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  • Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu (TurboGrafx-16)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Fruit medley from Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu, by NOW/Hudson.

     http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/172196806499/morebuildingsandfood-fruit-medley-from-jackie

    Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu was first released for the NES in 1990 but is probably better known for its 1991 TurboGrafx-16 release. As an NES game it was kind of lost in the shuffle of the large number of games on that system but it stood out more among the TurboGrafx-16’s fewer releases. Also, the graphics were greatly improved on that system.


    Jackie Chan wasn’t really a household name in North America until the release of Rush Hour in 1998 (looks like they are working on a Rush Hour 4 now!). Fans of the martial arts films he was known for may have been familiar with him but I don’t know how much the use of his name really helped sell this game. The large sprites used in this game were kind of unique and I think people tended to love it or hate it. Having said that, the game itself is surprisingly good.


    Jackie Chan’s Action Kung Fu is a fairly typical side-scrolling beat-em-up. The graphics were better than anything available on the NES at the time and the game play was pretty good too. Action was fairly simply with just one button for jumping and another for attack that could be combined for more complex moves. Special moves could also be collected through the course of the game.


    The story involves Jackie Chan’s sister being kidnapped by an evil sorcerer. As Jackie Chan, you must battle your way through his minions until finally battling the sorcerer himself and rescuing your (Jackie’s) sister. If you have a TurboGrafx-16, this is definitely a title that you may have overlooked and should pick up if you did. It came out for the NES also but it really shines on the TG-16. But holy crap it’s expensive on eBay! I seem to remember this being one of the more common games once upon a time…It might be best to stick with emulation for this one unless you are a serious collector and want to shell out the big bucks. I don’t think this one has had any official re-releases or any sequels.


    Retro Games TurboGrafx-16 📎and tagged

  • Exile: Wicked Phenomenon (TurboGrafx-16 SuperCD / Turbo Duo)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Exile: Wicked Phenomenon (Turbo SuperCD/Duo)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/172200632205/videogameads-exile-wicked-phenomenon-working

    Exile: Wicked Phenomenon is a sequel to Exile which was itself a remake of XZR II which was released only in Japan for various computer popular there such as the NEX PC-8801, NEC PC-9801 and MSX2. The original XZR was also released only in Japan. However, Both Exile and Exile: Wicked Phenomenon were released in North America. While Exile was released for both the TurboGrafx-CD and Sega Genesis, Exile: Wicked Phenomenon was only released for the TurboGrafx-16 SuperCD / Turbo Duo.


    All of the games in the XZR / Exile series are action RPGs. Exile: Wicked Phenomenon is similar to Zelda II in that it has top down POV as well as 2D side-scrolling action sequences depending on what you are doing. However, in Exile: Wicked Phenomenon you control a party of adventurers and you can switch between them in the action sequences depending on the capabilities you need. Oddly, you can also take drugs to temporarily increase your abilities. Not sure that’s a particularly good lesson…


    The plot seems pretty generic. You play the role of a Middle Eastern Assassin. After the previous iteration of the series you became separated from your friends. You run across a prophet who tells you about a curse and that the destiny of the world is in your hands (of course). As you journey to discover the source of this curse you run across some of your old friends (and enemies) and get down to business.


    The story is a little weak but overall this is an excellent game. Perhaps not quite as good as the Ys series for instance but still something you’ll enjoy if you like action RPGs. Unfortunately, this one is more difficult (or expensive) to find than your average game. As far as I know you can only play this on a TurboGrafx-CD with Super System card or a Turbo Duo. It can probably be emulated acceptably also but I don’t have much experience emulating CD games for the TG-16.






    Retro Games TurboGrafx-16 📎and tagged

  • Exile (TurboGrafx-CD)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    EXiLE
    Working Designs
    TurboGrafx-16
    1991

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/164961680164/videogameads-exile-working-designs-turbografx-16

    Exile was released by for both the Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-CD in 1992. It was a remake of a game originally released in Japan in 1988 for various computers mostly unknown to those of us in North America, including the NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, MSX2 and the X1 turbo. The game is an action RPG and features both a top down perspective like the original Zelda and other similar games, as well as a side-scrolling action perspective depending on what you are doing.

    While the the Genesis and TurboGrafx-CD versions are very close, the TurboGrafx version has a slight edge in some areas. Because it is CD based, there are more cinematics and better music (though this might be a matter of personal preference to some degree). The graphics are very close but the TurboGrafx-CD version has slightly more colors. The translation also seems to be a little better and the story more coherent on the TurboGrafx version. However, these are all mostly minor differences. One interesting difference is the fact that the Genesis localization (done by Renovation) censored certain aspects of the game (e.g. naked girls in one scene) while the TurboGrafx-CD localization (done by Working Designs) did not.

    Overall this is a very good game even if it is not as well known as some others. While I wouldn’t say it is as good as Ys I and II, it’s still quite good and fans of those games will likely enjoy this one. I am not aware of any remakes or re-releases so you will have to resort to emulation or track down and original Genesis or TurboGrafx-CD versions if you want to play.

    Exile was followed up by Exile: Wicked Phenomenon the following year for the Turbo Duo or TurboGrafx-CD with the Super System Card.





    Retro Games TurboGrafx-16 📎and tagged