PC Engine CD Top 15 Games
by romhoard-research · 2026/02/14
The NEC PC Engine CD (known as TurboGrafx-CD in North America) was the first CD-ROM based video game console, released in 1987. Though less popular in the West, it became hugely successful in Japan and featured an exceptional library of shoot 'em ups, RPGs, and action games that pushed the system's capabilities.
15
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pcecd
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NEC PC Engine CD
Platform
Considered the best traditional Castlevania game ever created. The first game in the series to leverage CD-ROM storage for animated cutscenes, impressive visuals, and a fully orchestrated soundtrack. Features branching paths, multiple endings, a second playable character, and is seen as the most cinematic game released on the system.
80
NEC PC Engine CD
RPG
Described as the first killer app for the TurboGrafx-CD. Features one of the most legendary video game soundtracks of all time with fully voiced anime cutscenes (mind-blowing for 1989). Players ram enemies rather than swing swords, requiring skillful angle positioning. Hugely influential action/RPG that established conventions for the genre.
NEC PC Engine CD
Written and directed by Hideo Kojima, this graphic adventure game features one of the most interesting and complex stories ever seen in a video game. Set in a dystopian cyberpunk future with fully realized characters and settings. The increased CD-ROM storage made this ambitious narrative experience possible.
75
75
NEC PC Engine CD
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
Considered one of the best installments in the famous Gradius series. Features enhanced graphics, arcade-accurate visuals, and one of the greatest redbook audio soundtracks ever made. The PC Engine CD version was the best version money could buy at the time, almost identical to the arcade original.
75
NEC PC Engine CD
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
Features utterly brilliant rock/heavy metal music and some of the best boss fights on the system. An unofficial follow-up to Gate of Thunder with impressive parallax scrolling effects, imposing bosses, and endless waves of enemy fighters. The guitar-driven soundtrack is considered exceptional.
80
NEC PC Engine CD
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
Included as a pack-in with the TurboDuo in North America and earned a reputation as one of the console's most popular games. Features fantastic graphics, impressive backgrounds, and screens full of enemies and bullets with strategically placed environmental hazards. A reliable, well-designed vertical shooter.
80
80
NEC PC Engine CD
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
Irem's legendary horizontal shooter. Widely regarded as one of the PC Engine's most accomplished arcade ports and credited as a killer app in the early years. Features gargantuan boss designs and challenging gameplay. The PC Engine version is considered an amazing port with excellent OST arrangements.
75
NEC PC Engine CD
Shoot'em Up
Vertical
One of the most technically impressive games ever released for the PC Engine, featuring cutting-edge graphics with parallax scrolling effects and pre-rendered sprites. Released after the Saturn and PlayStation were on the market, yet still held its own against next-generation hardware. Requires the Arcade Card add-on for extra RAM.
Spirit Soldier Spriggan
NEC PC Engine CD
A Japanese exclusive from Compile that puts the PC Engine's CD-ROM hardware to good use with stunning visuals. Another fantastic vertically-scrolling shooter that showcases the system's capabilities. Ranked in the S tier of PC Engine shooters.
NEC PC Engine CD
RPG
The best-selling game for the PC Engine, developed by a team of over 100 developers. An elaborate Japanese RPG with deep gameplay and complex systems. While never localized for the West, this title was almost as popular as Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy in Japan during its heyday.
75
NEC PC Engine CD
JRPG
RPG
A dungeon crawler with a deep and rewarding gameplay system. Features animated sequences and one of the best platform soundtracks. Represents the system's strong RPG offerings with traditional fantasy adventure gameplay.
70
70
NEC PC Engine CD
Shoot'em Up
Horizontal
A colorful, character-driven shmup that takes the goofy humor of the Bonk series and applies it to shooter gameplay. Features creative power-ups that turn Zonk into weird things including oversized missiles. A relatively easy shmup with tons of personality and charm. Ranked in the S tier of PC Engine shooters.
Super Air Zonk
Super Air Zonk
NEC PC Engine CD
The sequel to Air Zonk with an outstanding punk-pop soundtrack and memorable boss encounters. Builds on the original's character-driven shooter gameplay with enhanced visuals and music that exemplify the CD format's audio capabilities.
75
NEC PC Engine CD
Platform
A platformer where the protagonist uses head-butting as the primary attack mechanic. Features two-player simultaneous gameplay and cooperative head-jumping mechanics that define the series.
70
NEC PC Engine CD
RPG
A sci-fi medieval RPG with top-notch localization from Working Designs and a memorable character cast. Represents the PC Engine's strong RPG library with a unique genre-blending approach that combines science fiction with medieval fantasy elements.