Still, the colors were limited to 512 (9 bit) compared to the SNES with 15 bit (32,768 colors). In comparison, the SNES had a resolution between 256x224 and 512x448, with most games running at 256x224 pixels, so the PC-Engine had a slightly higher resolution in most cases than the SNES. The console offered a maximum resolution of 565x242 pixels and a vertical resolution of 484 pixels with an interlaced mode, while most games were still using 256x239 as a resolution. Since it used a 16 bit graphics chip, it was known as the first 16 bit console. Compared to the 16 bit processor used in the SNES with 3.58 MHz, this is probably the weak-point of the PC-Engine console, but it was still quite capable. The system’s CPU is an 8 bit Hudson Soft HuC6280 processor with the ability to switch between 1.79 MHz and 7.16 MHz. The war continued between Nintendo and Sega while NEC’s PC-Engine/TurboGrafx got lost on the battlefield, which is a shame, because the console is quite capable and has a lot of good titles. Still, it is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated consoles in the US and EU, although its performance in the EU market is understandable, considering it was never officially released in the EU. More content and CD-quality music for 16 bit console games, so what’s not to like about this?

Once again, my opinion is that the CD add-on and later built-in CD presents another good reason why the system should have been better known. Later, rather than offer the CD add-on, the CD drive and the console were combined in one system known as the PC-Engine Duo/TurboDuo. It also eventually became the first 16 bit console with a CD add-on, even before Sega CD for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. That alone should have been reason enough for a great deal of recognition, but apparently it was not enough-at least not for the US and EU market.

The PC-Engine, or TurboGrafx-16 as it is called in the United States, was the first 16 bit console, and with that, kicked off the 16 bit era of video game consoles. I don’t think this system gets enough respect, which is why I want to put my own thoughts regarding the system out there.įigure 1 - PC-Engine-the smallest of the major home consoles In my opinion, the PC-Engine, or TurboGrafx-16 is a rather underrated system, shown by the lack of third-party developers and well known IPs for the system. Although I haven’t finished my Sega Saturn series, I recently busied myself with another great system that I’d like to talk about a bit, which will probably become a series of its own some time in the future.

Cadash turbografx 16 rom