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So you're working your way into "Turbo Land," but you really don't have any idea what you've gotten your self into? You're not the only one. This page is to introduce those people new to the land of Turbo Grafx & PC Engine, and to serve as a F&Q or whatever...

» General info/introduction to the Turbo Grafx 16/Turbo Duo/PC Engine.
» Turbo Time line - mini history of the turbo.
» Can I play Japanese games on my US System? « UPDATED 01_28_03
» Where do I get a Converter? « NEW 01_28_03
» What are all the different formats? « UPDATED 05_03_02
» My System is Broken, what do I do? « UPDATED 02_05_16
» Where can I buy stuff?
» Is there an Emulator for the Turbo Grafx/PC Engine?
» How many Turbo games were released in the USA?
» How many PC Engine games were released in Japan?
» What are the Technical Specs of the Turbo Grafx/PC Engine?
» What is Darkman the webmaster's Favorite color?« UPDATED 02_05_16
» Why did it change?« UPDATED 02_05_16
» Where is the porn on this site? « UPDATED 02_05_16

General info/introduction of the Turbo Grafx 16/Turbo Duo/PC Engine.

The Turbo Grafx 16 (PC ENGINE in Japan) is one the greatest systems of all times (my favorite). It claims to be a 16 bit system, but it actually is not. However, you would never know because of the outstanding graphics and sound it produced for it's time. The Turbo Grafx 16 played "HU Cards" (best described as a game cartridge, but not really). These were credit card shaped. Later on a CD upgrade was released for even more exciting games, and a stand alone unit called the Turbo Duo (Simply Duo in Japan) was released to play the best of both worlds. In the USA the Turbo Grafx did not do nearly as well it did in it's birthplace, but some great games were still brought to the states.

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Turbo Time line - mini history of the turbo.

	1987 NEC ("Nippon Electronic Company" I think?) released the PC Engine in Japan. The PC Engine was superior to Nintendo's "Family Computer" also known as Famicon (simply Nintendo in USA). Even though the PC Engine was still only a "8 bit system" it had 16 bit graphics...

	1988 the CD ROM² System was released in Japan, a upgrade to attach to the PC Engine. Making it the first CD games console. It came with a System card that you used in place of the game card.

	1989 NEC released the Super Grafx games system in Japan. It was released as competition to Nintendos "Super Famicon" (Super Nintendo in USA). NEC feared that the PC Engine's Technology could not compete with Nintendos newer Super Famicon. However, the PC Engine did fine, and the Super Grafx disappeared as fast as it appeared. Even though only 5 specific titles were released for this system, it played all PC engine titles as well. The CD ROM² System upgrade could also be attached to the Super Grafx with the proper accessory, making it the most expandable System in the Turbo Family. The Super Grafx never made it's way out side of Japan.

	1989 the PC Engine GT was released, a portable PC Engine. The most impressive hand held system of it's time (and for quite a while for that matter). Hey, just because this baby eats batteries, does not mean you should rip them off dude.

	1989 NEC released the the PC Engine in the USA and called it the Turbo Grafx 16. Marketing was poor, therefore it's popularity was not much better. Not too long after the Turbo CD System upgrade was released (CD ROM² System). It added the function to play CD games on your Turbo Grafx games system. It also came with a System card...

	1991 the PC Engine GT was released in the USA, and was called the Turbo Express. A portable Turbo Grafx. I hear you can get batteries cheap at Ikia.

	1991 the SUPER CD-ROM² System card was released in Japan as an upgrade to the CD ROM² System. Allowing it to play new exciting games that were produced for the Duo also released that year. The Duo was a combination system that was capable of playing all PC Engine (HU Cards) & CD ROM²/SUPER CD-ROM² System games.

	1992 TTI (Turbo Technologies Inc) released the Duo in USA, they called it the Turbo Duo. The SUPER CD-ROM² System card was also released as an upgrade to the Turbo CD System.

	1994? NEC releases the Arcade card Pro (for the Duo or CD ROM ROM² System) and the Arcade Card Duo (for the duo only) . The last upgrade to the PC Engine CD ROM² System. The Arcade card allowed even more technically advanced games, but not many games were released for using this format. It was backwards compatible though, letting you enjoy all the games. This Upgrade was never released in the USA.

There were several other Models of PC Engine systems released, as well as accessories that are not noted in this timetable.

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Can I play Japanese games on my US System?
	In order to play Japanese HU Cards, you will need a converter. CD games do not require a converter. There were four different converters made that I know of, back in Turbo's heyday. Some of them have Official names, some do not. Take a look at the pictures on the left. The WH-301 also called the "TV GAME COMPUTER CARTRIDGE CONVERTER" (on the box) Why doesn't it just say PCE converter I'll never know. A favorite name among turbo fans was "Purple Barney" or some variation. I have heard mixed reports about this converter. It works perfectly for some people, and not as well for others. I guess they were cheaply made. I owned two of them myself. One worked, one did not. This converter will NOT fit in a DUO without defacing it (which people do). Also comes in Purple and Brown flavors. The PC-505 I know almost nothing about. (Says Apollo on it in Japanese for some reason.) I don't know if this thing works or not. The Kisado is the best converter around. They work perfectly on everything, and are well made. Manufacturing of these stopped because of the depletion of the hu card socket part. (previously made and obtained from NEC I believe) The "Diving Board" as everyone calls it. It appears to be a good converter, I have used one in the past with no problems, but ask anyone and they will tell you to buy a Kisado. Finding a converter was easy in the past, cheap too. In recent days they have become rare and expensive. (ebay for example) There is always the option of hacking your system. I have heard of people installing a switch to play Us/Japan games. Like to solder? Click here. This is a Direct Link to a file on the Turbo List file server, visit the Turbo List to view other files. Mirai Adapter released January 2003, it's amazing that after all this time new adapters are available to the public. Made in Australia by Telegames U.K. Amount of units produced is not known. Promised to work with all machines and comparable to the Kisado. No official name has been given, so I named it "Mirai Adapter." Seems fitting. Buy yours at TurboZone Direct. Price currently is $99.00 expensive? Depends on how you look at it. Used Purple Barneys have been known to go for more than this on ebay. Seeing that there are no more hu card sockets available, they must have had them custom made. (which would explain the cost).