Pre-launch TG-16 AD: cover art and HuCARD different than final retail version

esteban · 02/07/2015, 08:09 PM

HELP ME: I'm still working on this page (duh!). So, you can help me. What were the first North American HuCARD's that started putting unique fonts (and then, later, cover art) on the actual HuCARD? I think this was the progression...

(1) TEXT on SOLID BACKGROUND COLOR. The distinctive "TG-16 FONT" was used on all packaging/HuCARD's....resulting in a VERY UNIFORM LOOK across entire library...

(2) Unique font/logos used on packaging/HuCARD's

(3) Full-color cover art on HuCARD

ORIGINAL POST:

So, the wordy title says it all. LEGENDARY AXE + VICTORY RUN mock-ups used in the ad.

I started this a few years ago, but I am glad I found it and continued working on it (Anthony1's recent thread reminded me, so thank him):

https://archives.tg-16.com/EGM_1989_07.htm#mock_up_versus_actual_product

(scroll to top of page to see the original 4-page ad)

https://archives.tg-16.com/turbo_play_0007.htm#mock_up_versus_actual_ICFTD

DeshDildo · 02/07/2015, 09:57 PM

Cool stuff here. Thanks for sharing!

cjameslv · 02/07/2015, 10:00 PM

Damn the mock-ups were so much nicer!

Psycho Punch · 02/07/2015, 10:10 PM

More evidence supporting the launch-trio theory? The other two games below Victory Run are japanese (the NEC AV and Hudson Soft logos!), the only games appearing on the ad are Victory Run, Legendary Axe and Keith Courage (with mock up art instead of the real deal). Pointing the obvious but if the early ads only had these games to show off, that could mean something maybe?

Gentlegamer · 02/07/2015, 10:13 PM

I think the detectives have figured out that the literal launch games were only Keith Courage (pack in), Victory Run, and Legendary Axe.

Evidence strongly suggests that everything else was available at retail after those three games.

cjameslv · 02/07/2015, 10:21 PM

Well there was a mention of china warrior on that ad

Psycho Punch · 02/07/2015, 11:00 PM

Quote from: cjameslv on 02/07/2015, 10:21 PMWell there was a mention of china warrior on that ad

You're right.

esteban · 02/08/2015, 04:53 AM

Quote from: guest on 02/07/2015, 10:10 PMMore evidence supporting the launch-trio theory? The other two games below Victory Run are japanese (the NEC AV and Hudson Soft logos!), the only games appearing on the ad are Victory Run, Legendary Axe and Keith Courage (with mock up art instead of the real deal). Pointing the obvious but if the early ads only had these games to show off, that could mean something maybe?

And don't forget, VIGILANTE and ALIEN CRUSH are in the main advertisement!

VIGILANTE is given center-stage, but we see two big "shards" of ALIEN CRUSH.

Who can figure out the two PCE games underneath the mock-up of Victory Run?

10 points each.

EDIT: I identified both of them. BUT YOU CAN STILL QUIZ YOURSELF. Go to the website for the answers.

CrackTiger · 02/08/2015, 09:55 AM

Quote from: esteban on 02/08/2015, 04:53 AMWho can figure out the two PCE games underneath the mock-up of Victory Run?

10 points each.

EDIT: I identified both of them. BUT YOU CAN STILL QUIZ YOURSELF. Go to the website for the answers.

Just by glancing: An early launch'ish licensed Turbo game and an RPG that wasn't brought over here.

esteban · 02/08/2015, 10:52 AM

Quote from: guest on 02/08/2015, 09:55 AM
Quote from: esteban on 02/08/2015, 04:53 AMWho can figure out the two PCE games underneath the mock-up of Victory Run?

10 points each.

EDIT: I identified both of them. BUT YOU CAN STILL QUIZ YOURSELF. Go to the website for the answers.
Just by glancing: An early launch'ish licensed Turbo game and an RPG that wasn't brought over here.

20 points because I know you got both of them.

Hey, for the RPG, do you know the title of the original art by Mr. Swissler? I remember trying to find the exact name, but never succeeding.

Also, my new challenge for you (everybody!):

(1) Was BLOODY WOLF the first HuCARD to feature unique fonts instead of the "original TG-16 font"? I used TIGER ROAD below because the colors complemented Legendary Axe.

(2) Was LEGENDARY AXE II the first HuCARD to feature full-color reproduction of coverart?

SuperGrafx · 02/08/2015, 05:38 PM

Quote from: esteban on 02/08/2015, 04:53 AM
Quote from: guest on 02/07/2015, 10:10 PMMore evidence supporting the launch-trio theory? The other two games below Victory Run are japanese (the NEC AV and Hudson Soft logos!), the only games appearing on the ad are Victory Run, Legendary Axe and Keith Courage (with mock up art instead of the real deal). Pointing the obvious but if the early ads only had these games to show off, that could mean something maybe?
And don't forget, VIGILANTE and ALIEN CRUSH are in the main advertisement!

VIGILANTE is given center-stage, but we see two big "shards" of ALIEN CRUSH.

Who can figure out the two PCE games underneath the mock-up of Victory Run?

10 points each.

EDIT: I identified both of them. BUT YOU CAN STILL QUIZ YOURSELF. Go to the website for the answers.

I think Fantasy Zone was one of the games underneath the Victory Run mockup

esteban · 02/09/2015, 04:25 PM

QuoteI think Fantasy Zone was one of the games underneath the Victory Run mockup

10 points awarded!

The other one is much harder unless you are a PCE GURU (like myself).

Psycho Punch · 02/09/2015, 10:17 PM

NECROMANCER?

esteban · 02/10/2015, 01:33 AM

Quote from: guest on 02/09/2015, 10:17 PMNECROMANCER?

10 points!

jelloslug · 02/10/2015, 03:09 PM

Victory Run and The Legendary Axe have significantly different boxes than the rest of the orange label titles.

esteban · 02/10/2015, 03:37 PM

Quote from: guest on 02/10/2015, 03:09 PMVictory Run and The Legendary Axe have significantly different boxes than the rest of the orange label titles.

Proof that they were designed first, before the others.

However, it is not proof that they were available at launch, sadly.

Any hiccup in production could have delayed a game.

DAMN.

I still think it is valuable to identify the games that were designed (if not released) in different "waves" ... the design changes might follow the product numbers, for example.

Again, this doesn't guarantee actual release dates, but it is interesting to see what NEC was planning.

esteban · 03/06/2015, 08:59 PM

I FOUND ANOTHER ONE

https://archives.tg-16.com/turbo_play_0007.htm#mock_up_versus_actual_ICFTD
(I love finding stuff like this...this needs to be linked to the HuCARD mock-ups for Victory Run and Legendary Axe)...

henrycsc · 03/07/2015, 09:55 PM

Regarding your sequencing, Bomberman actually had a logo with bomb on it, and bomberman 93 was just the cover font (though since it does not have the TurboGrafx logo, you could argue that 93 is the full art version.)

And any idea why there is a Black and a Red Champions Forever Boxing?

henrycsc · 03/07/2015, 11:16 PM

VG&CE July 1989 lists
"At press time NEC was planning to establish the TurboGrafx-16 with at least 10 titles..."
Keith Courage (identified as pack-in)
Alien Crush
Kato & Ken (not yet named JJ & Jeff - ended up getting a 1990 copyright)
Legendary Axe
Power Golf (had not finalized which golf games, other "choices" never released in US)
World Class Baseball (selected over World Stadium)
R-Type (not confirmed if it would be on a single hucard)
Victory Run
Vigilante

By part numbering:
Here's the game list sorted by part number.
I assume Boxyboy had a part number error? TGX020031 perhaps? Any thoughts.
JJ & Jeff, Deep Blue are copyright 1990, so is certainly not launch titles.

Titles in bold should have been around for the Turbo's first Christmas

Boxyboy   TGX010031
Keith Courage in Alpha Zones   TGX020001
Victory Run   TGX020002
Legendary Axe   TGX020003
Alien Crush   TGX020005
World Class Baseball   TGX020007
China Warrior   TGX020008
Deep Blue   TGX020012
Moto Roader   TGX020013
JJ & Jeff   TGX020014
Dragon Spirit   TGX020016
Fantasy Zone   TGX020017
Galaga '90   TGX020018
World Court Tennis   TGX020019
Pac-Land   TGX020021
Takin' It to the Hoop   TGX020026
Cratermaze   TGX020027
King of Casino   TGX020033
Timeball   TGX020034
Chew-Man-Fu   TGX020035
Double Dungeons   TGX020036
Dragon's Curse   TGX020039
Psychosis   TGX020040
Drop-Off   TGX020042
Super Volleyball   TGX020043
Legendary Axe II   TGX020048
Bomberman   TGX020053
Vigilante   TGX030004
Dungeon Explorer   TGX030006
Power Golf   TGX030009
Blazing Lazers   TGX030010
Military Madness   TGX030015
Final Lap Twin   TGX030020
Bonk's Adventure   TGX030028
Neutopia   TGX030029
Cyber Core   TGX030030
Devil's Crush   TGX030038
Tiger Road   TGX030044
Veigues Tactical Gladiator   TGX030045
TV Sports Football   TGX030046
Battle Royale   TGX030049
Ballistix   TGX030059
TV Sports Hockey   TGX030064
Hit The Ice   TGX030095
Chase HQ   TGX030096
R Type   TGX040011
Ordyne   TGX040022
Space Harrier   TGX040025
Bloody Wolf   TGX040037
Splatterhouse   TGX040041
Bravoman   TGX040047
Ninja Spirit   TGX040050
Aero Blasters   TGX040051
Super Star Soldier   TGX040052
Yo Bro   TGX040054
TV Sports Basketball   TGX040055
TaleSpin   TGX040056
Bonk's Revenge   TGX040058
Gunboat   TGX040060
Davis Cup Tennis   TGX040061
Impossamole   TGX040062
Silent Debuggers   TGX040063
Darkwing Duck   TGX040066
Falcon   TGX040067
Andre Panza Kick Boxing   TGX040068
Night Creatures   TGX040069
Order of the Griffon   TGX040072
Ghost Manor   TGX040076
Champions Forever Boxing   TGX040077
Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu   TGX040079
New Adventure Island   TGX040080
Dead Moon   TGX040081
Soldier Blade   TGX040082
Legend of Hero Tonma   TGX040083
Air Zonk   TGX040084
Samurai Ghost   TGX040085
Magical Chase   TGX040086
Shockman   TGX040087
Somer Assault   TGX040089
Time Cruise   TGX040090
World Sports Competition   TGX040092
Bomberman '93   TGX040093
Raiden   TGX060075
Neutopia 2   TGX060078
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure   TGX080097

System Cards:
Turbografx CD System 2.0 Card   79799733
Super System Card Ver. 3.0   HES-SSC-01

Third Party Titles:
Klax   TTGX20001
Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf Chip   ATGX02JTT
Turrican   ATGX04TUT
Sonic Spike Volleyball   ITGX10001
Tricky Kick   ITGX10004
Sinistron   ITGX10007
Side Arms   RTGX10001
Parasol Stars   TWG030701
Cadash   TWG040501

LostFlunky · 03/08/2015, 12:00 PM

Just looking at the list - is it possible the fourth character is the rom size on the first party titles?

esteban · 03/08/2015, 01:34 PM

Quote from: Lost Monkey on 03/08/2015, 12:00 PMJust looking at the list - is it possible the fourth character is the rom size on the first party titles?

Ahhhhh, I like this!

There is a list at mindrec.com...the old TurboList files...where all the HuCARD's are listed with ROM size...

Just glancing at the list, which confirms your suggestion:
R-TYPE = 4
Raiden = 6

Hahhhahhaha. Hardly conclusive, but I think you are on to something...

FURTHER:

Was Neutopia 2 really 6 Mb?
And I don't think Bonk 3 HuCARD was 8Mb...

But maybe TTi just started getting sloppy...

NECRO, time to compare the lists!

LostFlunky · 03/08/2015, 02:33 PM

The roms of Neutopia II, Raiden and Bonk III are all 8Mb.

I checked a few of the "3"'s on the list and they were all 384K (3Mb).

Whether there is dummy data in there (Raiden, Neutopia 2), I don't know...

LostFlunky · 03/08/2015, 03:14 PM

Follow-up: The Raiden box states 6Mb as a feature.

esteban · 03/08/2015, 03:20 PM

Quote from: Lost Monkey on 03/08/2015, 02:33 PMThe roms of Neutopia II, Raiden and Bonk III are all 8Mb.

I checked a few of the "3"'s on the list and they were all 384K (3Mb).

Whether there is dummy data in there (Raiden, Neutopia 2), I don't know...

Yeah, the ROM dumps are not necessarily "honest" representations of the actual ROM in the HuCARD's (for various reasons the technical gurus can explain).

IIRC, the list at TurboList was not based on ROM dump data, but PCE CD-ROM catalogs/Japanese PCE magazines.

henrycsc · 03/08/2015, 07:19 PM

Here is one more sort by the last 2 digits. If NEC used those two consecutively, then it might have been commitment order. The numbers are not a clean transfer to the TTI releases, notice that titles like Darkwing and Falcon have earlier numbers than Raiden and Night Creatures

Keith Courage in Alpha Zones   TGX020001 (NEC)
Victory Run   TGX020002 (NEC)
Legendary Axe   TGX020003 (NEC)
Vigilante   TGX030004 (NEC)
Alien Crush   TGX020005 (NEC)
Dungeon Explorer   TGX030006 (NEC)
World Class Baseball   TGX020007 (NEC)
China Warrior   TGX020008 (NEC)
Power Golf   TGX030009 (NEC)
Blazing Lazers   TGX030010 (NEC)
R Type   TGX040011 (NEC)
Deep Blue   TGX020012 (NEC)
Moto Roader   TGX020013 (NEC)
JJ & Jeff   TGX020014 (NEC)
Military Madness   TGX030015 (NEC)
Dragon Spirit   TGX020016 (NEC)
Fantasy Zone   TGX020017 (NEC)
Galaga '90   TGX020018 (NEC)
World Court Tennis   TGX020019 (NEC)
Final Lap Twin   TGX030020 (NEC)
Pac-Land   TGX020021 (NEC)
Ordyne   TGX040022 (NEC)
Space Harrier   TGX040025 (NEC)
Takin' It to the Hoop   TGX020026 (NEC)
Cratermaze   TGX020027 (NEC)
Bonk's Adventure   TGX030028 (NEC)
Neutopia   TGX030029 (NEC)
Cyber Core   TGX030030 (NEC)
Boxyboy   TGX010031 (NEC)
King of Casino   TGX020033 (NEC)
Timeball   TGX020034 (NEC)
Chew-Man-Fu   TGX020035 (NEC)
Double Dungeons   TGX020036 (NEC)
Bloody Wolf   TGX040037 (NEC)
Devil's Crush   TGX030038 (NEC)
Dragon's Curse   TGX020039 (NEC)
Psychosis   TGX020040 (NEC)
Splatterhouse   TGX040041 (NEC)
Drop-Off   TGX020042 (NEC)
Super Volleyball   TGX020043 (NEC)
Tiger Road   TGX030044 (NEC)
Veigues Tactical Gladiator   TGX030045 (NEC)
TV Sports Football   TGX030046 (NEC)
Bravoman   TGX040047 (NEC)
Legendary Axe II   TGX020048 (NEC)
Battle Royale   TGX030049 (NEC)
Ninja Spirit   TGX040050 (NEC)
Aero Blasters   TGX040051 (NEC)
Super Star Soldier   TGX040052 (NEC)
Bomberman   TGX020053 (NEC)
Yo Bro   TGX040054 (NEC)
TV Sports Basketball   TGX040055 (NEC)
TaleSpin   TGX040056 (NEC)
Bonk's Revenge   TGX040058 (NEC)
Ballistix   TGX030059 (NEC)
Gunboat   TGX040060 (NEC)
Davis Cup Tennis   TGX040061 (NEC)
Impossamole   TGX040062 (NEC)
Silent Debuggers   TGX040063 (NEC)
TV Sports Hockey   TGX030064 (NEC)
Darkwing Duck   TGX040066 (TTI)
Falcon   TGX040067 (TTI)
Andre Panza Kick Boxing   TGX040068 (NEC)
Night Creatures   TGX040069 (NEC)
Order of the Griffon   TGX040072 (TTI)
Raiden   TGX060075 (NEC)
Ghost Manor   TGX040076 (TTI)
Champions Forever Boxing   TGX040077 (NEC)
Neutopia 2   TGX060078 (TTI)
Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu   TGX040079 (TTI)
New Adventure Island   TGX040080
Dead Moon   TGX040081 (TTI)
Soldier Blade   TGX040082 (TTI)
Legend of Hero Tonma   TGX040083 (TTI)
Air Zonk   TGX040084 (TTI)
Samurai Ghost   TGX040085 (TTI)
Magical Chase   TGX040086 (TTI)
Shockman   TGX040087 (TTI)
Somer Assault   TGX040089 (TTI)
Time Cruise   TGX040090 (TTI)
World Sports Competition   TGX040092 (TTI)
Bomberman '93   TGX040093 (TTI)
Hit The Ice   TGX030095 (TTI)
Chase HQ   TGX030096 (TTI)
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure   TGX080097 (TTI)

NecroPhile · 03/09/2015, 01:01 PM

The It Came From the Desert mock up looks bad. If you're gonna put the text in an arc like that, use the center of the disc.

Quote from: esteban on 03/08/2015, 01:34 PMNECRO, time to compare the lists!

Using the rom sizes from PCECP (presumably the same as the turbolist number), it looks like the fourth digit is indeed the rom size. There's only two outliers, which I'd guess are just database typos:

Boxyboy	TGX010031	1mb
Keith Courage	TGX020001	2mb
Victory Run	TGX020002	2mb
Legendary Axe	TGX020003	2mb
Alien Crush	TGX020005	2mb
World Class Baseball	TGX020007	2mb
China Warrior	TGX020008	2mb
Deep Blue	TGX020012	2mb
Moto Roader	TGX020013	2mb
JJ & Jeff	TGX020014	2mb
Dragon Spirit	TGX020016	2mb
Fantasy Zone	TGX020017	2mb
Galaga '90	TGX020018	2mb
World Court Tennis	TGX020019	2mb
Pac-Land	TGX020021	2mb
Takin' It to the Hoop	TGX020026	2mb
Cratermaze	TGX020027	2mb
King of Casino	TGX020033	2mb
Timeball	TGX020034	1mb	<---
Chew-Man-Fu	TGX020035	2mb
Double Dungeons	TGX020036	2mb
Dragon's Curse	TGX020039	2mb
Psychosis	TGX020040	2mb
Drop-Off	TGX020042	2mb
Super Volleyball	TGX020043	2mb
Legendary Axe II	TGX020048	2mb
Bomberman	TGX020053	2mb
Vigilante	TGX030004	3mb
Dungeon Explorer	TGX030006	3mb
Power Golf	TGX030009	3mb
Blazing Lazers	TGX030010	3mb
Military Madness	TGX030015	3mb
Final Lap Twin	TGX030020	3mb
Bonk's Adventure	TGX030028	3mb
Neutopia	TGX030029	3mb
Cyber Core	TGX030030	3mb
Devil's Crush	TGX030038	3mb
Tiger Road	TGX030044	3mb
Veigues Tactical Gladiator	TGX030045	3mb
TV Sports Football	TGX030046	3mb
Battle Royale	TGX030049	3mb
Ballistix	TGX030059	2mb	<---
TV Sports Hockey	TGX030064	3mb
Hit The Ice	TGX030095	3mb
Chase HQ	TGX030096	3mb
R Type	TGX040011	4mb
Ordyne	TGX040022	4mb
Space Harrier	TGX040025	4mb
Bloody Wolf	TGX040037	4mb
Splatterhouse	TGX040041	4mb
Bravoman	TGX040047	4mb
Ninja Spirit	TGX040050	4mb
Aero Blasters	TGX040051	4mb
Super Star Soldier	TGX040052	4mb
Yo Bro	TGX040054	4mb
TV Sports Basketball	TGX040055	4mb
TaleSpin	TGX040056	4mb
Bonk's Revenge	TGX040058	4mb
Gunboat	TGX040060	4mb
Davis Cup Tennis	TGX040061	4mb
Impossamole	TGX040062	4mb
Silent Debuggers	TGX040063	4mb
Darkwing Duck	TGX040066	4mb
Falcon	TGX040067	4mb
Andre Panza Kick Boxing	TGX040068	4mb
Night Creatures	TGX040069	4mb
Order of the Griffon	TGX040072	4mb
Ghost Manor	TGX040076	4mb
Champions Forever Boxing	TGX040077	4mb
Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu	TGX040079	4mb
New Adventure Island	TGX040080	4mb
Dead Moon	TGX040081	4mb
Soldier Blade	TGX040082	4mb
Legend of Hero Tonma	TGX040083	4mb
Air Zonk	TGX040084	4mb
Samurai Ghost	TGX040085	4mb
Magical Chase	TGX040086	4mb
Shockman	TGX040087	4mb
Somer Assault	TGX040089	4mb
Time Cruise	TGX040090	4mb
World Sports Competition	TGX040092	4mb
Bomberman '93	TGX040093	4mb	<--- ain't it nice how its catalog number matches?
Raiden	TGX060075	6mb
Neutopia 2	TGX060078	6mb
Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure	TGX080097	8mb

For the third party games, it seems some might follow a similar scheme:

Klax	TTGX20001	2mb
Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf Chip	ATGX02JTT	2mb
Parasol Stars	TWG030701	3mb
Cadash	TWG040501	4mb

.... and some not so much:

Turrican	ATGX04TUT	2mb
Sonic Spike Volleyball	ITGX10001	2mb
Tricky Kick	ITGX10004	2mb
Sinistron	ITGX10007	4mb
Side Arms	RTGX10001	2mb

Gentlegamer · 03/09/2015, 03:37 PM

Now that's what I call a mega list!

esteban · 03/09/2015, 09:06 PM

TIMEBALL
BALLISTIX

The metallic balls must have generated electromagnetic disturbances that interfered with the numbering scheme.

THANK YOU NECRO.

THANK

YOU

henrycsc · 03/09/2015, 10:06 PM

Quote from: Gentlegamer on 03/09/2015, 03:37 PMNow that's what I call a mega list!

You mean a Turbo List.... wait, that one was already taken....

spenoza · 03/09/2015, 11:20 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 03/09/2015, 01:01 PMThe It Came From the Desert mock up looks bad. If you're gonna put the text in an arc like that, use the center of the disc.

Maybe it was a mock-up of a planned later mock-up. A mock mock.

Still, better looking than the little-known pirate version It Came from Dessert.

Gentlegamer · 03/10/2015, 12:10 AM

Quote from: henrycsc on 03/09/2015, 10:06 PM
Quote from: Gentlegamer on 03/09/2015, 03:37 PMNow that's what I call a mega list!
You mean a Turbo List.... wait, that one was already taken....

It's a list of mega power! Literally.

NecroPhile · 03/10/2015, 10:08 AM

Quote from: guest on 03/09/2015, 11:20 PMStill, better looking than the little-known pirate version It Came from Dessert.

Is that based on Arruckus, the dessert planet?

LostFlunky · 03/10/2015, 11:11 AM

Quote from: guest on 03/09/2015, 11:20 PMStill, better looking than the little-known pirate version It Came from Dessert.

I used to react to dessert that way...

esteban · 03/10/2015, 04:20 PM

Quote from: guest on 03/10/2015, 10:08 AM
Quote from: guest on 03/09/2015, 11:20 PMStill, better looking than the little-known pirate version It Came from Dessert.
Is that based on Arruckus, the dessert planet?

In Space Quest IV, there is a parody of ICFTD...it is a funny homage.