The PC-Engine (or Turbografx-16 as it was known in North America) was not a huge success around the world. In Europe and the United States it failed to catch on and was never able to compete against the likes of Nintendo and Sega consoles. Japan was a different story. The PC-Engine was super popular there. Because of this many games were released in Japanese that never made it outside of the country. There’s a huge library we, as English speakers, have never played. This is why I decided to play and highlight many of the best PC-Engine import games for anyone looking to collect for the platform. Before we begin highlighting the must-have import games for the system let’s go over a couple of ground rules for this list:
- This clearly is not a list of all import games that are English friendly. I’ll continually add to this list to ensure it’s the ‘ultimate guide’ by making sure it’s the most comprehensive resource on the subject online.
- Please don’t take this too seriously. This was a fun project for me and I wrote it only to help anyone interested in the platform!
Without further adieu, let’s get started!
Import Friendly Action Games
Ane-San
What is is:
This is one of the few beat ’em up titles released for the platform. It’s surprising that this one was never released outside of Japan because Ane-san is a pretty interesting game. It’s also one of the few beat ’em ups wherein you have to play as a girl.
Why you should play it:
The genre is pretty much dead even in Japan now. Who doesn’t want to play a new beat ’em up? Well, this is an old one, but because it was never localized you get the idea. I really like the art style and music in this one, and the fact that you play as a woman in a pants suit is pretty interesting. There’s a lot of text but given the action focused gameplay Ane-san is very import friendly.
Browning
What is is:
This is one of those side scrolling mecha based action shooters that were oh-so-common back in the day. Browning gives you the ability to walk, jump, fly and shoot, and believe you me when I say it will be a real test of your skills.
Why you should play it:
To be honest I found this one to be a little hectic and ugly. That isn’t to say it’s not fun, because it is, but I don’t think we missed out on much. Browning does have some decent boss encounters and the limited timer is interesting and keeps you constantly moving forward. It’s a decent PC-Engine CD import that’s worth a look.
Circus Lido
What it is:
Bubble Bobble with its single screen format made it very easy to copy, and many developers did just that. In this game you play as a chameleon that can eat enemies. You also have to use your tongue to climb (there’s no jump button) and that fact alone makes this one stand out from the crowd.
Why you should play it:
Circus Lido is one of the most unique Bubble Bobble clones ever released. The limited movement makes the experience feel different from other similar games. I will say though that perhaps a chameleon isn’t the most interesting video game star.
Don Doko Don!
What it is:
Speaking of Bubble Bobble clones this is another one and follows the formula a little more strictly. In Don Doko Don you play as a gnome that can jump and smack things with his hammer. This is one of the better two player games on the original PC-Engine as well.
Why you should play it:
Don Doko Don is colorful, it’s addictive, and it’s fun. There’s really not that much left to say. Anyone who is a fan of the single screen action games like this won’t be let down. I would go so far as to say that Don Doko Don is one of the better Bubble Bobble clones.
Faceball
What it is:
in the 80s a curious first person shooter called Midi Maze was released for computers. Faceball is an enhanced version of this. It’s a game wherein you wander enclosed mazes shooting balls at your opponent. When they’re all defeated and you find the exit you simply move on to the next area.
Why you should play it:
This game obtained sort of a cult following when it was released on the Super Nintendo worldwide. This version of Faceball feels like a bit of a downgrade to be honest. The viewing area is just too small for me. With that said it’s still fun. I love the weird style this game uses. Gameplay is fun, and it’s an entertaining romp from start to finish.
Faussete Amour
What it is:
This one was a pleasant surprise. Initially Faussete Armour looks like a simple action platforming game but once you start playing you quickly realize that’s not the case. The game allows you to use your weapon to grapple on to objects in the environment. It’s like Bionic Commando, but colorful and very anime stylized.
Why you should play it:
Faussete Armour looks very generic at first glance. It also looks like it won’t be easy to play without a good grasp of the Japanese language. That’s not the case at all. The game is a lot of fun and manages to differentiate itself from the pack in a big way. It’s also very import friendly for English speakers. This is one that belongs in everyone’s collection.
Genocide
What it is:
What we have here is another giant mecha side scrolling game. You can walk, punch, and jump. It follows the very basic formula of just about every other title like this, and has very little new that it brings to the table.
Why you should play it:
Genocide is a game that gets old pretty quick to be honest. There’s very little strategy in it; you can get by simply by mashing buttons. The later stages become increasingly difficulty but it’s never too challenging. This one does have some pretty decent graphics at least.
Golden Axe
What it is:
Golden Axe was one of Sega’s most popular arcade hits, and here we have the PC-Engine CD conversion. The gameplay is basically the same here; it’s a medieval style beat ’em up where you and another friend can bash and jump your way through a variety of different stages.
Why you should play it:
Honestly, there’s not really much reason to. This is a poor conversion of Golden Axe; several gameplay elements didn’t make the cut such as throws and small touches like hitting the enemy with the handle of your sword when they’re close. To make matters worse this version doesn’t really take proper advantage of the CD storage space. The graphics are very ugly, and the soundtrack is not much better.
GoTzenDiener
What it is:
GoTzenDiener is a very unusual action/adventure/puzzle hybrid. It also has a crazy dark atmosphere that I’ve never experienced in any other game. In this game you guide a young girl as she escapes from a perilous dungeon. The isometric view is unusual, and the gameplay is quite interesting.
Why you should play it:
I really love the manner in which this one starts out. You’re a damsel in distress as the hero arrives to save you. He and your captor both die, and so it’s up to you to guide the fair lass out of the dungeon herself. It really throws conventions on their head. I really love the music and atmosphere in this one and I couldn’t wait to see all that it had to offer.
Fray CD – Xak Gaiden
What it is:
I’m not very familiar with the Xak series, but from what I gather it was a popular role playing franchise in Japan in the late 80s and early 90s. This is a spin-off game that ditches the RPG elements in favor of pushing an action adventure motif. In typical fashion the game is very colorful and cute and focuses on a young girl named Fray.
Why you should play it:
It’s a cute game that’s for sure. I’m sure there are some fans of the Xak series in North America but I for the life of me haven’t had the patience to sit through one of those games with a translation guide. Fray CD is fairly import friendly as you’ll only miss out on the story bits (and who cares about those in a game like this anyway). It’s a mildly entertaining game and is pretty import friendly.
Pop’n Magic
What it is:
Pop’n Magic is the last Bubble Bobble clone on this list, I promise. This one goes ultra cutesy with you playing as a cute anime witch who uses her wand to disable opponents. It’s the same single screen formula used by the source material, and this one’s claim to fame is that it’s immensely colorful.
Why you should play it:
I just can’t seem to get enough of games like this. They also happen to make excellent import games due to the seldom use of text. This one has some seriously great music and a really cute theme. Perhaps it’s more geared for kids, but Pop’n Magic was really charming in my opinion.
Shinobi
What it is:
Here we have another conversion of a classic Sega arcade title. What can go wrong, am I right? Shinobi is the same game at heart with it’s shuriken throwing and platforming based gameplay. The graphics in this PC-Engine version are better than they were on the Master System at least.
Why you should play it:
Shinobi on the PC-Engine has some issues. Some of the original stages didn’t make the cut. Because this one is on Hu-Card it doesn’t have the best soundtrack, and the graphics are pretty dull as well. There just isn’t enough color in my opinion. I like it, but you’re probably better off with something else.
Strider Hiryuu
What it is:
I was surprised to discover that the original Strider was ported to the PC-Engine, and on CD no doubt. This version of the game adds some new stages as well as animated cut scenes which add to the story. A few elements in some of the stages were cut, but for the most part the experience is intact here.
Why you should play it:
Strider is a truly amazing game in the arcade and on the Sega Genesis. So how does this PC-Engine version fare? Better than I expected to be honest. The hardware is obviously weaker than Sega’s but they really pushed the PC-Engine crazy well. The game suffers from some slowdown, but considering how crazy and hectic the on-screen action is it’s easy to forgive.
Tengai Makyou: Deden no Den
What it is:
The Tengai Makyou series was one of the biggest franchises in Japan in its heyday. This is not a mainline installment however. The series was ripe for spin-offs, and spin off from it they did. Deden no Den is a clone of Bomberman but with characters from the Tengai Makyou series. Specifically the popular character Kabuki. Despite the graphics it’s very traditional Bomber Man fare.
Why you should play it:
Yeah you’re probably better off with vanilla Bomberman but I really liked the novelty of this Kabuki themed spin-off. Plus, I can never get enough of Tengai Makyou no matter what format it’s in. This is a solid effort and as fun as the Bomberman titles released in this time. I recommend it, but mostly as a collector’s piece to be honest. There’s still some fun to be had here though and it’s very import friendly.
Import Friendly Fighting Games
Asuka 120% Maxima Burning Fest
What it is:
Well, that’s one mess of a name for a game. Asuka 120% is a one-on-one fighting game in the style of Street Fighter II. It uses a school theme (think Rival Schools but way before that) and many of the students are based on sports or club themes. It’s a combo heavy fighting system with fun themes.
Why you should play it:
Asuka 120% has been ported to other consoles but I prefer the PC-Engine CD version actually. The graphics are surprisingly good and look better than those in most SNES/Genesis fighting games. The shading and colors in particular stand out, but also the animation and backgrounds as well. The action is fluid, fast and non-stop. Asuka 120% definitely feels like it was ahead of its time.
Flash Hiders
What it is:
Flash Hiders is your basic Street Fighter II clone. Gameplay feels very similar between the two with a very loose combo system and slower paced gameplay. There’s also a heavy handed anime motif and animated sequences as per the CD storage medium but that’s to be expected in a game released for the PC-Engine’s add-on hardware.
Why you should play it:
To be honest this is one of the weaker fighting games for the system. I love that it’s an original, but it’s just not that great. The animation is a little choppy and the hit detection can lead to some frustrating moments. For a game that takes advantage of the Super CD hardware it’s pretty disappointing visually. Flash Hiders also suffers from being too chatty in its cut scenes. I don’t care about the story, nor can i even understand it.
Garou Densetsu Special
What it is:
It’s Fatal Fury Special, and it’s for the PC-Engine CD SuperCD hardware. This was a ‘best of’ release of Fatal Fury 2 basically. It included all of the characters from the previous iterations including Geese Howard even. There’s no real storylie to speak of, but that’s probably for the best.
Why you should play it:
The game was ported to numerous home consoles and the results were mostly bad. So how does this one fare? Much to my surprise it’s amazing. Who would have thought that the 8-bit hardware would outperform it’s 16-bit contemporaries when it came to SNK ports? The game is completely intact with no great graphical sacrifice. It doesn’t look as smooth as the Neo Geo version, but it’s leagues above the others. What’s more is that it has an amazing redbook soundtrack featuring arranged tracks.
Kabuki Ittouryoudan
What it is:
Tengai Makyou was a huge hit in Japan, and the character Kabuki in particular was very popular. This is yet another spin-off starring the character. This time we have a one-on-one fighting game. At its heart it’s a Street Fighter clone with the same pace and button inputs, but with a heavy coat of Tengai Makyou paint over it.
Why you should play it:
This, in my opinion, is one of the best original fighting games for the platform. The gameplay engine runs very smooth even with large character sprites and highly detailed backgrounds (they even animate). It has a lot of charm to it, and I absolutely love the off-the-wall art style and vivid colors used here. As a fighting game it’s one of the best import friendly PC-Engine CD games available.
Martial Champion
What it is:
Martial Champion is another Street Fighter II clone, but this one’s from Konami and it has some serious production values behind it. It’s the same basic scenario; you choose a character and fight your way through a tournament of fighters from all around the world. It uses real world locales and has a very light combo system you can take advantage of.
Why you should play it:
Honestly, this one was really disappointing. Konami isn’t well known for their fighting games but they have such an amazing developer pedigree that I had high hopes. This one feels kind of rushed to be honest. The graphic engine doesn’t run smoothly at all and features some very weird animations and bad hit detection. This one is worth a look, but it’s not a must-have by any means.
Ryuuko no Ken
What it is:
Remember Art of Fighting? Well, Ryuuko no Ken is what it’s called in Japan and this is a port of the original game. It’s a one-on-one fighting game with a dynamic camera that zooms in as you get closer to your opponent. There’s also a system in place wherein you can only use special moves when you charge a power meter at the top of the screen.
Why you should play it:
Art of Fighting is another game that had some very poor ports to 16-bit hardware. This is an amazing version. The gameplay is entirely intact (even the zooming camera made the cut here) and it runs surprisingly smoothly on the hardware. Additionally, the music is mostly redbook and sounds fantastic. Ryuuko no Ken is especially import friendly because it is mostly in English oddly enough.
Street Fighter II: Champion Edition
What it is:
Street Fighter II actually had a release on the PC-Engine, but only in Japan. It’s unfortunate because it could have been a hit on the TurboGrafx-16 abroad. What’s there to say? It’s Street Fighter II: Champion Edition. It plays just like it’s contemporary versions and has all of the same content.
Why you should play it:
It’s an amazing achievement that they were able to release the game on the plain jane PC-Engine (this is a hu-card, amazingly enough) without making any major sacrifices. The controls are bit off, but it’s really no worse than playing the Sega Genesis version in this regard. I haven’t noticed any hiccups, and the game runs surprisingly well. I actually prefer the audio in this version to that of the Genesis edition.
World Heroes 2
What it is:
As you can tell there were a lot of Neo Geo ports to the PC-Engine CD add-on. This is another one of them, but an odd choice if you ask me. World Heroes 2 is a fighting game which pits various historical figures against each other in a series of one-on-one matches. Why they chose to bring this one over instead of something like Samurai Shodown II I’ll never understand.
Why you should play it:
World Heroes 2 is good, simple, cheesy fun. It’s a game that you definitely don’t want to take too seriously. It certainly has it’s own vibe going and didn’t try to copy the super serious motif the genre was striving for at the time. The gameplay is very similar to Street Fighter II with a lot of diagonal inputs on the directional pad and projectile attacks, but again, it’s fun and perfectly functional. This is a great port of the game with fantastic music and great graphics.
Import Friendly Platformer Games
Akumajou Dracula X: Chi no Rinne
What it is:
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood has long been considered the holy grail of the franchise. This is the culmination of the classic franchise and makes full use of the CD hardware. It features highly detailed graphics (surpassing many Genesis and Super Nintendo games from this time), voice overs, and a highly renowned redbook audio soundtrack.
Why you should play it:
This is the best Castlevania game. Yes, it’s even better than Symphony of the Night. It’s the perfect rendition of the classic formula and features some of the best boss fights and level designs in any installment of the series. It’s worth the high collector’s price. Thankfully you won’t have to as it has been made available on more modern consoles a couple of times.
Aoi Blink
What it is:
It’s often called Blue Blink (which is how the name translates) and it’s a licensed game based on an old anime series. This is a platformer wherein you control three characters in tandem who each throw projectile attacks to dispatch foes. It features a world map and there’s a focus on finding secret exits in stages.
Why you should play it:
Aoi Blink is an incredibly charming and colorful game. It has just the right amount of challenge and the level design is great. Finding secret exits is more rewarding here than in most similar titles. You really feel rewarded opening new paths on the map. This is a super fun game that is worth tracking down.
Mugen Senshi Valis: The Legend of a Fantasm Soldier
What it is:
Valis is a side scrolling action platformer series from the 16-bit era. It was a pretty big deal in Japan but never really caught on in the rest of the world. That’s probably because it’s steeped deep in anime tropes. The sequels were released on the Turbografx-CD in the US, but the original was kept in Japan for some reason.
Why you should play it:
Sure, we got the original on the Sega Genesis but it just isn’t the same. This PC-Engine CD version is worlds better. Gameplay is faster and more smooth, the graphics are significantly more colorful and detailed, and it has all the advantages of the CD medium. This means plenty of redbook audio, animated sequences, and voice overs. Yeah, we can’t understand it but that doesn’t matter because the story is trash anyways. It’s still a charming package. It’s definitely one of the best PC-Engine imports.
Import Friendly Puzzle Games
Bomberman: Panic Bomber
What it is:
Hudson wanted to get in on the puzzle craze. What better way than with Bomberman? Panic Bomber is a different take on the Puyo Puyo formula. Different colored Bomberman heads fall from the top of the screen to the bottom. You line them up, and then blow up like-colored items with a bomb. It’s pretty basic, but it’s very functional and manages to feel different than your typical puzzle game.
Why you should play it:
Panic Bomber was released on a number of different platforms but only in Japan for some reason. As far as I know only the Virtual Boy release made it to North America, and I imagine you don’t want to be playing this one in red/black. This PC-Engine CD version is simply incredible. It’s vibrant and colorful, has some amazing music, and is all around the best iteration in my opinion. Despite being released on another platform Panic Bomber is one of the best PC Engine games to import.
Columns
What it is:
This is yet another Sega game that was made for the PC-Engine. I imagine this one didn’t make it overseas simply because of licensing. Columns was Sega’s in-home answer to Tetris. It was originally released for the Sega Genesis, but they licensed it out so that a version could be released for the PC-Engine as well. Again, only in Japan. It’s a simple match colors to destroy falling blocks sort of game.
Why you should play it:
While it’s not particularly different from the Genesis version it’s still Columns, and that’s a good thing. The main differences here are in the graphics as well as the audio. It’s a great game and it’s worth adding the Sega games to your collection for the sheer novelty.
Puyo Puyo CD
What it is:
Aside from Tetris, Puyo Puyo might just be the most recognizable name in puzzle games. It wasn’t until almost a decade later that we got a vanilla Puyo Puyo game in English. They were always rebranded as something like Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine or other licenses. This one didn’t even get the benefit of being changed around for release in North America.
Why you should play it:
I’ve always loved the Puyo Puyo games. This iteration is no different, and it has the benefit of CD quality audio. Additionally it features some cute little character interactions and voice work. It’s nothing major, but it’s neat for the time, and enough for me to recommend fans check this version out.
Import Friendly Racing Games
Out Run
What it is:
OutRun is Sega’s classic coin-op game made by the legendary Yu Suzuki. It’s not really a racing game per se, and is best considered a ‘driving game.’ This title was so advanced in the arcades that it basically blew everyone’s mind and caused many impersonators to hit the scene. OutRun was licensed for release on the PC-Engine, and it was one of the better playing versions of the game at the time.
Why you should play it:
The scrolling here is seriously impressive. This version of the game blows the Sega Master System release completely out of the water. My only issue is that the music isn’t quite up to par. They really should have saved this one for a CD release instead of putting it out on HuCard. Even so, this is a great PC-Engine import that’s well worth adding to your collection.
Power Drift
What it is:
Getting tired of the Sega games yet? Power Drift was another home release of a classic coin-op racer. What makes this one interesting is that the game wasn’t available on home hardware like OutRun was. The PC-Engine version was pretty much what we had to work with.
Why you should play it:
Power Drift is the first mainstream ‘kart’ game. It doesn’t have the battle elements of something like Mario Kart, but the racing is fast and frantic like you would expect. Power Drift has some very impressive scaling here with hills and what not. It’s a great game, and this is one of the only ways you can play it at home. That alone makes this one worth importing.
Road Spirits
What it is:
Road Spirits is best compared to OutRun only not as interesting. This one has you racing against the clock to reach the end of a course. When you do so you move on to the next course. Rinse, lather, and repeat. There aren’t other racers per se and instead just traffic you have to weave in and out of. The best part of the game is the changing graphics as you race on different tracks around the world.
Why you should play it:
Although it’s not as good as the property on which it’s based I still had a pretty fun time with Road Spirits. The graphics are very plain yet pleasant on the eyes. This is thanks to the colorful aesthetics. It’s a relaxing game to play and a great game to import for racing fans.
Import Friendly Role Playing Games
Startling Odyssey II
What it is:
Startling Odyssey was a low key RPG franchise in Japan, and it was never localized. Thanks to a machine fan translation it can be played in English. Startling Odyssey II has an epic story complete with animated sequences and voice overs. There’s a huge world map to explore and a traditional battle system in place to fight enemies.
Why you should play it:
A unique take on the genre this is not. Startling Odyssey II is very traditional and brings almost nothing new to the table. That’s not a problem though because it does have a unique style. The colorful aesthetic and wonderful soundtrack are welcome especially in an age when RPGs take themselves too seriously.
Tengai Makyou Ziria
What it is:
Next to Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy, Tengai Makyou was the third most popular RPG franchise in Japan. It began life here on the PC-Engine CD, and while a translation was planned at some point they never bothered with such an endeavor. This first installment takes advantage of the CD hardware only in how it features a lot of voice work. Everything else is standard PC-Engine fare.
Why you should play it:
Tengai Makyou Ziria has a unique style you won’t find anywhere else. The game is full of humor and even with the language barrier the jokes still hit. I played through this one with a translation guide online and fell in love with it instantly. Tengai Makyou Ziria is easily one of the best games to import for the PC-Engine. CD or otherwise.
Import Friendly Shooter Games
1943: Kai
What it is:
Capcom wasn’t a huge supporter of the PC-Engine, but they did bring their shooter series over. 1943: Kai is a very traditional shooter that’s a bit simple and struggles to stand out on a console well known for this genre. This game plays just like 1941 and 1942, and that’s not a bad thing.
Why you should play it:
The game is surprisingly good looking for a HuCard release. The colors really pop, and because everything is so easy to see on-screen it actually makes the game better. 1943: Kai really impressed me, and while it falls a little short of several other shooters on the platform I liked it quite a bit.
After Burner II
What it is:
There’s a common theme here with the ports of Sega games to the platform. For the most part they all rock. After Burner II is no different. This game has you dog fighting in the sky as the screen rotates to simulate the feeling of flight. Your default weapon is a machine gun but you also have missiles with which you can dispatch foes.
Why you should play it:
This version of After Burner II is much better than I expected. Clearly the hardware was going to struggle with this port, but it does a reasonably good job with all the scaling. So much that this is actually one of the best home releases of it. After Burner II is well worth adding to your collection. It’s mindless fun, but it is just that; fun.
Ai Cho Aniki
What it is:
What we have here is the second installment in the Cho Aniki series. Anyone even vaguely familiar with this franchise should have some idea what to expect here. It’s a bizarre parody of a shooter wherein you play as a flying muscular guy shooting projectiles from side view. It really doesn’t make any sense, but the zaniness is a big part of what makes it so special.
Why you should play it:
Everyone should experience Cho Aniki at least once. With the CD quality audio and great graphics of this release it’s a great place to start. Gameplay is surprisingly addictive with fantastic level design with great enemy patterns and cool boss fights. There’s a lot of variety which does this genre a solid favor. Every fan of the genre owes it to themselves to play this game.
Armed F
What it is:
Formation Armed F is a pretty basic top view vertical scrolling shooter. What sets it apart is an organic biological theme and two side arms that can switch position. Aside from that this is a very by the books game that’s easily lost in the shuffle. The PC-Engine is chock full of these kinds of games after all.
Why you should play it:
Because this one doesn’t re-invent the wheel or even stand apart from the crowd it’s only recommended to fans of the genre. It’s a neat little game that’s very pretty in motion, and I love the backgrounds/environments. It’s a decent romp.
Avenger
What it is:
It’s one of the earliest top down shooters on the PC-Engine CD. Avenger doesn’t push the format or hardware in any meaningful way, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t solid. The weapon system requires a little effort to make work for you, but it’s rewarding and pretty cool.
Why you should play it:
I’m not going to sit here and claim that the game is amazing by any means. Avenger is however a simple but good time. At first I wasn’t too keen on the power-up system but it grew on me. Avenger is a bit simple by PC-Engine shooter standards but it’s pretty good.
Burning Angels
What it is:
Burning Angels is a pretty basic overhead shooter. It uses a heavy sci-fi/anime art style which is unlike any other PC-Engine shooter. Just kidding. It’s a little generic in this regard, and because it’s on a HuCard the aesthetics are a bit more limited than a lot of others on this list.
Why you should play it:
It’s basic, but make no mistake; Burning Angels is a pretty cool little shooter. I’m not particularly fond of the style nor did the music/graphics hit any real notes with me. The fast and furious gameplay with screens full of enemies and interesting attack patterns are what got me.
Chou Aniki
What it is:
It’s weird, it’s crazy, and it’ll make you feel a little uncomfortable with just how off the wall it is. It’s Cho Aniki; where the franchise began. This horizontal shooter has you playing as humans (as opposed to space ships or airplanes) as you shoot beams of energy at foes. Your options are muscular men in short shorts that fly by your side. It’s as odd as it sounds.
Why you should play it:
I actually prefer this original game to any of the sequels. There’s something really pure about the gameplay here. Despite the weird graphics and music it’s very well designed. I’m not the biggest fan of just how weird this one gets, but that’s a fact that certainly sets itself apart from the pack. Cho Aniki is one of the best import games on the PC-Engine.
Download
What it is:
Download is a horizontal shooter where you’re piloting a hoverbike instead of a space ship. It differentiates itself from the pack with it’s futuristic cyberpunk aesthetic. You pilot through destroyed cityscapes, high tech labs, and more. The enemies are almost entirely robots which fits the theme really well.
Why you should play it:
The style is really what sets Download apart from the others. It’s also nice that a HuCard release has such an emphasis on story. It’s clear that the developers had a lot of love for this project. Even though you can’t understand what’s going on in the game it’s still neat. The power-up system makes the game a lot of fun, and there are some very memorable boss encounters here.
Download 2
What it is:
This is a follow up to the original game, but this iteration benefits from the upgrade to CD storage. Gameplay is largely the same; your ship is armed with one main weapon and more useful sub-weapons that have limited ammunition. You can now change your weapons on the fly which is a cool feature but can no longer change the speed at which you manuever.
Why you should play it:
Few games on the PC-Engine CD manage such wonderful animated sequences as this one. It also has a crazy story that, despite the language barrier, is still very surreal to watch unfold. The changes that have been made to the gameplay improve the experience quite a bit as well. The style is a little inconsistent, but this is a very pretty game and Download 2 has quite a bit to offer.
Ginga Fukei Densetsu: Sapphire
What it is:
As one of the late releases for the platform, Ginga Fukei Densetsu: Sapphire (or just Sapphire) is easily one of the most visually impressive releases for the platform. This overhead shooter makes use of the arcade card to increase the system’s memory. This allows for fast action, lots of bullets, and super smooth rotational effects. This is one pretty game.
Why you should play it:
Honestly, this one should be played mostly because of how impressive it is for the platform. Gameplay is fun, and well rounded, but it doesn’t pop nearly as much as the visuals do. I also really like the soundtrack and the power-up system. I was actually surprised to learn that developers were releasing games for the platform this late!
Gradius
What it is:
Konami supported the platform in a very big way. Gradius was one of the big shooters for the Famicom/NES, but they also brought it over to the PC-Engine on HuCard. The game is fun, and challenging if not a bit unfair (when you die you lose all your power-ups which can make it impossible to win).
Why you should play it:
This is one of the better home ports of the original Gradius. The graphics take advantage of the more powerful hardware and are pretty impressive. The only problem with Gradius is the fact that the competition was so stiff. Gradius is awesome, but there are so many better horizontal shooters than it on the PC-Engine. Why import this one when you can play it on the NES and get something more unique here?
Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou
What it is:
Here we have the sequel to Gradius, and a game that was actually never localized until many years later. This is Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou. Rather than release it on HuCard, Konami instead decided to slap this one on a disc. The power-up system has been improved since the original as you now have options at the start of the game. You can choose which ones become available to you as you play. The level design is also very much improved with a lot more diversity.
Why you should play it:
Gradius II actually has one of my most favorite video game soundtracks of all time. At least, this PC-Engine CD version does. The music is absolutely incredible. The graphics have been significantly improved since the Famicom release. The effects are bigger, and things like the fire dragons in the first stage really pop out. It’s an impressive release all around.
Psychic Storm
What it is:
Are you getting tired of the shooters yet? Well, here’s another one. Psychic Storm is a top view vertically scrolling shooter that’s pretty typical by most standards. It features a pretty typical power-up system, pleasant graphics, and a good soundtrack. What sets it apart is the fact that you can transform your ship into an animal by collecting energy.
Why you should play it:
It’s yet another shooter that does nothing particularly unique, but has a solid foundation and neat gimmick. I was expecting a bit more from Psychic Storm considering it has a unique name, and was a little let down to see how traditional it is. What’s interesting to note is that this developer went on to make the Shikigami no Shiro series.
R-Type Complete
What it is:
R-Type Complete gives us both HuCards combined into one. They were originally meant to be one game anyway, and this release sets things right. R-Type is one of the biggest games released on the original hardware, and this is the best version of the title. The developers didn’t just port the games willy nilly; they added in some animated sequences that look very nice.
Why you should play it:
If you have the two HuCards then there probably isn’t any reason to seek this version out. The animated sequences are nice, but hardly worth getting an entirely new version of the game for. With that said if you don’t own the original releases then this is the one you want. R-Type is an incredible shooter, and it would have to be in order to stand out in this library.
Salamander
What it is:
Life Force is the name of the game, at least in North America. That’s what Salamander was called when it was released on the Nintendo Entertainment System at least. This title is very similar to Gradius, and it should be because both are made by Konami. This one relies on more organic environments as you pilot your ship through the body of a giant space reptile.
Why you should play it:
The highlight of Salamander is its two player mode. That’s what differentiates this one from Gradius most in my opinion. The game is fun by yourself but when you tackle the main quest with a friend the gameplay is kicked up to the next level. I love the level designs and messy hazards you face here. This was one of the best shooters on the NES, and it’s also one of the best PC-Engine imports.
Seirei Senshi Spriggan
What it is:
Remember M.U.S.H.A. On the Sega Genesis? This is a very similar game. It’s an overhead shooter with rapidly incoming enemies as you pilot a mech through a variety of different environments. The power-up system involves differently colored orbs that you collect for a variety of different effects. The game makes heavy use of the CD format with animated sequences and voice acting.
Why you should play it:
Spriggan is a seriously amazing shooter. It’s one of the stand out releases on the PC-Engine CD. What’s more is the fact that it hasn’t been localized in any way shape or form. The theme is really unique as well. It’s a medieval fantasy setting but with giant mecha robots. If you want to import just one shooter for the PC-Engine then you can’t really go wrong with Spriggan.
Space Invaders: The Original Game
What it is:
Well, it’s Space Invaders. Who doesn’t love the game? It’s a single screen shooter wherein you can only move left or right and must shoot down enemies that slowly drop down while strafing left and right.. All this while avoiding their gunfire. This game adds a few new twists to the formula and includes some pretty new backdrops on which to play.
Why you should play it:
Honestly this is a weird one to not localize. Space Invaders was popular in the West so I’m not quite sure why NEC passed on bringing this one over. The basic game of Space Invaders wouldn’t be worth importing necessarily because it’s on so many other platforms. The additions here make this a worthwhile PC-Engine import.
Spriggan Mark 2: Re-Terraform Project
What it is:
The sequel to Spriggan changes perspective and puts more emphasis on story than the original. This game is now a horizontal shooter and is markedly different from the original. There’s more of an emphasis on sci-fi this time around. Some will like that, and some won’t.
Why you should play it:
To be honest I much prefer the original Spriggan. This one just doesn’t feel as unique or as interesting. The gameplay isn’t as tight, and there’s less emphasis on racking up high scores than before. It’s a decent shooter, but not an import PC-Engine game I’d recommend spending top dollar on.
Super Darius
What it is:
Darius was big in the 80s. It had a unique aquatic and robot theme that was pretty interesting. This is a conversion, on CD, of the original. The aspect ratio is off from the arcade release but this port is perfectly playable.
Why you should play it:
The original is a fun but simple game, and that doesn’t change with this port to the PC-Engine CD. The game doesn’t benefit a ton from the extra storage, but it’s still fun and is a good conversion.
Super Darius 2
What it is:
It’s the sequel, and they did this conversion right. It’s bigger and better than the original with some unique enemy patterns and designs. The fish theme is back and it’s just as iconic as ever.
Why you should play it:
Darius is often overlooked by shooter fans and it’s a real shame. They were bigger games in the arcade and never really caught on in the home market. This is because of the wide screens the coin op machines. This is a great port and a good PCE game to import.
Sylphia
What it is:
Sylphia is a vertical shooter deeply rooted in Greek mythology. You play as a warrior woman brought back from the dead with new powers. She can fly and shoot, and you’ll need to do just that to get revenge for her death.
Why you should play it:
It’s a fun and unusual game. It’s always nice to play a shooter where you aren’t commanding a space ship or airplane. The fantasy setting is pretty neat and I really loved the colorful graphics.
Please check back regularly as this list will be updated continually!
