The TurboGrafx-16 Mini, also called the PC Engine Mini in Japan and PC Engine CoreGrafx Mini in Europe, is a special home video game system based on NEC's TurboGrafx-16. It was released in 2020 and made by Konami, which owns the rights to Hudson Soft, the company that created the original system. The Mini copies the original system's 8-bit technology and includes 57 or 58 games that come with it.
Hardware
The Mini is half the size of the original TurboGrafx-16 video game console and can connect to two controllers at once, unlike the original console. It comes with one full-size replica controller that connects through USB, making the original controllers unable to work with it. The package also includes a USB-to-Micro-B power cable and an HDMI video cable. The Mini is only sold on Amazon, and different versions of the Mini are released for North America, Europe, and Japan. Each version includes a controller that matches the original console's regional design and color differences.
Games
Sixty game titles were announced for the Mini console across all regions, with 54 of these titles being unique to specific regions. Konami lists these titles under two categories: "TurboGrafx-16" for American games and "PC Engine" for Japanese games. However, this classification is simplified because other titles, such as TurboGrafx-CD/CD-ROM², Super CD-ROM², Arcade CD-ROM², and SuperGrafx, are also included on all versions of the Mini. The Japanese model includes 24 TurboGrafx-16 (American) games and 34 PC Engine (Japanese) games, totaling 58 games. The international model includes 25 TurboGrafx-16 (American) games and 32 PC Engine (Japanese) games, totaling 57 games. Five games are counted twice because they are available in both TurboGrafx-16 (American) and PC Engine (Japanese) versions on all models. The game Splatterhouse is also counted twice, as the uncensored PC Engine (Japanese) version is exclusive to the Japanese model, and the censored TurboGrafx-16 (American) version is exclusive to the international models. Additionally, three other PC Engine (Japanese) games are exclusive to specific regions: Tokimeki Memorial and Tengai Makyō II: Manji Maru are exclusive to the Japanese model, and Salamander is exclusive to the international model. All TurboGrafx-16 listed games remain in English only, and all PC Engine listed games remain in Japanese only on all models, even if both versions existed during the original console's release. Castlevania: Rondo of Blood includes a mini-game called "Akumajyo Dracula Peke," Soldier Blade includes its Caravan edition, and Gradius, Fantasy Zone, and Salamander have "near arcade" versions. These alternative versions can be accessed by highlighting them and holding the Select button while booting the game. Tokimeki Memorial and Salamander also include mini-games called "Force Gear" and "Twinbee Returns," which are available through cheat codes.
Production and release
The Mini was first shared at the E3 show in June 2019. This event was part of a growing trend of creating smaller versions of classic video game consoles from the 1980s and 1990s.
Konami, a company in Japan, used its YouTube channel to share all the games included in the Mini’s collection. These games were available for players in America, Europe, and Japan. A Japanese company called Hori also shared details about extra parts for the Mini. These included a Turbo Pad controller, a multitap that allows up to five players, and an AC Adapter that connects USB A to USB Micro-B ports. Hori Japan’s stores in the United States and Europe sell these items in their regions.
The Mini was first planned to be sold worldwide on March 19, 2020, only through Amazon. However, the release was delayed in all areas except Japan due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Konami said the launch of the TurboGrafx-16 Mini and its extra parts would be delayed for an unknown time because of the outbreak. The console was sent to North America on May 22, 2020. The CoreGrafx Mini was released in Europe on June 5, 2020.