Turbo Duo (included games)

Power up your Turbo Duo system with this ultimate compilation of four seminal titles. You’ll blast through waves of enemies in Gate of Thunder, traverse prehistoric landscapes in Bonk’s Adventure and its sequel Bonk’s Revenge, and embark on the legendary quest of Ys: Book I & II—each disc proudly displaying the rare Turbo Duo logo that collectors crave. As an extra treat, the Gate of Thunder disc hides the classic arcade mayhem of Bomberman, transforming a single disc into a treasure trove of nostalgia.

To sweeten the deal, every bundle also includes one of three TurboChip cartridge classics: delve into labyrinthine dungeons in Dungeon Explorer, hone your skills in the fast-paced swordplay of Ninja Spirit, or hit the gas for arcade racing in Final Lap Twin. No matter which bonus title you receive, this collection brings unparalleled diversity and replay value to any retro gaming shelf.

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Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Turbo Duo collection offers an eclectic mix of gameplay styles, ranging from fast-paced shoot ’em ups to side-scrolling platformers and action RPGs. Gate of Thunder immediately hooks you with its frenetic vertical-scrolling action, rewarding quick reflexes and strategic weapon upgrades. Bonk’s Adventure and Bonk’s Revenge provide a contrasting, more leisurely stomping experience, where you chomp enemies and use a variety of headbutt attacks to navigate colorful stages.

Ys: Book I & II shifts gears again, immersing you in an early action RPG format that emphasizes exploration, item collection, and real-time combat. The dual-disc presentation on the Turbo Duo version enhances loading times and audio fidelity, making every dungeon delve feel more polished. Meanwhile, the hidden Bomberman on the Gate of Thunder disc adds a surprising multiplayer component, reminding players of the console’s party-game potential.

Rounding out the package, the included TurboChip game—be it Dungeon Explorer’s cooperative hack-and-slash, Ninja Spirit’s ruthless challenge, or Final Lap Twin’s top-down racing thrills—ensures that no two bundles play exactly alike. These cartridge titles run seamlessly alongside the CD-based games, demonstrating the hardware’s versatility and ensuring hours of varied gameplay without switching consoles.

Graphics

From a visual standpoint, Gate of Thunder sets a high bar with its detailed sprite work and parallax backgrounds that zip by in convincing three-dimensional layers. The vibrant bosses and particle effects remain impressive even by modern retro standards, showcasing why this title often headlines Turbo Duo promotions. The smooth animation and color palette pop on CRTs and modern upscalers alike.

Bonk’s Adventure and Bonk’s Revenge trade dazzling effects for chunky, cartoon-like character designs. The prehistoric landscapes are rendered in bright, cheerful hues, with expressive enemy animations that give each level a distinct personality. The platforming backgrounds are varied—jungles, caves, and ice realms—providing visual diversity across both games.

Ys: Book I & II benefits greatly from CD-based music tracks, but its graphics hold their own too. Character sprites are slightly more detailed than their cartridge predecessors, and the larger boss designs fill the screen with imposing stature. While not as flashy as Gate of Thunder, the RPG’s environments—hamlets, dungeons, and overworld—feature polished tile work, inviting players to linger and explore.

Story

While not all titles in the Turbo Duo collection are narrative-driven, those that are weave compelling yet concise tales. Gate of Thunder throws you into an interstellar rebellion, tasking pilots Gradd and Lancer with thwarting an evil empire. The plot unfolds through brief cutscenes between levels, providing context without slowing down the breakneck pace.

Bonk’s series keeps the storytelling minimal but charming: a caveman hero must rescue his girlfriend from the clutches of anthropomorphic tyrants. The lighthearted premise allows for imaginative stage designs and comedic boss encounters. Although there’s little character development, the games’ whimsical presentation makes each rescue mission feel rewarding.

Ys: Book I & II offers the deepest narrative experience here. As red-haired adventurer Adol Christin, you explore the land of Esteria, uncovering the mysteries of ancient Ys and battling demonic forces. The dual-book structure divides the story into two distinct arcs—one focusing on dungeon rescues, the other on confronting the Dark Lord. Despite dated dialogue, the overarching mythos and character motivations remain engaging, especially for fans of classic JRPG lore.

Overall Experience

The Turbo Duo collection stands as a compelling value proposition for retro enthusiasts and newcomers alike. With its four primary CD-based games—Gate of Thunder, Bonk’s Adventure, Bonk’s Revenge, and Ys: Book I & II—plus the surprise inclusion of Bomberman and a rotating TurboChip cartridge, the bundle delivers a broad palate of genres and mechanics. You’ll find shoot ’em up purists, platformer fans, and RPG explorers all catered to within a single package.

Load times on the Turbo Duo are minimal, thanks to its enhanced CD drive, and audio quality soars above its TurboGrafx-16 predecessor. The mix of polished sprite work, memorable soundtracks, and diverse gameplay loops means you can pick and choose experiences depending on your mood. Multiplayer fun courtesy of Bomberman and Dungeon Explorer or split-screen racing in Final Lap Twin only deepen the console’s appeal for group gatherings.

Whether you’re revisiting these classics or discovering them for the first time, Turbo Duo’s included games showcase the console’s strengths: robust library support, impressive multimedia capabilities, and timeless design philosophies. While the lack of modern bells and whistles may feel antiquated to some, the sheer variety and quality of titles here make this collection a must-own for anyone interested in the golden age of late-80s/early-90s console gaming.

Retro Replay Score

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