Classic TurboGrafx-16 Games Revived for Easy Access Once More by The Analogue Duo
Getting Your Hands on Classic Gaming With Analogue Duo
For fans of the TurboGrafx and PC Engine, the Analogue Duo is a must-have that breathes new life into these classic systems' software libraries.
The PC Engine, originally released in Japan in 1987, was a cartridge console with its own HuCards storage, technically an 8-bit system, yet it boasted two 16-bit graphics processors, enabling it to compete with the Super Famicom.
Westward in 1988, it became known as the TurboGrafx-16, its "16" being a contentious point, as it wasn't a full-on 16-bit system. But what it did exceptionally well was handle near-perfect arcade ports, like the first R-Type.
The Duo, for both systems, added a CD-ROM drive to the setup, allowing games with enhanced audio and graphics to flow through. It also consolidated games like R-Type, which were originally divided between two HuCards, onto a single CD, complete with a fresh soundtrack.
Fun Challenges
- Unscramble: Decode the anagram to unveil the phrase
- Pinpoint: Guess the category
- Queens: Crown each region
- Crossclimb: Unlock a trivia ladder
With the legacy of R-Type on the PC Engine in mind, it seems fitting to test drive it on the Analogue Duo. Just like other retro-inspired systems from Analogue, the Duo leverages field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technology, ensuring the games aren't emulated; instead, they're effectively run natively.
If you wanted to play PC Engine games, HuCard or CD, on an original system, let alone the even rarer portable PC Engine GT, you'd have a tough time. The hardware reliability of such systems, especially the old CD-ROM drives in the Duo, has degraded over time.
Enter Analogue Duo, enabling classic HuCard and CD-ROM games to be played on modern displays at 1080p. Games like Macross 2036, a harder-to-find Masaya shmup, are now accessible, making it a breeze to play on current hardware (if you can even find working hardware these days).
Analogue Duo played a crucial role in the survival of classic consoles like the PC Engine and the TurboGrafx-16. Its FPGA hardware also helpled look back on the PC Engine's CD-ROM games, which in turn influenced Nintendo's PlayStation collaboration, shaping the console landscape we know today.
If you're ready to dive into classic gaming, the Analogue Duo is available for purchase straight from the Analogue online shop for $249.99. For an enhanced gaming experience, grab the wirelessly compatible 8BitDo PC Engine Mini controller off Amazon for $24.24.
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Did You Know?
The Analogue Duo is keeping classic consoles like the PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 alive, making enjoyed classic games more accessible to modern players. The system's price is $249.99, making it affordable for enthusiasts, and a wirelessly compatible 8BitDo PC Engine Mini controller is available for $24.24 on Amazon.
The Analogue Duo, a gadget that utilizes retro FPGA technology, allows players to enjoy classic video games like R-Type and Macross 2036 from the PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 on modern displays, overcoming the hardware issues that have degraded over time. The affordable price of the Analogue Duo, at $249.99, and the wireless 8BitDo PC Engine Mini controller, priced at $24.24 on Amazon, makes diving into classic gaming an accessible and enjoyable experience for technology enthusiasts.
