Konami – who remains PC Engine Engineer after its purchase of the Hudson Soft in 2011 – is probably a little late for the party with her take on the & # 39; micro-console concept & # 39; who started the Nintendo Classic Edition a few years back. Since then, we've seen SNK, Tony and Sega all board a boat on a retro money train, often with varying degrees of success.
However, while the Neo Geo Mini and Mega Drive Mini both offer a selection of games that will be familiar to even the most retro gaming enthusiasts thanks to being released (and re-released) on a wide range of digital storage stores over the last 10 years, PC Engine Mini (aside of its western counterpart, the TurboGrafx-16 Mini) offers a gaming library that is no more than a beat record. That doesn't mean it has lost quality – quite the opposite, in fact – and with the M2 imitation technician who performs heavy lifting (just as the truth of Sega's proverb is proved.
However, while the PC Engine Mini is undoubtedly home to some great games, it is undeniable that it lacks the prestige and recognition that has made Nintendo & # 39; s NES and SNES Classic Editions issues so popular. With Nintendo, you know you get it Mario, Zelda, Metroid and more besides, but if you stop the average person on the road and ask them to pick their favorite PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 release, you won't even know where you are talking. Can Konami's cone overcome this thorny issue and establish itself as one of the best micro-consoles to buy? While the release of the western column has been delayed by the recent outbreak of the coronavirus, we've managed to get our hands on the Japanese wing, so let's hear.
PC Mini Engine Update: History
Unlike Nintendo and Sega's Micro-consoles, the PC Engine range is less popular with the average gamer. A fruitful collaboration between Japanese software company Hudson Soft and NEC's electronics giant, PC Engine exploded at the event in 1987, giving players a stronger home system than the aging (yet still dominating) Nintendo Famicom. With its reliable ports of dance and strong support from the likes of Konami, Namco and Taito, it quickly established itself as Japan's favorite gaming console – a position we would maintain even after Sega launched its Mega Drive technology in 1988.
Following is a new list of equipment development connections; PC Engine was blessed with a CD-ROM added in 1988, and was awarded the Pro & # 39; before Pro consoles became even a thing when Hudson and NEC released the superseded SuperGrafx in 1989 (only six games were ever released due to it, and two of which have been included in the PC Engine Mini – Daimakaimura and Aldynes). PC Engine was released in North America as the TurboGrafx-16 in 1989, which had fought hard against Nintendo and Sega compatibility in what turned out to be a memorable battle. Without a word, the program is powered by an 8-bit HuC6280 CPU – but of course, the graphics processor it is 16-bit, that's why PC Engine games look so much better than the NES titles.
While it failed to make any impression from North America, in its native Japan the PC Engine was well-known enough to keep Sega in port and would benefit from additional hardware refreshments; The PC Engine Duo included a hard drive and CD-ROM drive and would also be double-sided with Duo-R and Duo-RX, while system power was generated using & # 39; Program Cards & # 39 ;, most notably Arcade Card enabled for ports of fraud such as SNK & # 39; s The Fal Fury Special and The Art of War. There were even less expensive variants, which are friendly with the PC Engine Shuttle, as well as configurations like the PC Engine GT and PC Engine PCs, the latter of which came with an eye-watering price tag.
The PC engine would eventually be replaced by PC-FX in 1994 – another collaboration between Hudson and NEC – but the system was an unpopular failure and did not come out of Japan.
PC Mini Engine Update: The Hardware
The naming of the PC Engine Mini is a little healthier because it is actually much smaller than the original contract. The first PC engine was famous for its reduced size – it was plentiful, more is smaller than systems like the NES, Mega Drive and SNES – so there's a reason Konami (with Hor, who is in charge of the hardware side with this project) was always striving to push it down anyways by this 2020 model. As it stands, the PC Engine Mini is about 25- 30 percent smaller than the 1987 model, but it has the same size as the NES Classic, SNES Classic and Mega Drive Mini. In fact, having them all on the shelf together looks cool.
From the raw power switch to the console even moving the red plastic & # 39; EXT BUS & # 39; in the background (which should be removed to reveal USB and HDMI ports), PC Engine is a game close to the system that revolutionized the Japanese home market in the late 80s. However, there are notable differences; NEC branding completely removed from the program itself and install. Konami's acquisition of the PC Engine product has effectively removed the NEC from the picture – which is a little embarrassing to the company's handover in the process policy, but is understandable in the case of large IP-strengthening organizations.
Also, some purists may be frustrated by the fact that there is no HuCard slot in the console – when these credit card games will be included in the original console it's just an empty gap in the PC Engine Mini. This is a minor cosmetic difference, however, and it naturally has no effect on system performance. If it bothers you, then you will be very upset that the AV and power bases on the sides are also empty.
The controller feels more like a single game with Original and comes with a 3-foot cable. The folding D-Pad flashes, as does the two face buttons. Sadly, there is no option to install them automatically, as they did with the PC engine revision controller released after launch (this was the pad that TurboGrafx-16 introduced with him). There are two USB ports at the front of the console (the original PC Engine had one) so the two-player games do not require any additional Hardware. In games that support more than two players (Bomberman, we're watching you), you'll need to purchase a special adapter.
The kind we review here is the Japanese model. The North American version is renamed TurboGrafx-16 and features a slightly different case design, while the European variant is based on CoreGrafx's review of the Japanese PC Engine.
PC Mini Review: Games
The PC Engine Mini list offers 58 games – that's 34 Japanese titles and 24 TurboGrafx-16 (American) games – but some of them are actually duplicates. In some cases where both are Japanese and The North American version is available, both versions are included. Therefore, Nectaris is available in its Japanese form as well Military Violence, a North American release – and these are listed as two separate games on the console menu. There are exceptions – Soldier Blade it is only included in its TG-16 form, despite the release of the existing Japanese – but in this case it looks smaller as the versions are similar between regions due to the lack of Japanese text.
While the lineup is very similar to all three available hardware types, there are differences; the Japanese console gets Memorial of Tokyo and Tengai Makyō II: Manji Maru, while shooting Konami Salamander it is only available in North American and European programs. Type of Splatterhouse
It is also notable that some games – such as Soldier Blade – come with bonus versions based on popular & # 39; Caravan & # 39; These translations are usually tag-focused and have a strict time limit, and are available by holding the & # 39; Select & # 39; while pressing & # 39; Run & # 39; to start a game.
The complete line is as follows:
With 60 games available, the PC Engine Mini bends its micro-console rivals in terms of pure software volume, but that number doesn't tell the whole story. While Nintendo and Sega machines benefit from the amazing depth and breadth of their libraries, PC Engine can't offer the same level of quality. No 2D platform here is even close to a rival Super Mario Bros. 3, and no RPG gift can match Zelda History: A Historical Link. Likewise, no one is fighting the bad side at all, which means the PC Engine Mini has no bloom response Rage Roads 2 on the Mega Drive Mini. Depending on the quality of the pure software, Nintendo and Sega won that battle long ago.
However, it is worth pointing out that several titles in the PC Engine Mini rank as some of the best. Dracula X: Blood Rondo is widely regarded as one of the best embedded systems The castlegumi series, while Ys Book I & II is a classic JRPG with smooth 2D cinema scenes and epic sound. Daimakaimura – better known to western players as Ghouls & # 39; n Ghosts – is presented here in its SuperGrafx form, and arguably one of the closest home ports available. Alien Crush is a flawless take on pinball and precursor to the equalizer The Devil's Devil, and caveboy Bonk – arguing that PC Engine's most prominent rival in Mario and Sonic – appears on two of the best wrapping platforms.
However, when the PC Engine Mini indeed light on its shooters. The original console was renowned for its talent in this particular genre, and back in the day, savvy gamers debated endlessly what was best for this kind of powerful experience – PC Engine or Sega Mega Dray. The beauty of the program in this category is evidenced by the high number of shooters present in this limited edition: Galaga & # 39; 88, Fantasy Zone, Dragon Ghost, Super Darius, Super Star Soldier, Aldynes, Seirei Senshi Spriggan, Spriggan Mark 2 : Re-Terraform Project, Gradius, Gradius II: Gofer no Yabō, Star Parodier, Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, Psychosis, R-Type, Space Harrier, Cho Aniki, Lords of Thunder, Blazing Lazers / Gunhed, Air Zonk and Soldier Blade are the 20 archers available here, meaning that over a third of the console's library is dedicated to the genre (shamefully, surprisingly Gate of Thunder not done cutting).
Given the quality of blended blasters, it's hard to complain; Seirei Senshi Spriggan, Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, Soldier Blade and Star Parodier alone will miss you thousands
Granted, RPG fans work well with the aforementioned Ys: Book I & II, Dungeon Explorer, Cadash and Neutopia II (these PC Engine fans have access to Zelda in the system), as well as titles like Moto Roader, Power Golf, Parasol Stars, Splatterhouse, Panic Bomber and the excellent Bomberman94 offer much-needed variety, but there are so many defeats here. Kung Fu – known in North America as China Warrior – was impressed in the '80s with its massive, screen-filled admiration but in terms of gameplay, it's definitely worth a snore-fest and should have been left to taste something right. J.J. & Jeff again wasting space; in the early Japanese period, Kato-chan and Ken-chan, is famous for its private gaming, is a game dog to be played and the North American harbor is less interesting as much of its humorous content has been ripped off. Victory Run – viewed by some as a console response to it Relax Run (surprising as PC Engine gets the Sega's popular race port) – it's extremely similar, and unless you really like it, you won't be able to upgrade it often. Why add these when the topics are of interest Gekibo: Gekisha Boy and Magical Pursuit is there a choice?
Then there is the story of the Japanese script. The fact of PC Mini Engine in all its various needs includes a Hideo Kojima seminar It's snuffy It's fun, but unless you can learn Japanese, it will be a closed book for you. The same can be said of the Tokekeki Memorial, Tengai Makyō II: Manji Maru and Jaseiken Necromancer, all of which are compact RPGs that do not produce an English-language option because there is never one; they were exclusive to their traditional Japanese back in the day.
In terms of imitation quality, everything is as transparent as possible as we can tell – and that's exactly what the M2 expects to be. The menus are brilliantly highlighted and look very similar to those seen on Nintendo & # 39; s Classic Editions and Sega Mega Drive Mini (the last owned by M2). The games are presented in two sections of each region, and alternating between the two results in a cool effect when the screen turns off before switching to another menu, such as when you turn off your original desktop-school CRT TV back in the day. Running the game also creates a cool animation that shows the HuCard or System Card placed on the console, complete with authentic sounds.
You have slots for saved locations and may have changed the way the screen looks. Sadly, the CRT filter makes the image look more appealing, and when working with the default setup it has an undesirable effect because the pixels are slightly distorted. Switch to full pixel mode and this problem disappears completely. There is also a game-filtering mode with PC Engine GT / TurobGrafx Express, that is indeed bad but the humor is all the same.
PC Mini Mini Engine Update: Conclusion
The PC engine holds a special place in the hearts of many retro gamers, so it's amazing to see the micro-console hit the market targeting this precise niche. While the PC Engine Mini may not have the same overall appeal as the SNES Classic or Mega Drive Mini, it is also a welcome addition to this interactive game industry.
Of course, there are a few unpleasant options when it comes to integrated software, but being able to play titles such as Dracula X: Rondo of Blood, Seirei Senshi Spriggan, Soldier Blade, Splatterhouse, Parasol Stars, Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire without making your house special. The M2 simulation is not as innocent as it used to be (shame about this CRT filter, mind) and if you're a system lover then this could probably be positioned as your favorite micro-console.
However, aside from the visual slide of characters like Mario, Sonic or the drag link, newcomers may be left wondering what all of this is all about – meaning more about the failure of TurboGrafx-16 in the west than it does about the game's overall quality. Outside of Japan, PC Engine has always been an acquired taste, so it is indeed appropriate that the situation should remain unchanged by 2020.
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