Hated TG-16 then, love it now.

[neogeo24bit]

I've gotten back into collecting old school games, concentrating mostly on Sega Genesis/Sega CD and Neo-Geo AES/CD games. Growing up I owned every system, the best gaming period being 1987-1993 for me. Back in the day I was a huge Sega fan, owning a Master System, then Sega Genesis and Sega CD. The Genesis was by far my #1 system. But I also owned a TurboGrafx-16 back then as well. I picked it up after I bought the Genesis, probably around the time Legendary Axe was named 1989 "Game of the Year" by Video Games & Computer Entertainment. So I asked for a TurboGrafx system and got it. My mom was pretty cool like that, as long as I kept my grades up.

For whatever reason, I wasn't impressed too much with the system. The TurboGrafx-16 system itself looked fine, except it was much bigger than the PC Engine I saw in EGM/Gamepro. The unit also only offered RF output out of the box which I thought was cheap. The games... well Keith Courage was decent, and so was Legendary Axe. But I never quite warmed up the the console's aura... the packaging of the system, the boxes of the games, etc. I was too busy waiting for the new Genesis releases, like Ghostbusters, Rambo III, and other games to come out.

Even though I wasn't a huge TG-16 fan, I did get the CD attachment and loved Ys Book & II. Other games I had were JB Harold Murder Club and maybe one more. I was busy playing Night Trap on Sega CD around that time. The TG-16 was "second tier" to the Genesis, at least to me. One of my last memories of the TG-16 back then was walking into Electronics Boutique at the Phillipsburg Mall (in New Jersey) and saw that Ys III dropped in price. I tried to ask the guy behind the counter for it, but he didn't know what game I was talking about. He looked up and down the shelf for the game I named, but since it's spelled "Ys" he had no idea what game I asked him about. It was funny and sad at the same time and I did not get the game that day (the game wasn't supposed to be on sale, it was supposed to be Ys I & II on sale).

Anyway, now that I've had a chance to build my collection back up to about 65 Hucards and CDs, as well as two TurboGrafx systems and a few controllers, I really like the system. Especially the controllers. They're so comfortable, and offer turbo fire standard. The games aren't half bad, either, but the artwork reminds me of a Sega Master System game. Maybe that held it back, sales wise. Also, why didn't NEC release more games from Japan in the United States? For example, all of those Power League baseball games were out in Japan and we only got one of them in the USA. And TV Sports Baseball never came out, either!

Thanks for reading.

[DragonmasterDan]

Also, why didn't NEC release more games from Japan in the United States? For example, all of those Power League baseball games were out in Japan and we only got one of them in the USA. And TV Sports Baseball never came out, either!

Thanks for reading.

NEC themselves weren't solely responsible for the TG16 in the US. So I'll give some background on the TG16 and why it  First off, the TG16 did decently it's first two years. In 1989 and 1990 it was within reach of the Genesis, however in 1991 several things happened. First off Sonic the Hedgehog was released, up until that point one of the few benefits the TurboGrafx had in terms of marketing their product was with Bonk the system had a mascot and an identity. Sega was no longer using Alex Kidd to promote their products, when Sonic was released, Sega immediately had a character people identified with the company, and with the Genesis as a product. Also, the Super NES was released in the US in August of that year, Nintendo had far more third party support, far deeper pockets for marketing, the recognizable brand name of Nintendo, and much better distribution for their new 16-bit system. The TG16 really tapered off in 1991, it fell impossibly far behind the Genesis, and it was clear Nintendo were well on their way to blowing past NEC. In early 1992 NEC home electronics USA more or less got out of the Video Game business, Turbo Technologies incorporated, a partnership between NEC of Japan and Hudson Soft took over the marketing and distribution of the platform. However, they did so on a very small budget, and not with the intent of dominating the 16-bit market. But with the intent of carving out a profitable niche for themselves. Unfortunately, they had a very small budget to work with, very little money or operating freedom to license titles, and the system only lasted another two years in the US market.

Simply put there were a lack of financial resources and a near total lack of third party development for the platform that held it back.

[geise]

Yeah it was kinda sad, just 6 months after I bought my Duo at launch, some Electronics boutique stores were already getting rid of their Turbo stock.  I remember after buying my Duo seeing EGM's list of "coming soon" games to the US Duo.  On the list was games like Shubibinman 3, Macross 2036, Record of Lodoss War and some others.  I was so excited, but the excitement was short lived.   Then I had to just buy the games from import stores.  I had a Turbo Grafx 16 before the Genesis.  I did start playing my Genesis a bit more after I got it.  However there were quite a few games that kept me coming back the the Turbo.  Dungeon Explorer was one of them.  Also the Neutopia, Bonk, Soldier, and Bomberman series kept me playing till wee hours of the morning.  The CD add on my parents bought me was the best thing ever and opened a whole new life into the system.  Ys Book I&II is so damn amazing!  It was nice the TTI was doing a deal where you could turn in your Turbo and CD add on for a price drop on the Duo. 

Well welcome to the forums neogeo24bit!  Have fun collecting.  It sure is nicer than the AES collecting haha!  Way more bang for the buck. 

[Arkhan]

You bring up an interesting point.  The TG packaging was retarded.

stupid looking kid going >=O on the box, and then lame box art with stupid (pointless) cardboard boxes.

The booster is lame too.

The Genesis was like, sweet gridbox with Altered Beast.

There should be a rule, dont put stupid looking people on your packaging.

[ceti alpha]

Welcome to the circus, ngbit!

I love hearing stories about peoples' favourite consoles from bitd. It really was the best era in gaming, hands down.

It's tough to say how NEC/TTI could have changed things for the better, because Nintendo just had so much clout. It's possible that if NEC played their cards a bit better that they could have taken the #2 spot, but I just don't think #1, in North America that is, was doable.

[TurboExpressFan]

Was Nintendo also ahead because of the monopoly like practices and exclusive contracts with game companies that were found to be illegal later on when the US government took them to court over it.

[ceti alpha]

Was Nintendo also ahead because of the monopoly like practices and exclusive contracts with game companies that were found to be illegal later on when the US government took them to court over it.

That was definitely part of it. I forget the exact details, but I think developers couldn't port over a game to another console within a one or two year period, or something like that. It's crazy how Nintendo has changed over the years, at least in perception. They were, in many ways, worse, or just as bad as Microsoft in their worst days. Absolute power really does corrupt absolutely.

[DragonmasterDan]

That was definitely part of it. I forget the exact details, but I think developers couldn't port over a game to another console within a one or two year period, or something like that. It's crazy how Nintendo has changed over the years, at least in perception. They were, in many ways, worse, or just as bad as Microsoft in their worst days. Absolute power really does corrupt absolutely.

The issue wasn't with developers, the issue was with publishers, lots of games were developed multi-platform but only a few publishers had development agreements with Nintendo that preceded their monopolistic license agreements in the NES era. The result was that it made it very difficult for third parties to publish for other platforms. Sega had only a very small band of Genesis third parties(Renovation, EA, Accolade who was making unlicensed games, Treco) until 1992 which was after the Genesis took off due to the marketing of Sonic and packing it in (instead of Altered Beast) with the system.

[ceti alpha]

That was definitely part of it. I forget the exact details, but I think developers couldn't port over a game to another console within a one or two year period, or something like that. It's crazy how Nintendo has changed over the years, at least in perception. They were, in many ways, worse, or just as bad as Microsoft in their worst days. Absolute power really does corrupt absolutely.

The issue wasn't with developers, the issue was with publishers, lots of games were developed multi-platform but only a few publishers had development agreements with Nintendo that preceded their monopolistic license agreements in the NES era. The result was that it made it very difficult for third parties to publish for other platforms. Sega had only a very small band of Genesis third parties(Renovation, EA, Accolade who was making unlicensed games, Treco) until 1992 which was after the Genesis took off due to the marketing of Sonic and packing it in (instead of Altered Beast) with the system.

Right. Yeah, I confused publishers with developers.

[TheClash603]

That was definitely part of it. I forget the exact details, but I think developers couldn't port over a game to another console within a one or two year period, or something like that. It's crazy how Nintendo has changed over the years, at least in perception. They were, in many ways, worse, or just as bad as Microsoft in their worst days. Absolute power really does corrupt absolutely.

The issue wasn't with developers, the issue was with publishers, lots of games were developed multi-platform but only a few publishers had development agreements with Nintendo that preceded their monopolistic license agreements in the NES era. The result was that it made it very difficult for third parties to publish for other platforms. Sega had only a very small band of Genesis third parties(Renovation, EA, Accolade who was making unlicensed games, Treco) until 1992 which was after the Genesis took off due to the marketing of Sonic and packing it in (instead of Altered Beast) with the system.

It's funny how something as innocent as Sonic is what put the Genesis on the map, but then it was the gruesome Mortal Kombat that made the system a true force.

I agree with the original post, it was really hard to be excited about the TG16 when it was released.  The only games to me that were must play, based on the limited marketing of the system, were Bonk and Splatterhouse.  It wasn't until years after the system's release that I realized all the gems the system had to offer.

[Senshi]

I agree with the original post, it was really hard to be excited about the TG16 when it was released.  The only games to me that were must play, based on the limited marketing of the system, were Bonk and Splatterhouse.  It wasn't until years after the system's release that I realized all the gems the system had to offer.

I think this path of thinking is part of the reason why we are seeing such crazy prices for turbo stuff. I think a lot of people who played a lot of snes/genesis (mega drive) are realizing they missed out this system back in the day or did not appreciate it for what it was. I certainly wanted one but I just wasn't going to get the money for it. Plus now people who have gotten back into collecting have a their own money to spend on this stuff now instead of the rents  

[ceti alpha]

I think I was drawn towards the TG because it offered something fresh, instead of the same ol' Sega and Nintendo. I have to admit that the HuCard format was also a motivation for getting the TG. heh. Seriously though, there was just something about the TG that was attractive to me. The TG seemed very forward thinking, with the CDROM hardware and whatnot.

I guess it wasn't just one thing with the TG, but the whole package.

[thrush]

This is a really interesting thread.

It wasn't until years after the system's release that I realized all the gems the system had to offer.

I agree, but I think to a degree this applies to all systems.  I know I didn’t personally start paying attention to the Turbo systems until CD games started appearing.   But then again, I think it takes time to evaluate a platform overall.  It's a huge advantage to have a killer app up front, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the platform will be remembered chiefly for that kind of game further down the road.  (Maybe I'm out on a limb here.)

I certainly wanted one but I just wasn't going to get the money for it.

I agree with this, too.  If I could have, I would have owned every system growing up, but I had to pick & choose.  I think a lot of kids sort of tried to “bet on the winner”.  Wasn’t until I got older that I realised how much I'd missed.

I have to admit that the HuCard format was also a motivation for getting the TG. heh.  [...]  The TG seemed very forward thinking, with the CDROM hardware and whatnot.

For me, maybe a bit too forward thinking for my young brain!  I remember seeing ads & reading reviews and feeling like I didnt know how to evaluate a lot of them.  I guess I was a conservative gamer back then.

I love hearing stories about peoples' favourite consoles from bitd. It really was the best era in gaming, hands down.

I have to agree.  Nowadays the press makes such a big deal about iOS and Andoid games, for example, but it is really hard for me to imagine there being a dedicated community of people who love those titles two decades from now....

[TurboExpressFan]

That was definitely part of it. I forget the exact details, but I think developers couldn't port over a game to another console within a one or two year period, or something like that. It's crazy how Nintendo has changed over the years, at least in perception. They were, in many ways, worse, or just as bad as Microsoft in their worst days. Absolute power really does corrupt absolutely.

The issue wasn't with developers, the issue was with publishers, lots of games were developed multi-platform but only a few publishers had development agreements with Nintendo that preceded their monopolistic license agreements in the NES era. The result was that it made it very difficult for third parties to publish for other platforms. Sega had only a very small band of Genesis third parties(Renovation, EA, Accolade who was making unlicensed games, Treco) until 1992 which was after the Genesis took off due to the marketing of Sonic and packing it in (instead of Altered Beast) with the system.

Right. Yeah, I confused publishers with developers.

If I remember correctly a publisher could only release 5 games a year for the NES and had to wait 2 years before it could be published on other systems, if any of these rules were broken Nintendo would short the boards for the games(seeing as Nintendo were the only ones to make the boards that could get past the security) during holiday seasons so that Publisher would make less money.

[thrush]

If I remember correctly a publisher could only release 5 games a year for the NES and had to wait 2 years before it could be published on other systems, if any of these rules were broken Nintendo would short the boards for the games(seeing as Nintendo were the only ones to make the boards that could get past the security) during holiday seasons so that Publisher would make less money.

I don't really know, but I expect that this hurt smaller outfits more than the bigger names.  I know Konami skirted the 5 titles rule with partly or wholly-owned subsidiaries (like Ultra), and I seem to recall hearing that some western publishers did the same thing (Activision? not sure).  I hadn't heard about the 2 year rule before, though: beyond simply anti-competitive that almost seems mean-spirited.