Top 20 NEC PC Engine / TurboGrafx-16 Games
by romhoard-research · 2026/02/14
The NEC PC Engine (known as TurboGrafx-16 in North America) was a groundbreaking 16-bit home console released in 1987 that became known as a haven for excellent shoot-em-up games and innovative titles across multiple genres. This list compiles the most consistently recognized and highly-rated games across multiple gaming enthusiast communities and retro gaming publications.
20
games
pce
Loading...
Loading...
to
""
Import this Collection
Copy this URL and paste it into your RomHoard's "Import Collection" dialog.
Games in this Collection
Sort:
90
NEC PC Engine
Platform
Widely considered one of the greatest games ever made on the PC Engine, and arguably one of the finest 2D action platformers of all time. This Super CD-ROM title showcases the best the system had to offer with animated cutscenes, multiple playable characters (Richter Belmont and Maria Renard), branching level paths, and an exceptional soundtrack. The level design and tight controls set a benchmark for the genre.
80
NEC PC Engine
Shoot'em Up
Vertical
Set the tone for the PC Engine's reputation as a shooter powerhouse. Released in 1989, Blazing Lazers was far superior to any other console shooter at the time. The game features sharp and colorful graphics, multiple weapon types that can be selected and upgraded, blistering speed, and screen-filling special attacks that impressed audiences in the 16-bit era.
80
NEC PC Engine
Platform
The TurboGrafx-16's answer to Mario and Sonic. Bonk's Revenge improves upon the original with more refined level design and the signature head-butting mechanics that make the series unique. It's consistently ranked #1 on community voting lists and represents the best of what Hudson Soft's mascot platformer series had to offer.
70
70
NEC PC Engine
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
One of the most impressive ports on the console, R-Type demonstrated the PC Engine's technical capabilities in 1989. Despite minor compromises like sprite flicker and occasional slowdown, the gameplay remains faithful to the arcade original. Known for its methodical pattern-based gameplay and the iconic Force weapon system that allows strategic ship configuration.
75
NEC PC Engine
Shoot'em Up
Vertical
The peak of Hudson Soft's Star Soldier series on the PC Engine. Released in 1992, Soldier Blade combines incredible speed and precision gameplay with some of the most impressive presentation on the console. The new power-up system and balanced difficulty create a nearly perfect shmup experience. Ranked 3rd on several top 10 PC Engine lists, making it the highest-ranked shooter besides Blazing Lazers and Rondo of Blood.
80
NEC PC Engine
Action
Labyrinth
Described as the peak of the Bomberman series on the TG16, Bomberman '94 elevates the formula with rideable kangaroo companions called louies that add strategic depth. The game features brighter, more colorful visuals than its predecessor, higher quality music, and supports up to 5 players. An essential multiplayer experience for the console.
75
NEC PC Engine
Strategy
A standout strategy game that felt like a breath of fresh air when released in 1990, before Fire Emblem became prominent outside Japan. Features a hexagonal map where players must strategically position units to capture the enemy prison camp. Despite simple graphics, the addictive gameplay and challenging difficulty made it one of the console's defining titles. Its outer-space aesthetic and innovative mechanics remain impressive.
80
NEC PC Engine
RPG
A monumental RPG that delivered a complete two-game experience on CD-ROM. Ys Book I & II showcases the PC Engine's strengths with animated cutscenes, anime-style character artwork, CD-quality audio, and voice acting—all relatively uncommon for consoles in 1989. The real-time bump combat system and epic storytelling following protagonist Adol Christin through a magic-filled land with ancient ruins created an immersive experience that still holds up.
80
80
NEC PC Engine
Platform
A unique fusion of shooter and platformer conventions that stands out among action games. Players control ninja Tsukikage with four different weapons and the ability to summon spirit copies that attack in tandem with your character. This creates distinctive strategic gameplay where careful weapon selection and positioning matter. Described as easily one of the best Turbografx-16 games of all time.
70
NEC PC Engine
Beat'em Up
A gory, horror-film-inspired beat 'em up that broke new ground with graphic violence years before games like God of War. Players control a monster hunter wearing a hockey mask (similar to Jason Voorhees) fighting through room after room to save their girlfriend. Heavily influenced by 1980s slasher films, it's a landmark game that defined gore and horror themes in gaming.
80
NEC PC Engine
Platform
The original caveman platformer that launched Bonk as TurboGrafx-16's mascot. While not as refined as Bonk's Revenge, there's an elegant simplicity to the first title that has kept it playable for decades. With its distinctive visual style and finely-tuned platforming mechanics, Bonk's Adventure established the series' core identity.
80
80
NEC PC Engine
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
A bold spin-off of the Bonk series that transforms the caveman mascot into a space-age cyberpunk with a mohawk, replacing the platformer formula with shmup action. Features massive weaponry, screen-filling effects, and punk aesthetic. Some consider it the greatest shmup on the platform, showcasing Hudson Soft's confidence in experimenting with their franchises.
65
NEC PC Engine
Pinball
An occult-themed digital pinball game that set the standard for video pinball on consoles. Features ghouls, skulls, demons, and ghosties in an atmospheric table design. Devil's Crush received strong community votes and established itself as one of the best pinball games ever made for any console.
75
NEC PC Engine
Platform
The final entry in the trilogy introduces scaling effects with shrinking and growing abilities for Bonk. Impressive visual scaling effects for the era and continues the series' fun, accessible platforming design. Shows Hudson Soft pushing the console's capabilities with special effects.
85
NEC PC Engine
Shoot'em Up
Vertical
The first Soldier game on PC Engine (1990) that impressed audiences so much that many believed it had the best HuCard graphics at the time. Features incredible music and fast-paced gameplay from the opening. Ranked first in popularity by Micom BASIC Magazine in September 1990, establishing Hudson Soft as a shmup powerhouse on the platform.
65
NEC PC Engine
RPG
A multiplayer-focused action RPG described as a fusion of Gauntlet and Zelda. Supports up to 5 players, making it a standout cooperative experience on the console. The combination of RPG elements and dungeon-crawling action provided a unique experience that defined multiplayer gaming on the PC Engine.
75
NEC PC Engine
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
A rare and highly sought-after horizontal shmup featuring a witch named Ripple. Known for colorful graphics and gameplay similar to the Cotton series. Its scarcity and quality make it a prized possession for collectors, and it's respected among shmup enthusiasts for its unique visual style and musical presentation.
70
70
NEC PC Engine
Platform
A unique action/RPG hybrid described as Lord of the Rings meets Gauntlet. Blends dungeon crawling with RPG progression systems, offering a different take on fantasy adventure gaming. Demonstrates the console's versatility in genre-blending experiences.
75
75
NEC PC Engine
Adventure
Inspired by The Legend of Zelda, Neutopia II offers a top-down adventure experience with striking visual presentation and engaging puzzle-solving. Part of Hudson Soft's effort to provide action-adventure experiences that rivaled Nintendo's offerings on other platforms.
80
NEC PC Engine
Platform
A unique platformer where the main weapon is a parasol, creating distinctive mechanics unlike typical platformers. Offers colorful visuals and creative level design that showcases the console's sprite capabilities while providing engaging, accessible gameplay for a wide range of skill levels.