TurboGrafx-16 Game Box for iPhone

[jlued686]

Available now:
wayback.apple.com/app/turbografx-16-gamebox

_{► /GameBox/TurboGrafx-16_GameBox_(iOS)_Title_Theme.mp3}

Description

"Bonk's Adventure", "Gradius", "R-TYPE", "Military Madness" & more... the TruboGrafx-16 classic games are back!
Now available on iPhone, iPod Touch & iPad!
Demo games are available for you to try out on a daily basis with more titles being added soon.

================================
"TurboGrafx-16 GameBox" is compatible with;
- iPhone 3GS or later
- iPod touch 3rd generation or later
- iPad
================================

■Exciting lineup!
TurboGrafx-16 GameBox is a free app with 16 unlockable games*1 within the app.
All time classic games right at your fingertips, all within this Application!

*1 One free game and 15 paid games.

■Featured Game
A new game is featured every day and you can play the demo to check it out.
Start the app and find out what's featured on the title screen!

■Quick Save
With the "Quick Save" feature, you can easily save or load your saved game anytime, anywhere!
On a coffee break? Great, time for you to get back to the GameBox right where you left off!

■User Friendly Gameplay
There are 4 screen types and 3 control settings to choose from.
Games can be played both horizontally and vertically, also playable on iPad!

----------------

16 Titles in TurboGrafx-16 GameBox
- World Sports Competition by HUDSON SOFT ★Free Game★
- Gradius by KONAMI
- Salamander by KONAMI
- R-Type by HUDSON SOFT
- Bonk's Adventure by HUDSON SOFT
- Bomberman '94 by HUDSON SOFT
- New Adventure Island by HUDSON SOFT
- Vigilante by Irem
- Ninja Spirit by Irem
- Military Madness by HUDSON SOFT
- Victory Run by HUDSON SOFT
- Soldier Blade by HUDSON SOFT
- Jaseiken Necromancer by HUDSON SOFT
- Dungeon Explorer by HUDSON SOFT
- World Class Baseball by HUDSON SOFT
- China Warrior by HUDSON SOFT

★ More titles will be added in the future, so please let us know what YOU want to play!

[NecroPhile]

No buttons = no thanks.  Except for maybe Military Madness - that one probably plays okay.

[jlued686]

Just played Bonk and Dungeon Explorer. Both play okay, though true, the lack of real buttons doesn't help matters.

You can download the app for free and play a different demo each day, though.

All in all, it's a pretty slick app if you can get past the button issue.

[Tatsujin]

If your phone can be set to Japanese Language, the whole TG-16 GUI will change into a jawesome PCE GUI (inkl. all cover arts).

[Arkhan Asylum]

How the hell are you gonna play RType with touchy controls.  That just sounds like a poor idea.  iPhones are going to be thrown at walls this Xmas.

[MotherGunner]

Support for Bluetooth controller?  If so, I'm in.

[jlued686]

How the hell are you gonna play RType with touchy controls.  That just sounds like a poor idea.  iPhones are going to be thrown at walls this Xmas.

The standalone R-Type game for iPhone is actually surprisingly good. I haven't played the Turbo version, though.

No buttons = no thanks.  Except for maybe Military Madness - that one probably plays okay.

Actually, I played the demo of that one yesterday. Yeesh... It's tough to select the correct grid with the touch controls.

[BlackandBlue]

I have the TG emulator on my iphone (temper) and I find myself missing button pushes constantly. I dont think I have played a game on it for the longest time since it just didnt feel right.  Atleast the games developed for or ported to iOS are touch centric.

[Ceti Alpha]

Yeah, I've tried playing the most basic shootie of them all - Space Invaders - on my Android phone and it was Failfest 2010. Duo-r was telling me that, on Android at least, you can use a Wiimote via bluetooth to play emulators. I just checked and you can do the same on the iPhone. So, that could work, but no buttons = no good. Not only are your fingers covering the action, but you keep checking to see if your fingers are in the right spot.

On another note, it just seems wrong that we should have to pay for TG games twice. But for people who are new to the system it's great exposure for the TG. For me, if it's not free, no thanks.

[blueraven]

I have a 3G, and I cant get it. No OpenGL support. I'm fucking pissed.

Hudson is charging 2.99 and 3.99 for games as well.

Rating the app 1 star for FAILtastic.

[Ceti Alpha]

I have a 3G, and I cant get it. No OpenGL support. I'm fucking pissed.

Hudson is charging 2.99 and 3.99 for games as well.

Rating the app 1 star for FAILtastic.

Sheesh. I can see $2.99 for the emulator, but the games themselves should be under a dollar.

[Duo_R]

Android FTW

[Ceti Alpha]

Android FTW

BTW, I can't find the PCE Emu on Applanet. I guess you just have to dish out the change for the emu and then load up the roms? I'm guessing it just takes the same roms as anything else, eh?

[blueraven]

My neighbor just got it for his 4G and he says it's the shit.
I then showed him Blazing Lazers in Full CRT glory.

[nikdog]

Android FTW

BTW, I can't find the PCE Emu on Applanet. I guess you just have to dish out the change for the emu and then load up the roms? I'm guessing it just takes the same roms as anything else, eh?

The Emulator itself is free.

[Duo_R]

Search for pce.emu in applanet and it should come right up. Yes takes normal roms.

Android FTW

BTW, I can't find the PCE Emu on Applanet. I guess you just have to dish out the change for the emu and then load up the roms? I'm guessing it just takes the same roms as anything else, eh?

[jlued686]

They just updated the app yesterday and it controls A LOT better. Still not perfect, but definitely an improvement.

[blueraven]

Still no 3G. Apple is f$%^ing with their marketshare.

[jlued686]

Still no 3G. Apple is f$%^ing with their marketshare.

Yeah, they seem to be hurting. ;)

[esteban]

Still no 3G. Apple is f$%^ing with their marketshare.

Yeah, they seem to be hurting. ;)

hahahahhahahahaa.

I played with the Game Box and it wasn't that bad. I certainly prefer a physical pad and buttons, of course, but that won't be available without using a bluetooth pad/Wii remote/snap-on pad accessory.

[c0ldb33r]

I haven't seen any new games come out for gamebox for awhile.

Is it dead?

I quite like it for the Bonk games.

[Vecanti]

Don't want to go off topic put I have this on the Android.
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.PceEmu&hl=en

It can use multiple Wii controllers with a single touch.  If the iPhone app can use bluetooth than it might be worth a look.  That feature is pretty awesome.  Trying to play games made for a controller on a touch screen sucks.

The Android app above even supports Arcade CDs so I play some Sapphire at work.  Get some strange looks when you are playing with a Wii remote on your cell phone.  That is until you whip so more controllers out and start some multiplayer PCE!  

[spenoza]

The iPod, IIRC, doesn't have a full Bluetooth stack. It only supports a few specific protocols and is wired in iOS not to go outside of those protocols. You'd have to hack a controller through the dock connector rather than Bluetooth.

[Sadler]

Android FTW

BTW, I can't find the PCE Emu on Applanet. I guess you just have to dish out the change for the emu and then load up the roms? I'm guessing it just takes the same roms as anything else, eh?

Yeah, it takes the same roms. I've got it on my Droid X. That + Wiimote Controller+ HDMI out+ Wii classic controller = portable game library that's pretty damn awesome.

[thrush]

Get some strange looks when you are playing with a Wii remote on your cell phone.  That is until you whip so more controllers out and start some multiplayer PCE!   

I know it wasn't too long ago that I was expressing my dissatisfaction with emulation in general, but I have to admit: that sounds pretty darn cool!  d^__^b

[Duo_R]

A PS3 controller on my Android Honeycomb tab works pretty nice too

[farankoshan]

I enjoy GameBox for two reasons:

1. The free demo every day. I get my "on-the-go" PCE/TG-16 fix that way.
2. That swweeet, sweet opening music track that plays throughout the whole menu system. Is this song from a game? Or is it an original track composed for the app. If so, who composed it? It sounds so akin to the spirit of an old PCE/TG-16 game.

What's the track?

[Ceti Alpha]

Android's Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0) will, like Honeycomb, allow for the use of USB controllers. Now what we need  is a Turbopad USB controller. heh

[NecroPhile]

Now what we need  is a Turbopad USB controller. heh

It can be done: clicky.

[c0ldb33r]

too bad they don't come pre-fab

[Ceti Alpha]

Now what we need  is a Turbopad USB controller. heh

It can be done: clicky.

Haha. Well whaddya know? That's pretty awesome.

[NecroPhile]

too bad they don't come pre-fab

I've seen a few on eBay before, but they're expensive ($50) even for a new controller.

[farankoshan]

I enjoy GameBox for two reasons:

1. The free demo every day. I get my "on-the-go" PCE/TG-16 fix that way.
2. That swweeet, sweet opening music track that plays throughout the whole menu system. Is this song from a game? Or is it an original track composed for the app. If so, who composed it? It sounds so akin to the spirit of an old PCE/TG-16 game.

What's the track?

Anyone know the track?

[esteban]

I enjoy GameBox for two reasons:

1. The free demo every day. I get my "on-the-go" PCE/TG-16 fix that way.
2. That swweeet, sweet opening music track that plays throughout the whole menu system. Is this song from a game? Or is it an original track composed for the app. If so, who composed it? It sounds so akin to the spirit of an old PCE/TG-16 game.

What's the track?

Anyone know the track?

OK, folks, we have to get to the bottom of this: is the "chiptune" a new original or is it from a game? I can't connect the song to a specific game, and it might be a new composition, but it certainly captures the spirit (and drumkit! ha!) of the old tunes.

UPDATE:

_{► /GameBox/TurboGrafx-16_GameBox_(iOS)_Title_Theme.mp3}

(right-click to save .mp3)

[snickersbar]

the tg16 game box is a great idear but i need real buttons to push

[Deletion]

Here are some buttons.
http://www.icontrolpad.com

And the buttons in action with PCE.emu (jump to 9:55).

[CrackTiger]

I enjoy GameBox for two reasons:

1. The free demo every day. I get my "on-the-go" PCE/TG-16 fix that way.
2. That swweeet, sweet opening music track that plays throughout the whole menu system. Is this song from a game? Or is it an original track composed for the app. If so, who composed it? It sounds so akin to the spirit of an old PCE/TG-16 game.

What's the track?

Anyone know the track?

OK, folks, we have to get to the bottom of this: is the "chiptune" a new original or is it from a game? I can't connect the song to a specific game, and it might be a new composition, but it certainly captures the spirit (and drumkit! ha!) of the old tunes.

Sounds like Konami.

[TheMilford]

Here are some buttons.
http://www.icontrolpad.com

And the buttons in action with PCE.emu (jump to 9:55).

CRAZY, I just got the Gamebox TODAY and read this thread... after playing Dungeon Explorer for a bit I was sitting on the toilet and I invented this exact same thing in my head... however I was thinking of ways to "convert" a TurboPad. Which I may still have to do. ;)

Now they just need to update the Gamebox to eliminate the onsceen controller and support the iControlPad.

[futureman2000]

Still no ideas on the source of the tune? Thing is rockin'.

[esteban]

Still no ideas on the source of the tune? Thing is rockin'.

Sadly, CrackTiger is the only person to offer any help... he thinks it has the hallmark of a Konami tune (I agree), but it also sounds like it could be from a Hudson game.

I enjoy GameBox for two reasons:

1. The free demo every day. I get my "on-the-go" PCE/TG-16 fix that way.
2. That swweeet, sweet opening music track that plays throughout the whole menu system. Is this song from a game? Or is it an original track composed for the app. If so, who composed it? It sounds so akin to the spirit of an old PCE/TG-16 game.

What's the track?

Anyone know the track?

OK, folks, we have to get to the bottom of this: is the "chiptune" a new original or is it from a game? I can't connect the song to a specific game, and it might be a new composition, but it certainly captures the spirit (and drumkit! ha!) of the old tunes.

Sounds like Konami.

Konami, you say...

I don't think it is Gradius, Parodius, Twin Bee, Salamander...

Help us, folks!

[farankoshan]

I know right? I plugged my iPhone into an audio program just to record it. I now have it, but I just arbitrarily call it "Turbografx GameBox Menu Theme".

But I really love it.

[Alt-Nintega]

downloaded!! thanks for the info! this is awesome!!

[guyjin]

Too bad it's not on Android

[CrackTiger]

Too bad it's not on Android

Just get PCE.emu, it's a seemingly perfect and full featured port of Mednafen that plays roms and CDs. I have Mysterious Song in my pocket wherever I go and RPGs play great with touch controls.

[VenomMacbeth]

Out of all the games I've downloaded (those being Gradius, Raiden, and Soldier Blade) Soldier Blade is by far the most addictive game on here.  The touch controls seem to work best with it & the game itself is just awesome.  A close second would be Gradius; the controls work well, but it's a tough game.  The touch controls don't do Raiden justice, though, as your fighter moves so slowly you frequently have to do "flick" maneuvers, rather than D-padding the screen with your thumb, to get it to go where you want.

[Vecanti]

Too bad it's not on Android

Just get PCE.emu, it's a seemingly perfect and full featured port of Mednafen that plays roms and CDs. I have Mysterious Song in my pocket wherever I go and RPGs play great with touch controls.

Yeah and the bluetooth support for multiple Wiimotes is a bonus.  Better yet is HDMI out on Android phones and tabs to play on big screens. 

I've been think of getting a ~$100 7" Andoid tablet with HDMI just for PCE.emu and Wiimotes. Dump a ton of games on there are have a portable system.   Of course, so many cell phones have HDMI out now that probably in a year this gen of phones can be bought dirt cheap for this purpose.

[esteban]

I know right? I plugged my iPhone into an audio program just to record it. I now have it, but I just arbitrarily call it "Turbografx GameBox Menu Theme".

But I really love it.

DUDE, send me the tune.

I'll upload it and create a "Guess this song" thread.

[motdelbourt]

I periodically delete this app, but I keep coming back to it. I'm ready to buy something.  What would be the most playable of all these games, given the touch screen controls? I actually thought New Adventure Island played pretty well in the demo, until I got hit from behind by a tiny enemy that I didn't even see.

Is Necromancer worth bothering with if you don't know Japanese? I always thought it looked cool.

[esteban]

I periodically delete this app, but I keep coming back to it. I'm ready to buy something.  What would be the most playable of all these games, given the touch screen controls? I actually thought New Adventure Island played pretty well in the demo, until I got hit from behind by a tiny enemy that I didn't even see.

Is Necromancer worth bothering with if you don't know Japanese? I always thought it looked cool.

I think the vertical shoot-em-ups are the most playable (there is a dedicated control scheme for them). I played Ninja Spirit and the on-screen control pad worked OK—but I'm just not a big fan of on-screen (touch) directional pads.

[Mishran]

Ive purchased Bonk 2 and DE. Bonk is a slower paced game and seems well suited for the on screen controls. DE is a bit more complicated. The only problem I've had is with attacking. It's difficult to aim your shots.

I suppose we shouldn't look forward to any more updates and games since it hasn't been updated at all for a while. Must not be profitable enough to warrant further development.