RetroTink 5x Gameplay Spotlight - TurboGrafx 16 & PC Engine

In this episode, we expand on our review of the #RetroTink 5x and focus on gameplay footage for specific systems, in this instance the #TurboGrafx16 & #PCEngine.Show more

Chapters:
0:00 - Introduction
1:18 - Pac Land
3:10 - Keith Courage
5:28 - Fantasy Zone
7:32 - Bonk's Adventure

In our review of the RetroTink 5x, we went through and played a lot of different games from a lot of different systems. That being said, due to the overall length of the review we were not able to go into as much depth into each system as we would like. As such, we have created videos specifically focusing on one console. Make sure you bookmark our playlist, link below, to be kept up to date when we do release new episodes.

While not as popular as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super NES, or Sega Genesis here in the states, the TurboGrafx 16 is an amazing piece of hardware with a wonderful library. As such, fans are looking for ways to get the best video quality possible out of their systems. The RetroTink 5X works tremendously well with this system, making it look better than it possibly ever has. To connect our TurboGrafx 16 to the RetroTink 5x, we are using Insurrection Industries SCART cables, along with one of their Spark Plug RGB adapters.

One of the first things that makes this such a powerful combination is the fact that there is, in fact, a dedicated TurboGrafx 16 profile. This is something I misspoke about in my review, and honestly one of the inspirations for the series. Having the system already set up for the end user makes it all that much more convenient. The profile is actually compatible with both the PC Engine and the TurboGrafx 16, so it will work with both of these systems.

Up first in this example is Pac Land, one of my PC Engine games, and one of my favorite games for the system. Through the RetroTink 5X, I was extremely impressed with how vibrant the colors looked, how authentic the sound was, and how responsive the controls were. And cheaper adapters, like those crappy composite video to HDMI adapters, you get quite a bit of interference, latency, and other issues. None of that occurred here with the RetroTink 5x. The images were sharp, pixels were clear, and it was a wonderful overall experience.

Up next was Keith Courage, and this was one of the games that I decided to play around with scanlines. I am not a fan of the scan line look myself, but I know people are and are curious to see how they look. The 50% scanline option wasn't as terrible as I've seen used on other devices. I won't say that I'm a fan of scanlines, even after this, but this is possibly one of the best scanline examples I've seen to date.

Fantasy Zone is one of the most colorful games available for the system, and it is simply a wonderful shooter. The controls are tight, it's challenging as can be, and it's just fun. This is one of those games that was optimized in my opinion for the TurboGrafx 16, owing to the fact that you could turn rapid or turbo fire on and off. With the scan lines once again turned off, my personal preference, I thought that the graphic fidelity was outstanding.

To finish things up, we once again threw in on my favorite game on the system, Bonk's Adventure. This is just such a great title and really one of the reasons why I wanted a TurboGrafx 16 in the first place. Much like my previous experiences, it looks simply beautiful through the RetroTink 5x. And it plays wonderfully as well. Truth be told, I played for about an hour and a half after I was done recording, I was having that much fun playing bonk through this setup.

The TurboGrafx 16 looks absolutely wonderful going through the RetroTink 5x. The colors are vibrant, the pixels are sharp, and the gameplay is super responsive. I had previously used a RetroTink 2x with this system, and thought it couldn't get any better. I was wrong, it's bigger brother does an amazing job with pumping out amazing results.

#RetroTink5x #TurboGrafx16 #LetsPlay

The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:

https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(Pub. L. 94–553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101–650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102–492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)