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Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

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NEC TURBOGRAFX CD Adventure Pub ICOM Simulations Dev ICOM Simulations 1991 USA 1 Player 5 (0) 14

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective on TG-CD

Compiled by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 26, 2026

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective on the NEC TURBOGRAFX CD is a digital adaptation of the classic board game originally published by Sleuth Publications in 1981. This version, released in the early 1990s for the TurboGrafx CD, shifts the detective work to a full-motion video format where you examine clues presented through live-action segments and a case book. It's a unique blend of interactive fiction and puzzle solving that asks you to think like Holmes himself.

Players take on the role of a detective trying to solve a series of crimes in Victorian London. You begin each case by reading a newspaper clipping that sets up the mystery, then you visit various locations to interview suspects and gather evidence. The core loop involves taking notes on key details, making deductions, and then answering a set of questions at the end to see how your reasoning stacks up. There is no action or exploration in the traditional sense; everything is driven by choices presented in a menu-driven interface.

What makes this title worth revisiting today is how faithfully it captures the spirit of deduction from the original board game. The live-action video segments are a product of their time but add a sense of immersion that text-only adventures lack. It's a niche experience even among TurboGrafx CD games, but for fans of Sherlock Holmes or anyone who enjoys a careful puzzle that rewards close reading, it offers a satisfying mental workout. Just be prepared for a slower, more contemplative pace than most retro games.

How to Play Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Online

Getting Started - The game opens with a title screen and then presents you with a selection of cases. Begin by reading the newspaper clipping that appears on screen; this gives the initial setup and a list of people and places connected to the crime. Your goal is to visit these locations to gather testimony and physical clues. Navigate through the menu using the directional controls and confirm your choices with the A button. The core loop involves reading case book entries and watching video interviews, then taking notes on important facts like times, names, and contradictions. At the end of each case you answer a series of multiple choice questions about who did what and why. The game scores your performance based on how many questions you get right and how many unnecessary locations you visited. A new player should focus on watching all the video interviews thoroughly and jotting down dates and relationships. There is no time limit, so take your time. The manual is not needed, but keeping a pencil and paper handy helps.

Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Keyboard Controls

Controls

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Roughly how long does it take to finish Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective?

Each of the six cases takes about one to two hours to solve, depending on how thorough you are. A complete playthrough of all cases usually runs between six and twelve hours.

Does Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective have a multiplayer or co-op mode?

No, this is a single-player experience. The original board game could be played cooperatively, but the TurboGrafx CD adaptation is designed for one person to work through the cases alone.

Is Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective exclusive to NEC TURBOGRAFX CD or did it appear on other systems?

The game appeared on multiple platforms. It was first released on the CD-i and later on the TurboGrafx CD. Versions also exist for DOS and other home computers, and an enhanced edition came out for Windows much later.