PC Engine

The PC Engine was released by NEC, a Japanese company, in 1987. The PC Engine was a collaborative effort between Japanese software maker Hudson Soft (which maintains a chip-making division) and NEC. Hudson was looking for financial backing for a game console they had designed, and NEC was looking to get into the lucrative game market. The PC Engine was and is a very small video game console, due primarily to a very efficient three-chip architecture and its use of HuCards, credit-card sized data cartridges. It featured an enhanced MOS Technology 65C02 processor and a custom 16-bit graphics processor, as well as a custom video encoder chip, all designed by Hudson.

The PC Engine was extremely popular in Japan, beating Nintendo's Famicom in sales soon after its release, with no fewer than twelve systems released from 1987 to 1993. It was capable of up to 512 colours at once in several resolutions, and featured very robust sprite handling abilities. The Hudson-designed chroma encoder delivered a video signal more vibrant and colourful than both the Famicom and the Sega Mega Drive/Sega Genesis and is largely regarded as the equal to Nintendo's Super Famicom, although that system was not released until 1990.

As graphics technology improved, gamers continued to stick to the PC Engine despite its shortcomings. Erotic games were a key factor in making the PC Engine popular, and this popularity was maintained far past the lifespan of a regular video game console. New games were released for the PC Engine up until 1999.

It was the first console to have an optional CD module, allowing the standard benefits of the CD medium: more storage, cheaper media costs, and redbook audio. The efficient design, backing of many of Japan's major software producers, and the additional CD ROM capabilities gave the PC Engine a very wide variety of software, with several hundred games for each the HuCard and CD formats.

All PC Engine systems support the same controller peripherals, including pads, joysticks and multitaps. Except for the Vistar, Shuttle, X1, GT and systems with built-in CD ROM drives all PC Engine units shared the same expansion connector, which allowed for the use of devices such as the CD ROM unit, game saves and AV output.

The US TurboGrafx and Vistar units use a different controller port than the PC Engines, but adaptors are available and the protocol is the same. The TurboGrafx offers the same expansion connector pinout as the PC Engine, but has a slightly different shape so peripherals must be modified to fit.

Despite the system's initial success, it soon lost ground to the Super Famicom. NEC made one final effort to resuscitate the system with the release of the Arcade Card expansion, bringing the total amount of RAM up to a then-massive 2048K; many Arcade Card games were conversions of popular Neo-Geo titles. The additional memory even allowed the system to display pre-rendered 3D polygon graphics well beyond what the competing Super Famicom and Megadrive/Mega-CD could offer. By this time, however, it was too late -- only a relative handful of Arcade Card games were ever produced, and the expansion was never released in the U.S.

In 1994 NEC released a new console, the Japan-only PC-FX, a 32-bit system with a tower-like design; it enjoyed a small but steady stream of games until 1998, when NEC finally abandoned the video games industry.

The PC Engine GT is a portable version of the PC Engine. It had a very crisp screen and an optional TV tuner was available. It could play all of the PC Engine HuCard games, yet had low battery life.

Another variation of the hardware is the SuperGrafx. This system is very nearly the same as the original PCE, except it has a duplicate set of video chips (and an extra chip to coordinate the two) and four times as much RAM. Since the CPU was not upgraded most developers were unable to utilize the extra graphics capability, the CPU just could not keep up. Only five SuperGrafx games (and one hybrid game - Darius) were released, and the system fell into obscurity.

Other members of the PC Engine family include the Shuttle, the LT (a laptop version similar to the Game Boy Advance SP, but considerably larger), the CoreGrafx I and II, the Duo R and the Duo RX. Contrary to popular belief the CoreGrafx is not a European version of the PC Engine. It is simply a reengineered version of the original (white) PC Engine with an AV output instead of the original model's RF output. The PC Engine and its derivatives were never officially sold in Europe, although many systems and most accessories and games were available as imports. The PC Engine and its games had been extensively covered by most major European video game magazines and were surprisingly popular.

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PC Engine Region Modified Core Grafx Loose - PC Engine (NTSC-J) Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region.Complete with AV lead, official joypad & UK power supply. This console comes unboxed and has been tested and works fine. Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	PC Engine Region Modified Turbo Express Console Loose - PC Engine The handheld equivalent of the US Turbo Grafx - the worlds first 16bit console. This console has been modified so it can play Japanese and US Games - there is a switch installed to change the region. 6xAA batteries are required (not included). Console has just one blown pixel, which seems to come and go. This console is loose without instructions... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
PC Engine RF Leads Boxed - PC Engine The official Japanese RF Leads for the PC Engine. Used to connect your PC Engine to your TV\\'s RF port. Please be sure your TV can display a Japanese NTSC RF Signal before buying these! This item is fully tested and comes boxed and without instructions. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine RGB Modified Console Loose - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The original white Japanese PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has had an RGB modification to replace the RF connection which is unusable in Europe. Complete with RGB Scart lead, official white joypad and UK power supply. This console comes unboxed and has been tested and works fine. Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
PC Engine RGB Modified Core Grafx 2 Console Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The second Core Grafx PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. This console has had an RGB modification and RGB amplifier with cable fitted so it outputs full RGB - much better than the original AV output. Complete with all parts, manuals and leaflets. Includes official joypad & UK power supply. RGB Scart Lead is fixed to... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine RGB Modified White Console Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The original Japanese PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. Complete with joypad and power supply. An RGB modification has been performed on this console to give the best possible picture quality and an RGB scart cable is included. This console comes boxed with instructions. The console has been tested and works fine. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
PC Engine Shuttle Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The PC Engine Shuttle. The worlds first 16bit console. Complete with joypad and power supply. A variant on the NEC PC Engine, the console featured no PC ROM support. Boxed and with manual. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine Super CD-ROM 2 Console Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The Japanese PC Engine Super CD-Rom 2 system. This is the attachment for your PC Engine Core Grafx console to upgrade it to play CD-Roms. Also included in the box is the piggy back power lead from your PC Engine console so you do not need two power supplies. The console comes boxed with instructions. The console has been tested and works fine. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
PC Engine Super CD-ROM 2 RGB Modified Console Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The Japanese PC Engine Super CD-Rom 2 system. This is the attachment for your PC Engine Core Grafx  console to upgrade it to play CD-Roms. This console has had the internal RGB  modification done on it\\'s AV port, has been fitted with an internal Amp to improve picture quality and also comes with an RGB Scart. This means you can... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine Super Grafx Console Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The upgraded PC Engine console. The Super Grafx is the successor to the original PC Engine consoles and has enhanced graphics and sounds. It is backwards compatible with all PC Engine games. This console is boxed with manuals and has been tested. Complete with manual Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
PC Engine Super System Card Boxed - PC Engine This is the Super System Card 3.0 to be used with original white CD-ROM based PC Engine Systems. Simply add this card into your Hucard slot on your console and increase the memory to 2MB which allows all CD-ROM games to play except Arcade CD-Rom games. Comes boxed with inlays. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine Ten No Koe 2 Boxed - PC Engine A PC Engine Backup Memory Adapter made by Hudson. Attaches to the PC Engine Expansion port and can be used to backup game saves onto the internal memory which is a staggering 2k! The unit has a menu which can be accessed to oversee the stored data. Requires 2 AA batteries (not included) to operate. This item is boxed and has been tested and works... Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
PC Engine Turbo Express Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-U) PC Engine Turbo Express - the US equivalent of the Japanese PC Engine GT. Plays all games that play on a normal US Turbo Express consoles - does not play Japanese PC Engine games without a converter. This item is boxed has been tested and works fine. This console is missing its manual Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine Turbo Express Car Adapter Boxed - PC Engine We all know that one of the criticisms with the Turbo Express is the battery life (or lack of it!). If you want to use your console whilst in a car (we strongly suggest as a passenger!) then this gadget is a godsend. Simply plug one end into the car cigarette lighter, and the other into your Turbo Express and you have an instant power supply. This... Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £25
PC Engine Turbo Stick Loose - PC Engine PC Engine Arcade style controller. This is a tough, solid arcade style joypad, designed to sit on a flat surface, with all the buttons on top of the pad and a joystick instead of directional buttons. Absolutely fantastic for beat-em-up games, you can vent your anger on the control pad as they are very durable (trust me on this one!). This item is... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!	PC Engine TurboTap Boxed - PC Engine So you've just got yourself a copy of Bomberman and you've got two mates with controllers who want to play, but there's only one controller port! Well here's the solution for you - a Turbo Grafx Multitap. All your problems are solved! Compatible with any four player game. This item is fully tested and comes boxed with instructions. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
PC Engine TV Tuner Boxed - PC Engine The most unusual accessory for the Turbo Express! The TV Tuner pack turns your Turbo Grafx into a portable TV; just like the Sony Watchman from the late 80's. This item is for use with an analogue TV signal. This item is boxed and in good working order. Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £50	PC Engine Virtual Cushion Boxed - PC Engine A rare accessory for the PC Engine. The Virtual Cusions is a cushion that inflates and connects to the sound output so that you can "feel" the sound when you sit on it. Odd but strangely effective! This item is boxed and in good working order. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
PC Engine White Console Boxed - PC Engine (NTSC-J) The original Japanese PC Engine System. The worlds first 16bit console. Complete with joypad and power supply. This console does not have an AV connection and only has NTSC-J RF connections so please ensure it will play on your console. The console has been tested and works fine. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	PC Engine White Joypad Loose - PC Engine This is the official white NEC joypad that comes boxed with the console. If you are looking for a replacement controller, these are the best - don\\'t buy any third party inferior controllers, make sure you get the official ones! If you\\'ve got a multitap, why not get a copy of Bomberman and another two controllers and get your mates... Box: no Manual: no Sold Out!
PC Kidd Guide Book - PC Engine Illustrated guidebook for PC-Kidd game. All text is in Japanese. Box: Manual: Sold Out!	Photograph Boy - PC Engine (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese PC Engine game that will only run on a Japanese console or a modified console. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Populous - PC Engine (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese PC Engine import that will only run on a Japanese console, or a modified Console. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!	Power Drift - PC Engine (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese PC Engine import that will only run on a Japanese console, or a modified Console. Box: yes Manual: yes Sold Out!
Power Eleven Soccer - PC Engine (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese PC Engine import that will only run on a Japanese console, or a modified Console. Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £10	Power Golf - PC Engine (NTSC-J) This is a Japanese PC Engine import that will only run on a Japanese console, or a modified Console. Box: yes Manual: yes Price: £10