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MODELS Officially licensed releases
NEC SuperGrafx (Model # PI-TG4)




NEC Power Console (prototype / peripheral)
This has to be one of the coolest add-ons / peripherals ever conceived in the history of video gaming hardware. This monster was a prototype attachment made exclusively for the SuperGrafx and was scheduled to be released in Spring of 1990. It was not just a 'controller on steroids' device, but this beast actually enhanced the capabilities of the console itself. One lucky guy actually has a working prototype of this rare bird - Chris Covell. The following pictures and text exerts describing the Power Console are courtesy of Chris and his excellent webpage on the Power Console (Chris Covell's Power Console Prototype!). Please ensure to check out his page for many more pictures, information and details on the NEC Power Console!
"First, what features does the Console have? For starters, it has the basic direction buttons of the usual PC-Engine, configured as a round, arcade-style joystick, Select and Run in the centre, and 1,2,3, and 4 action buttons (that means 2 additional buttons over usual PCE pads) with rapid-fire switches for buttons 1 and 2. There is a large steering wheel / flight yoke in the centre that has triggers on the handles. The triggers are the same as the 1 and 2 buttons. The wheel has analogue movement both left and right, and up and down, augmented with an analogue throttle on the left side of the console for full 3-D movement in flight simulators or driving games." "Getting weirder, there is a jog dial as seen on VCR controls (top-left of the Console) and a 16-button numerical keypad (more of a calculator keypad) that is used for setting time & date on an LCD display as well as operating recording/playback of button presses, just as programmable joysticks on other systems are capable of. Did I say LCD? Yep, in the upper centre of the unit there is an LCD display that shows time (AM/PM/Date) as well as the settings for the button programming function."
"Next to that there is an LED array arranged like an airplane's radar that lights up dots to show the horizon, or approaching enemies in games like Battle Ace. Is this Hubris? Megalomania on the part of NEC? I say no: NEC knew what gamers wanted in a peripheral and were willing to pass on the cost to the buyer if it meant adding all the features anyone could ever want -- and some that few would ever want -- into the ultimate accessory."
"Before you ask, no, the sample cards above (to the right) don't contain SGX Strider or Galaxy Force. But they do contain three pieces of software I'm sure you've never, ever seen before! They were bundled with my prototype Power Console and used (obviously) to showcase and test out the superior features of the SuperGrafx and Power Console. Two cards have black protective covers on them and the third has no cover, presumably since it was always having its chips updated (being a hardware test card and all). So, let's have a look at the games!"
The Super Kung Fu	Power Tools	Taisen Pro Mah-Jongg
For more details, pictures and information, please visit Chris Covell's Power Console Prototype! excellent webpage!

CLONES Non-licensed hardware releases
No clones were released for this system.

CONSOLE RATINGS
by 98PaceCar

Consoles are rated based upon the available technology at the time of its release. A 10 point scale is utilized, with 10 being excellent.

CRITERIA	RATING	NOTES & COMMENTS
Console Design	08	The SuperGrafx is a very industrial looking console with a very unique design. Contrary to the Core Grafx mantra of being compact, this system is a much larger console than its ancestors. I find it one of the more distinctive and appealing consoles of all times.
Console Durability	08	Being from the NEC PC Engine line, the SuperGrafx seems near bulletproof. It can be tough to locate AC adaptors for it in the case that one is missing or dies.
Controllers	07	Little more than a differently styled PC Engine controller, the SuperGrafx controller works very well and feels great to use.
Graphics	09	Though the actual SuperGrafx library is limited, the games that make use of the extra capabilities are stunning to look at and run smoothly.
Audio	07	Certainly no slouch in the sound department, the SuperGrafx is more than capable of competing with any console of its era.
Media	08	Standard HU cards were used here with no changes, so they are as durable as what the PC Engine offers. I've run across very few that were truly dead.
Game Library	02 / 09	I had to give the SuperGrafx two scores for its library. Only five native SuperGrafx games were released with two further featuring improved graphics when played on the SuperGrafx. A rather limited library in an era of the Famicom. However, the SuperGrafx has access to the entire PC Engine library, one of the more varied and interesting of the era. That alone catapults it to the same level as any other console of the 80's.
Gamer Value	04	The SuperGrafx scores low on gamer value as it is typically more expensive than a normal PC Engine console. Only adding five new games to the mix makes it hard to recommend to a gamer.
Collector Value	07	A well known and respected Japanese only console, the SuperGrafx is a wonderful piece for a collector to own. Relatively easy to get from Japanese sources, it's a must own to any serious hardware collector.

FORMAT, PACKAGING & GENERAL INFO Interesting facts on software for this system
Software for the NEC SuperGrafx was distributed in the HuCard format. As with standard PC Engine games, titles came in standard CD style casing. The five (5) unique titles for this system all proudly display the SuperGrafx logo on the front and back covers of the CD inlays. A nice touch is the system graphic with accompanying text describing the system. Another game, Darius Alpha, was also released for this system, though it was merely an upgraded version of an existing title. The instructions for these games are in Japanese, due to the exclusive regional release of this system. Playing the titles themselves are rather easy to pick up after a little trial and error.	Game play with commentary courtesy of Wired.com

NEC SuperGrafx Game Boxes


SCREENSHOTS Captured in-game images
1941: Counter Attack	Aldynes	Battle Ace
Daimakaimura	Darius Alpha	Madouou Granzort

EMULATION
First and third party system emulators

Mednafen

Multi-system, command-line driven emulator for Windows, Linux or Mac that supports the SuperGrafx library

SPECS & MANUALS
For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love.

Processor Type	Processor Speed	Other Processor Information	RAM \ Video RAM
Hudson Soft HuC6280A (8-bit)	3.58 MHz or 7.16 MHz (switchable)	HuC6260 VCE \ HuC26270A VDC	32 KB \ 128 KB
Screen Resolution	Color Palette	Polygons \ Sprites	Audio
256 x 224 to 512 x 242	512 colors (9-bit), 482 on screen	128 sprites	Six (6) PSG audio channels
Media Format	Media Capacity	Games Released	Other Supported Formats
HuCard	20 MB	5 Unique + 1 Enhanced (compatible with 700+)	HuCard, CD-ROM², Super CD-ROM², Arcade CD-ROM²
Internal Storage	External \ Removable Storage	Game Controllers	Other Game \ Peripheral Devices
None	None	Gamepad (2 button + Run\Select)	PC Engine CD-ROM², Tennokoe 2 (game save device), RAU-30, etc.
Controller Ports	Network Ports	Other Ports	Audio \ Video
One (1)	None	EXT-BUS Expansion	Composite
Power Supply - External	Other Outputs	Other Details \ Notes
Input: AC 100V, 50\60Hz Output: DC 9V, 800 MA	I\O Port (was never utilized)	Compatibility Mode Switch (SuperGrafx vs. PC Engine)
Manuals
Not available. Can you help us out? You will definitely receive full credit for your contribution. Email MG@videogameconsolelibrary.com.

DW FACTS
by Dark Watcher

In 1989, NEC decided to yet again redesign the highly successful PC Engine console and upgrade it with more RAM. This new design, called SuperGrafx, was sold only in Japan and was created to compete against the threat of the Nintendo Super Famicom system. NEC stopped distributing SuperGrafx when they saw their PC Engine was still selling well. Only 5 games were made to take advantage of the upgraded SuperGrafx and it played all PC Engine games as well as use the CD-ROM2 add-on.

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