When you think of retro consoles, the NES and Genesis usually hog the spotlight. But for fans of high-speed action, the TurboGrafx-16 is the real MVP. Although it didn't win the '90s console wars, it gained a cult following for its impressive library of "shmups" (shoot-'em-ups).
The Table of Contents
Here are 10 shooters that show this underdog console is a powerhouse.
From perfect arcade ports to stunning exclusives, they still impress today, lets go back to where great shoot'em ups started!
Seirei Senshi Spriggan
Developed by Compile (the masters behind the Aleste series), Spriggan is all about experimentation. It features one of the most flexible weapon systems ever put on a 16-bit chip.
- Why I Like It: You collect color-coded orbs, but here’s the twist: you can carry three at a time. The combination of colors determines your weapon type. If you get bored with your current setup, you can "jettison" an orb to trigger a screen-clearing bomb, then grab a new color to switch your playstyle on the fly.
- My take Today: Now let's get into some shmups that the TurboGrafx is known for. This game isn't the most played title since it was on the TurboGrafx CD. If you're playing a TurboGrafx CD console today, I'd imagine you've had it fixed recently. This game has all the same feel as Space MegaForce on the Super Nintendo.
Soldier Blade
If you want to show someone what the TurboGrafx-16 is capable of, pop in Soldier Blade. It’s a technical marvel. The graphics are razor-sharp, the music is top-tier, and despite how much is happening on screen, there is zero slowdown.
- Why it’s great: It's much more accessible than R-Type. The difficulty is fair, and the power-up system is intuitive. You can stack three orbs of the same color to max out a weapon or use those orbs as tactical bombs. It’s a system exclusive that feels like a lost arcade classic.
- Why I Like It: To me, Soldier Blade is the perfect example of "flying by the seat of your pants." The action is intense. With great weapon upgrades and many gun options, you make split-second decisions all the time. Along with Blazing Lazers, the TurboGrafx-16 ranks as my second-favorite retro home console. Below is some of my Soldier Blade gameplay.
- My take Today: Gosh, this game hasn't missed a beat since the '90s. The game is still solid and kicks ass even today. The fast pace of this vertical shooter is fantastic. The weapon upgrades are solid, and the game gives you no shortage of upgrades. This game costs quite a bit for an authentic copy - it's one of the pricier TurboGrafx games.
Blazing Lazers
Believe it or not, this game draws inspiration from a Japanese giant-robot movie called Gunhed. While the movie was a flop, the game is a masterpiece. It’s often cited as one of the best "bang for your buck"
shooters on the system.
- Why I Like It: It’s the ultimate "power trip" game. You get four main weapons and four secondary tools, allowing for massive screen-filling attacks. It’s one of the few shmups that lets you adjust your ship's speed with a button. This is key for dodging tight bullet patterns.
- My take Today: this is another vertical shooter that has stood the test of time. The upgrades are fantastic, and the speed is still just as fast. The "fly by the seat of your pants" factor is very present in this game. The soundtrack fits the game perfectly - it's not too loud or distracting.
Gate of Thunder
As a showcase for the TurboGrafx-CD add-on, Gate of Thunder proved that CD-ROMs weren't for long loading screens. The character designs are pretty typical. But the Redbook audio soundtrack? It's a heavy metal masterpiece. It matches the frantic pace exactly.
- Why I Like It: It rewards strategy over mindless shooting. You can toggle between three weapon types without delay, adjusting your loadout for specific enemy waves. It has tough "satellite" pods that you can aim backward. They can be lifesavers in tough boss battles. Read up on what GameSpot had to say about this bad boy.
- My take Today: Another top title that you need a TurboGrafx CD attachment or a Turbo Duo console to play. This game is a fast-paced side-scrolling shooter. What I really like about this game is when you get side ship upgrades, the side ships can fire directly backwards. That's a great addition because in shooters, you've got enemies flying at you from all directions.
Lords of Thunder
A spiritual successor to Gate of Thunder, this game swaps the spaceship for a samurai-inspired mech and a dark fantasy setting. The presentation is outstanding. It showcases amazing 16-bit animations and energetic power metal music, both of which are among the best made for the system.
Why I Like It: Unlike most shmups, you don't find power-ups mid-level. Instead, you collect jewels to shop for upgrades between stages. This adds a level of
planning, giving you the ability to customize your build to tackle the game’s great difficulty.
Air Zonk
While the Bonk’s Adventure platformers never quite reached Mario-level fame, the spin-off Air Zonk is a certified classic. It’s full of strange enemies and bright, layered backgrounds.
- Why I Like It: It’s pure, wacky fun. You’re joined by "friends" like a robotic cow or a mummy who act as your secondary turrets. The art style offers a nice change from the "grim space" theme.
- My take Today: Another goofy-named game from the TurboGrafx. In this game, you don't have a spaceship - you're flying around with a little character that reminds me of Bonk. As I've mentioned before, side-scrolling shooters aren't my favorite, but the TurboGrafx did these games right and added the fluidity to make them fast and enjoyable.
Forgotten Worlds
Capcom’s port of Forgotten Worlds puts you in a jetpack rather than a cockpit. It's known for its unique "aiming" system. In the arcade, players used a dial, but the developers adapted it for the TurboGrafx controller.
- Why I Like It: It’s an omnidirectional shooter, meaning you can rotate your character to fire in any direction while moving. Though the controls take time to master, hovering and sweeping the screen with fire brings a high level of enjoyment. You can also visit shops to buy gear, keeping the progression feeling fresh.
- My take Today: You might remember this game was also on the Sega Genesis. The game is unique - it's another fast-paced side-scrolling shooter, but instead of a basic ship, you're flying around as a guy. Reminds me of Bill, the guy in blue pants from Contra on the NES. I'll give it to these developers - they made some corny-looking end bosses in these games.
Magical Chase
If you’re tired of exploding spaceships, Magical Chase offers a "cute 'em up" alternative. You play as Ripple, a young witch on a broomstick, flying through a world that looks like a storybook come to life.
- Why I Like It: It uses a "star" system where two magical familiars orbit your witch. You can lock their position to fire in specific directions, which is vital for clearing enemies behind you. It’s a bit more forgiving than R-Type, making it a perfect entry point for newcomers. Note: The North American HuCard is one of the rarest and most expensive titles for the system today. Moby Games shares a unique perspective on this odd game.
- My take Today: Man, this game has really gone up in price over the years. It's always been rare by collector's standards. Today, it's one of the most expensive TurboGrafx games you can buy. Would I pay thousands for a loose copy of this game?
- No, so I played this title through emulation. As you'd expect from a TurboGrafx game, it's goofy. Your character is a witch flying around the screen, but with all the cool upgrades you'd expect.
R-Type
R-Type is a legend in the arcade world, but while the NES version got more attention, the TurboGrafx-16 port is the one you actually want to play. It’s almost a 1:1 match for the original arcade cabinet, with only tiny
graphical tweaks separating the two.
- Why it’s great: Its difficulty is well-known, requiring you to memorize layouts and dodge walls along with bullets. The star of the show is the Force Pod. This robotic drone can dock to the front or back of your ship. It acts as a shield, or you can launch it onto the screen. When launched, it serves as a secondary turret.
- My take Today: Much brighter colors than the SNES version. The game truly has that vintage arcade feel. This is a side-scrolling shooter that isn't about flying everywhere and blasting away. This game takes patience.
- You need to follow the level design and make decisions about how to attack enemies. Sometimes you don't have room to destroy all the enemies on screen, so a little patience helps. You wait for the best time to attack. Certainly a different strategy you need for this shmup.
Gradius
Most people grew up with Gradius on the NES, but the TurboGrafx version actually improves on the arcade original. It features a higher-quality remixed soundtrack and an exclusive "lost" level that wasn't in the arcade version. Many collectors consider this the best way to play the game, period.
- Why it’s great: The "Power Meter" system was ahead of its time. Instead of random drops, you collect orbs to move a cursor across six upgrade slots (speed, missile, laser, etc.). You decide exactly when to activate an upgrade, giving the game a degree of strategy that most shooters lack.
- My take Today: Not much new to say about this game that I haven't said already in my best SNES shmups article. It's a classic shmup that was widely played in arcades and on home consoles in the '80s and early '90s.
Other Fun Games
I couldn’t play the TurboGrafx without adding a couple more shmups I really enjoy. There are probably even more I could mention, but I don’t want to ramble.
Cyber Core & My take Today:
- This isn't one of the most talked-about shooters on this console, but I really enjoyed playing it. It's goofy as you'd expect - in this game, you fly around as what looks to be a moth-style ship. This is a top-down shooter that's fast. It just seems to be all about killing bugs and some super weird-looking end bosses.
Side Arms & My take Today:
- This is up there as one of my favorite side-scrolling shooters. I love the fast pace and the ability to move all over the screen. But what stands out during gameplay is the ability to control your ship and shoot backwards. I like that I can shoot forward and in a second turn my character and fire backwards. In this game, you don't have a spaceship - you're flying around in a robotic suit. Side Arms is one of the most affordable shmups on the console.
The Retro Wrap-Up
The TurboGrafx-16 was the ultimate "underdog" of the 16-bit era, but for shmup fans, it was the gold standard. If you want the precision of R-Type or the wild chaos of Lords of Thunder, these ten games are the best in the genre.
- Other Retro Shmups: Old-school shoot ’em ups are among our favorite genres. We have a couple of other articles covering the best NES Shmups and, of course, the best SNES Shoot’em Ups.
