The original 1987 TurboGrafx-16 (and its 1987-Japanese PC Engine sibling) ships with RF as the only built-in video output — an F-connector coaxial jack feeding a TV's antenna input. Composite video and stereo audio require the TurboBooster accessory, which attaches to the 76-pin rear expansion port also used by the TurboGrafx-CD attachment. The North American TG-16 swaps the PC Engine's compact mini-DIN controller jack for a full-size 8-pin DIN, supports one controller out of the box, and uses an external 10.5V DC barrel-jack power brick.
NEC’s 1987 TurboGrafx-16: RF-only video out of the box, with a 76-pin expansion port for the TurboBooster (composite/audio) and TurboGrafx-CD.
Device Information
- Manufacturer
- NEC
- Release Year
- 1987
- Model Number
- PI-TG001 (NA) — equivalent to PC Engine PI-TG001 (JP, 1987)
- Category
- Gaming Console
Source: manufacturer product page · Last updated: · How we verify port data →
Available Ports
| Connector | Quantity | Power (PD) | Capabilities | Label | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF Antenna Input (Coaxial) | 1 | — | — | RF OUT (rear) | F-connector coaxial; the only built-in video output on the stock console. Switchable between channels 3 and 4 via a rear switch. |
| NEC TurboGrafx-16 Controller Port | 1 | — | — | Controller (front) | Full-size 8-pin DIN connector (the Japanese PC Engine uses an 8-pin mini-DIN instead). Stock console has only ONE port — the TurboTap multitap is required for 2–5 players. |
Notes & Compatibility
Year reflects the 1987 Japanese PC Engine launch; the North American TurboGrafx-16 followed in 1989. Only ONE controller port on the stock console — multiplayer requires the TurboTap multitap accessory. Composite video and stereo audio are not built in: the TurboBooster (NA) / AV Booster (JP) sits in the rear 76-pin expansion port to add composite + audio jacks. The TurboGrafx-CD attaches to the same expansion port.
Common questions
How many ports does the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) have?
The NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) has 2 ports in total: 1 × RF Antenna Input (Coaxial) and 1 × NEC TurboGrafx-16 Controller Port.
What kinds of ports does the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) have?
By connector family, the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) has 1 Video (Legacy) and 1 Proprietary.
What video connections does the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) have?
The NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) has 1 port that can carry video: 1 × RF Antenna Input (Coaxial).
Does the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) have HDMI?
No. The NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) has no HDMI port. It does carry video over 1 × RF Antenna Input (Coaxial).
Does the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) have a headphone jack?
No. The NEC TurboGrafx-16 (1987) has no 3.5 mm headphone jack. Its audio connections are 1 × RF Antenna Input (Coaxial).
