During the console wars of the 1990s, while Sega and Nintendo reigned supreme in many regions, Japan experienced a different scenario. The nation saw NEC's PC Engine, later known as the TurboGrafx-16 in the West, become a strong competitor, especially with its innovative hardware upgrades. Despite this, the TurboGrafx-16 didn't quite manage to achieve the same success as its Japanese counterpart overseas.
Enter the Analogue Duo, which serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. This modern console is developed by Analogue, a company known for high-fidelity retro gaming hardware. The Duo uses FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) technology to emulate the original hardware's performance with exacting precision. The great news for retro gaming enthusiasts is that the Analogue Duo promises the definitive experience for the platform's extensive library, which includes standout shmups like "Gunhed," "Soldier Blade," and "R-Type," as well as acclaimed titles such as "Dracula X: Rondo of Blood" and "Bomberman '94."
The Analogue Duo's design is inspired by the PC Engine Duo/TurboDuo system, first released in 1991. The Duo was an amalgamation of the PC Engine console and its CD-ROM expansion, marking it the first games console capable of CD-based gaming. This modern iteration is capable of playing all forms of media from the PC Engine's lifecycle, including HuCards and the various CD formats: CD-ROM², Super CD-ROM², and Arcade CD-ROM².
Collecting games and hardware for the original PC Engine can be daunting and expensive due to the plethora of variations and necessary add-ons like 'System Cards' which expanded RAM for more demanding games. The Analogue Duo streamlines this experience, offering an all-in-one solution that eliminates the need for additional components. It's a compact unit, with HuCard games sliding perfectly into a slot on the front-left side, and CD games on the right-front side, with a simple power button, eject button, and controller ports completing the front panel.
The side and back of the console provide even more options for gamers. There's a headphone jack, a sync button, and LEDs for wireless controllers on the side. Around the back, USB-C, HDMI-out, USB-A and an SD card slot are available. This means no additional receivers are needed for wireless controllers, and wired controllers can plug directly into the USB-A ports or the original PC Engine controller port. It’s remarkably versatile and convenient.
The Analogue Duo does not come with a proprietary controller. Gamers are expected to use pre-existing PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16 controllers or can purchase the 8BitDo PCE wireless controller. This newly-designed pad has improved ergonomics over the original and retains the classic rolling D-pad design. It provides a seamless and comfortable gaming experience over lengthy sessions but offers only two action buttons, which could be a limitation for more complex games like "Street Fighter II". Fortunately, you can use a wide array of controllers with the Duo, including the original NEC Avenue 6-button pads for a complete experience or even other wireless and wired USB controllers.
As for the software experience, the Analogue Duo uses the Analogue OS. This operating system is easy to navigate and offers benefits like screen filters, controller button remapping, and a library management system, although it doesn’t support the OpenFPGA platform, which would have allowed for other FPGA cores to run different console games on the unit.
When it comes to actual gameplay, the Analogue Duo's FPGA-based hardware provides a gaming experience virtually indistinguishable from the original PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. During testing with numerous titles across the platform's spectrum, no compatibility issues or performance hiccups were observed. The image quality is exceptional, with various display modes like 'Analogue TG16' for a pure, crisp 1080p output or 'CRT Trinitron' for that nostalgic, scanline-rich image.
The Analogue Duo is positioned as the ultimate device for retro gaming enthusiasts, especially for those with a love for the PC Engine/TurboGrafx-16. It offers a multitude of contemporary features built upon a seamless emulation of original hardware, multi-region support, and ease of use with both old media and modern screens. The Analogue Duo is not just an homage to the past but a solid investment in preserving and enjoying classic gaming for years to come.
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