NEC PC Engine CD-ROM2/TurboGrafx-CD

Credits

Descriptions by
SnowflakesOmega

Captures by
LogoDatabase

Editions by
LogoDatabase

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 format. The console was extremely popular in Japan after its release, with up to 400 games featuring 512-color sprites and audio of high fidelity. The console, however, did not fare too well on the American market, considering its 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-June 3, 1999)

• 
  1.00
• 
  2.00
• 
  2.10
• 
  3.00 (Super CD-ROM2)

Logo: On a black background, we see the text "PC Engine" in yellow. Below it, we can see another piece of text, "CD-ROM SYSTEM" with a small "2" between the words, and the version of the model in the bottom-right. The text "PUSH RUN BUTTON!" in a light shade of blue blinks below the logo. When the Run button is pressed, the text gets replaced with the still "JUST A MOMENT...". When there are difficulties reading a disc, the message "LOAD ERROR!" in orange will display below the "PUSH RUN BUTTON!" text.

Variants:

• Version 1.00 does not have a "2" in-between "CD-ROM" and "SYSTEM".
• On PC Engine Duo models, the text "SUPER" in blue is seen above "CD-ROM SYSTEM". The model version shown here is "VER. 3.00".

Technique: The blinking of the text.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: It can only be seen on original PC Engine CD units. Uncommon for the PC Engine Duo variant.

TurboGrafx-CD

(December 8, 1989-1994)

• 
  2.00
• 
  3.00 (Super CD-ROM2)

Logo: Same as before, but instead of the PC Engine CD-ROM text, we see the TurboGrafx logo with "CD" replacing "16" in the circle. The model version shown here is "VER. 2.00".

Variant: On TurboDuo models, it uses the same screen as the previous startup, but removes the "PC Engine" text. The model version shown here is "VER. 3.00".

Technique: Same as before.

Music/Sounds: None.

Availability: The TurboGrafx-CD wasn't as successful in the states and became a commercial failure. You might want to look on eBay for a TurboGrafx-CD unit.

NEC PC Engine CD-ROM2

NEC PC-FX ►