• Tag Archives TurboGrafx-CD

  • Snatcher (TurboGrafx-16, Sega CD)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment


    Snatcher (TurboGrafx-16)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/182364750493/snatcher-turbografx-16

    Snatcher can best be described an a cyberpunk themed graphical adventure game. In addition to its cyberpunk theme, what made it unique for the time was its mature themes and in-depth story.

     

    Snatcher was written and designed by Hideo Kojima (who would later go on to create the Metal Gear Solid) for Konami and first released in 1988 for the PC-8801 and MSX2 in Japan. Snatcher was enhanced and released for the TurboGrafx-CD and later in 1994 again for the Sega CD. The Sega CD version would be the only English language version of the game and the only version released in North America. Versions would also later be released for the Sega Saturn and PlayStation but these were Japanese only releases.

     

    The story is set in a not too distant future in which android-like beings called Snatchers are snatching victims and taking their place in disguise. You play the role of an officer in a special police force created to fight these Snatchers, the origin of which is unknown. The story and visual style was influenced by movies such as Blade Runner, Terminator and Akira.

     

    The Sega CD is arguably the best version however it has been censored slightly from the Japanese TurboGrafx-CD version (though not as much as later versions). Given that is has a heavy reliance on text and the Sega CD version is the only English language version, this is really the only reasonable option for a North American audience anyway. Unfortunately, it is also a very expensive option if you want an original copy. However, emulation is an option as well. For whatever reason, there has never been a more modern re-release of this game in North America so the Sega CD version is your only option. However, for cyberpunk and/or graphic adventure fans, this game is well worth trying. Give it a shot via emulation if you aren’t willing to fork over the absurd eBay cost of an original.

     


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  • Exile (TurboGrafx-CD)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    EXiLE
    Working Designs
    TurboGrafx-16
    1991

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/164961680164/videogameads-exile-working-designs-turbografx-16

    Exile was released by for both the Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-CD in 1992. It was a remake of a game originally released in Japan in 1988 for various computers mostly unknown to those of us in North America, including the NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX2 and the X1 turbo. The game is an action RPG and features both a top down perspective like the original Zelda and other similar games, as well as a side-scrolling action perspective depending on what you are doing.

    While the the Genesis and TurboGrafx-CD versions are very close, the TurboGrafx version has a slight edge in some areas. Because it is CD based, there are more cinematics and better music (though this might be a matter of personal preference to some degree). The graphics are very close but the TurboGrafx-CD version has slightly more colors. The translation also seems to be a little better and the story more coherent on the TurboGrafx version. However, these are all mostly minor differences. One interesting difference is the fact that the Genesis localization (done by Renovation) censored certain aspects of the game (e.g. naked girls in one scene) while the TurboGrafx-CD localization (done by Working Designs) did not.

    Overall this is a very good game even if it is not as well known as some others. While I wouldn’t say it is as good as Ys I and II, it’s still quite good and fans of those games will likely enjoy this one. I am not aware of any remakes or re-releases so you will have to resort to emulation or track down and original Genesis or TurboGrafx-CD versions if you want to play.

    Exile was followed up by Exile: Wicked Phenomenon the following year for the Turbo Duo or TurboGrafx-CD with the Super System Card.





    📂This entry was posted in Retro Games TurboGrafx-16 📎and tagged