Why wasn't the TG-16 more popular in NA?

I purchased a TG-16 + Turbo CD combo about a year ago and I have to say it is a great console. The console was on par with the Sega Genesis overall in regards to graphical capabilities. So, what's the deal? Why did third parties neglect the console? Was it a marketing issue? The fact it didn't have a mascot on the level of Mario/Sonic?

Regardless, the console has some truly great games, especially shooters. I'm still surprised it failed to reach the same popularity as the Sega Genesis in NA.

Your thoughts?

@emgesp: I think part of the reason any console fails in the US is cost, 9 times out of 10. While the TG16 did have a pretty good mascot with Bonk, I don't really recall much advertising for the system, but I was fairly young back then. The TG-CD and Turbo Duo were both incredibly expensive, well out of the avg families reach. The only other thing I can think of has to do with violence, back then games like Splatterhouse were not socially acceptable, and the TG was a bit early to the market with that. I remember Splatterhouse being a big deal well before Mortal Kombat caused a big stink.

A great many of the PC Engine/Turbo Grafx 16 game library was very Japanese. In a time when Japanese pop culture had yet to even catch on in North America. Lots of Role playing games were never translated into English. So a lot of PC engine games never made it to America.

Plus this was a time when Nintendo had their death grip on third party game publishers. You could not support NEC or SEGA if you wanted to publish on Nintendo's then dominate NES. This policy killed off support for the Sega Master System which ended up with only 13 million worldwide total sales compared to NES 62.9 million worldwide sales. NEC fell victim to Nintendo ruthless treatment of 3rd party developers. With only 4 other publishers other the NEC first party. Plus the expense of NEC Turbographx 16/PC engine hardware. The first CD ROM player cost a whopping $400.00 in America $700.00 in today's money adjusted for inflation with no pack in game. Only a demo disc with no actual playable game demos.

The Basic Turbo graphx 16 console cost $300.00 at launch with a pack in game. Keith Courage in Alpha Zones. Based on a Japanese Manga that no people were familiar with in U.S.A. Plus you had to buy the TurboBooster or TurboBooster Plus for basic AV out puts and/or memory saves. $50.00 extra. Plus another $30.00 for the TurboTap which was an adapter with 5 controller ports. The base Turbographx 16 game console only had 1 controller port.

Sega Genesis and Master System had 2 as did NES and Super NES. Plus your were not charged extra for AV hook ups. The TurboGraphx 16 console only allowed for RF hook up only. So being charged at total of $30.00 for Turbotap $30.00 for extra controller, and $50.00 for TurboBooster for an extra $120.00 to be able to play 2 players. Something the NES and SNES did right out of the box. Both of Nintendo's consoles came with 2 controllers and supported both AV and RF hook up out of the box.

Finally Price drops on NEC hardware and Games were no existent. Games for turbo graphx 16 were $69.99 brand new and mostly stay that way. Since NEC could not really afford to have price drop on software. The arcade translations and the great Shoot them ups were the reason to have NEC PC engine/TG 16 consoles. But in the end they only sold 11.3 million worldwide. The Turbographx 16/PC engine was huge success in Japan. But otherwise did not do well anywhere else. Only 1.5 million sold in the U.S.A. The Turbographx 16 last only 4 years in North America. 1989-1993.

But in total 12 different PC engine/TG 16 systems were sold with a library of 458 or so of games most of which never made it to the United states. Only 93 of NEC games made it to U,S.A in HU card/Turbo chip form and the rest published on CD Rom. for a dismal 149 total NSTC Turbographx 16 games in North America. But in Japan from 1987-1999 the PC engine dominated 2nd place only behind Nintendo but ahead of Sega.

Turbographx 16 just did not catch on in America for a host of reasons, But in short it was too Japanese.

I had a turbo back in 1990-91 it was a great system but I think it's low sales had more to do with the Nintendo being so popular. I did see a fair amount of advertising for it. I ditched my Turbo when the SNES came out. Nintendo dominated everything back then. The Turbo was also very expensive and if you had to choose only one system most went with Nintendo for brand recognition.

I remember walking around the mall with $300 in my pocket. I went into a store and all the Turbo games were 1/2 off. I went bananas and bought a ton of game. I had like 15 games for it. I enjoyed my Turbo but I've never had any desire to pick another one up. I traded it with all the games for a big bag of weed.

From my personal experience marketing was certainly a factor. I never saw it in most US game retailers and I only really knew of its existence from mags like EGM and Gamepro. That plus high price were all factors.

-Byshop

I was very young, but i recall that at some point retailers sat it next to the NES.

They were very expensive and for a retro console I think they are still pretty expensive!

Poor marketing and it was over-priced.

I don't recall seeing very much of the TG-16 until after the Turbo Duo's release, and I only recall seeing that one in a Toys R' Us store.

I was the only person that i knew in my town or school that had one. bought it when it came out. Not sure why? OR even what store I bought it at..Somethings I remember for life,but that console just slips me. I remember Santa brought me my atari 2600..I remember my mom put the NES on layaway at walmart for me..I remember my friends mom bought me a sega genesis..BUT I swear I dont remember much about my TG16..lol..strange..