SUPER GRAFX REVIEW - Happy Console Gamer

[@Skims19]

Johnny's talks about the pc engine/Turbografx is what got me to fall in love with this channel and also got me into ys which is now one of my favorite video game series

[@DakinRinone]

Same here. I never knew what Y's was before I started watching him.

[@Chaulky420]

I randomly got y’s when I was a kid and was blown away

[@Skims19]

@J A M to get started I reccomend playing Ys Book 1 and 2 for the turbografx cd as they're enhanced ports of the first 2 games (not Chronicles they removed the professional voice acting and they cheaped out on the music) and actually they have a unique way of attacking by bumping into enemies and not swinging a sword

[@SecondPlace92]

I could listen to this man talk about anything i swear. The passion he has for all these old machines and games never ceases to amaze me

[@gusulises1758]

you probably dont give a damn but does anyone know of a trick to log back into an Instagram account?? I somehow lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can offer me

[@lordcanti]

I ABSOLUTELY loved this video! There is something chilling about the PCEngine, Super Grafx, and the PCFX that I can never place my finger on. Thanks for this! Side note: I'd love to see 1080p uoloads of your old videos as I have been watching since that era.

[@LonSeidman]

I remember checking out the Super GrafX at the Ultimate Game Club in Connecticut back in '89 or thereabouts. Granzort was the game they had running on it and it looked incredible for the time. The parallax scrolling was what set it apart for me. I captured some footage on my camcorder while I was there for the little cable access TV show I had at the time!

[@honestguy7764]

Back in 89? Are you sure it was so long ago?

[@LonSeidman]

@@honestguy7764 89 or 90 that's about the timeframe

[@yoman8027]

And that's why I love emulation. Most of these games would be totally unplayable by most people with such abussive prices. Anyway, loved this review. It's nice to see such a positive and passionate production.

[@kevinstrade2752]

Lol I watched your original years ago!! You were one of the first to even talk about this relatively rare system! Keep up the great work and love for everything turbo!

[@ridiculous_gaming]

Back then...ie: 16 years ago from now, KZbin's were often 240p to 360/480p max. Also, I purchased my Supergrafx simply because I love the NEC console and love the look.

[@joshuaekstedt1810]

Love your passion for these systems! As a kid, no one I knew had the pc engine or turbo grafx. You really introduced me to this system and taught me everything I now know about them. Definitely getting the mini, but I'm actively looking for a turbo grafx duo or pc engine to add to my console collection! Thanks Johnny!

[@zakuguriin4521]

Yeah this console was definitely a rarity. I only ever saw it once. My parents took us on a trip to North Carolina to visit my Aunt Donna and her family and my Cousin had one. I was too little to really be able to play games well, but I remember watching my older brother and him playing Splatterhouse.

[@buttholeChecker]

I worked at a video game store In Hawaii in 1989 that sold imported games and consoles and I remember when we got this in, I wanted it so bad but it was expensive and I only got a 5% employee discount... lol

[@buttholeChecker]

@@CAPCOM784 I wish I still had it, my mother gave it away when I went in to the Army back in 91.....

[@littleman7514]

Did he also sell the games or just the system?

[@TekTherapy]

Looking so much forward playing Turbografx games again. As well love you redid your Supergfx review!!

[@GameSack]

The video description triggered me at first. You say you're gonna review the old review you did, but I expected you just to do another review of the console itself instead. i was getting ready to PWN you in the comments section! Give you a real what-for! But then the first thing you did was review your old review, so I couldn't. Damn it John!

[@Jordan3DS]

You gotta bring in Dogi the Wall-Crusher to get revenge!

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

I will wait for Game Sacks Re-review of the Super Grafx!

[@b.o.353]

Game Sack best Millenial snowflake comment I’ve read in a while.

[@MrCalvin7892]

I remember finding your channel because I was searching for videos on Turbografx stuff back 10 years ago. This was a really cool look back at the Supergrafx. I am really happy that the TG16 mini has made you revisit your passion for the console! I am so excited for all the Turbo-Talk!

[@Reluctant_Hero]

Great video! I finally bought into the PC Engine this year with my purchase of a Duo-R. I’d love to play the Super Grafx games, but the price for entry is too high to not get the CD based games. So I’m really happy that I’ll get to play Ghouls n’ Ghosts and Aldyne on the TG16 mini! I really wish we could get 1941 on the minis as well, but beggars can’t be choosers.

[@swissrollrpg3412]

This episode is a testament to how dedicated you are to your passion of gaming in general Thank you for your wonderful content

[@SmokeMonster]

Great stuff--your old SuperGrafx video was the first time I'd heard of it and it led me to pick one up. They've gone up a bit in price since then :)

[@NightWolve75]

@@arioca Yeah, I learned about it from GameFan, they loved covering PC Engine and SuperGrafx in their imports section. That's why I gave buying Dracula X a shot, the first import I ever bought for $85 with shipping.

[@Vip3rC4in0022]

You're the one who introduced me to the PC Engine/Turbo Grafx and I've always been fascinated by the console ever since

[@ToeStankin]

It sucks that this consoles potential is collecting dust. A really solid homebrew community could really bring this console to the forefront of the retro scene. Imagine more fighting games, rpgs, cool shmups etc. that really push its hardware limitations.

[@TheGamingCircle]

I want to see a clean shaven Johnny once again, bring back the oldskool look.. #WithoutTheBandana

[@vipertt100]

Mr lean.

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

Kim will never let me shave it!

[@TheGamingCircle]

@@HappyConsoleGamer lol Whatever makes you guy's happy, as long as you keep bringing these epic video's, i'm happy. BTW Johnny thanks for introducing me to bitmaps, you got me loving books again:-)) #RememberMeanMachinesMagazines

[@TheBestbackingtracks]

@@HappyConsoleGamer Booooo cmon Johnny!

[@arfarfarf256]

@@HappyConsoleGamer i gotta say the current look is best. Kim knows!

[@dionyates2482]

I remember having just asked for an import Megadrive for Christmas and wishing I'd requested this instead! Thank God I didn't. It looked so cool at the time, like it was lifted from the deck of the Nostromo. But nah, the Megadrive was the best looking retro console of them all. And it had Ghouls N' Ghosts, Strider and Super Shinobi, my three fav platformers ever.

[@petergaming3748]

Love the footage of your old review - Mate, you look like you're on a 'make a wish' list! :P

[@okami242]

I was lucky enough to get a Supergrafx and the 5 games for £250 about 10 years ago. My favourite system ever! Funny you posted this today as I posted about Aldynes earlier on Instagram.

[@priorwitness]

Thanks for introducing us to bithead1000. Holy moly that dude is hilarious! Thanks for giving him a shout out.

[@themailman3331]

I was the only kid in my neighborhood with a TurboGrafx. Whenever I saw the SuperGrafx in a magazine, I was so jealous. I eventually bought a SuperGrafx. Definitely a gem in my collection.

[@zlk718]

Thanks for sharing. Thinking about getting a supergrfx myself soon. Surprising this didn't take off at least in Japan, where the pc engine had been so popular, as a competitor of the snes and genesis.

[@striderx99]

This channel is great! One thing you need to do Johnny, and quickly...is to review The Ninja Warriors Once Again (yes, it hasn't been released yet, but it looks amazing from the previews so far.) I never get tired of listening to Daddy Mulk. Do Zuntata a solid and review it A.S.A.P.!!!

[@RetroBreak]

Great Re-review! I didn’t know it was backwards compatible with regular PCE games! That’s cool! It’s such a shame the system didn’t really take off like the pc engine did :( it could have been a great system!

[@tiffanyz9668]

Thank you so much for doing this review! Supergrafx is king

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

You're incredibly lucky to have a complete in box one, ultra rare system you have there brother.

[@tom11zz884]

Absolutely. Very hard to find them with the box and the manual at that!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[@Ddarke11]

Probably the most baffling choice in a console aesthetic I've ever seen.

[@dmace81]

I saw it at a pawn shop and thought it was some automotive part. Lol

[@Gunbu]

Gotta love those fake hex bolts on the top.

[@fabionunes7081]

watching your videos on sunday helps me getting more positive for the working week thats coming lol

[@TastyAbbyJamz]

Any day with a new PC Engine video from HappyConsoleGamer is a great day!

[@MadStalker80]

Great Video Johnny - I was in Germany but I saw the same picture of the Super Grafx in the German video game magazine called "Video Games" in 1990 & I was as memorized as you :). The Super Grafx is also home of the rarest accessoire called "Power Console". It was a flight stick that you slide over the complete Super Grafx & Battle Ace was the game that was supposed to be played with it. The "Power Console" was never released but there were 2 - 3 prototypes made. There are pictures of it online if you look for them - god knows what happened to them. You could get Darius Alpha by sending in the coupons from the Darius Plus + Super Darius manuals. A complete copy of Darius Alpha has an envelope, a Japanese written "Thank You" letter from Taito / NEC and Darius Alpha 3D glasses.

[@franco7363]

What’s the first original PC Engine game shown in the video that looks sort of like Legendary Axe 1? At least the background do. Tnx!

[@TBelly]

It’s funny I actually watched the OG video recently. Looking forward to this.....

[@darthv72]

Grandzort seemed like a sequel to keith courage and battle ace was like a better air diver. And the SG design was meant to resemble the top of an "engine" block.

[@jamiegoguen7384]

Amazing that you have Darius mail order . I had the SG in the mid 90'a , and that one was difficult to find. Once shuttle too!

[@vipertt100]

Thanks your enthusiasm for the trubographix 16 I am picking up a mini

[@lovelorn88nick]

It’s crazy how much younger he looks now. Damn just by cutting smoking out!

[@theretroasylum]

We’ve been playing the Super Grafx version of Ghouls N Ghosts a lot recently and we love it! It’s a superb version 👍

[@psychodiagnostik]

Awesome! I remember reading about these in Video Games & Computer Entertainment .

[@buzzy-ears]

The main character in Granzort throws a rocket powered skateboard and then jumps on it to ride it into a huge robot that he then telepathically controls and fights monsters. That show was freaking awesome, man!

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

OMG, I just noticed your Jacket! awesome! I'm an insane Robotech / Macross fan!

[@thefifthdoctor6780]

Still love my collection

[@b.o.353]

Fascinating! Thanks for doing this video.

[@jonnyfendi2003]

oh my God i almost shit my pants when you pulled out Darius Alpha!!

[@Torrybobs]

Absolutely love your videos! Hello from Wakefield (yes, THAT Wakefield!)

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

Good ol Wakefield ! Repping Dewsbury road!

[@TBelly]

Great video Johnny. Insane how prices have changed. What a shame they didn’t support this system.

[@GeekHero_Bubba]

I Enjoy your videos. This is making me want the 16 Mini

[@xgnits]

Johnny, Love the video. Keep em coming!

[@nosleep6829]

so rad... im too stoked for the turbo mini, cant wait. it comes out on my birthday

[@Horos_de_Vega]

My favorite console of all time: I’m a huge PC Engine fan and collector. And the Supergrafx is the cursed child of the family! When we see the improvement of quality between a late 80s and a mid-90s PC Engine game, we can only imagine how good a mid-90s Supergrafx game would have been! And remember, it is only an 8bit system! PS: what killed it is the PC Engine CD Rom.. a family murder!

[@StuffWePlay]

Turbografx? Never heard of her!

[@SAMR33]

i always dream about owning this bad boy back in the days, i will keep staring at it for hours whenever i see it in the shop, good old days :)

[@NightWolve75]

Now it's selling for up to a $1000... :(

[@danhulson8703]

and don't forget the importance of credit card sized games you could walk down to your friend's with a pocket full of games John

[@shootermcgavin1208]

daniel hulson And also lose

[@luckyluke95]

I love this console. Only 5 games but excellent game and 1 game compatible with Coregrafx (Darius)😍😍😍

[@addeballboa]

Awsome video Johnny! Thank u

[@lankyGigantic]

I absolutely love the design of this console, it looks so cool

[@mtshark7]

Awesome review John!

[@RobbyHuang]

1080p in 2008?? Man, you were pretty ahead of the time then! Maybe it's time for 4k ;)

[@jenslyn87]

Fantastic review!

[@SprockX2]

It was the ORIGINAL mid-cycle system refresh. I remember seeing one in a Japanese import shop in Toronto the weekend we went to see WWF Wrestlemania VI. Battle Ace was running and it looked great for the time with the scaling graphics that had just the smallest hint of Space Harrier. Damn that trip was like a 1990 time capsule. We also saw the first TMNT movie in the theater as well as played the NEO GEO OG Fatal Fury. What a weekend. But I digress, that is the one machine that is on my bucketlist. It's design is Metal as HELL.

[@emmettturner9452]

Super CD-ROM² only needs a card to play Arcade CD-ROM² games. It runs everything else even when paired with a SuperGrafx. Since I use an IFU-30 Interface Unit with RAU-30 SuperGrafx ROM² Adapter, my setup requires a System Card to play even the basic CD-ROM² games. I paired it with an Arcade Card Pro to play them all! To make it even more convoluted, I added a AMP-30 ROM² Amp and converted a CDR-35D-01 SCSI PC drive to CD-ROM² ;) Regarding Darius Alpha, I tested and it is *not* SuperGrafx-enhanced despite claims to the contrary. Using an FPGA replica of VCE (DAC) with the digital output from the first VDP on the EXT port, I compared the digital output from one VDP to the analog video output from the combined VDPs and there was no difference. It does not move certain sprites to one VDP or the other to reduce sprite flicker. It does not even duplicate sprites as I was able to induce the same flicker on both outputs. While it reportedly may have code for detecting a SGX, it is seemingly vestigial as the game itself does not have/use any enhancements when paired with a SuperGrafx. The same test on Darius Plus and other SGX-enhanced games instantly shows the difference as certain elements are only visible on one VDP or the other (digital output from the first VDP is missing graphical elements from the second VDP).

[@211inprogress]

I'm a happy Gamer viewer. Cool looking bit of kit. ⚡👾✌️

[@icetrey8662]

I had a Turbografx growing up and all of this is new to me.

[@lordlucian3007]

Great video Johnny, the Super Grafx has such a awesome design like a car engine or futuristic spaceship part. One thing i've been wondering for a while though, why the hate for the bandana? I thought it looked cool when I started watching your videos in 2008.

[@kadosho02]

Never owned a TurboGrafx / PCEngine. But it definitely had a unique library.

[@leonkent1365]

Love the music from Ikaruga in the background

[@duhmez]

If you get the Super SD System 3 flash device, u can plug it onto supergrafx, then what you can do on an sd card is you can playh every tg16/pc engine crdf game and cd game, and every arcade card game, and every supergrafx game, alll on a single smicro sd v card. I have the SSDS3 plugged into my core grafx. It is amazing.

[@dazrael5658]

If only the Power Console came out for the SGX. It was meant to be a huge Steel Battalion-esque steering wheel/flight yoke that you plugged the SGX into like an engine. It was no surprise that it was shaped like an engine in the first place. Sadly even though pictures have surfaced of the controller it was never meant to be.

[@briandaniels2408]

This is so cool. Because of BitHead1000 and the upcoming Turbo/PC Engine mini im about to buy the PC Engine Duo R or RX. I 've already purchased my first 4 games and they are on the way, Image Fight, Final Soldier, Super Star Soldier and Nexzr.

[@mediaglitch]

Great update to a great video.

[@SilentNill]

Very informative, thanks! Hello from Moscow!

[@MrMegaManFan]

You got a lot of love in the Sarumaru live stream last night! #SaruCrew

[@retrobrahhh]

They should release a Supergrafx Mini with all 5 games plus Darius! :)

[@CaptAwesumNo1Zone]

Whenever I go get gas at Esso here up in Canada I see NEC's logo on the tills up front and I smirk because it's kinda sad knowing the people that made the Turbografx-16 are now working at Esso today to pay bills

[@ravagingwolverine]

That was a fun look at the system. One of the weirdest things about the SuperGrafx that I found in reading about it, and something that not a lot of people seem to know about, is that those few games didn't all come out at launch or shortly after. It appears they were stretched out over a period of a bit less than two years. 1941 is listed with an August 1991 release date. Aldynes was also in 1991 based on available info. What a strange way they handled the marketing of the system. I guess they wanted the machine's potential to be its selling point. The SGX is cool to see though. It's the PC Engine with a second true background layer and more sprites, so it could have done some interesting and impressive things. That second background layer looks really nice in Daimakaimura and Granzort. Unlike you, I had very low expectations for Granzort(I didn't see the art in advance), so I came away from that game pleasantly surprised. But I agree with you, it's an okay game and has its flaws, but I still like it a lot for some reason. Again, low expectations didn't hurt. Anyway, I just wanted to share those bits to add even more context to the odd case of the SuperGrafx. I do with we could have seen the machine pushed further. Thanks for sharing, HCG.

[@Faxtron]

Awesome review, thanks !

[@basedhalcyon]

Man, what is that music when you're talking about Mado King Granzort? It's from some STG that I know I've played, but it escapes me

[@basedhalcyon]

Nevermind, it's Escatos level 1. great game

[@jacobwu9]

看過您的翻譯影片 真希望有人能多翻譯您的影片 我喜歡看你的影片 因為你介紹遊戲的時候眼睛都是閃閃發光 你是真心熱愛遊戲的玩家

[@LeShark75]

You've been getting excited Johnny? You're hyping us all up Lol. I've pre ordered my Core Grafx from Amazon yesterday. Cant wait.

[@thomasdesposito]

Sorry i know this isn't game related but how can you make me believe that the pic of you in your original review of 11 years ago is the same picture of you in this present video lol???

[@artemusprine]

"You get some enhanced parallax scrolling, not that big a deal." Hmmm, I think parallax scrolling was what truly separated that generation of systems. And it separated the AAA games from the AA and A games.

[@NightWolve75]

Always thought the SuperGrafx mold design was pretty great. I liked how Hudson/NEC conducted all these mold design experiments making so many different variants like the PC Engine Shuttle, CoreGrafx, etc. I wonder how great all PCE games would've been if they waited just a bit to release the SuperGrafx first, which is a PCE at its core but with 2 sprite/background layers instead of 1... It would've lasted longer, competed at both 8/16-bit levels comfortably against Nintendo & others.

[@madcommodore]

Super Grafx Battle Ace doesn't look like it's using more powerful hardware than After Burner for PC Engine really, had the same impression.

[@fordxbgtfalcon]

I just bought a new in box unused Supergrafx while I was in Japan. It was expensive but it’s my holy grail console.

[@TheLastCostanza]

Hi Johnny, big fan here, I love your videos. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the Polymega. Do you like the idea? Is it something you would be interested in getting? I'd love to see a video discussing it. Thanks for doing what you do.

[@rasdiggle]

Have you played Cosmic Fantasy 2? Awesome Turbo Graf RPG brought to the west by Working Designs, you won't be disappointed, the story is epic, voice acting is on key, and the graphics and music were amazing for their time.

[@meppi64a]

Kudos on using Silver Lining from the Eschatos OST! :D

[@googaagoogaa12345678]

Great video! Why does the supergrafx make me think of a flat 6 engine?

[@SuperHighTechGamer]

Man that Strider would of been killer. So remember those pics in the mags bitd.

[@RyuHayabusa06]

The Supergrafx was the original PS4 Pro. Backwards compatible with slight graphical enhancements.

[@marmac7467]

Probably the most unique looking console ever made.

[@kevinstrade2752]

Oh btw!!! You hear about issues with these. I happen to come across a fb post wich lead me to a video of another SG owners problem apparently the center post of the shell presses into the main board. It is unclear if external force or dropping was the cause. I took my shell off and filled it anyway in case. It won't harm anything if you file the post down and takes literally 5 minutes. Up to you if you want to do the same.to me why not as long as it doesn't harm anything to file the post. At least I don't have to worry about it. Some call this alarmist but, as I said, no harm if you do it.

[@ShelfWarmer]

www.arcade-projects.com/forums/index.php?thread/5805-supergrafx-trim-case-to-avoid-self-destruction/

[@mattypenta]

The Super Grafx design looks like it was part of an action figure playset from the 80s. Like if they modified it slightly it could be a vehicle for GI Joe toys.

[@Novapoid]

The PC Engine sounds like a console I would have really enjoyed...if it had been available at all for me to purchase back then. The upcoming mini-version is interesting as long as you can...."enhance" it with more games (especially fan translations). Interestingly, that Ghouls n Ghosts cover art looks a LOT like a YAS drawing; I mean that Arthur is a carbon copy of Ramba Ral from Gundam after all.

[@danmakuman]

Well, Darius Plus has less flickering when you play it on the Super Grafx, and that's it, no visual enhancements apart of that.

[@thesavage4552]

Jonnny....I can only imagine the size of your console related cord drawer 😱

[@HappyConsoleGamer]

LOL It is murder!

[@kevinstrade2752]

It failed because it was rushed. They wanted to do more than just add ram but NEC wanted it out quickly. As a result it didn't show much superiority over the pc engine, nobody bought it. Had they improved sound and added a few other bells and whistles along with backward compatibility, I really think it could have given the mega drive and super fami a run for thier money.

[@ShelfWarmer]

@edek he's not saying it didn't, although his wording is a bit confusing.

[@matthewsan78]

Wow, I've never even heard of the Super Grafx. I can't believe there is a console that has a smaller library of games than the Virtual Boy!

[@luckyrockmore2796]

I remember wanting this just for The Ghouls and Ghosts game!

[@davesgoldenduck6066]

Thank you for your videos HAPPY CONSOLE GAMER YOU ARE THE MAN :)!!!