Bonk is a video game character from NEC's TurboGrafx-16console. Known in Japan as "PC-Genjin" and as "BC Kid" in PAL territories, Bonk was a mascot for NEC's console. Three games featuring the character appeared on the TurboGrafx-16, as well as two spin-offs featuring Air Zonk. The protagonist is a bald caveman named Bonk who attacks using his comically large head. The "PC" part of his Japanese name stands for "Pithecanthropus Computerurus", a fictitious species name for Bonk. Konami now owns the rights to the Bonk series as a result of its absorption of the series' publisher Hudson Soft in 2012.
Origin
As stated on Hudson Soft's website, in their "The Definitive Bonk" article, Bonk was originally created as a comic character, PC Caveman, in a magazine for the PC Engine. So many people liked the character that there were talks held on giving him a game of his own. In addition to this, many people even mistook him for an upcoming game character even before his game was in development, because the magazine frequently featured comics of upcoming games.
Games
Bonk's Adventure was the first game starring Bonk and was released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1990. A variation of the TG-16 original eventually appeared on the NES with fewer colors and reduced graphic quality. Another variation was released for the Amiga under the name BC Kid. A completely new game, with 2-player co-op, was released for the arcades, while another new game utilizing the same name was released for the Game Boy. A remake of the original was released in Japan many years later on the PlayStation 2 and the GameCube. Bonk's Revenge was released for the TurboGrafx-16 in 1991, while a completely different game using the same name made it to the Game Boy, the TurboGrafx-16 version was re-released for Windows on December 13, 2013 and the Wii U Virtual Console on March 12, 2014 in Japan. was released for the TurboGrafx-16 as 2 versions in 1993: a TurboChip version and a Super CD-ROM version, the latter of which featured an updated redbook audio soundtrack. Super Bonk was the 4th game in the series and was released for the Super NES in 1994. It was the first entry in the Bonk series to not be released for the TurboGrafx-16. Super Bonk was later re-released for Nintendo's Virtual Console in Japan on November 16, 2010, the PAL region on December 10, 2010 and in North America on April 4, 2011. Super Genjin 2 was the 5th and final console game in the series. It was the follow-up to Super Bonk, and was released in 1995 only in Japan on the Super Famicom. was a collection of mini games starring Bonk, released for the Game Boy. Genjin Collection, a collection of the 3 Game Boy titles, was released for the Game Boy. Bonk's Return was released for mobile phones. It features gameplay similar to that of the first two Bonk games. Mekuttepon! , released on iPhone OS on 2008 in Japan, is part of Do the Hudson!!. Same Game , released on iPhone OS on 2008 in Japan, is part of Do the Hudson!!. Meijin o Sagase!! , released on iPhone OS on 2008 in Japan, is part of Do the Hudson!!. Dokka kawatta?, released on iPhone OS on 2008 in Japan, is part of Do the Hudson!!. The TurboGrafx-16 version of Bonk's Adventure was released for the Virtual Console service at its launch on November 21, 2006. Bonk's Revenge was released on April 16, 2007 and Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure was released on September 3, 2007 in the United States.
Unreleased games
Bonk IV: The Role-Playing Game, Ultra Genjin and Bonk 3D were planned for the TurboGrafx-16, Nintendo 64 and Nintendo 3DS respectively, but were never released. Ultra Genjin eventually became Bomberman Hero for the Nintendo 64. A new Bonk game, , had been announced for the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade, and WiiWare. The title would have included cooperative play but it was cancelled.
Other media
Manga
PC Genjin-kun, was a manga that was released on February 1992 to April 1994, and published by Shogakukan and Author Hikawa Hirokazu.
The event of Bonk's Revenge, featuring Bonk, was adapted into a manga featuring the Hudson characters titled Hudson Makyou by Minori Shobo on 1992.
In the 2010 manga titled High-Score Girl, Bonk makes a cameo in the cartridge for the PC Engine.
Regional differences
In Bonk's Adventure, the second power-up stage causes Bonk to grow into a caveman, but in the Japanese versions of the second and third games, he becomes a cavewoman. In the Japanese version of Bonk's Revenge, the ending sequence opens with karaoke-style theme song subtitles. This song was completely absent from foreign releases. Also, the drawing of Bonk during the credits is completely different between both versions.
