Down and Dirty Reviews:  NEC'S TURBOGRAFX-16 N - Z


Do you want some more Turbo reviews? You got them, baby!


TURBO GRAFX-16 CD -
Will only work on a Turbo CD or Turbo Duo.
SUPER CD-ROM2 games -
Will only work on a Turbo Duo.

The scores are out of 100.

The graphics, sounds, and game play are out of 10.


Score / Name

82
NEUTOPIA (Hudson Soft, 1990)

If JJ and Jeff is the Super Mario Brothers clone for the Turbo then Neutopia is the Legend of Zelda edition. Can you save the princess from a evil demon (who cares about the names, eh?), you have to brave through a dangerous landscape and 8 dungeons first? Sure it may seem a lot like the first Zelda game on the NES but the more Zelda the better I say, plus this has slightly sharper graphics as well (although they don't look too impressive compared to other Turbografx games). Neutopia is an excellent adventure game that just lacks originality.
*Save option available
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find Neutopia on eBay here!


80 NEUTOPIA II (Hudson Soft, 1992)

As if the original Neutopia wasn't hard enough to find here is the sequel that was released when the Turbografx-16 was on it's death bed. Oh well, this role playing adventure here still rocks. In it you play as the son of the original hero and you have to find out what happened to your dad while you kill monsters and explore caves 'n such. The game play is honestly not that much different so it plays just like a Legend of Zelda style adventure but there are a few changes like you can now attack in 8 directions instead of 4 and you do a few new magic spells as well. Neutopia II is nothing too earth shattering but it still works and it feels less like a Zelda clone too.
*Rare Turbografx-16 game
*Save option available
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find Neutopia II on eBay here!

63 NEW ADVENTURE ISLAND (Hudson Soft, 1992)

I remember this popular series on the NES and it's cool to see it jump to the more powerful Turbo here. Surprisingly though not much has changed because in this action platformer you still play the island man with the big chin who must save his kidnapped bride from generic demons. Sadly, it won't be easy because one hit can kill you plus you also need to eat food as well or you still die just like the original Adventure Island. The game even has less features then some of the older NES games because there are no dinosaur buddies or weapon selects so the game feels a bit on the out dated side. New Adventure Island is anything but new however it is still fun to play.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
*Save option available
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 5

Find New Adventure Island on eBay here!



34 NIGHT CREATURES (NEC/Manley, 1992)

This game has a very cool name and the box art is actually pretty good unlike tons of other TG-16 games but how is the game itself you ask? Well, the game has this story where you are trying to rid your main hero of a curse. Fortunately this curse also means you can transform into different animals like a wolf or a eagle so that's cool. What isn't so good is the often cheap game play here since it doesn't take long for the screen to get filled with a ton of annoying, hard to hit enemies. I also didn't like the overly cartoonish visuals too much since I thought this was suppose to be some horror game like Splatterhouse. This game here is just a nightmare to play.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 3
gameplay: 6
Find Night Creatures on eBay here!


StarSoldier Game of the Month!

78 NINJA SPIRIT (Irem, 1990)
What if your shadow could help protect you in a fight? That's what happens in Ninja Gaiden II and Ninja Spirit here as well. The game's story here focuses on a young ninja named Moonlight and how he sees his father's death by a evil renegade ninja clan. Moonlight can not only use a list of some cool weapons like the triple ninja stars and dynamite sticks but you can also use up to two shadows of yourself to aid you in attack and defense. Ninja Spirit is a really short but very intense action game with awesome looking weapons.
For 1 or 2 players (alternate)
graphics: 8 ........... just look at that srceen shot!
sound: 7
gameplay: 8
Find Ninja Spirit on eBay here!

62 NINJA WARRIORS (Taito, 1989)
*Japanese PC Engine game
Oh ya, this is the first time I ever got the chance to play the original Ninja Warriors game. In this action platformer you control one of two killer ninja cyborgs on a mission to assassinate an evil dictator. It sounds simple enough but this president will throw tons of soldiers, fire breathers, robots, other ninjas, even tanks to stop you. It all sounds like a lot of fun but there are a few problems that bugged me. For one you ninjas are extremely slow and it's not like these are short stages either with constantly respawning enemies. Die once and it back to start of the stage all over again. Ninja Warriors has cool music and decent graphics but the tedious game play hasn't aged well.
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 7
gameplay: 6

Find Ninja Warriors on eBay here!



69 ORDYNE (Namco, 1990)

Here is a strange two player cartoon-like shooter where two scientists race across the skies with the ability to buy weapons and other items in airshops. In the game you or a friend must survive all 7 levels to save your friend from a dangerous madman and his army. Ordyne is a fairly fun shoot em up similiar to Sega's Fantasy Zone but like that game this can be too easy and there is little to do once the adventure is completed. This game can be also found on Namco's 4th Museum title on Playstation called C as well.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

Find Ordyne on eBay here!


80 OUT RUN (NEC Avenue/Sega, 1989)

*Japanese PC Engine game
Just like the arcade game you drive a stylist Ferrari across five different courses to earn a high score and what's wrong with that, eh? The PC Engine port plays a lot like the arcade game cause you still have the choice of three soundtracks, alternate routes, and tons of crazy cars that stand in your way to the finish line. The frame rate is little off and the engine sounds are annoying but thankfully they can be turned off in the options and other then that this is a great port of the famous arcade racer and in my opinion this is one of the best driving game for the system.
For 1 player only
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

Find Out Run on eBay here!

Total Recall Dud of the Month!
40 PAC LAND (Namco, 1990)
Pac Land is your standard jumping platformer and not a fun maze game like the old arcade Pac Man games that most people seem to remember. Despite some rather nice colourful graphics the basic run and jump game play is quite unremarkable and it may be too hard for its intented target which is young children. Pac Land gets the thumbs down.
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 4
gameplay: 2

Find Pacland on eBay here!


60 PANIC BOMBER (Hudson Soft, 1994)
*Japanese Super CD-ROM2 game
It's not just a Virtual Boy game after all, is it? Imagine what Bomberman would like if it was a puzzle then you get Hudson's Panic Bomber. The Bomberman graphics are colourful if unexciting but at least the game play can be very addictive once the rules are fully learned of course.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 7

Find Panic Bomber on eBay here!


86 PARASOL STARS (Working Designs/Taito, 1991)
Parasol Stars is a fun and chaotic sequel to Rainbow Islands as the human versions of Bob and Bub continue their adventures in a overly cute but still dangerous world. The two kids dropped the whole rainbow thing from the last game and are carrying umbrellas instead. The cool thing about these umbrellas is they can catch any of the loose bubbles and whip them at your enemies. The game has loads of power ups, secrets, and levels all with cartoon-like graphics and sounds. Parasol Stars is pretty weird and the action can get repetitive but this game is so big that it's definitely worth a try.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
*Save option available
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 8
Find Parasol Stars on eBay here!


StarSoldier Game of the Month!

72 POWER GOLF (Hudson Soft, 1989)
Power Golf is a Turbografx-16 golf game that I actually liked because it was easy to play much like Hot Shots Golf for the Playstation. Here you can play on your own, fight with the computer, or play with friends in Stroke, Match, and Competition play. This game is so easy to get into that even I was able to get a Hole in one in a rare moment. If you like the sport, Power Golf is a very smart buy.
For 1 to 3 players
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 8
Find Power Golf on eBay here!


71 PRINCE of PERSIA (Hudson Soft/BroaderBund, 1992)

*Super CD-ROM2 game
The personal computer favourite makes a surprise appearance on the Turbo's Super CD ROM machine and now Duo owners get a chance to play a classic thriller. The story here is actually fairly compelling because you were wrongfully imprisoned after falling in love with the beautiful princess of Persia. After Minister Jaffar throws you in jail he offers the princess an ultimatum: marry him or be killed in a hour. You must escape from the underground dungeons and try and save your love before it's too late but it's going to be no easy task because this game is loaded with rogue guards and deadly traps. One of toughest games for the turbo because each room in this may spell your instant doom and not everybody will go crazy for the game's slow pace and lack of save points but if you like game's like Out of this World or Flash Back then this game is sure to please.
*Save option available
*Uncommon Duo game
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 7
gameplay: 8
Find Prince of Persia on eBay here!


68 PSYCHOSIS (Naxat Soft, 1990)

*a.k.a.: Paranoia in Japan
This game is a weird looking psychic shooter comes packed with lots of crazy on screen action and 5 challenging levels to master. Psychosis is a fairly fun game with a unique 360 degree shielding system but the fire weapon was the only gun worth picking up plus why are there only 5 levels here as well? If you love shooters you may like this one too but why are there so many shooters on this system here to begin with?
For 1 player only
graphics: 8
sound: 5
gameplay: 7
Find Psychosis on eBay here!


65 PYRAMID PLUNDER (Aetherbyte Studios, March 2013)

*Super CD-ROM2 game
*Homebrew game
Now this is what I'm talking about! Although it may not sound like it, Pyramid Plunder is a Pac Man clone and if you know me I love the arcade classic (Hell, I still have a real Ms Pac Man cocktail table at my house). Now PP here isn't a direct rip off either because in this title you are searching for lost treasure in a giant pyramid but there are several mummies, skeletons, and more baddies looking to pwned you for invading their turf. The game is packed with different mazes, unique enemies, and even power ups to sweeten the deal but some of the game's features did give me a few headaches. All the mazes in PP are so big that it requires multi-scrolling and being a Pac Man fan I'm used to seeing all the action on screen at once. To counter this there is a map at the top of the screen so you ahead of time where the monsters are so you don't get ambushed but it's very small to see when you're 5 to 10 ft. away from your TV. Another problem with the big mazes is that they are too big and finding all the gold in a stage quickly becomes a chore, plus this is no short game either since there are over 40 levels with no password or save feature so you can't continue later. Fortunately the game does save your high scores, there are four difficulties and you do see new locations every 5 levels so there is still a lot here to like. If you stick with it Pyramid Plunder the game can be enjoyable but be sure to have a lot of time on your hands if you want to get far in this one.
*Save option available
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 6
Here is the website where the game is at!
Find Pyramid Plunder on eBay here!


70 RAIDEN (Hudson Soft/Seibu Kaihatsu, 1992)
The first and only 6 meg game for the Turbografx-16 is this extremely hard but popular arcade shooter where a lone ship defends the earth from a alien invasion. I love the different power ups here and the graphics and sounds are not too bad either but the only problem I have with the Turbo edition of Raiden is that it's one player only and I could sure use some help here. For example: that boat boss on level 3 alone is just way too cheap with it's super fast bullets and high amount of hit points but for me it's one hit and I'm dead. If you love shooters Raiden is a good choice but I would have rated this higher if there was some kind of options menu and more modes.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only unfortunately
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 7

Find Raiden on eBay here!

30 RASTAN SAGA II (Taito, 1990)
*Import game
The original Rastan arcade game was an great Conan-esque action title that won a ton of praise when it was released and the big sequel here totally screws it up. OK, first off our hero now looks like a complete dork with cartoonish outlines and a very silly walk. Maybe that wouldn't be so bad if the game played well..... nope. Rastan Saga 2 suffers from horrible hit detection and your large character is a sitting duck for the many enemies here. You can use different weapons like quick claws and a giant sword that can even be upgraded a bit of variety to the action but the clunky game play just ruins the whole experience.
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 4
Find Rastan Saga II on eBay here!


71 REVIVAL CHASE (Revival Games, 2013)

*Super CD-ROM2 game
*Homebrew game
Cool, it's Lock 'N Chase for the Turbografx! If you don't remember this Data East arcade classic you are a crook looking for loot in a maze but you have to be careful cause four cops are on your trail. Fortunately you can use doors to block the fuzz away from you and once you found all the goodies in a stage then you escape and then you do it all over again but on a slightly higher difficulty. It's simple but it works and this version is packed with bonus content like a fun multi-player mode where your friends play as the cops, different graphical skins so you can view the game if it was being played on a Atari 2600 or Gameboy, and you can even play in French (or English since the French setting was the default). This game was created to help promote the actually Revival Gaming Magazine and unlike shameless Doritos and Halo 4 this is advertising I like. The game throws a lot of cool retro mofits like classic consoles for points (I just picked up a Sega Master System!) and with stage cleared you earn a magazine cover which is a nice touch and since the magazine itself is quite good so no problems there. Revival Chase isn't too indepth for a Super CD Duo game and I noticed a few glitches on some playthroughs like random resets but all the original arcade fun is still here and I'll love to see more work from this company.
For 1 to 5 players
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 6
Find Revival Chase here!


Total Recall Dud of the Month!

25 RIOT ZONE (Hudson Soft/West One, 1992)

*Super CD-ROM2 game
Riot Zone is a really sad Final Fight clone where you control one of two losers on a mission to save one of the guy's kidnapped girlfriend from the Dragon Zone street gang. The game is simple and boring: you beat up wave after wave of the same generic bad guys over and over again until you make it to one of six bosses. Sadly, this is NOT a two player game for what ever reason. If that wasn't pathetic enough here are no weapons to pick up here either so the action gets very repetitive.
*Uncommon Duo game
For 1 player only
graphics: 2
sound: 2
gameplay: 1

Find Riot Zone on eBay here!



StarSoldier Game of the Month!
81 R * TYPE (Irem, November 1989)
Here is one tough as nails game but it's also one of the best shooters ever made too so don't be afraid to look this up. Each stage is totally different from one another and this the first game to use the Charge Beam weapon by holding down the fire button, a very cool idea! Unlike the Japanese PC Engine counterparts, this game has all 8 stages in it and is a complete 4 meg game too. What makes this shooter so different from the usual is that you have really study the stage carefully if want to survive. R * Type for the turbo is almost arcade perfect and that alone is worth recommendation!
For 1 player only
graphics: 8
sound: 7
gameplay: 9

Find R Type on eBay here!



51 SAMURAI GHOST (Namco, 1992)

Holy crap this game looks awesome..... at first. In this game you are a dead samurai ready to dish out some more carnage on your old enemies. What really stands out here is the graphics are pretty damn fine with huge sprites, parallax scrolling, and a great level of detail in both the characters and background. All this comes at a price though because your hero here is stiff as hell and he definitely takes some time to master his awkward katana swings and moves. This guy even jumps as though he's trying to prevent himself from crapping his pants. The music is not too bad and there some digital audio in the game as well but its terrible of course. Samurai Ghost may have some decent visuals here and there but the game's weak animation and constant cheap hits ruin this from being a must own.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 5

Find Samurai Ghost on eBay here!



68 SHADOW of the BEAST (Psyghosis, 1992)
*Super CD-ROM2 game
I'm usually not a big fan of these types of action games and Shadow of the Beast is one your either going to love or hate. This game may look like a million bucks in the still shots and has some good music as well here but for a vicious looking beast you really don't do a lot moves at your disposal. I just have two basic attacks; a short range punch (your so called beastly main hero here has some of the wussiest punches I ever seen) and a lame jumpkick. The cinemas don't look too impressive, and the animation of your enemies don't look like they work half the time either but still this is one of the better versions I played thanks to the decent hit detection.
*Uncommon Duo game
For 1 player only
graphics: 8
sound: 6
gameplay: 4
Find Shadow of the Beast on eBay here!


65 SHAPE SHIFTER (Icom, 1992)

*Super CD-Rom2 game
Imagine a game like
Legendary Axe where you can change into different animals and you get the game Shape Shifter. In this action platformer you guide a young warrior on a quest to protect the innocent from invading monsters in his community. The game is basically your straight up action game but at least you can go into towns to get advice, and new weapons. The game is fun bad the collison detection isn't the best so it doesn't always look like your hits connect here. Still Shape Shifter is passable.
*Uncommon Duo game
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 6

Find Shape Shifter on eBay here!

70 SHINOBI (Asmik/Sega, 1990)
*Japanese PC Engine game
Now this is a shame that one didn't come over here because this version of Shinobi plays a lot like the arcade original and it blows the Master and NES versions away. If you don't know this classic you play as a lone ninja on a mission to save kidnapped children from the evil crime syndicate known as Zeed. Like the arcade game you can only take one hit and that's it but the game play is insanely quick and intense plus you have the ability to use powerful magic if things get too nuts. The graphics and sounds are great but there are some important things missing like the melee attacks, bonus stages, and even the entire second stage is gone so it's far from arcade perfect. Although flawed, I had a lot of fun with this port of Shinobi.
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 8
gameplay: 7

Find Shinobi on eBay here!


50 SHOCKMAN (NCS, 1992)

The Turbografx has a lot of games that copy other hit titles from other systems so here is the Mega Man clone. Shockman is a 2D action shoot em up where you control one of two heroes with special cyborg powers. The problem is they don't want these powers and a sciencist can change them back into their original human form but as luck would have it he gets captured and now you have to rescue him if you ever wish to be normal again. Weird story or not the run and gun game is strictly average with no weapon power ups to be found and standard graphics (although colourful) will just bore players. I still had some fun here but Shockman just isn't anything new.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find Shockman on eBay here!


67 SIDE ARMS (Radiance/Capcom, 1990)

This Side Arms game is a very hard and long 2 meg shooting game with 11 action packed levels and tons of guns. This game reminds me of a horzational version of 1943 sans the space theme of course but you have the ability to select from several different weapons including spread shots, lasers, and rapid shots. The only problems I have with Side Arms is the rather high difficulty, lousy ending and the lack of a two player option like the arcade version had.
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 8
gameplay: 7

Find Side Arms on eBay here!



45 SILENT DEBUGGERS (Data East, 1991)

This game here is a rather unspectacular 3D corridor shooter on a system with no advance 3D hardware. Because of that don't expect to be blown away by these boring space station graphics and serious lack of music. The first few minutes of the game is a mission to find the exit of the station just so you find a huge group of monsters that all look a like in the first place and yes, it's as boring as it sounds. I also knocked off about ten points for that stupid name as well. Silent Debuggers not only sounds stupid but the game is not very compelling either.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Find Silent Debuggers on eBay here!


Total Recall Dud of the Month!

56 SINISTRON (Igs, 1991)
*a.k.a.: Violent Soldier in Japan
Here is yet another good looking shooter on the Turbo with some decent music as well. Sadly, this game fails to gain any real ground because of the lack of true innovation and a rather useless charge attack as well. If that wasn't enough Sinistron also has a very high difficulty especially in the last 3 levels and you want to know the worse part about that: the ending in this one is really disappointing so going through this entire game is rather pointless. Sinistron could have been an excellent game if these problems were fixed but it's way too late for that now, eh?
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 6
Find Sinistron on eBay here!

69 SOLDIER BLADE (TTI/Hudson Soft/Red, 1992)
This is a 4 meg Star Soldier spin off released close to the turbo's death. Soldier Blade was originally suppose to be called Super Star Soldier II but I guess TTI renamed the game because it wasn't as good. Don't get me wrong, Soldier Blade is a fairly good game for shooter fans thanks to furious arcade action but it's also nothing too original unfortunately and your list of weaponry isn't very impressive either. At least it has a Save option so you can record some of your high scores unlike in Blazing Lazers and Super Star Soldier plus this is a very rare game now of days too! Soldier Blade is solid but it just couldn't hold a candle to other shooters like Space Mega Force on the Super Nintendo though.
*Save option available
*Rare Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 5
Find Soldier Blade on eBay here!


65 SOMER ASSAULT (TTI/Altus, 1992)
"It hops down stairs in loner or pairs!" The hero in this odd game is a 'Slinky' with guns and you have to help the little guy down 12 levels that are filled with puzzles, power ups, and weird creatures. Somer Assault may have terrible music and some difficult controls but the game is still fairly fun to play.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 7
Find Somer Assault on eBay here!

22 SONIC SPIKE (Igs, 1990)

Now here's a game I thought even IGS (makers of the rather medicore titles like Sinistron and Tricky Kick) couldn't screw up; a simple multi-player volleyball game. The game sports this weird whole cartoonish look so the players look pretty odd and already the game is off to a bad start but wait till you actually play it. Sonic Spike characters move insanely fast and choppy so it's hard to plan where you should place these goofy muscle heads and bimbos yet the computer has no problem at all. I guess the game is better for multi-player action but why stare the torture? Yeah, this sucks volleyballs.
For 1 to 4 players
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 3
Find Sonic Spike on eBay here!


60 SPACE HARRIER (NEC Avenue/Sega, 1990)

Why in the world would NEC approve this old game, even after Sega released Space Harrier II for the Sega Genesis in 1989? This high flying shooter includes all 18 fantasy based levels and the action is still there but it still doesn't look as smooth as the arcade original or the impressive 32X game. I'm a Space Harrier fan and all but we all know the Turbografx can't handle a fantastic 3D game like this in both the graphic and sound department.
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 3
Find Space Harrier on eBay here!

74 SPLASHLAKE (NEC Avenue, 1992)

*Super CD-Rom2 game
Here's a strange puzzle title where you play as a ostrich (or ostriches) trying to defeat their enemies by breaking the ground to drop these little buggers in the water. Sick but true! The game isn't very action packed and I don't understand why this is on the CD but finding the right strategy to complete each stage can be very addictive and there are tons of levels here too so don't expect to finish this one any time soon. Splashlake may surprise ya.
*Save option available
*Uncommon Turbografx CD game
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find Splashlake on eBay here!


StarSoldier Game of the Month!

85 SPLATTERHOUSE (Namco, 1990)

Here is a horror action game done right, finally! Splatter House not only has fairly gruesome enemies and deadly backgrounds but the game is also packed with cool eerie music that help to bring this evil place to life. So why are you here? Your hero, Rick is cursed by a strange red mask trapped on his face to make matters worse for the poor guy, his girlfriend is trapped inside this house of horrors. There are 7 levels altogether but overall they aren't very big. The game has a unique ending and the action was good, but I just wish the game wasn't over so quick.
For 1 player only
graphics: 8
sound: 8
gameplay: 6

Find Splatterhouse on eBay here!



83 STREET FIGHTER II Championship Edition (Hudson Soft/Capcom, 1993)
*Japanese PC Engine game
This HUGE 20 meg card is the second version of the always on going Street Fighter II series. The Championship Edition plays the same as Street Fighter II but now you can play as the four bosses and there are a few graphical upgrades as well. There is nothing too new here if you played the original Street Fighter II but it's still cool to see this hit game on a 8-bit system and I knew a good Street Fighter could be made on the turbo after a sad Fighting Street.
*Compatible with the 6 button Avenue pad
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 8
sound: 6
gameplay: 8
Find Street Fighter II CE on eBay here!



StarSoldier Game of the Month!

55 SUPER AIR ZONK (Hudson Soft, 1993)
*Super CD-ROM2 game
Well, Super Air Zonk is a lot like first game because you are still controlling a flying robotic Bonk-like dude that blasts away at the futurist King Drool army before they conquer the world. You can save one of seven new friends half way through each stage for help and extra firepower but I don't like how you don't have the option to pick which friend can actually help you in that stage so it feels more linear. Another thing I didn't like was how short the game was, there are only seven stages and they are not that hard to beat either (I was able to finish the entire game the second day I got it). That was Air Zonk's biggest problem; it was a solid shooter but it was too short and way too easy so Super Air Zonk just felt like a extension of that game with some slightly better music. As a collector Super Air Zonk is a great edition to my Turbo Duo set but as a player I am definitely disappointed with the easy difficulty, average graphics, and standard shooting action we all seen before. It's a shame but I can see why the Zonk series died after this mediocre game here.
*Extremely Rare Duo game!!
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find Super Air Zonk on eBay here!

StarSoldier Game of the Month!
85
SUPER STAR SOLDIER (Hudson soft/Interstate/Kaneko, 1990)
It's SUPER Star Soldier this time. This plays very similar to Compile's popular Blazing Lazers but this shooter game is a lot harder of course. Although the game isn't very innovative, if you want more Blazing Lazers from your turbo (and who doesn't, eh?) then be sure to look this up. The game may be a bit too difficult and it certainly isn't the most original title out there but the game has tons of cool power ups and I also love the game's music here too.
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 9
gameplay: 8
Find Super Star Soldier on eBay here!


10
SUPER VOLLEYBALL (Video System, 1990)
Based on the rather forgettable arcade game of the same name, Super Volleyball is a strictly 2D take on the semi-popular sport. This piece of garbage actually has some decent animation at times but after only a few minutes the action gets way too repetitive has you slowly bounce a ball back and front in the same boring arena despite fighting in one of eight different countries. With it's weak presentation, confusing controls that don't let you move all the characters on your team, and barely any background music to speak of, there is just nothing special here at all. Super Volleyball maybe the most bland title for the Turbografx-16 and with Magical Dinosaur Tour and Gunboat already on it that's saying something.
*Save option available
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 2
sound: 1
gameplay: 2
Find Super Volleyball on eBay here!


StarSoldier Game of the Month!

79 SYD MEAD'S TERRAFORMING (TTI/Right Stuff, 1993)
*Super CD-ROM2 game
One of the final games released for the Turbo Duo and guess what: "It's a Shooter!" Despite the unoriginal theme here, this is still a very intense game that can have loads of enemies on screen at a time. The action is not only insane but it comes with great music and there are three cool weapons to choose from here too with multiple upgrades. This game most famous though for having some incredible looking backgrounds and enemies art by the acclaimed Tron artist Syd Mead. Sadly, the only things Terra Forming lacks is a Save feature and an in game story line but everything else here is absolutely top notch.
*Extremely Rare Duo game!!
For 1 player only
graphics: 9
sound: 9
gameplay: 7
Find Syd Maed's Terraforming on eBay here!


56 TAKIN' It To The HOOP (1990)

Takin' to the Hoop? Holy crap that name totally blows! Was "Throwing at the Net" already taken? Anyway after playing the rather painful TV Sports Basketball this is light years beyond that title so that's a good sign. The game is kind of cartoonish but the Basketball action itself is pretty fast paced and easy to control much like older arcade titles like a Double Dribble. Hell, even when you go for a big slam dunk the game steals the scenes from Double Dribble too where the players get super huge during close ups. It all sounds good enough but the long periods, cheap computer, and corny visuals do get very annoying so you have better be pretty forgiving to like this one.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Find Takin It To The Hoop on eBay here!


58 TALESPIN (Radiance/Disney, 1990)

This game is a standard 2D action game starring a skilled bear pilot from a Disney cartoon. Some of the graphics and music are not too bad but Talespin only features 7 very short levels and to add to the list of problems here the game has an absolutely horrible ending as well. Talespin is fun for a bit but it's not a must have that's for sure.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 5
Find Talespin on eBay here!


Total Recall Dud of the Month!

42
TIGER ROAD (Victor Music Industries/Capcom, 1991)
I never played the arcade game before but I sure hope it's not like this rather average action game. One huge problem with this game is that fighting the bosses like the fish man, wrestlers, and that stupid flying pink wizard can be very tedious because they take several hits to kill and they can avoid strikes very easily. Tiger Road is hard to control, both the graphics and sounds are nothing special, plus most importantly the game isn't very fun to play. "Why couldn't we get Capcom's Black Tiger (anybody remember that one) instead?"
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Find Tiger Road on eBay here!



19
TIMEBALL (Hudson Soft, 1990)

If you are desperate for a puzzle game on your Turbo then you may want to try Time Ball here even though I don't think you'll like what you'll find. In this piece of crap you must guide a glass ball through a series of pipes so it doesn't crack. The game play is very similar to the classic game Pipe Dreams but unlike that fun title in Timeball you are forced to slide around one annoying panel at a time and this gets incredibly frustrating especially when the clock is constantly ticking on you. The graphics are limited, the music tracks stink, and controls flat out suck.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 1
sound: 2
gameplay: 3
Find Timeball on eBay here!


Total Recall Dud of the Month!

63
TIME CRUISE (Face, 1992)
*a.k.a.: Time Cruise II in Japan
Although the Turbografx-16 only lasted a few years, it would get up to three pinball games no less. Sadly Time Cruise may appear to have a lot of game play elements here, the problem lies in the difficulty. It's far too easy to keep your ball and I always managed to get bored playing whether it was on the large game table or the unusual bonus stages. Time Cruise is good if you like easy pinball games but I personal prefer the early two turbo pinball games instead.
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Find Time Cruise on eBay here!


60 TRICKY KICK (Igs, 1991)

Tricky Kick is the type of puzzle video game that can drive you nuts (like a Adventure of Lolo or a Shove It)! Tricky Kicks features six themed characters kicking around their enemies to help them clear a stage. Although this is a very simple puzzle game, it's also a very tough puzzle game because one simple mistake can end your current level. It's odd, it's hard but it's a big game and it still works.
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 5
gameplay: 5
Find Tricky Kick on eBay here!

55 TURRICAN (Accolade, 1991)

This rare Turbo game is a very difficult but solid action packed shooter/platformer with a fully loaded main character. Your hero can use a electric beam, machine gun, and can even go into a samus-like ball but in a game this hard you're going to need everything you got. This Turrican has the least impressive graphics and sounds of this long running series and it can be hard to tell when you taken a hit too.
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 player only
graphics: 4
sound: 6
gameplay: 7
Find Turrican on eBay here!


26 TV SPORTS FOOTBALL (Cinemaware, 1990)

I remember this game being a pretty big deal when it first came out. It was the Turbo's first football game and NEC and Cinemaware hyped the hell of it because of football season and it exactly supported 5 players at once. I even remember there was a T-shirt made for this game back in the day (I highly doubt anyone actually has one now though). Anyway this game doesn't look too bad thanks to the decent amount of detail and slick animation but the 8 teams here are all generic so don't expect anything NFL. It's easy enough to select plays and do tackles but the players are very tiny (terrible game for the Turbo Express) and the action is just way too slow. This isn't a great title by any means but it serviceable if it's only a few bucks.
For 1 to 5 players
graphics: 7
sound: 6
gameplay: 6
Find TV Sports Football on eBay here!


09
TV SPORTS BASKETBALL (Cinemaware, 1992)

I have been playing so many great Turbo games as of late and would have to I say the system been on a roll but than I played this! TV Sports Basketball has some OK graphics and all but not only is this not licensed by the NBA, the in-game action is very confusing to make out since the players are tiny so you can barely see when your players are going for a shot or a steal, and the text is very tiny which is terrible when your playing this on the Turbo Express. Another strange thing about this game is that you can only play the game at the end of the courts. Even NBA Jam has full court play and that game is not suppose to be a simulation like this is suppose to be. TV Sports Basketball has to be one of the worst basketball games I have ever played!
For 1 to 5 players
graphics: 5
sound: 2
gameplay: 3
Find TV Sports Basketball on eBay here!


35 TV SPORTS HOCKEY (Cinemaware, 1991)

There ain't too many Hockey games for the Turbo here (there are only two I believe) so I was looking forward to playing this one (although I don't know why after playing TV Sports Basketball up there). The game opens up pretty dull with a list of 8 countries to play as and only three different modes to play for your basic quick play, tournament, and versus options here so no surprise there. The action looks alright at first since the graphics are decent and there is close up scenes during face offs and fights but the game play itself is pretty sluggish with slow passing and very slow moving players. TV Sports Hockey may interest you if you like the sport and have nothing else better to play but it's still a very big if.
For 1 to 5 players
graphics: 5
sound: 3
gameplay: 5
Find TV Sports Hockey on eBay here!


60 VALIS II (Telenet Japan, 1990)

*Turbografx CD game
Here is the first ever Valis game to be translated to North America and what's not to like about a school girl with a magical sword fighting demons, eh? Anyway this action game starts out well with this purpled haired Yuko chick on a six mission quest to defeat the evil Megas in an alternate universe. The game plays well and the graphics are sharp too but overall it isn't too challenging thanks to your sword that shoots at a distance and you'll breeze through this one in no time. Still a fun game and Yuko has some great sexy legs here but part III is much better.
Spoiler Alert! Wanna see the ending to this game?
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 5
Find Valis II on eBay here!

73 VALIS III (Telenet Japan, 1992)
*Turbografx CD game
Before female heroines like Xena warrior princess made their mark, there was Yuko and the sword of Valis. This CD version includes new levels not found in the Sega Genesis game but some of the graphics can't measure up to Renovation's version. One of the better action games for the Turbo CD but I really don't like the awkward jump physhics all too much. Valis III may have a few flaws but the overall package works.
*Save option available
*Uncommon Turbografx CD game
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 8
gameplay: 7

Find Valis III on eBay here!



70
VEIGUES TACTICAL GLADIATOR (Victor Music Industries/Game Arts, 1990)
Veigues is a odd looking action/shooting game with a strange floating robot as the main character but this machine here is packed with upgradable weapons at least and the game has 10 levels to conquer. This game is not only very original but it also has a cool ending if you are good enough to finish it? The game may seem weird at first but Veigues TG may surprise you here.
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 7
gameplay: 8
Find Veigues on eBay here!


StarSoldier Game of the Month!
63 VICTORY RUN (Hudson Soft, August 1989)
The premier 2 Meg racing title for the TurboGrafx-16 may not look like much but under the hood is a rather deep racer. First let's talk about the graphics, they look very chunky and unimpressive compared to Sega's popular Out Run and that game was already a few years old. Other then some familiar looks though, Victory Run has a different and interesting concept which is both a bressing and a curse. The game play is very difficult because your car can receive damage in five areas and this vehicle must survive the drive down 8 tough levels, this is not your typical arcade style racer: Victory Run is more of a simulation. I'll give some points to Victory Run's originality but high challenge and overly long courses may push a lot of gamers away.
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 6
gameplay: 8

Find Victory Run on eBay here!



Total Recall Dud of the Month!

52
VIGILANTE (Irem, 1989)
In this 2D action game you get to help a man take the law into his own hands has he goes through 5 extremely short but greuling levels of street thugs to save your kidnapped girlfriend. Although you only have basic punches and kicks here like in Kung Fu Master, you can pick up some Nunchuncks to help you out on your deadly mission. Be awhere however that some your enemies can use weapons too and you can lose a lot life fast here. Vigilante is a fun but simple action game that isn't much fun to play after the quest has been beaten.
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 3
gameplay: 4

Find Vigilante on eBay here!


61 WORLD CLASS BASEBALL (Hudson Soft, 1989)

*a.k.a. Power League
Although in Japan this series was insanely popular (named Power League), here in North America the World Class series started and died with this one game. This baseball title here doesn't have any licensed teams so you can forget about playing as the Redsoxs but the graphics and music are decent with colourful visuals and a good up beat soundtrack. The game is not as action packed as I thought it would be since the throws are pretty damn slow and hitting the ball it seems to be tougher then it needs to be as well. World Class Baseball is passable at least but it's sad there are NES baseball games better then this.
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 6
sound: 6
gameplay: 6

Find World Class Baseball on eBay here!



75 WORLD COURT TENNIS (Namco, 1990)

Although Tennis video games seem about as exciting as watching Soccer (why does it take hours for someone to score?), World Court Tennis really surprised me here. Not only does this game support both singles and doubles games (up to 4 players can play here) but the game even has a cool Role Playing Adventure so you can follow the career and story of your player as they try to climb to the top of the tennis circuit. Sadly, the game uses a long password system and the graphics and sounds are not too impressive either. I don't know what's the deal with the overly short skirts and panty shots of the females here (although some like it) but overall the controls are decent and most importantly there is just a lot to do here.
For 1 to 4 players
graphics: 6
sound: 5
gameplay: 8
Find World Court Tennis on eBay here!

35 WORLD SPORTS COMPETITION (Hudson Soft, 1992)

This game game came and went in 1992 so let's see why this was even released in the first place? Well, just like Konami's Track and Field this title has over 15 olympic style events and you can play this with up to five players as well which is cool since there isn't too many full multi-player games for the Turbo for some stupid reason. The presentation didn't seem too bad I guess but the problem is the controls are very tough to master with tons of ancient button mashing events and worse yet the game is very unforgiving thanks to the game's insanely high difficulty. World Sports Competition is a chore to play and may break your controllers from constant pressing and frustration after chucking it at the wall after you screw up another event and have to start all over!
*Save option available
*Uncommon Turbografx game
For 1 to 5 players
graphics: 5
sound: 4
gameplay: 7
Find World Sports Competition on eBay here!


Total Recall Dud of the Month!
30 YO BRO (Camp California, 1991)
Yo Bro is a horribly cheesy skateboarding game starring some California bear who attacks odd ball enemies like giant plants and slime monsters who want to kill innocent humans. Because your bear is always on a skateboard the game is very difficult to control since it is hard to keep the stupid character still. The game uses exclusive Beach Boy music but you are better off just getting rid of that scratchy stuff in the options menu because it didn't translate well. If you choose to pass on Yo Bro then you're missing nothing.
*Save option available
For 1 or 2 players
graphics: 4
sound: 4
gameplay: 5
Find Yo Bro on eBay here!

StarSoldier Game of the Month!

BEST TURBO CD GAME!
99 Y'S BOOK I & II (Hudson Soft/Falcom, 1990)
*Turbografx CD game
The official third release for the TurboGrafx-16 CD is this huge RPG that really took advantage of the new CD system back then unlike the other two CD games (Fighting Street and Monster Lair). This plays just like the Sega Master System game Y's the Vanished Omen but now it's much deeper experience than that older game plus don't forget about part II of this awesome series that actually takes place on the lost land of Y's. One of the better RPG's for any system and a must for Turbo fans!
*Save option available
*Uncommon Turbografx CD game
For 1 player only
graphics: 7
sound: 10
gameplay: 9
Find Y's Book I & II on eBay here!


79 Y'S III (Hudson Soft/Falcom, 1992)

*Turbografx CD game
After the success of the impressive Y's Book I & II NEC knew they had to have a sequel to follow up that grand story. Instead of being a overhead game like the last game was, Y's III is a 2D adventure that focuses more on action then character development. In Y's III the heroic Christian Adol and his friend Dogi travel to a different land only to find it in grave danger from a deadly army. Can you protect them? The game play is fast and intense but the graphics are insanely choppy and the game isn't too long either. Y's III is still a lot of fun though and if you loved the last games you'll like this too.
*Save option available
*Uncommon Turbografx CD game
For 1 player only
graphics: 5
sound: 9
gameplay: 7
Find Y's III on eBay here!



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