Speaking of rare PC Engine hardware, what happened to this monitor?

Did you know that the folks at NEC announced both the PC Engine DUO and the PC Engine LT (the laptop-esque portable mentioned in this post) at the Tokyo Game Show in 1991? Well, they did.

At the same show, NEC also displayed a four-inch, clamshell monitor that could be attached to the aforementioned DUO to turn it into what the writers at TurboPlay magazine called "the ultimate portable machine."

In this article (from the August/September 1991 issue of TurboPlay), it's suggested that this sexy little monitor (above) had been released two years prior with a price tag of approximately $600. That assertion seems questionable to me, as that would mean it was released in 1989--the PC Engine's second year on the market.

So, I have a question for any fellow PC Engine fans out there who may come across this post: Was this monitor really released in Japan in 1989, or was it released alongside the DUO and the LT?

Regardless, it's a rather fascinating peripheral--especially given its release date--isn't it?

A little PC Engine LT love

At least once a year, I become a wee bit obsessed with the PC Engine LT.

I've wanted one of these sexy, laptop-esque portables ever since I saw a photo of one in an old issue of either Diehard GameFan or Electronic Gaming Monthly (or maybe it was Super Gaming, an EGM spin-off) magazine as a youngster, but I've never bought one because they're so darn expensive.

That hasn't kept me from dreaming about the day I throw caution--and my credit card--to the wind and purchase one, though. Until that day arrives, I'll waste my time reading blog posts about and watching YouTube videos of NEC's little gray wonder.

Speaking of the latter, the following video--produced by YouTube user futurematt5--is helping me get through my most recent phase of PC Engine LT obsession. (I wonder if that'll be considered a diagnosable and treatable disorder when the DSM-5 is published in 2013?)



Here's part two of the video, by the way, and here's (actually, go here and here) a series of videos in which futurematt5 attaches the PC Engine LT to the Super CD-ROM2 peripheral. Oh, and here's a fabulously porn-ish video that features "high-quality footage and close-ups" of the system.

Anyway, here's to hoping that next year at this time I'll be posting my own photos and videos of the portable system that futurematt5 says is the gaming world's equivalent of an eccentric uncle.

Note: This post originally appeared on my PC Engine-focused blog, iwasateenagepcenginefan.wordpress.com.

Super Studly Mario Bros. 2

Admittedly, the illustration below isn't even half as hot as the photo splashed across the cover of the soon-to-be-released issue of MUTO Manifesto magazine that was highlighted in my previous "Super Studly Mario Bros." post.

Still, there's a certain, strange appeal to Angela Zavala's cheeky, Super Mario Bros.-inspired drawing, isn't there? (To see more of Zavala's creations, check out her deviantART gallery.)

Finally, a portable Space Channel 5 player!

Space Channel 5 isn't the only game I'd play on a portable Dreamcast; I'd also play ChuChu Rocket!, Jet Grind Radio and Shenmue, among others.

Of course, that would require both the existence and purchase of such a system.

Surprisingly, the former point of contention is about to be taken care of thanks to ... some company that isn't Sega. Said company's portable Dreamcast (below) will be sold via pachimon.tv beginning next month. The system's price tag: ¥38,000 (about $470).

As much as I'd love to play Space Channel 5 and ChuChu Rocket! during my next flight or road trip, I think I'll hang on to my hard-earned money and play games on my DS instead.

(Via andriasang.com)

Move over, Marilyn

Have you ever looked at Princess Peach and thought, "hmmm, she really reminds me of Marilyn Monroe"? I can't say I have, either.

I'll certainly be thinking that from now on, though, thanks to the following piece of pixelated art--title: "The Seven Year Peach"--which was created by London-based designer and illustrator Aled Lewis (aka fatheed).

To see more of Lewis' stuff, check out his Flickr photostream, his tumblog (Aled Knows Best) or his website.

See also: 'This one's for the ladies' and 'Size doesn't matter if you can perfect the Rising Dragon Punch'