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Special Criminal Investigation (Japan)

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Special Criminal Investigation: TG16 Racing

Special Criminal Investigation is a driving chase game ported from Taito's arcade hit to the NEC TurboGrafx-16 (known as PC Engine in Japan). This version was released exclusively in Japan, bringing the top-down pursuit action home. It's part of the system's library of arcade conversions, aimed at players who enjoy fast racing and tactical interception. Your goal is straightforward: hop into your sports car, tail a fleeing criminal through city streets, and stop them from escaping. You need to accelerate, steer, and weave around traffic to stay on your target. The game keeps you on your toes with increasingly aggressive opponents and tighter courses. Success often requires well-timed bumps or side-swipes to disable the enemy car. As a Japan-only TurboGrafx-16 title, this game is a neat find for collectors and fans of Taito's vehicular action games. It's not complex, but the pure chase adrenaline holds up well. If you enjoy arcade driving games where precision and speed matter more than plot, this is worth a try. Just don't expect deep simulation - it's all about the chase.

GAME INFO

Platform: NEC TURBOGRAFX-16
Genre: Racing
Publisher: Taito
Developer: Taito
Released: 1989
Region: Japan

How to play Special Criminal Investigation online

Getting Started

When you first load the game, you'll see a title screen entirely in Japanese. Press Start (Enter) to move past it, then select a mode if options appear. The core gameplay is identical: you control your car with the Arrow Keys - up to accelerate, down to brake, left/right to steer. Use the B button (S) to accelerate faster or possibly deploy a special move; the A button (X) may be used for a turbo boost or action depending on the context. Your objective is to chase a specific criminal car marked on screen. Stay close and nudge it or collide repeatedly until it stops. Watch for oncoming traffic and tight corners. The game ends if you let the criminal escape or if your car is damaged too much.

Because this is a Japanese release, menu options are in Japanese, but the game is so simple you can start playing immediately. Practice on the first few stages to get the feel for steering and braking. Keep your speed up but not so fast that you crash into obstacles. If the game has a continue system, you'll likely need to press Start on a game over screen. Enjoy the chase!

CONTROLS

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: I button
S: II button
Enter: Run / Start
V: Select

Special Criminal Investigation FAQ

Which regions was Special Criminal Investigation released in?

The TurboGrafx-16 version was released only in Japan. The arcade original saw a wider worldwide release but this specific port stayed domestic.

Is Special Criminal Investigation exclusive to NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 or did it appear on other systems?

It originally appeared in arcades and later on several home systems including the TurboGrafx-16, Amiga, and others. This particular version is the Japanese TurboGrafx-16 port.

What type of game is Special Criminal Investigation?

It is a top-down driving pursuit game focused on chasing and stopping criminals in a sports car. The action is fast and requires precise driving to ram opponents while avoiding traffic.

All NEC TURBOGRAFX-16 games