NEC PC Engine CD-ROM2/TurboGrafx-CD

Logo descriptions by SnowflakesOmega

Background: After the release of the first 16-bit video game console, the PC Engine (TurboGrafx 16 in North America), NEC was notorious for bringing up gaming to new frontiers. In 1988, NEC wanted to step things up with the release of the PC Engine CD-ROM2, which was the first video game console ever to make advantage of the Compact Disc device. The console was extremely popular on Japan after it's release, counting with 400 games featuring 512-color sprites and audio of high fidelity. The console however did not fare too well on the American market, counting it's expensive price range and very limited national library. NEC would later replace the PC Engine CD-ROM2 with the PC-FX in 1994.

PC Engine CD-ROM2

(December 4, 1988-1991)

Logo: On a black background, there's the yellow "PC Engine" text. Below we can see the other text "CD-ROM SYSTEM" and the version of the model in the bottom-right. The blue "PUSH RUN BUTTON!" blinks below the logo. When the Run button is pressed, the text gets replaced with the still "JUST A MOMENT...". When there's difficulties reading a disc, the message "LOAD ERROR!" in orange will display below the "PUSH RUN BUTTON!" text.

FX/SFX: The blinking of the text.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Ultra rare. Only on original PC Engine CD units. This version of the PCE-CD would later be replaced with the 3rd version of the console, so a few units containing this splash screen are very hard to find, even if you're in Japan.

Editor's Note: None.

TurboGrafx CD

(December 8, 1989-1993)

TurboGrafx CD (1990)Logo: Same as before, but instead of the PC Engine CD-ROM text, there's the orange/yellow/green gradient "TurboGrafx" with an orange circle saying "CD" next to it. The model version shows "VER. 2.00".

FX/SFX: Same as before.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Very rare. You might want to look on EBay for a TurboGrafx CD unit.

Editor's Note: None.

PC Engine Super CDROM2

(September 21, 1991-1999)

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Logo: Same as the original PC Engine CD-ROM screen, but the blue "SUPER" is seen above "CD-ROM SYSTEM", and there's a cubed "2" next to "CD-ROM". The model version shows "VER. 3.00".

FX/SFX: Same as before.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: Extremely rare outside Japan. Might as well check somewhere to emulate the system.

Editor's Note: None.