PCEngineFans.com - The PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 Community Forum
NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: esteban on September 01, 2012, 05:51:57 AM
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DragonMasterDan's NA CD RELEASES (by year):
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12918.msg254205#msg254205
NA HUCARD RELEASES (by year):
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12918.msg254148#msg254148
ORIGINAL POST: First, I'm going to ask DragonMasterDan (or anyone else) to provide the "sloppy* release dates" for all HuCARDS and CD's released in North America:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=12817.msg252015#msg252015
I totally need this, pronto. STAT!
*sloppy = year-only, and hopefully the correct year.
Second, I am going to fantasize that someone has attempted to create a more accurate list (wouldn't it be awesome if we had stocking/shipping receipts from, say, Toy-R-Us or Electronics Boutique!? Or something?) for North American releases.
Since I don't think this exists (yet), does anyone have any good ideas on how we could obtain this information? Sadly, I don't think we have much to use...
(1) Magazines are a poor source of information for dates (content for an issue is compiled well-before publication...lead time was usually 3 months?...delays/cancellations were rampant).
(2) A better source of information might be EB or ___________ catalogs (they were released a few times a year)...so we could narrow it down to "quarters" or "months"....but even software in catalogs suffered from cancellations/delays.
THANK YOU IN ADVANCE! (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
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There's a list on wikipedia about it.
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There's a list on wikipedia about it.
Thank you, yes, I now have the sloppy release dates. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcds.png)
Now, how can we go further and determine more precise release dates? (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
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Ask the companies? :)
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What about release dates for later US CD titles? I mean, are actual, precise (or even sloppy) release dates known for the last two games released (not counting Bonk 3), Godzilla and The Dynastic Hero? Were they 1993 releases, or 1994?
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From what I've read, wasn't Bonk 3 August 94 and Magical Chase July 94?
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From what I've read, wasn't Bonk 3 August 94 and Magical Chase July 94?
Those were both released in late 1993. Those dates were derived from the TTI mailing list. Unfortunately, getting exact dates or even months is going to be pretty hard.
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HuCards by year, I think this is all of them but I'm too lazy to do a total count.
1989:
Alien Crush
Blazing Lazers
China Warrior
Deep Blue
Dragon Spirit
Dungeon Explorer
Fantasy Zone
Galaga 90
Keith Courage in Alpha Zones
Legendary Axe
Military Madness
Moto Roader
Ordyne
Power Golf
R-Type
Space Harrier
Takin it to the hoop
Victory Run
Vigilante
World Class Baseball
World Court Tennis
1990
Aero Blasters
Andre Panza Kick Boxing
Battle Royale
Bloody Wolf
Bonk's Adventure
BoxyBoy
Bravoman
Chew Man Fu
Cratermaze
Cyber Core
Devils Crush
Double Dungeons
Dragons Curse
Drop off
Final Lap Twin
Jack Nicklaus's Turbo Golf
JJ & Jeff
King of Casino
Klax
Neutopia
Ninja Spirit
Pac-land
Psychosis
Raiden
SideArms
Sonic Spike Volleyball
Splatterhouse
Super Star Soldier
Super Volleyball
Tiger Road
Timeball
Tricky Kick
TV Sports Football
Veigues Tactical Gladiator
1991
Bomberman
Bonk's Revenge
Cadash
Champions Forever Boxing
Davis Cup Tennis
Impossamole
Legendary Axe II
Parasol Stars
Silent Debuggers
Sinistron
Talespin
Turrican
TV Sports Basketball
TV Sports Hockey
Yo Bro
1992
Air Zonk
Ballistix
Chase HQ
Darkwing Duck
Dead Moon
Falcon
Ghost Manor
Gunboat
Hit the Ice
Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
New Adventure Island
Neutopia 2
Night Creatures
Order of the Griffon
Samurai Ghost
Shockman
Soldier Blade
Somer Assualt
Time Cruise
1993
Bomberman 93
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
Legend of Hero Tonma
Magical Chase
World Sports Competition
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What about release dates for later US CD titles? I mean, are actual, precise (or even sloppy) release dates known for the last two games released (not counting Bonk 3), Godzilla and The Dynastic Hero? Were they 1993 releases, or 1994?
Those two were 1994. Godzilla came out around January or February, Dynastic Hero wasn't available to the public until TZD took over in May or June of 1994.
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What about release dates for later US CD titles? I mean, are actual, precise (or even sloppy) release dates known for the last two games released (not counting Bonk 3), Godzilla and The Dynastic Hero? Were they 1993 releases, or 1994?
Those two were 1994. Godzilla came out around January or February, Dynastic Hero wasn't available to the public until TZD took over in May or June of 1994.
Then why do the US versions of both titles say 1993 on their boxes and title screens, while the Japanese releases of the same titles say 1994? Were they planning on releasing them sooner but didn't or something? Looking at the boxes and title screens, you'd think the US versions of those games came out in '93. I know those dates can be wrong, but usually are correct... Even Wikipedia says '93 in the Dynastic Hero page, surely because of the title screen date.
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Then why do the US versions of both titles say 1993 on their boxes and title screens, while the Japanese releases of the same titles say 1994? Were they planning on releasing them sooner but didn't or something? Looking at the boxes and title screens, you'd think the US versions of those games came out in '93. I know those dates can be wrong, but usually are correct... Even Wikipedia says '93 in the Dynastic Hero page, surely because of the title screen date.
Yep, they were planned to be released earlier than they actually made it to the market.
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Then why do the US versions of both titles say 1993 on their boxes and title screens, while the Japanese releases of the same titles say 1994? Were they planning on releasing them sooner but didn't or something? Looking at the boxes and title screens, you'd think the US versions of those games came out in '93. I know those dates can be wrong, but usually are correct... Even Wikipedia says '93 in the Dynastic Hero page, surely because of the title screen date.
Yep, they were planned to be released earlier than they actually made it to the market.
Ah, that makes sense. It's just odd because I'd think the Japanese versions would be the originals, so why go in and put an earlier date in the US release? Were they planning to release them in the US first for some reason or something?
On the note of Wikipedia though, I find it odd how they have a TG16-only list, but don't have a Turbo CD-only list, and don't even list the US release dates in the PCE/Turbo CD list -- it's only Japanese release dates, unless the game was US-exclusive. The US dates were often different.
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Ah, that makes sense. It's just odd because I'd think the Japanese versions would be the originals, so why go in and put an earlier date in the US release? Were they planning to release them in the US first for some reason or something?
On the note of Wikipedia though, I find it odd how they have a TG16-only list, but don't have a Turbo CD-only list, and don't even list the US release dates in the PCE/Turbo CD list -- it's only Japanese release dates, unless the game was US-exclusive. The US dates were often different.
Wikipedia isn't the best source of this information. Also some games actually came out here first, though I don't believe those two to be examples of this.
With that said TTI was a very small operation so just manufacturing those games took a lot of their resources. Once they had a finished and tested game it may have taken them 90 days or more to ship, and if there were any unforseen delays that would push it back even more. Remember, lots of games (Battle Lode Runner, Fantasy Star Solider/Star Parodier, Wizardry 1 and 2) were supposed to come out but didn't. They missed a lot of planned release dates.
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TurboGrafx CD and Super CD release list. This isn't final I may be missing a few.
1990
Fighting Street
Final Zone II
Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf
Last Alert
Magical Dinosaur Tour
Monster Lair
Valis II
Ys Book I and II
1991
Addams Family
J.B. HAROLD MURDER CLUB
Sherlock Holmes Consulting detective
Ys 3
1992
Cosmic Fantasy II
Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes
Exile
Forgotten Worlds
Gate of Thunder
It came from beneath the desert
Lords of the Rising Sun
Loom
Prince of Persia
Riot Zone
Shadow of the Beast
Shape Shifter
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Volume II
Splash Lake
Valis III
1993
Beyond Shadowgate
Buster Bros
Camp California
Cotton
Dungeon Explorer II
Dungeon Master: Therons Quest
Exile: Wicked Phenomenon
John Madden Duo Football
Lords of Thunder
Might and Magic III
Sim Earth
Super Air Zonk
Syd Mead's Terraforming
Vasteel
1994:
Bonk 3 CD
Dynastic Hero
Godzilla
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Wasn't Buster Bros. a 1993 release, not 1992? Also, wasn't the CD version of Bonk 3 released in late 1994, and not along with the cart version in 1993? Wikipedia lists those as you do there, but is certainly wrong about those. Also weren't Fighting Street and Monster Lair released in 1989 along with the system, not in 1990?
Ah, that makes sense. It's just odd because I'd think the Japanese versions would be the originals, so why go in and put an earlier date in the US release? Were they planning to release them in the US first for some reason or something?
On the note of Wikipedia though, I find it odd how they have a TG16-only list, but don't have a Turbo CD-only list, and don't even list the US release dates in the PCE/Turbo CD list -- it's only Japanese release dates, unless the game was US-exclusive. The US dates were often different.
Wikipedia isn't the best source of this information. Also some games actually came out here first, though I don't believe those two to be examples of this.
You're right that it isn't, but are there any good sources for this information other than this forum?
With that said TTI was a very small operation so just manufacturing those games took a lot of their resources. Once they had a finished and tested game it may have taken them 90 days or more to ship, and if there were any unforseen delays that would push it back even more. Remember, lots of games (Battle Lode Runner, Fantasy Star Solider/Star Parodier, Wizardry 1 and 2) were supposed to come out but didn't. They missed a lot of planned release dates.
Good point. They announced lots of titles that never got anywhere... but still, changing the release year on the title screen then delaying it out of that year seems a little odd. Oh well, it happened. :)
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Wasn't Buster Bros. a 1993 release, not 1992? Also, wasn't the CD version of Bonk 3 released in late 1994, and not along with the cart version in 1993? Wikipedia lists those as you do there, but is certainly wrong about those. Also weren't Fighting Street and Monster Lair released in 1989 along with the system, not in 1990?
Buster Bros might have been 1993, I think it was 1992 though. The TurboGrafx CD didn't come out until a little ways into 1990, it did not come out at the same time as the core system. Nor did any of the games.
Ah, that makes sense. It's just odd because I'd think the Japanese versions would be the originals, so why go in and put an earlier date in the US release? Were they planning to release them in the US first for some reason or something?
Those two games were Japanese originals, some games like Shape Shifter were not. And some other games like Air Zonk actually came out here first though only by a month or two.
You're right that it isn't, but are there any good sources for this information other than this forum?
Unfortunately, back then exact shipping dates weren't tracked very well. Games didn't really have "release dates" back then either. One of the first games I remember with a concrete release date was Sonic 2 for Genesis in 1992. So a lot of this information is based on recollection of when it shipped.
Good point. They announced lots of titles that never got anywhere... but still, changing the release year on the title screen then delaying it out of that year seems a little odd. Oh well, it happened. :)
I'm pretty sure if it was changed it was changed when the English version was created by the developer. I know Godzilla is missing some of the mini-games for example, so the US version isn't exactly the same as the final Japanese one. It might have actually been finished earlier as it came from an earlier build.
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Damn, poor 1991 for original CD owners. Get that awesome new hardware and... not much of anything. Things got back on track after that at least!
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What was the last TurboGrafx Game on HuCard & CD??
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Wasn't Buster Bros. a 1993 release, not 1992? Also, wasn't the CD version of Bonk 3 released in late 1994, and not along with the cart version in 1993? Wikipedia lists those as you do there, but is certainly wrong about those. Also weren't Fighting Street and Monster Lair released in 1989 along with the system, not in 1990?
Buster Bros might have been 1993, I think it was 1992 though.
The title screen and box say 1993, certainly. Dates can be too low (such as those 1994 games dated 1993), but I've never heard of a game which says one year but actually was released earlier...
Here's some more evidence for 1993: http://archives.tg-16.com/archive-four/TF-03-28.jpg
Also, you didn't mention Bonk 3 CD. Wasn't that only released by TZD, at the end of '94?
The TurboGrafx CD didn't come out until a little ways into 1990, it did not come out at the same time as the core system. Nor did any of the games.
Oh, really? I see that Wikipedia says that too, but I know I've read 1989 before. Is there proof for the 1990 date, form magazines and such? And yeah, I knew it didn't come out at the same time as the main system, but the main system was August; I thought it was at the end of the year. Fighting Street and Monster Lair are both dated to 1989 in their US packaging and title screens, while all those other 1990 titles you mentioned are dated 1990. I mean, you could be right, but there is a clear difference between those two games and the other releases. Fighting Street was a 1988 release in Japan too, so it doesn't have anything to do with their release dates there either. Monster Lair was 1989 there though.
Ah, that makes sense. It's just odd because I'd think the Japanese versions would be the originals, so why go in and put an earlier date in the US release? Were they planning to release them in the US first for some reason or something?
Those two games were Japanese originals, some games like Shape Shifter were not. And some other games like Air Zonk actually came out here first though only by a month or two.[/quote]
Huh, I didn't know Air Zonk came out here first. Interesting. They were pushing Bonk and Zonk a lot though, so if they were going to do it with anything it does make sense that it'd be that.
You're right that it isn't, but are there any good sources for this information other than this forum?
Unfortunately, back then exact shipping dates weren't tracked very well. Games didn't really have "release dates" back then either. One of the first games I remember with a concrete release date was Sonic 2 for Genesis in 1992. So a lot of this information is based on recollection of when it shipped.
Sure, but TG16 dates seem even sketchier than most SNES or Genesis games. The system didn't do nearly as well, so there's a lot less info out there about when the games actually released...
Good point. They announced lots of titles that never got anywhere... but still, changing the release year on the title screen then delaying it out of that year seems a little odd. Oh well, it happened. :)
I'm pretty sure if it was changed it was changed when the English version was created by the developer. I know Godzilla is missing some of the mini-games for example, so the US version isn't exactly the same as the final Japanese one. It might have actually been finished earlier as it came from an earlier build.
That definitely could be.
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What was the last TurboGrafx Game on HuCard & CD??
It might have been Bonk 3 CD and Magical Chase but I"m not so sure on that. I do know Dead of the Brain 1 and 2 was the last offical PC engine CD game released though...
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From what I've read, wasn't Bonk 3 August 94 and Magical Chase July 94?
Those were both released in late 1993. Those dates were derived from the TTI mailing list. Unfortunately, getting exact dates or even months is going to be pretty hard.
I know it, I must have been thinking in other thing, thanks for the correction.
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The title screen and box say 1993, certainly. Dates can be too low (such as those 1994 games dated 1993), but I've never heard of a game which says one year but actually was released earlier.
I checked my Buster Bros last night and changed it to 1993.
Oh, really? I see that Wikipedia says that too, but I know I've read 1989 before. Is there proof for the 1990 date, form magazines and such? And yeah, I knew it didn't come out at the same time as the main system, but the main system was August; I thought it was at the end of the year. Fighting Street and Monster Lair are both dated to 1989 in their US packaging and title screens, while all those other 1990 titles you mentioned are dated 1990. I mean, you could be right, but there is a clear difference between those two games and the other releases. Fighting Street was a 1988 release in Japan too, so it doesn't have anything to do with their release dates there either. Monster Lair was 1989 there though.
The CD and the games came out in the US in 1990. As far as evidence, there was an episode of Computer Chronicles from Summer 1990 where they showed the Turbo CD off as either having just come out or about to come out.
Sure, but TG16 dates seem even sketchier than most SNES or Genesis games. The system didn't do nearly as well, so there's a lot less info out there about when the games actually released...
Most SNES and Genesis games didn't have proper release dates either, But with that said SOME did which was a first in the US for game releases. Stuff like Sonic 2, Flashback, Mortal Kombat had actual proper street dates because there were promotions tied to those games launches.
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TurboGrafx CD and Super CD release list. This isn't final I may be missing a few.
1990
Fighting Street
Final Zone II
Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf
Last Alert
Magical Dinosaur Tour
Monster Lair
Valis II
Ys Book I and II
1991
Addams Family
J.B. HAROLD MURDER CLUB
Sherlock Holmes Consulting detective
Ys 3
1992
Cosmic Fantasy II
Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes
Exile
Forgotten Worlds
Gate of Thunder
It came from beneath the desert
Lords of the Rising Sun
Loom
Prince of Persia
Riot Zone
Shadow of the Beast
Shape Shifter
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Volume II
Splash Lake
Valis III
1993
Beyond Shadowgate
Bonk 3 CD
Buster Bros
Camp California
Cotton
Dungeon Explorer II
Dungeon Master: Therons Quest
Exile: Wicked Phenomenon
John Madden Duo Football
Lords of Thunder
Might and Magic III
Sim Earth
Super Air Zonk
Syd Mead's Terraforming
Vasteel
1994:
Dynastic Hero
Godzilla
OK, so far, how do you feel about this list (and the earlier HuCard list)?
I will be using your lists, I think, since you seem to be making adjustments to them based on evidence (when it is sufficient).
Anyone else, please feel free to chime in with your thoughts (and evidence) on these release dates.
(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
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OK, so far, how do you feel about this list (and the earlier HuCard list)?
I will be using your lists, I think, since you seem to be making adjustments to them based on evidence (when it is sufficient).
Anyone else, please feel free to chime in with your thoughts (and evidence) on these release dates.
(http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png)
They're both pretty accurate, I haven't gone through and consulted every title screen or manual but I think this is pretty close to accurate. With that said, yes I have done some adjustments based on evidence or better information.
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I'll help with this. I started compiling release date information in March and got sidetracked. We're unlikely to find many definitive dates, so it would be best to compile as much information as possible and present all of the sources for each game, letting people draw their own conclusions. Cross referencing serial numbers, game and manual copyrights, official mailings, ads, and magazine reviews should give us a decent picture.
Jayamine presented some TZD release dates that supposedly came from Steve here:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=11038.msg206449#msg206449
I'm inclined to take these as a credible source.
Some of the games were canceled, but the Club Duo Catalog is a good place to start for '93 dates:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=10984.0
The dates for hucards in particular haven't been refuted by anything else I've even seen.
They're both pretty accurate, I haven't gone through and consulted every title screen or manual but I think this is pretty close to accurate.
Out of curiosity, where did you get the list?
I collected the copyrights and serial numbers from 79 of the U.S. games and manuals before I ran out of steam. Generally the dates on software and manuals match, but occasionally the manual supersedes the software (makes sense that they would wait to finish the manual until after the programming is complete. There are a couple of exceptions like Exile and TV Sports Basketball where the software was finished after the manual. Either way, manuals with different dates are a good indication of 1st- and 4th-quater releases.
My information contradicts your dates on a handful of games, I'll post an update later.
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What was the last TurboGrafx Game on HuCard & CD??
It might have been Bonk 3 CD and Magical Chase but I"m not so sure on that. I do know Dead of the Brain 1 and 2 was the last offical PC engine CD game released though...
Yeah, according to Jayamine's info from Steve TZD, Bonk 3 was the last U.S. SCD.
I'd say that Bonk 3 was also the last hucard, judging by its unique packaging design and the fact that it was the last Turbochip scheduled in the '93 Club Duo catalog that wasn't canceled.
The last CD-ROM2 was probably Terraforming.
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Unfortunately, back then exact shipping dates weren't tracked very well. Games didn't really have "release dates" back then either. One of the first games I remember with a concrete release date was Sonic 2 for Genesis in 1992. So a lot of this information is based on recollection of when it shipped.
Heh, last week I was recording an episode of the as-yet-unreleased successor to my old podcast, Game Face Radio, and I said something almost exactly identical to what you just wrote there. I specifically mentioned "Sonic Twosday". Crazy.
I also remember, "Mortal Monday".
Back then I remember these as being unique since I was always hearing about how Dragon Quest release dates were such a huge deal in Japan and how here in the US you rarely knew when a game was coming out until it was actually at the store. Some stores wouldn't get games until months after other stores.
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The title screen and box say 1993, certainly. Dates can be too low (such as those 1994 games dated 1993), but I've never heard of a game which says one year but actually was released earlier.
I checked my Buster Bros last night and changed it to 1993.
I'm still wondering why you're sticking with 1993 for Bonk 3 CD. Was there actually a CD release of that game in 1993? Can you prove it?
Oh, really? I see that Wikipedia says that too, but I know I've read 1989 before. Is there proof for the 1990 date, form magazines and such? And yeah, I knew it didn't come out at the same time as the main system, but the main system was August; I thought it was at the end of the year. Fighting Street and Monster Lair are both dated to 1989 in their US packaging and title screens, while all those other 1990 titles you mentioned are dated 1990. I mean, you could be right, but there is a clear difference between those two games and the other releases. Fighting Street was a 1988 release in Japan too, so it doesn't have anything to do with their release dates there either. Monster Lair was 1989 there though.
The CD and the games came out in the US in 1990. As far as evidence, there was an episode of Computer Chronicles from Summer 1990 where they showed the Turbo CD off as either having just come out or about to come out.
Really? Huh... very interesting. Any further proof for this? Because those 1989 dates in the two launch titles certainly suggests that it was supposed to be out in '89 at least...
Sure, but TG16 dates seem even sketchier than most SNES or Genesis games. The system didn't do nearly as well, so there's a lot less info out there about when the games actually released...
Most SNES and Genesis games didn't have proper release dates either, But with that said SOME did which was a first in the US for game releases. Stuff like Sonic 2, Flashback, Mortal Kombat had actual proper street dates because there were promotions tied to those games launches.
At least with other consoles you can almost always trust the year listed on the box and title screen to be correct.
What was the last TurboGrafx Game on HuCard & CD??
It might have been Bonk 3 CD and Magical Chase but I"m not so sure on that. I do know Dead of the Brain 1 and 2 was the last offical PC engine CD game released though...
Yeah, according to Jayamine's info from Steve TZD, Bonk 3 was the last U.S. SCD.
I'd say that Bonk 3 was also the last hucard, judging by its unique packaging design and the fact that it was the last Turbochip scheduled in the '93 Club Duo catalog that wasn't canceled.
The last CD-ROM2 was probably Terraforming.
Yeah, I agree on all three counts, Terraforming for regular CD (though they advertised it as a Super CD of course, it's just Super CD enhanced and works on regular), Bonk 3 for HuCard (could be Magical Chase or Bomberman '93, but it's probably Bonk 3), and Bonk 3 for Super CD.
I'll help with this. I started compiling release date information in March and got sidetracked. We're unlikely to find many definitive dates, so it would be best to compile as much information as possible and present all of the sources for each game, letting people draw their own conclusions. Cross referencing serial numbers, game and manual copyrights, official mailings, ads, and magazine reviews should give us a decent picture.
Jayamine presented some TZD release dates that supposedly came from Steve here:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=11038.msg206449#msg206449
I'm inclined to take these as a credible source.
Huh, those dates are interesting... so are those games that had previously been released by TTI too, or were those first releases? I mean, I thought Super Air Zonk was a 1993 game for sure... I've heard before that Bonk 3 CD wasn't actually released until that Dec 1994 date, and that Godzilla was (probably spring or so) '94, but not those other two.
Some of the games were canceled, but the Club Duo Catalog is a good place to start for '93 dates:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=10984.0
The dates for hucards in particular haven't been refuted by anything else I've even seen.
They're both pretty accurate, I haven't gone through and consulted every title screen or manual but I think this is pretty close to accurate.
Out of curiosity, where did you get the list?
I collected the copyrights and serial numbers from 79 of the U.S. games and manuals before I ran out of steam. Generally the dates on software and manuals match, but occasionally the manual supersedes the software (makes sense that they would wait to finish the manual until after the programming is complete. There are a couple of exceptions like Exile and TV Sports Basketball where the software was finished after the manual. Either way, manuals with different dates are a good indication of 1st- and 4th-quater releases.
My information contradicts your dates on a handful of games, I'll post an update later.
What games have these different dates in their manuals? Can you check?
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There is absolutely positively no way that Magical Chase was the last Turbochip. I know people want to suggest that because it ads mystique to an already massively hyped to hell game, but its just not the case.
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I'm still wondering why you're sticking with 1993 for Bonk 3 CD. Was there actually a CD release of that game in 1993? Can you prove it?
We're not able to prove a lot of this information. In that case the manual DOES say 1993 on it. It could have been released in 1994 as well. There's no way to prove a lot of this.
Really? Huh... very interesting. Any further proof for this? Because those 1989 dates in the two launch titles certainly suggests that it was supposed to be out in '89 at least...
I think it at one point it was supposed to be out in 1989. I also remember reading about how when it came out there was only 3-4 games for quite a few months. I've read multiple news articles about its release, it definitely came out in 1990, not 1989.
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Heh, last week I was recording an episode of the as-yet-unreleased successor to my old podcast, Game Face Radio, and I said something almost exactly identical to what you just wrote there. I specifically mentioned "Sonic Twosday". Crazy.
Yep, I got a Sonic 2 T-shirt for preordering it at Software Etc.
I also remember, "Mortal Monday".
Back then I remember these as being unique since I was always hearing about how Dragon Quest release dates were such a huge deal in Japan and how here in the US you rarely knew when a game was coming out until it was actually at the store. Some stores wouldn't get games until months after other stores.
I remember the time before street dates because I had trouble finding out when games I wanted would be released. I called Babbages every day for months about Zelda 3 for example, because there were no release dates for games.
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Really? Huh... very interesting. Any further proof for this? Because those 1989 dates in the two launch titles certainly suggests that it was supposed to be out in '89 at least...
I think it at one point it was supposed to be out in 1989. I also remember reading about how when it came out there was only 3-4 games for quite a few months. I've read multiple news articles about its release, it definitely came out in 1990, not 1989.
I believe you Dan, but please cite sources. We've had lots of release-date discussions in the past and they've never gone anywhere because it always devolves into personal consumer experiences and he-said she-said.
Back to the TGCD - can a few members weigh in with their manufacture dates printed on the bottom of the CD-ROM drives? Mine was made in February 1990, but we know at least two batches of CD-ROM's were sold - one with the CD+G sample disc and box sticker, and one without.
Bantam's Encyclopedia places the TurboExpress release in the "Fall of 1990" (13), but doesn't indicate when the CD was released, other than that it was already out at press time.
They're both pretty accurate, I haven't gone through and consulted every title screen or manual but I think this is pretty close to accurate.
Out of curiosity, where did you get the list?
Bump.
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We're not able to prove a lot of this information. In that case the manual DOES say 1993 on it. It could have been released in 1994 as well. There's no way to prove a lot of this.
Did you even read my post? Like I said, Jayamine's info from Garwood places Bonk SCD in December '94.
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I believe you Dan, but please cite sources. We've had lots of release-date discussions in the past and they've never gone anywhere because it always devolves into personal consumer experiences and he-said she-said.
Back to the TGCD - can a few members weigh in with their manufacture dates printed on the bottom of the CD-ROM drives? Mine was made in February 1990, but we know at least two batches of CD-ROM's were sold - one with the CD+G sample disc and box sticker, and one without.
This is where we need to start getting magazine scans and other sources of info to try and get solid dates. The computer chronicles episode was from December 1990 (just before Christmas) and it mentions the system was just released and that six games were currently available with several more coming before the end of the year. That's the best source I have right now for the Turbo CD date, this is also why these dates are sloppy. Finding better sources might not be possible.
Manufacture date on my Turbo CD is 1990
Did you even read my post? Like I said, Jayamine's info from Garwood places Bonk SCD in December '94.
The Bonk 3 date has been changed to 1994.
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OK, a brief break from the debate over the dates for certain items...
One of the reasons why I wanted the TG-16 release dates is because I added instruction manual scans to the Archives:
TurboGrafx-16 Instruction Manuals (you can sort/re-sort the table) (http://archives.tg-16.com/magazine_database.htm?col=pub&val=i)
Back on topic:
Were HuCard and CD versions of Bonk 3 released simultaneously?
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My boxed CD unit came with the CDG and it has a manufacture date of Oct 1989 and serial number 719. I have another Oct 1989 cd unit with serial number 300 or so. I think the third one I came across in my time was a 1991... but I might be making that up.
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My TG-CD was manufactured in 1989. I'll have to get the exact info and post later. (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/pcgs.png).
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If some TGCD drives are from 1989, that leaves open the possibility for a late '89 launch, still, doesn't it?
I know manufacturing starts before the release (my model 0 Dreamcast was made before the US release, for instance), but still, it is possible.
We're not able to prove a lot of this information. In that case the manual DOES say 1993 on it. It could have been released in 1994 as well. There's no way to prove a lot of this.
Did you even read my post? Like I said, Jayamine's info from Garwood places Bonk SCD in December '94.
I'm wondering more about M&MIII and Super Air Zonk, as I said before...why are those in that 1994 list? I mean, I thjough I'd heard that those had 1993 releases. I've never heard that about Bonk III CD, but I thought those two were different? Or is that actually wrong?
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My TZD flyer states that Bonk 3 CD was released in December 1994.
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If some TGCD drives are from 1989, that leaves open the possibility for a late '89 launch, still, doesn't it?
I know manufacturing starts before the release (my model 0 Dreamcast was made before the US release, for instance), but still, it is possible.
Pretty much all information I recall states it came out in 1990, around Summertime. Manufacturing dates are going to be a ways before a product launch. I do believe it was intended to launch in 1989 with the system, and for whatever reasons (probably retailers being wary of carrying a 400.00 add-on to an unproven system and the fact that they may have only had a couple games ready for it).
I'm wondering more about M&MIII and Super Air Zonk, as I said before...why are those in that 1994 list? I mean, I thjough I'd heard that those had 1993 releases. I've never heard that about Bonk III CD, but I thought those two were different? Or is that actually wrong?
I have SAZ and M&M III, both of those say 1993 on them. I know from hearing stories of other peoples firsthand experiences that SAZ apparently hit stores in late 1993 as a few people over the years have mentioned the disappointed Christmas day expecting an awesome sequel to Air Zonk, and getting well... an adequate shooter in SAZ. I don't know about M&M III but I've always heard it was a 1993 release as well.
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Esteban - those manual scans are awesome! I know a few other attempts have been made over the years, but the Turbo scene has really needed a definitive manual site for a long time. Thank you.
Clash - thanks for your date and serial number.
If some TGCD drives are from 1989, that leaves open the possibility for a late '89 launch, still, doesn't it?
Judging by how low Clash's serial # is, I'd wager that Oct '89 was the first batch and the earliest manufacture date. I want to believe that the TGCD came out in '89, but we should probably bank on Dan's sources and a 1990 date unless we find supporting evidence. October also seems like a pretty tight turn around to get units from Japan onto store shelves in time for the holidays. Does anyone know when the Duo came out? I have two U.S. Duo's dated August and October '92; I'd guess that the August units were for the Holiday launch and the October units followed in '93...
Anyway, here's a theory:
Maybe NEC was pushing for a TGCD release in '89, but it got delayed. This would explain why Fighting Street and Monster Lair were finished and copyrighted in '89 and CD-ROM's were being made, but we can't find evidence of a launch. Maybe manufacturing fell behind because the FCC demanded more shielding and a bigger case. Maybe they decided to wait for Ys Book I & II (CD is © '89, manual is © '90) because the would-be launch titles (FS and ML) weren't strong enough. Maybe the original cost was going to be even higher than $399 and they needed to bring the price down. Maybe NEC had some dumb CD+G agreement with Warner Bros. that held up production.
I'm wondering more about M&MIII and Super Air Zonk, as I said before...why are those in that 1994 list? I mean, I thjough I'd heard that those had 1993 releases. I've never heard that about Bonk III CD, but I thought those two were different? Or is that actually wrong?
Where did you hear about the '93 releases? A lot of people assume they were released in '93 just by looking at the copyrights, but a handful of secondary insider sources have reported otherwise.
Again, I'm inclined to believe Jayamine's dates are correct and really did come from Steve Garwood. It's always wise to take self-proclaimed insider noobs and unauthorized spokesmen with a grain of salt, but Jayamine never struck me as an attention whore. He also possessed the very first TurboGrafx for a time, so he obviously had some kind of connections. Finally, his information is generally consistent with other reports we've heard over the years.
Besides Jayamine, there was another source who spoke of TTI handing off their handful of unreleased games to TZD and how TZD then spread them out for release over the course of 1994. I just spent half an hour looking for the post which had the info and the list of TZD exclusives and can't find it.
ParanoiaDragon confirms via TTI Secretary Eun Lopez that Bonk 3 SCD was a TZD exclusive here:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=4096.msg66104#msg66104
Other members reported buying Bonk 3 hucard off the shelf at EB, so we know the hucard version did make it into stores.
Geepee16 has some tangentially related information here:
http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=4096.msg66027#msg66027
IIRC, Geepee is the guy who first reported the bulldozer story and who claimed to have had dinner and friendships with Steve and/or other TTI guys. His print runs are higher than Jayamine later posted, but interesting.
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Judging by how low Clash's serial # is, I'd wager that Oct '89 was the first batch and the earliest manufacture date. I want to believe that the TGCD came out in '89, but we should probably bank on Dan's sources and a 1990 date unless we find supporting evidence. October also seems like a pretty tight turn around to get units from Japan onto store shelves in time for the holidays. Does anyone know when the Duo came out? I have two U.S. Duo's dated August and October '92; I'd guess that the August units were for the Holiday launch and the October units followed in '93...
Duo hit EBs and Babbages in early October 1992. Between the 5th and 11th. It might have shipped a few days earlier.
Anyway, here's a theory:
Maybe NEC was pushing for a TGCD release in '89, but it got delayed. This would explain why Fighting Street and Monster Lair were finished and copyrighted in '89 and CD-ROM's were being made, but we can't find evidence of a launch. Maybe manufacturing fell behind because the FCC demanded more shielding and a bigger case. Maybe they decided to wait for Ys Book I & II (CD is © '89, manual is © '90) because the would-be launch titles (FS and ML) weren't strong enough. Maybe the original cost was going to be even higher than $399 and they needed to bring the price down. Maybe NEC had some dumb CD+G agreement with Warner Bros. that held up production
I suspect something like this is the case. Even when the CD-ROM was available, most retailers besides Babbages, Electronics Boutique, Software Etc and Toys R us that carried Turbo stuff didn't carry it. I suspect the high cost and the limited shelf space for game consoles in most stores at the time made launching the system in 1989 a near impossibility.
Just on a side note, I'm not saying I'm 100% certain it didn't come out in 1989. I simply have no solid evidence to support that it did besides the fact that they were manufacturing them at that point.
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BUMP because some folks might find this useful, or have evidence to suggest more precise info.
Yes, I can be hopeful. And naive.
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Hey guys, here's the product numbers for the games, as additional info to help :)
The higher numbers are the newer releases.
TGX 020001 Keith Courage In Alpha Zones
TGX 020002 Victory Run
TGX 020003 Legendary Axe
TGX 030004 Vigilante
TGX 020005 Alien Crush
TGX 030006 Dungeon Explorer
TGX 020007 World Class Baseball
TGX 020008 China Warrior
TGX 030009 Power Golf
TGX 030010 Blazing Lazers
TGX 040011 R Type
TGX 020012 Deep Blue
TGX 020013 Moto Roader
TGX 020014 JJ & Jeff
TGX 030015 Military Madness
TGX 020016 Dragon Spirit
TGX 020017 Fantasy Zone
TGX 020018 Galaga '90
TGX 020019 World Court Tennis
TGX 030020 Final Lap Twin
TGX 020021 Pac Land
TGX 040022 Ordyne
TGX 040025 Space Harrier
TGX 020026 Takin' It To The Hoop
TGX 020027 Cratermaze
TGX 030028 Bonk's Adventure
TGX 030029 Neutopia
TGX 030030 Cyber Core
TGX 010031 Boxy Boy
TGX 020033 King Of Casino
TGX 020034 Timeball
TGX 020035 Chew Man Fu
TGX 020036 Double Dungeons
TGX 040037 Bloody Wolf
TGX 030038 Devil's Crush
TGX 020039 Dragon's Curse
TGX 020040 Psychosis
TGX 040041 Splatterhouse
TGX 020042 Drop Off
TGX 020043 Super Volleyball
TGX 030044 Tiger Road
TGX 030045 Veigues Tactical Gladiator
TGX 030046 TV Sports Football
TGX 040047 Bravo Man
TGX 020048 Legendary Axe 2
TGX 030049 Battle Royale
TGX 040050 Ninja Spirit
TGX 040051 Aero Blasters
TGX 040052 Super Star Soldier
TGX 020053 Bomberman
TGX 040054 Yo Bro
TGX 040055 TV Sports Basketball
TGX 040056 Talespin
TGX 040058 Bonk's Revenge
TGX 030059 Ballistix
TGX 040060 Gunboat
TGX 040061 Davis Cup Tennis
TGX 040062 Impossamole
TGX 040063 Silent Debuggers
TGX 030064 TV Sports Hockey
TGX 040066 Darkwing Duck
TGX 040067 Falcon
TGX 040068 Andre Panza Kick Boxing
TGX 040069 Night Creatures
TGX 040072 Order Of The Griffon
TGX 060075 Raiden
TGX 040076 Ghost Manor
TGX 040077 Champions Forever Boxing
TGX 060078 Neutopia 2
TGX 040079 Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
TGX 040080 New Adventure Island
TGX 040081 Dead Moon
TGX 040082 Soldier Blade
TGX 040083 Legend Of Hero Tonma
TGX 040084 Air Zonk
TGX 040085 Samurai Ghost
TGX 040086 Magical Chase
TGX 040087 Shockman
TGX 040089 Somer Assault
TGX 040090 Time Cruise
TGX 040092 World Sports Competition
TGX 040093 Bomberman '93
TGX 030095 Hit The Ice
TGX 030096 Chase H.Q.
TGX 080097 Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
ATGX 02JTTC Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf
ATGX 04TUTG Turrican
TWG 030701 Parasol Stars
TWG 040501 Cadash
ITGX 10001 Sonic Spike
ITGX 10004 Tricky Kick
ITGX 10007 Sinistron
RTGX 10001 Sidearms
TTGX 20001 Klax
TGXCD 1001 Fighting Street
TGXCD 1002 Ys Book 1 & 2 (CD)
TGXCD 1002 Ys Book 1 & 2 (SCD)
TGXCD 1003 Monster Lair
TGXCD 1005 Magical Dinosaur Tour
TGXCD 1006 Valis 2
TGXCD 1007 Last Alert
TGXCD 1008 Final Zone 2
TGXCD 1010 It Came From The Desert
TGXCD 1011 Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective
TGXCD 1012 J. B. Harold Murder Club
TGXCD 1013 Camp California
TGXCD 1014 Lords Of The Rising Sun
TGXCD 1015 Ys 3: Wanderers From Ys
TGXCD 1017 Loom
TGXCD 1018 Shadow Of The Beast
TGXCD 1019 Addams Family
TGXCD 1021 Shape Shifter
TGXCD 1024 Valis 3
TGXCD 1025 Splash Lake
TGXCD 1026 Gate Of Thunder
TGXCD 1027 Prince Of Persia
TGXCD 1029 Dragon Slayer: The Legend Of Heroes
TGXCD 1030 Forgotten Worlds
TGXCD 1031 Buster Bros.
TGXCD 1033 Lords Of Thunder
TGXCD 1034 Dungeon Explorer 2
TGXCD 1035 Riot Zone
TGXCD 1036 Sim Earth: The Living Planet
TGXCD 1038 Cotton
TGXCD 1039 Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol 2
TGXCD 1040 Syd Mead's Terra Forming
TGXCD 1041 Dungeon Master: Theron's Quest
TGXCD 1042 Super Air Zonk
TGXCD 1045 John Madden Duo CD Football
TGXCD 1047 Might & Magic 3: Isles Of Terra
TGXCD 1048 Beyond Shadowgate
TGXCD 1051 Godzilla
TGXCD 1052 Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
TGXCD 1053 Dynastic Hero
ATGXCD JTTC Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf
WTG 990101 Exile
WTG 990102 Exile: Wicked Phenomenon
WTG 990301 Cosmic Fantasy 2
WTG 990801 Vasteel
SRCR01 Local Girls Of Hawaii
SRCR02 Hawiian Island Girls
??? Bikini Girls
DUODEMO02 Lords of Thunder Demo Disc
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Is there a concrete list of the games that were available at launch? I'd like to do an episode of CGQ-TV covering the launch of the TG-16, but I want to be confident in the games that I'm covering, first.
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Is there a concrete list of the games that were available at launch? I'd like to do an episode of CGQ-TV covering the launch of the TG-16, but I want to be confident in the games that I'm covering, first.
Is this alright?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_console_launch_games#NEC_PC_Engine.2FTurboGrafx-16.2FTurboGrafx
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Is there a concrete list of the games that were available at launch? I'd like to do an episode of CGQ-TV covering the launch of the TG-16, but I want to be confident in the games that I'm covering, first.
Is this alright?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_console_launch_games#NEC_PC_Engine.2FTurboGrafx-16.2FTurboGrafx
I can verify nearly all of the titles listed as available in Fall 1989, since I saw them physically in the store.
However, I can't say whether certain titles were released • slightly after • launch, the day of, or in my pants.
It is surprising I can't help with that last category, but I honestly can't.
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However, I can't say whether certain titles were released • slightly after • launch, the day of, or in my pants.
It is surprising I can't help with that last category, but I honestly can't.
Oh, dear. lol
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Is there a concrete list of the games that were available at launch? I'd like to do an episode of CGQ-TV covering the launch of the TG-16, but I want to be confident in the games that I'm covering, first.
Is this alright?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_console_launch_games#NEC_PC_Engine.2FTurboGrafx-16.2FTurboGrafx
Yeah, I saw that. But Wikipedia is pretty untrustworthy when it comes to stuff like this.
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Is there a concrete list of the games that were available at launch? I'd like to do an episode of CGQ-TV covering the launch of the TG-16, but I want to be confident in the games that I'm covering, first.
Is this alright?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_video_game_console_launch_games#NEC_PC_Engine.2FTurboGrafx-16.2FTurboGrafx
Yeah, I saw that. But Wikipedia is pretty untrustworthy when it comes to stuff like this.
That is true, but the severely lacking info we have on TG16/CD release dates is worse. Aren't we not even clear on which YEAR some things definitely released in?
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Yeah, I saw that. But Wikipedia is pretty untrustworthy when it comes to stuff like this.
I see.
That is true, but the severely lacking info we have on TG16/CD release dates is worse. Aren't we not even clear on which YEAR some things definitely released in?
Is(are) there any other console(s) that has(have) this much of a hazy release date list?
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I was checking my custom covers I've been working on and thanks for the list I had 2 that were incorrect for sure.
I'm just wondering about these 3 hucards (I know the sources don't mean it wasn't released later)
Dead Moon -list has 92 -I have 91 source title screen (rom)
Legendary Axe II - list has 91 -I have 90 source title screen, hucard, back of manual
Sidearms - list has 90 -I have 89 source title screen, hucard, back of manual
just curious if I should change to the list dates on these if your sure.
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Yeah, I saw that. But Wikipedia is pretty untrustworthy when it comes to stuff like this.
I see.
That is true, but the severely lacking info we have on TG16/CD release dates is worse. Aren't we not even clear on which YEAR some things definitely released in?
Is(are) there any other console(s) that has(have) this much of a hazy release date list?
I don't know of any other US-released consoles with such uncertainty, at least. In Japan they have thorough records of the release DAY (not just the year, but the specific day) of like every game ever physically released, so there would be no such problems there, but its possible there are serious uncertainties with something in other regions?
For some more games where I'm not entirely certain on the year, the US versions of Godzilla and The Dynastic Hero say "1993" on the game cases and packaging and in the games, but people here say they actually released in 1994, probably. I'm not sure if there is proof... Or for another one, that "August 1" release date for the Turbo CD system isn't definite. At one point sites were all saying it released in '89, but now most agree it was actually '90 sometime... but it's not so clear about the games. There was a suggestion that those two launch games might have been available well before the system was, for some weird reason? Who knows.
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For some more games where I'm not entirely certain on the year, the US versions of Godzilla and The Dynastic Hero say "1993" on the game cases and packaging and in the games, but people here say they actually released in 1994, probably.
I would not be surprised to learn that they were in fact released in 1994.
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They were released in 1994. I have a TZD flyer, that mentions why you can't buy certain hardware, etc. During the paragraphs explaining this stuff, it mentions the last games released were in 1994 (It does not mention the game titles).
I'll scan it later, if my memory is correct.
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*edited to add;
I found the blurb, it was in one of their sales flyers. I have no postmark on the flyer, since it was sent at bulk rate.
Anyway, it says the last games released for the TG-16 were in December of 1994.
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I don't know if any good information will come of this but I'm glad my inquiry helped spark a renewed effort. :D
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I don't know if any good information will come of this but I'm glad my inquiry helped spark a renewed effort. :D
Your avatar is most inappropriate, try this one:
https://slm-assets3.secondlife.com/assets/2082074/original/satan.gif?1284233823
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The interesting thing about The Dynastic Hero is that the year listed on the games' title screens is actually changed from the Japanese version -- in the Japanese version of the game they say 1994, but the US version were changed to 1993. They may well not have managed to release the game in '93, but title screens are usually accurate. Obviously this looks like one of the few cases where the title-screen date is wrong, but why change the date to 1993 from 1994, if the games weren't actually released in the US until 1994 either? It's really weird.
As for Godzilla, which is clearly the other one of TTI's last two releases along with The Dynastic Hero, that game was released in Japan in '93, so it's a little less weird if they just left it alone.
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The interesting thing about The Dynastic Hero is that the year listed on the games' title screens is actually changed from the Japanese version -- in the Japanese version of the game they say 1994, but the US version were changed to 1993. They may well not have managed to release the game in '93, but title screens are usually accurate. Obviously this looks like one of the few cases where the title-screen date is wrong, but why change the date to 1993 from 1994, if the games weren't actually released in the US until 1994 either? It's really weird.
As for Godzilla, which is clearly the other one of TTI's last two releases along with The Dynastic Hero, that game was released in Japan in '93, so it's a little less weird if they just left it alone.
I always felt that games with very late (November/December) "scheduled" release dates were most likely to get the title screen wrong....simply because any little hiccup could push the game into the following year. Of course, a good counter-argument would be that the financial incentive to release a game for the holiday (XMAS retail sales = holy grail! ) would limit the number of delays (better to release a game, even prematurely, to capture holiday sales?)