Japan's new Virtual Console is a retro rarity

by Randy Nelson { Sep 26th 2008 at 5:00PM }

Wii in Japan is getting a new Virtual Console in October, and it's a rare one. The NEC SuperGrafx, a beefed-up PC-Engine (TurboGrafx-16 here in the States), saw a whopping five games released for it before NEC cut its losses.

You can still get your hands on one via eBay or by scouring Tokyo's second-hand game market (we found this one, new-in-box, for about $250 at the Akihabara Super Potato). Thankfully, Wii owners won't have to embark on a treasure hunt for a SuperGrafx or its games, the first of which to appear on VC is the console's launch title, a superb port of Capcom's Daimakaimura (Ghouls n' Ghosts).

Nintendo hasn't announced when (or if) this rare treat will reach US Wiis, but, given the fact that we're already seeing NEC console imports on the Shop Channel, it should only be a matter of time.

Tags: ghouls-n-ghosts, hudson, nec, nec-supergrafx, supergrafx, virtual-console

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

natetk @ Sep 26th 2008 5:30PM

One of the best systems I have ever owned. Too, bad use to be my friend moved with it without giving it back.

natetk @ Sep 26th 2008 5:33PM

Wow I need to start drinking because my sentences are looking like I have been. What I meant, too bad the person who use to be my friend moved without giving it back.

thesimplicity @ Sep 26th 2008 5:56PM

Actually, it had seven games officially release, not five: 1941: Counter Attack, Granzort, Darius Alpha, Darius Plus, Daimakaimura, Battle Ace, and Aldynes. I've also seen a number of protos leak out over the years (Galaxy Force II comes to mind) and it has one of the most sought after peripherals among any console: the Power Console, which is a racing wheel and keypad that slide over the console itself. How cool is that?

It's a very fun system to collect for. Pricey as hell, but it's pretty easy to get a complete run. Heh.

jax sedrin @ Sep 26th 2008 5:58PM

SuperGrafx != TurboGrafx-16

SuperGrafx was a variation of TurboGrafx-16. It's basically the same platform but with a different hardware configuration. Only 5 games were released for the SuperGrafx, but dozens were released for TurboGrafx-16.

jax sedrin @ Sep 26th 2008 6:06PM

Yeah, my bad. I really need to read more carefully.

-1 for me.

Mr Khan @ Sep 26th 2008 6:27PM

VC just got that much more awesome

shawn @ Sep 26th 2008 6:43PM

sounds like a friend of mine that left with my snes

Kizzle @ Sep 26th 2008 6:32PM

I remember EGM hyping the shit out of the Supergrafx version of Strider way before it even came out, talking about how it far surpassed the Genesis version and was on par with the arcade game.

I have no idea if that was true or not. Just sayin'.

tzq @ Sep 26th 2008 10:30PM

Awesome! I've always wanted a Supergrafx just to play this version of Ghouls and Ghosts!!

Almadi @ Sep 27th 2008 12:21AM

If they would just release the Virtual Console on the next DS, I'd buy into it right away.
Can't afford the UK TV license, so I'm stuck with handhelds.
I don't even like the BBC.

Whoppy @ Sep 27th 2008 4:53AM

You don't have to have a licence in order to have a TV. As long as you don't watch any programs on it and just use it for DVDs games etc then it's ok.

Almadi @ Sep 27th 2008 9:26AM

News to me.
I keep getting these threats in the mail that getting a license is a requisite to owning "any device that can pick up the BBC channels", and that they have "ways of knowing what evil lurks in the hearts of men" or something like that...
When I was shopping for a laptop, I was told that buying one with a TV tuner, even if I didn't use it, meant that I had to pay that blasted £140