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Turbo Grafx Express

Turbo Grafx Express

The TurboExpress was a portable version of the TurboGrafx, released in 1990 for $249.99 (the price was briefly raised to $299.99, soon dropped back to $249.99, and by 1992 it was $199.99). It was the most advanced handheld of its time and could play all the TG-16's HuCard games five years before the Sega Nomad could do the same for Sega Genesis games. Its Japanese equivalent was the PC Engine GT. It had a 2.6-inch screen, the same as the original Game Boy. It shared the capabilities of the TurboGrafx, giving it 512 available colors (9-bit RGB), stereo sound, and the same custom CPU at 7.16 MHz. The optional "TurboVision" TV tuner included RCA audio/video input, allowing the user to use TurboExpress as a video monitor. The "TurboLink" allowed two-player play. Falcon, a flight simulator, included a "head-to-head" dogfight mode that could only be accessed via TurboLink. However, very few TG-16 games offered co-op play modes especially designed with the TurboExpress in mind.

TurboExpress: The Power of the TurboGrafx-16 in Your Hands


Released in 1990, the TurboExpress (known as the PC Engine GT in Japan) was an ambitious handheld console developed by NEC. Essentially a portable version of the TurboGrafx-16, it stood out by being one of the most powerful handhelds of its time, capable of playing the same HuCard cartridges as its home console counterpart-something no other major handheld was doing at the time.


Sporting a 2.6-inch backlit color LCD screen, the TurboExpress offered crisp and vibrant visuals far beyond competitors like the Game Boy. It also featured a d-pad, two action buttons, and turbo switches, making it ideal for fast-paced arcade-style gameplay. However, its biggest drawback was battery life-the system required six AA batteries, which drained in just 2-3 hours.


For added versatility, NEC released the TurboVision TV tuner accessory, allowing users to watch live television on the device, further pushing its multimedia appeal. However, due to its high price (around $299 at launch) and limited third-party support, the TurboExpress struggled against cheaper handhelds like the Game Boy.


Today, the TurboExpress is considered a cult classic among collectors, admired for its ambitious design, sharp graphics, and ability to play full home console games on the go-a concept that was ahead of its time.


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TurboExpress Review: A Powerhouse Handheld Ahead of Its Time

When NEC released the TurboExpress in 1990, it was nothing short of a technological marvel. A portable version of the TurboGrafx-16, this sleek handheld allowed gamers to play their full console library on the go-a concept decades ahead of its time. However, despite its impressive hardware, the TurboExpress faced significant hurdles that ultimately kept it from mainstream success.

Design & Display

The TurboExpress featured a 2.6-inch backlit color LCD screen, which was sharp and vibrant compared to its competition. At a time when the Game Boy was still using a greenish monochrome display, the TurboExpress felt like a futuristic leap forward. The screen quality was excellent for the time, though some units suffered from dead pixels and screen degradation, a common issue as the device aged.

The handheld itself was bulky but well-built, with a comfortable D-pad, two action buttons, and turbo switches-a welcome addition for fans of fast-paced shooters. It felt like a premium device, and in many ways, it was.

Performance & Games

The biggest selling point of the TurboExpress was its ability to play actual TurboGrafx-16 HuCard cartridges with no compromises in graphics or performance. This meant handheld gamers had access to home console-quality titles like Blazing Lazers, Bonk's Adventure, and R-Type-a major advantage over other handhelds of the era.

However, since it shared the TurboGrafx-16 library, the TurboExpress didn't have any exclusive games, which may have made it less appealing to those who already owned the home console.

Battery Life & Flaws

For all its strengths, the TurboExpress had one massive downside: battery life. Running on six AA batteries, the system barely lasted 2-3 hours, making it impractical for long gaming sessions without an AC adapter. This power-hungry nature, combined with its steep launch price of $299, made it inaccessible to many gamers.

Additionally, while the optional TurboVision TV tuner allowed users to watch live TV, it was more of a novelty than a killer feature, especially as television signals transitioned away from analog formats in later years.

Final Verdict

The TurboExpress was an ambitious, high-end handheld that offered a true console-quality experience on the go-a concept later perfected by systems like the Nintendo Switch. However, its short battery life, high cost, and lack of exclusive titles prevented it from achieving widespread success.

Today, the TurboExpress is a coveted collector's item, admired for its ahead-of-its-time features and beautiful display, but as a practical gaming device, it was simply too flawed for the mainstream market.

Score: 7.5/10

? Incredible for its time, but held back by poor battery life and high cost. A must-have for collectors, but not ideal for casual play.

Would you like me to add comparisons to other handhelds of the era?