Should You Buy the TurboGrafx 16 Mini from Konami?

In this video, we test out and review the TurboGrafx 16 Mini console from Konami.

Check out our unboxing video at https://youtu.be/S9IVQdzxp7k

Special thanks to my good friend John Riggs for helping me find where I could order one of these for myself.

If there is one system I've always wanted to play it was the TurboGrafx 16. It came out at a time when the NES was still king & the Genesis hadn't really found it's footing in the USA yet. The fact that it had so many great games, the graphics looked amazing, and I never knew anyone who had one in my group of friends. In 2019 Konami, who now owns the right to the TurboGrafx branding, announced Mini versions of the TG16, along with the European and Japanese Core Grafx and PC Engine would be coming in 2020. While COVID-19 delayed the launch in the USA, it is finally here!

The TG16 Mini is packed with awesome games, 57 to be exact. there are a few games that are different between the US and European models and the Japanese model, but the differences are few and far between. The system includes one controller, an HDMI cable, a micro USB cable for power, in the system itself. No power supply is required however any standard 5v/1amp output power brick should work.

The system has a number of different graphic display options, from a 4:3 mode, Pixel perfect, even a full screen 16:9 mode. The menu is divided into TurboGrafx 16 games and PC Engine/Core Grafx games, and honestly, I would have like to just have them all on one screen. while you are navigating the menu you do get some nice music in the background along with the box art for each title. as you are on each game it also gives you a brief look at the number of players that you can play with.

Having just bought a TurboGrafx 16 and January of 2020, I'm really excited to spend some time with this system. I've already played quite a bit of Bonk's Revenge & I love it! I'm surprised how much I like the controller too. Make sure you stay subscribed for updates when we upload our full-blown review.

Why it RoX:
- 57 Games!
- Includes themes for the Core Grafx and PC Engine
- US and Japanese games Included
- Look and feel replicate the original terrifically
- Great controller
- 10-foot long controller cord
- Graphics and audio are terrific

What could be improved?
- No English translations of Japanese games available
- Some of the games are meh at best
- There are a TON of SHMUPS, not a ton of platformers
- Controller ports not labeled
- Layout of power and HDMI ports not well thought out
- Hard to get right now

Should you buy one?
The TG16 Mini is the first of the Mini systems that I've not played the full-size version before buying the mini. Some of that is due to the fact I was a Nintendo kid. Some of that is due to the TG16 being incredibly expensive to collect for. While I do now own a TurboGrafx 16, I actually haven't been able to play it yet. This was an amazing way for me to be able to experience this amazing catalog of games for the first time. I do think that the catalog, while expansive, leaves a little to be desired, however, the games I enjoy I love and are all-time classics. Bonk, New Adventure Island, Rondo of Blood, Galaga, so many amazing titles are here. However, I see little if any value to adding the import games without English translation patches, especially games like Snatcher which is unplayable. But even with these knocks, this is an amazing system and one I am thrilled I have in my collection. It is not perfect, but it is darn good and I highly recommend picking one up. Just don't pay over MSRP.

#TurboGrafx16Mini #CoreGrafxMini #PCEngineMini

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