> So, what kinds of games do you guys think were really lacking from the US
> collection?
Well...I don't know if an outpouring of RPGs would have been a good idea, as
RPGs were, at the time, sort of a niche thing in the U.S. Still, though, it
could have helped the Turbo build up some credibility in the states.
Honestly, though, I don't think much in the PC Engine library could have
helped either NEC or, later, Turbo Technologies compete against either the
Genesis or Super NES (game magazine "journalists" have proposed in the past
that Akumajo Dracula X and Street Fighter II could have turned everthing
around in the U.S.; however, that's pretty ignorant to make that
assumption...look at the poor Dreamcast and its library of games...a library
which certainly didn't help it in the long run. GameFan also stated that NEC
would have been in better shape over here had they brought out the
SuperGrafx...oh, yeah...that would've been a great idea...sarcasm). I love
the PC Engine library myself; however, much of the content was pretty
Japanese-centric. The system didn't have the types of sports and action
games that were "selling" the other systems in the U.S. (emphasis on sports
titles). There really needed to be more and higher quality CD action games
also...as opposed the typical sim, RPG and strategy stuff...games like Kaze
Kiri and Faussete Amour were not exactly cutting-edge action games at the
time of their release compared to standard action fare on other systems like
Contra III on Super NES and Gunstar Heroes on Genesis. Still, it would have
been nice if some developers had thrown the PC Engine a bone from time to
time (companies like Square, Enix, and Capcom, among others). However, they
were making their green with Nintendo on the Super Famicom, so there was
really no reason for them to stray. Capcom eventually strayed to support the
Mega Drive platform, yet probably the focus of the payoff on that move was
the money to be made in the U.S. market instead of on the floundering Mega
Drive. Unfortunately, we ended up with a bunch of licensed Capcom games
released...most in rather shoddy form...by NEC Avenue. Without starting a
rant on "who shoulda did what," though, I'll just give a short list
of...um...the top 15 games which I believe may have helped the Turbo's
position over here (either based on quality or name)...a "fantasy" list,
though, as both NEC and Turbo Technologies seemed to be unable to secure
licenses or make adequate decisions.
Akumajo Dracula X
Emerald Dragon
Garou Densetsu Special
Kaizou Ningen Shubibinman 3
Langrisser
Lemmings (don't laugh, it was a popular series...and the PCE port is actually
great)
Neo Nectaris
Puyo Puyo CD
Snatcher
Spriggan
Star Parodier
Street Fighter II
Tengai Makyo II
World Heroes 2
Ys IV: The Dawn of Ys