日本電子公司NEC於1987年推出的PC Engine，是具有歷史意義的家用遊戲主機。以其小巧的設計和強大的硬體規格迅速引起廣泛關注。在北美和歐洲市場則以TurboGrafx-16的名義銷售。

採用8位元CPU，但其圖形處理器是16位元，這使得它在當時的遊戲主機市場中具有優勢。主機內部使用的是Hudson Soft開發的HuC6280 CPU，運行頻率為1.79 MHz到7.16 MHz之間。圖形顯示能力上，可以同時顯示482種顏色中的64種，最大解析度為256×240像素。

主要的優點包括其小巧輕便的設計和強大的圖形處理能力，這使得它能夠運行圖像細膩、色彩豐富的遊戲。此外，還引入CD-ROM擴充設備PC Engine CD-ROM²，這大大增加遊戲容量和音質，使遊戲開發者能夠創造更加複雜和富有深度的內容。

然而，主要的缺點是控制器只有兩個按鈕，比起同期的世嘉主機的控制器按鈕數量較少，在遊戲操作上有一定的限制。此外，最初的卡帶設計容量有限，無法完全發揮硬體潛力，直到後來的CD-ROM²才解決這一問題。

知名遊戲有《英雄傳說》（Dragon Slayer）、《天外魔境II：卍MARU》（Far East of Eden II: Manji Maru）、《異形戰機》（R-Type）、《宇宙巡航艦》（Gradius）、《超級星際戰士》（Super Star Soldier）等。

在市場銷售和評價方面，PC Engine在日本市場取得巨大的成功，特別是在1980年代後期到1990年代初期，一度成為銷量領先的遊戲主機。最終銷售超過550萬台，搭配CD-ROM²的組合銷售則超過2百萬台。NEC和Hudson Soft的合作使得PC Engine擁有豐富的遊戲陣容，吸引大量玩家。然而，在北美和歐洲市場，TurboGrafx-16的銷售則不如預期。市場定位不明確以及競爭對手如任天堂的NES和世嘉的Genesis的強大壓力，使其未能取得合理的市占率。

PC Engine的停產原因主要是由於競爭的加劇和技術的快速發展。到1990年代中期，市場開始轉向更高性能的16位元和32位元主機，如SFC/SNES和Sony的PlayStation。NEC未能及時推出具有競爭力的後繼產品來應對市場變化，使得PC Engine逐漸失去市場。此外，之後推出複雜周邊設備和多種不同型號也增加消費者的選擇困難，影響其市場表現。

總結來說，這是一款具有創新和影響力的遊戲主機，以其先進的技術和豐富的遊戲庫在日本市場取得顯著成功。然而，由於市場競爭和技術進步，它最終無法持續其市場地位。儘管如此，PC Engine在遊戲史上的地位依然不可忽視，許多經典遊戲和其創新的設計理念至今仍被玩家們所懷念。

The PC Engine, launched by Japanese electronics company NEC in 1987, is a historically significant home video game console. Its compact design and powerful hardware quickly garnered widespread attention. In North American and European markets, it was sold under the name TurboGrafx-16.

The PC Engine utilized an 8-bit CPU, but its graphics processor was 16-bit, giving it an edge in the video game console market of its time. Internally, it employed the HuC6280 CPU developed by Hudson Soft, with a clock speed ranging from 1.79 MHz to 7.16 MHz. Its graphics capabilities allowed it to display 64 colors simultaneously from a palette of 482, with a maximum resolution of 256×240 pixels.

One of its main advantages was its compact and lightweight design combined with powerful graphics processing capabilities, enabling it to run games with detailed, colorful graphics. Additionally, the introduction of the CD-ROM expansion unit, PC Engine CD-ROM², significantly increased game storage capacity and audio quality, allowing developers to create more complex and in-depth content.

However, the PC Engine had its drawbacks. The controller had only two buttons, which was fewer than contemporaneous Sega consoles, leading to certain limitations in gameplay. Furthermore, the initial cartridge design had limited storage capacity, preventing the full utilization of the hardware's potential until the later release of the CD-ROM².

Notable games for the PC Engine include "Dragon Slayer," "Far East of Eden II: Manji Maru," "R-Type," "Gradius," and "Super Star Soldier," among others.

In terms of market performance and reception, the PC Engine achieved significant success in the Japanese market, particularly from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, becoming the leading console in sales for a period. It ultimately sold over 5.5 million units, with the CD-ROM² combination sales exceeding 2 million units. The collaboration between NEC and Hudson Soft provided the PC Engine with a rich game library, attracting a large player base. However, in North America and Europe, the TurboGrafx-16 did not meet expectations. Unclear market positioning and intense competition from rivals like Nintendo's NES and Sega's Genesis prevented it from securing a substantial market share.

The discontinuation of the PC Engine was primarily due to increasing competition and rapid technological advancements. By the mid-1990s, the market was shifting towards more powerful 16-bit and 32-bit consoles, such as the SNES and Sony's PlayStation. NEC failed to release a competitive successor in time to adapt to market changes, leading to the PC Engine's decline. Additionally, the introduction of complex peripherals and multiple different models confused consumers, negatively affecting its market performance.

In summary, the PC Engine was an innovative and influential game console that achieved significant success in the Japanese market with its advanced technology and extensive game library. However, due to market competition and technological progression, it could not maintain its market position. Despite this, the PC Engine's place in gaming history remains significant, with many classic games and its innovative design still fondly remembered by players.