this helps them stand out. A more fully realized world than their immediate inspiration of Zelda 1, and a more intricate system of interaction made these games must play. They definitely grew as games and the second managed to rise above its origins and become something great. One way to think of them is as a cross between Zelda 1 and A Link to the Past with some new ideas mixed in as well.
Gomola Speed
A unique action puzzle game, Gomola Speed is similar to the classic game Snake but with a few key differences. In this Japan-only gem, you must get additional pieces of your body then enclose around gems to solve puzzles. it sounds easy enough at first, but there are enemies abound and bosses to fight. Getting hit will scatter your body pieces and you must gather them up again. It is an addictive puzzle game and one you will find yourself spending hours on, just to get everything done the way you want. This is perhaps the best puzzle game on the system and is highly recommended.
The Legendary Axe
The Legendary Axe is a side-scrolling action platformer and one with a well deserved good reputation. You play as a caveman hacking and slashing your way through enemies while navigating the environment to some amazing music. Tight controls, excellent bosses and that x-factor that makes you want to keep playing no matter how many times you die. There is a good amount of challenge here, but it is not at an impossible level. Unfortunately, the sequel went in a strange direction, but this is one of the best classicvania style side scrollers outside of the Castlevania series.
Ys Books 1 and 2
While there are many great RPGs of various kinds on the TurboGrafx, the best were the Ys games. Ys Books 1 and 2 are a single package and have the early adventures of Adol Christin. The games have gorgeous music, an excellent story and an interesting combat mechanic. Rather than traditional combat, you would bump into enemies in the right way to attack. It seems weird but it actually works rather well. The presentation is among the best on the system and helped popularize the franchise that would go on to be legendary in its own right. If you like action RPGs, then you need to play Ys.
Castlevania Dracula X : Rondo of Blood
This one needs no introduction really, as it is one of the best-known games on the PC Engine. Rondo of Blood is one of the best games not only on the system, but also in the Castlevania franchise as a whole. While going back to an earlier style of combat in some ways, Rondo managed to refine that style and make it work better. Richter Belmont was more agile than any protagonist before and was capable of feats never before seen. The new changes to how sub-weapons work and the item crash ability made fighting enemies feel more immersive, with a desire to see all the new effects being strong. Add in multiple branching paths you had to find, multiple endings and even a second character, and you had something that was very different from the rest of the series. This isn’t even mentioning the amazing music and visuals the game had. This is in this author’s opinion, the best game on the system.
And there you have it. A list of the ten best TurboGrafx/PC Engine games. This list is just one author’s views so be sure to share with us what your favourite games were.
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