Oldest post mentioning TurboGrafx-16 on Usenet newsgroups

[handygrafx]

here is the earliest mentioning of the TurboGrafx-16 that I could find on Usenet newsgroups.  1989-05-27   aka  May 27, 1989


http://www.google.ca/groups?selm=938%40cadillac.CAD.MCC.COM&output=gplain

The current issue has a cover story on the Nintendo Gameboy
handheld system.  There is a brief article describing their tests of
a Japanese Sega MegaDrive 16-bit system.  Last month they did a similar
piece on NEC's PC Engine.  (They note in this issue that it will be
released in the US this fall as the "TurboGrafx-16").

and here is the oldest post mentioning the PC-Engine

1989-03-06  - March 6, 1989

http://www.google.ca/groups?selm=3397%40uhccux.uhcc.hawaii.edu&output=gplain

Unless, of course, that you travel to Japan fairly often.  In which case you go to NEC and buy their wonderful PC-Engine (that what they call it) with the CD-ROM drive...

strangely enough, this first post (seemingly the first)  on the PC-Engine also mentions the CD-ROM drive.    it makes sense, because the CD-ROM came out in 1988, but what I find odd is, there is no mention on Usenet of the PC-Engine in late 1987 when it came out, or, through ALL of 1988.  this surprises me, a little. even though it was a Japanese console.  you'd still think that someone would've mentioned it.





another old one on the PC Engine, from March 1989

http://www.google.ca/groups?selm=8903220643.AA06980%40baldwin.csri.toronto.edu&output=gplain

Actually, Nintendo/Sega is already dead in much of Asia.  The
current hot machine is NEC's PC ENGINE.  Sega has pretty much
abandoned their stock sega machine and concentrate on their
Sega 16 bit machine.

Why has PC ENGINE killed Nintendo?  The answer lies in graphics.
In HK, many arcades actually use PC-ENGINE for their video games
and few people realize this.  The graphics is the same, and it
has stereo sound.  The only reason NEC has not marketed this
machine in N. America is because they couldn't keep up with
demand in Japan alone.  (The machines are not officially sold
outside Japan by NEC (at least not in Asia), and machines
in HK are bought in Japan.  The ones in Singapore are brought
over from HK.  All docs are in Japanese.

An NTSC system costs HK$1100 with one free game, (this is about
CAN$185)  Over in Japan, when bought by dealers in bulk, they
are (supposedly) HK800 (about CAN125, US105).

[Zerojean]

Wow interesting stuff, what made you look this up?

I'd be interested to find similar for NeoGeo.

[esteban]

excellent info, thanks for sharing it with us.

i'm guessing that you are interested in the history of tg-16 / pce and its impact on North America (or, similarly, when gamers outside of japan took notice of it).

VG & CE, which started in 1989, really helped "popularize" PCE (and later, TG-16).  VG & CE was totally into the PC engine (partly because the editor / head honcho, lee pappas, loved the console) and i'm sure he encouraged coverage of it in VG & CE.

When the TG-16 Preservation Society site launches in a few weeks, I'll have some of these early PC-Engine / TG-16 articles from VG & CE  available for viewing... here's a teaser:


You can't get more 80's than this, can you?  Well, the TG-16 could have been perched atop a Lamborghini, I suppose... (and when I say 80's, I am  reminded how influential California was with U.S. / world pop culture.  Doesn't Sega's OutRun have that 80's Cali vibe? And Camp California? And countless other games?)

And, since it would be evil to refer to the cover and not make it available, here is a gorgeous scan of
the cover of VG & CE, July 1989.  I did some major cosmetic work in PhotoShop, since my magazine was in bad, bad shape.

I'm still trying to find the earlier issue that mentions the PC-Engine (it was a feature) and another issue that mentions the PCE CD-ROM drive (I'm not sure if it was an article or simply a news "blurb").

Don't worry, I'm getting closer and closer to launching the TG-16 Preservation site  Lots of goodies are already prepared (stuff that isn't available anywhere else)

[Keranu]

I can't wait for it's grand opening! You know I'll be all over it.

[Necro]

Kick ass stevek666!    Can't wait to see the new site...  I used to read VG & CE way back, I had actually completely forgotten about that mag till I saw your post.  Good stuff.

[handygrafx]

awesome, awesome info!!  looking forward to the opening  of the TurboGrafx-16 Preservation Site ^__^

I remember that July 1989 VG&CE with the TurboGrafx on the cover (admittedly, I remeber the August 1989 VG&CE with Genesis on the cover even more)....

and I also remember an early VG&CE from 1988 or early 1989 that had a first-look at the PC Engine - I think it showed R-Type, the long centipeed creatures from level 5.   also, I clearly remember the game Necromancer being mentioned or shown, in this particular feature / preview / first look that I am referring to... is that the same one you remember ?


edit: I found a website with one of the VG&CE articles on the TurboGrafx-16 and PC Engine CD-ROM.  from the May 1989 VG&CE

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:lYQ4v2qCTRAJ:www.atari7800.com/turbo/webimages/library/documentation/sneak.htm+%22VIDEO+GAMES+%26+COMPUTER+ENTERTAINMENT%22+&hl=en

currently only working from google's cache.  I'd love to see the actual page to see if they have any pictures

[handygrafx]

Usenet rocks!

I just found the July 1989 VG&CE article all typed out (seemingly all of it)

http://groups-beta.google.com/group/rec.games.video.classic/msg/e86a0a7abead6873?dmode=source

From July 1989 Video Games & Computer Entertainment

        A VC&CE Exclusive
        The NEC TurboGrafx-16
        By Lee H. Pappas with Andy Eddy

        If you’ve been a regular reader of this magazine then you’ll know
this new product by its Japanese name: PC Engine.  Due to be released in
the United States sometime in August, with a retail price of $199.99,
the TurboGrafx-16 includes the same features that made the PC Engine
such a winner in Japan.
        At the time this article was written (mid-April) the TurboGrafx-16
had captured 50% of current video-game console sales in Japan,
outselling all other systems.  The total number of PC Engines sold
through April was 1.5 million units, according to the NEC Corporation in
Tokyo.
        The TurboGrafx is part of a new wave in game machines, referred to
as the 16-bit class.  Also in the 16-bit world is the new Sega Genesis
(see page 26), the awaited Super Famicom from Nintendo, a rumored game
system from Atari (likely based on their ST computer) and a new entry,
the Konix Multi System, from England.
        With a processor (the brain of the game machine) running four
times faster than the one in Nintendo’s NES the TurboGrafx-16 can move
graphic images on the screen up to eight times faster, with nearly ten
times as many colors as the NES; the perceived resolution (clarity of
the pictures) is much greater.  The TurboGrafx uses an 8-bit chip, but
with 16-bit graphics.  NEC sites the greater number of colors as one of
the TurboGrafx’s greatest assets.
        The NEC also boasts stereo output with far superior sound-effect
and music-generating capabilities.  The difference between sound and
music o the TurboGrafx, compared to the current game systems is like
listening to an old 78 record, then hearing a compact disc.
        And speaking of compact discs, as we reported in our May issues,
NEC is planning to release their CD-ROM player soon after the rollout of
the TurboGrafx-16.  Though the list price of $399 may seem high, keep in
mind that this system will also play 3-inch or 5-inch CDs through your
television or stereo system.  And as we also mentioned it comes with the
CD-ROM system card that gives this player features found only on the
most expensive compact disc players.
        This CD player also plays a new format of compact disc using its
built-in CD-G decoder.  These new CDs still play music, but they can
also display still pictures and graphics on your screen.  This is a
feature that few current CD players are equipped with.
        The $399 price includes the TurboGrafx-CD player, system card,
docking station with additional computer memory and a carrying case that
can hold CD cartridges, power supply, controller and of course, the
TurboGrafx and CD player.
        The TurboGrafx-16 game system comes packed with the TurboPad.  
This controller is your stander hand-held game pad made popular as
standard equipment with the NES and SMS game consoles.  But this version
comes with a pair of three-position switches.  These switches let you
adjust the speed of fire buttons, giving two rates of auto-firing in
addition to manual blasting.
        Optional accessories for the game system include the TurboTap, and
adapter that allows up to five controllers to be plugged into the game
system (for multiplayer games), and the TurboBoster, which convers the
game system’s output into separate audio and video signals.  A deluxe
table-top controller called the TurboStick, similar to the NES
Advantage, will be introduced as well.
        Also to be packaged with the TurboGrafx-16 is Keith Courage in
Alpha Zones.  In this appealing game, you control a young character on
the screen as he plays in the countryside.  At certain stages he is
zipped away by a rainbow beam, transformed into a powerful robot and
placed in an evil underground world to battle his way back into the
normal world.  Keith Courage should appeal to most game players.
        When asked to compare the TurboGrafx-16 with another game system,
we can’t.  It’s as far above the NES in graphics and sound as the NES
was above the Atari 2600.  While Nintendo’s stronghold is quality games
with lasting value, the TurboGrafx continues in the same mold.  Indeed
the names of many of the game companies also appear on PC Engine
products in Japan.
        NEC is working on getting new companies into the development fold
for the TurboGrafx.  We’ve received confirmation that Cinemaware and
ICOM Simulations are creating software for the machine.  Cinemaware has
also just signed with a Japanese publisher to release a CD-based version
of one of their most popular titles.  ICOM is a lesser-known company,
but their software is also popular.  For example, they’re the group
responsible for Shadowgate, Déjà Vu and Uninitiated, released by
Mindscape.
        At press time NEC was planning to establish the TurboGrafx-16 with
at least ten titles.  Here is a description of what is confirmed to be
released.
        Alien Crush is a spectacular two level pinball game with detailed
alien type backgrounds.  Several bonus screens add to the
sophistication, and the music in the background is equally impressive.  
I’ve never been into video pinball very much until now.
        Kate & Ken are two popular Japanese characters who romp their way
through this detailed graphic arcade/adventure.  At press time the
Americanized title of this game was not yet decided on.  This is one of
the humorous games we’ve ever played, and we hope the U.S. version comes
close.
        Legendary Axe is one of the better games on the TurboGrafx-16.  
The graphics are true arcade-quality, and the game play is outstanding.  
You take on the role of a skilled ax warrior, who must make his way
through multiple levels to face the evil Flare.  This is one game every
TurboGrafx owner should have.  It’s also an excellent showcase of the
system’s capabilities.
        At the time this was written four golf games were available in
Japan.  Power Golf, Winning Shot, Golf Boys, and Naxat Open.  NEC was
just finishing the selection of what game would be released here, and
was leaning toward Power Golf.  All of these games make good use of the
game system’s graphic abilities, though they differ on play
implementation.
        Also available in Japan are two baseball games: Power League and
World Stadium.  NEC, opting for high realism, chose Power League (which
will cary the name World-Class Baseball) to release in the U.S, and we
agree with them.  This game allows two players to compete against one
another, or one against the computer.  You get the best seats in the
stadium, behind the catcher, or overhead view.  Digitized voices add to
the realism, along with realistic scoreboard images and player movement.  
On this game and golf, when a ball is hit it “comes toward the player”
and looks though it is ready to break through the screen.  I’ve caught
myself ducking a few times.  One of the best arcade-to-home translations
we have ever seen comes in the form of R-Type.  If you want to see how
good this game system is over the current game machines, compare R-Type
on the Sega Master System with the TurboGrafx version.  It’s not just
better graphics or improved sound and music, but the actual game is
enhanced tenfold.  There is crisper detail and minimal flickering.  In
Japan this game was released on two cartridges because all eight levels
couldn’t fit on one game card.  At press time NEC told us the new,
increased memory cartridges would now hold the entire game and may be
released in that form to U.S. consumers.  If you are into space shoot
‘em ups, this one’s for you.
        Victory Run is a high-speed driving game, similar to Sega’s Out
Run, that simulates the “Paris to Dakar Road Race.”  You race through
Europe and Africa in your bright red sports car, negotiating turns and
small hills, while avoiding other vehicles.  Each country features
different road characteristics and scenery, as well as night-driving
situations.
        Vigilante is in the footsteps of the popular Kung-Fu games.  The
goal is to take it upon yourself to rescue a hostage from a group of
evil thugs.  Along the way you can pick up useful weapons to aid your
mission.  The graphics are detailed, though the game tends to be a bit
repetitive.
        What really impresses us, however, of the 36 cartridges for the
TurboGrafx-16 we now own, is the consistently high quality of the games
NEC is only looking to bring the best over to the U.S. the best of the
best.
        Frankly, we can’t wait.

[esteban]

yes, these are the articles from VG & CE.  I found the text for these articles quite some time ago (via usenet) and used them to figure out which issues of VG & CE I needed to get, since the plain text is a poor substitute for the actual pages and all the "old skoolness" they conjure up (plus, there are tons of great photos and an old, non-slick page layout).

and yes, there were photos with the PC Engine feature article ... BUT, unfortunately, I still don't have the April or May 1989 issues of VG &CE