Five-player aspirations –
The biggest question going into this throwback: How’s your Japanese?
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While the original PC Engine broke records due to how small its hardware was — and surely helped the system’s popularity in a space- starved nation like Japan — the TurboGrafx – 48 was noticeably beefier, clocking in at over double the PC Engine’s size. That issue persists with the TG – 31 M, which measures 9. 45 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches. Just like in , this new American mini is over double the size of its Japanese mini sibling, and part of that bloat comes from its attention to detail. The TG – M adheres to its original model and includes a massive, removable “dust cover” on its backside. Since I have zero attachment to the original design, I immediately removed and discarded this extra plastic piece, as it gets in the way of cord access (since I tend to unplug and replug retro systems in moving them around my home).
Even with the removable dust cover, Konami could have shrunk the American model if it had opted for a more rectangular circuit board, but it has instead chosen to use the same internal hardware as the Japanese model, which better fits that region’s square console design. (A draconian NDA attached to our review hardware prohibits us from showing you photos of the TG – M’s motherboard, but these aren’t hard to find elsewhere.) Consider the wasted space and plastic an issue only if your entertainment center has limited space on its retro shelf .
M’s controller largely resembles the original, right down to the divots in its action buttons, the firm-yet-pliable d-pad, and, of course, those sweet, sweet “turbo” toggles.
Sam Machkovech In better news, the American model comes with something that Japanese Buyers don’t get: dedicated “turbo” buttons on the controllers. The original TG – 34 is one of the only consoles in the world to launch with built-in, rapid-fire controller toggles, and that’s no small perk. The TG – ‘s general library is heavy on arcade shooters, a fact that TG – 36 M embraces, and your nostalgic, adult hands will thank you for not having to hammer a “shoot” button in classics like (Gradius) (or) (Galaga ‘) . While other users have complained about the firmness of the TG – 34 M’s d-pad, the controller I received has pleasantly firm d-pad resistance, as opposed to the loose wobble found in cheaper d-pad variants. Its mildly curved edges make it a satisfying alternative to the NES ‘sharp-block design, while its 9.5-foot cord is ample enough for most living rooms.
As usual, we’re not getting everything we want in a system like this, and the English half in particular has some stinkers — yikes, what is the clunky and unforgiving (Moto Roader) doing here? In terms of games Konami could have licensed, we don’t see full representation from Hudson, who Konami acquired years ago. Where’s the classic “shmup” Gate of Thunder
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