TurboEdge Newsletter

gatsu25 · 08/22/2016, 02:45 AM

So I have a pretty good collection of turbografx magazines and pamphlets. I always knew there was a newsletter called TurboEdge, but I had never seen it, and began to think it was just a rumor. There are apparently 3 issues.

Just recently, I was able to acquire two of the issues. Fall '91 and Spring '92. It looks like NEC published themselves right before the time of TTI. I suppose that is why this didn't continue?

Can anyone tell me who maybe received these back in the day where they came from? Were they something you had to subscribe to? Were they just given out to people on some sort of list? What is the 3rd issue I do not have? I've linked some quick pictures of the covers for anyone who wants to see them, or to give a better idea what I'm talking about.

I really like the publications from the era. Gives you a good idea of the marketing and some of the decisions that they were making.

TurboEdge Fall 91

TurboEdge Spring 92

gatsu25 · 08/22/2016, 04:07 AM

Thank you for the info!

Well, I have Fall '91, and Spring '92. The scan shows Spring '91. So I will assume the fourth volume is Winter '91?

I guess this kind of went on to become TurboForce? Since those were also sent to registered owners as far as I remember.

I wonder why these are so hard to get a hold of? It's decently easy to get TurboForce, except maybe the later two issues.

gatsu25 · 08/22/2016, 05:36 AM

Nice binder! I've got a similar amount of paperwork, but it's not all together right now. This page, I'm sure you have seen it before, https://archives.tg-16.com/turbografx_magazines.htm lists 3 issues. And that's all I've ever seen on the subject.

On a seperate note, that's a pretty funky gym bag. I wonder if that was ever made, and how many of those are out there...

esteban · 08/22/2016, 07:05 AM

I'm not sure if there was a fourth TurboEdge, but someone must know for certain.

As for mailing lists:

(1) Certainly, anyone who sent in a registration card...for any TG-16 item...was added to the official NEC mailing list.

(2) It is unclear if NEC and Larry Flynt Publications (TurboPlay) routinely shared mailing lists over the years...but a promo for TurboPlay was included with TG-16 console, so there was some sort of relationship. Why do I bring this up? It is possible that LFP sold/provided TurboPlay mailing lists to NEC, especially before NEC planned a mass mailing.

(3) Anecdotally, once you were on the list, you were on it (from 1989—until whenever TZD stopped sending flyers). The mailing list was a valuable asset transferred over the years... the NEC --> TTi transition (I received promotional videos from TTi). Same for TTi--> TZD (I received flyers).

I should add that I had the same experience with all the magazines (once you were on a mailing list, you were on it until the end).

gatsu25 · 08/22/2016, 08:59 AM

Yeah, I was definitely on that list in the later days, but not early enough to receive these. I found this post looking around, and incidentally there is that gym bag, and also, he has a picture of one of the three TurboEdge newsletters we have already seen.

I'm going to assume there are only three until someone proves otherwise. But you are right, surely someone knows here.

esteban · 08/22/2016, 09:16 AM

Quote from: gatsu25 on 08/22/2016, 08:59 AMYeah, I was definitely on that list in the later days, but not early enough to receive these. I found this post looking around, and incidentally there is that gym bag, and also, he has a picture of one of the three TurboEdge newsletters we have already seen.

I'm going to assume there are only three until someone proves otherwise. But you are right, surely someone knows here.

There was a small folded pamphlet of TurboGear that included the gym bag, watches, mugs, wallets, etc.

Over the years, I keep losing track of the scans, but Joe Redifer posted a nice scan years ago.

It is fun to see that stuff now. When I was a kid, I spent every cent on the games and considered $$$ spent on a T-shirt to be blasphemy.

Now, however, I wish I had some of the items.

gatsu25 · 08/22/2016, 09:21 AM

Yeah, I have that pamphlet. I had just never seen most of the items for sale on there for real. I suppose all of them were produced, but there can't be many of them out there. Those turbo wallets are pretty cool too. Got to love the bright orange and green early '90s motif.

NecroPhile · 08/22/2016, 09:33 AM

Neat stuff; thanks for sharing. What's the details on page 3 about the CD+G sampler? I've always assumed they were packed in with all CD add-ons shipped up to a certain date (when they ran out?) but don't recall any definitive answers or alternate ways of snagging one.

gatsu25 · 08/22/2016, 09:41 AM

It says if you have waited to buy a Turbo CD, how is the time to do it. Look for specially marked Turbo CD boxes with a sticker on them for the pack in CD+G disks. It also says they have a "suggested retail value of $19.99". I kind of doubt they sold them separately though. Also, the way it's written suggests that original units didn't come with it.