The Turbografx-16 is a console that rarely gets mentioned in the 16-Bit Generation. It’s still a very obscure console full of hidden gems with appealingly “free” WRs. Most Turbografx games have only started being ran recently and have developed rapidly due to most Turbografx runners being already experienced with speedrunning, so while the records are free, they tend to be improved to near optimization very quickly.
Only 100 TG games are on SRC, and very few players use original hardware. Original hardware for Turbografx is expensive and confusing. I’ve already done the trial-and-error heavy lifting, so here’s my recommendation-get a region-free Duo. It’s expensive, but you save more in the long run due to not having to buy the other ones. There’s even going to be more of these units and they’ll get cheaper, and there’s an HD version of this, so don’t settle for less.
Controllers, you’ll want the grey turbo controllers, which help in text-heavy or button mashing heavy games. I don’t think you’ll need the multi-tap except for co-op runs. Turbografx controllers are very durable and comfortable too, so there’s no need for special controllers either. There’s also region-locked controllers so don’t get the black ones with “Turbografx” on them, even if you prefer larger.
Now that that’s done, here are some of the most popular games:
The Bonk series
Ninja Spirit
Splatterhouse
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood
Street Fighters 1 and 2
Prince of Persia (Turbografx one has great music!)
Dragon’s Curse
Ninja Ryukenden (Ninja Gaiden 1)
Shinobi
Here are some less popular ones that I recommend
World Court Tennis and Final Lap Twin
Double Dungeons
Military Madness
New Adventure Island
Faussete Amour
The Valis series
The Ys Series
Neo Nectaris (Military Madness sequel)
And ones not on leaderboards yet. Have a good time!
