Overview
Head first into danger. Bonk was NEC and Hudson’s answer to Mario and Sonic—a prehistoric caveman with an oversized cranium used as his primary weapon. Headbutting enemies, climbing walls with his teeth, and spinning through the air gave Bonk a unique moveset. The series defined the TurboGrafx-16’s identity.
Fast facts
- Developer: Red Company / Hudson.
- Platform mascot: TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine.
- Weapon: Enormous head.
- Japanese name: PC Genjin (PC Caveman).
Combat mechanics
| Attack |
Method |
| Headbutt |
Basic attack |
| Air spin |
Diving headbutt |
| Bonk |
Ground pound |
| Climb |
Bite into walls |
Power-ups (meat)
| State |
Effect |
| Normal |
Standard abilities |
| Small meat |
Slight power increase |
| Big meat |
Angry Bonk (powerful) |
| Two big meats |
Invincible rage |
Wall climbing
| Technique |
Detail |
| Bite walls |
Bonk bites to grip |
| Climb |
Move up surfaces |
| Unique mechanic |
Distinctive traversal |
World design
| Theme |
Prehistoric setting |
| Dinosaurs |
Common enemies |
| Volcanoes |
Environmental hazards |
| Flowers |
Collectibles |
| Princess Za |
Rescue goal |
Series entries
| Title |
Year |
Platform |
| Bonk’s Adventure |
1989 |
PC Engine |
| Bonk’s Revenge |
1991 |
PC Engine |
| Bonk 3 |
1993 |
PC Engine |
| Super Bonk |
1994 |
SNES |
Mascot competition
| Platform |
Mascot |
| Nintendo |
Mario |
| Sega |
Sonic |
| NEC |
Bonk |
| Outcome |
Bonk less successful |
PC Engine significance
| Role |
Importance |
| System seller |
Signature title |
| Identity |
Defined platform |
| Quality |
Well-crafted platformer |
| Limitation |
Platform’s limited reach |
See also