Analogue’s New Duo Console Reminds TurboGrafx Fans They’re Not Forgotten

After resurrect some of the most popular Graeco-Roman console of the ‘ LXXX and ‘ 90s include theNES , Super Nintendo , andSega Genesis , the squad at Analogue is turn its attention to reviving a lesser know family line of systems in the chronological record of retro gaming . If consoles like the TurboGrafx-16 still stay close to your nerve , then the new Analogue Duo might be of pursuit .

If you ’re unfamiliar with the TurboGrafx-16 , the TurboGrafx - CD , or even the SuperGrafx , it ’s not that surprising . In the ‘ 80 NEC was a steel known mostly in Japan for its personal data processor , but after the success of Nintendo ’s first console the troupe decided it want a piece of the home console market place as well . It partnered with a TV game publisher called Hudson Soft who brought an expertise in play to the partnership and together the two companies created the TurboGrafx-16 , also hump as the PC Engine in Japan , to capitalize on what NEC was already know for .

Although technically powered by a modified 8 - bit CPU , the TurboGrafx-16 is considered the first 16 - bit console and when discharge in 1987 in Japan it was quite successful , devote the NES , and finally the SNES , some real competition . In North America , the story was a bit different . The TurboGrafx-16 get in just as Nintendo was heavily promoting the forthcoming reaching of the Super Nintendo and while it was available almost everywhere the rivalry was , few of us remember anyone actually possess one .

Image: Analogue

Konami , who ended up buy Hudson Soft , released a miniature all - in - one version of the TurboGrafx-16 packed with over 20 plot ( the number varies ground on the regional versions ) in the first place this year , but those are all right if all you ’re interested in is some bite - size nostalgia . For those who in truth miss the TurboGrafx-16 , and still have stacks of HuCards ( NEC ’s cartridge data format ) and CD - ROMs inhume in a drawer somewhere , Analogue is bringing the console back from the dead with a clone that not only works well with modern goggle box , but likely outperforms the original .

As with Analogue ’s past creations , the new Analogue Duo is powered by an Altera Cyclone V FPGA ( Field - Programmable Gate Array ) which is a customizable chip program to function exactly like the central processing unit and graphic chips in the original TurboGrafx-16 . Most mini console table rely on software emulation , but Analogue ’s overture ensures that every single plot ever released for a given console play perfectly on the reduplicate hardware — and sometimes even skillful . In addition to the original TurboGrafx-16 , the Analogue Duo can playact game from the SuperGrafx ( an enhanced translation of the TG-16 ) , and the TurboGrafx - CD as its pattern is loosely based on the NEC TurboDuo ( put in in North America in 1992 ) which merged the TurboGrafx-16 and the TurboGrafx - CD into one unit with slots for both cartridge and CDs .

One of the best features of the young Analogue Duo is that in addition to an original TurboGrafx-16 port and USB for connecting pumped accountant , the novel console features both Bluetooth and wireless 2.4GHz connectivity build right in so up to four controllers can well be link without the need for wrangling dongles or have to first connect a wireless receiver to one of the console ’s port . Analogue expects the twain to arrive sometime in 2021 and it will launch with a $ 200 cost tag , although that does n’t include the matching wireless controller from 8BitDo .

The Analogue Duo, based on the design of the NEC TurboDuo, will be available in black or white sometime in 2021.

The Analogue Duo, based on the design of the NEC TurboDuo, will be available in black or white sometime in 2021.Image: Analogue

One of the more interesting piece of music of gambling hardware NEC issue was the TurboExpress Handheld Entertainment System . Unlike the original Game Boy , or even the Game Boy Advance , the TurboExpress played the exact same game as the TurboGrafx-16 did by natively dilute the console table ’s HuCard cartridges via a time slot in the back of the portable . As hand-held console go , the TurboExpress was well ahead of its time with a colour screen door and 16 - morsel art , and an experience that Analogue plans to embolden with its own portable gaming automobile : TheAnalogue Pocket .

It is also slated to arrive sometime in 2021 and will have a cartridge adapter usable allow it to natively load and play games from TurboGrafx-16 HuCards , just like the original TurboExpress did . That include game compatible with the raise SuperGrafx console too , but not the TurboGrafx - CD give the Pocket ’s lack of a disc drive . It will be priced at just $ 30 which means that if you ’ve already pre - ordered theAnalogue Pocketthe pickup adapter could be a much cheaper alternative to the Analogue Duo for love classics like Bonk ’s Adventure , R - Type , and Splatterhouse again .

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Wireless connectivity is built right into the Analogue Duo, including both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz for lag-free controls.