Which PC Engine I should target?

[Jojomnia]

I'm really new to this subject (the PC Engine) but really encouraged to get one!!!
I got some advices but I'm still unsure (even I posted my request on the trading station).
It is true that the best choice is the PC Engine Duo R/RX? It is worthy to aim for a supergrafx?

[Fudoh]

Aldynes and Daimakaimura - that's what you get on the SGX. And it's a pain to attach a CD drive to it. Not worth the effort or money in my opinion.

All the standalone CD units (the one with the interface and the standalone Super CD-Rom that goes directly on the back of the PCD) are failing. Duo R/RX is just the safer choice. Replacement lasers are easily available. Doesn't help of course if you're in love with the original PCE design (like I am).

Finding a boxed Duo-R at a decent price isn't easy, but if you check Doujindance's offerings on ebay, you can have a RGB-modded Duo-R with new a laser within a week - and the prices are fair as well.

[ms06fz]

I'm really new to this subject (the PC Engine) but really encouraged to get one!!!
I got some advices but I'm still unsure (even I posted my request on the trading station).
It is true that the best choice is the PC Engine Duo R/RX? It is worthy to aim for a supergrafx?

There's like a half dozen Supergrafx games, I don't think it's worth it personally.

A Duo is a good choice if you want CD games (and I think it's worth going for some kind of CD unit if you're really interested in PCE) - though with any CD unit you have to consider what system card you're getting. The system cards have different amounts of RAM on them, needed for different games. Duos get you compatibility with all but the "Arcade" CDs - and you can add compatibility by getting an Arcade System or Arcade System Duo card.

[alamone]

I relisted my RGB modded PC-Engine on the trading forum.
I can ship to Germany for about $60.

[Jojomnia]

Aldynes and Daimakaimura - that's what you get on the SGX. And it's a pain to attach a CD drive to it. Not worth the effort or money in my opinion.

All the standalone CD units (the one with the interface and the standalone Super CD-Rom that goes directly on the back of the PCD) are failing. Duo R/RX is just the safer choice. Replacement lasers are easily available. Doesn't help of course if you're in love with the original PCE design (like I am).

Finding a boxed Duo-R at a decent price isn't easy, but if you check Doujindance's offerings on ebay, you can have a RGB-modded Duo-R with new a laser within a week - and the prices are fair as well.

Thanks a lot! I'm really into buying that one from Doujindance if I won't find a boxed Duo-R. I've saved up a lot for this trinket. I personally just hate to encourage ridiculous high prices. This would benefit the vicious circle .

There's like a half dozen Supergrafx games, I don't think it's worth it personally.

A Duo is a good choice if you want CD games (and I think it's worth going for some kind of CD unit if you're really interested in PCE) - though with any CD unit you have to consider what system card you're getting. The system cards have different amounts of RAM on them, needed for different games. Duos get you compatibility with all but the "Arcade" CDs - and you can add compatibility by getting an Arcade System or Arcade System Duo card.

Okay! Now after two guys advised me against the Supergrafx(even Aldynes and Daimakaimura are overwhelming great xD) , I'm pretty sure not getting one!If I understand this correctly by adding a Arcade System Duo card I can play everything except the Supergrafx ones? This would be great!
I'm really appreciate for the fast answers!

[muckyfingers]

Correct, with a Arcade System Duo Card and a PC Engine Duo/R/RX you can play all JPN games except Supergrafx games. If you want to play US Hu card games, you will need a region mod on the system. CD games do not have region protection.

[Jojomnia]

Correct, with a Arcade System Duo Card and a PC Engine Duo/R/RX you can play all JPN games except Supergrafx games. If you want to play US Hu card games, you will need a region mod on the system. CD games do not have region protection.

Does it make sense to get a region mod as well? I guess every Game which was published in the US exist as well in JPN, does it? Is it switchless?
Are the prices maybe so different that you really need such a switch to buy some rare games? (Maybe the US games are lower priced than the JPN ones)

[muckyfingers]

Correct, with a Arcade System Duo Card and a PC Engine Duo/R/RX you can play all JPN games except Supergrafx games. If you want to play US Hu card games, you will need a region mod on the system. CD games do not have region protection.

Does it make sense to get a region mod as well? I guess every Game which was published in the US exist as well in JPN, does it? Is it switchless?
Are the prices maybe so different that you really need such a switch to buy some rare games? (Maybe the US games are lower priced than the JPN ones)

The US games are generally more expensive than the JPN counterpart, but they play in English. If that doesn't matter to you, then don't bother with it. The region mod is a physical switch, there is no switch-less version of it. Also you could just buy a Turbo Everdrive and play all the Hu card games be it US or JPN from a micro sd card, you don't need a region mod for it either.

http://shop.retrogate.com/Turbo-EverDrive-TURBO-ED.htm

[mickcris]

Correct, with a Arcade System Duo Card and a PC Engine Duo/R/RX you can play all JPN games except Supergrafx games. If you want to play US Hu card games, you will need a region mod on the system. CD games do not have region protection.

Does it make sense to get a region mod as well? I guess every Game which was published in the US exist as well in JPN, does it? Is it switchless?
Are the prices maybe so different that you really need such a switch to buy some rare games? (Maybe the US games are lower priced than the JPN ones)

If you end up getting one from Dujodance on ebay, it will be region modded as well most likely. I think he does it to all the Duo-R/-RX models he sells. He does not do it to the regular Duos I think though.

[BuckoA51]

Aldynes and Daimakaimura - that's what you get on the SGX. And it's a pain to attach a CD drive to it. Not worth the effort or money in my opinion.

A pain how? It just clips on the back?

[Fudoh]

CD-Rom² > Interface unit > (giant) EXTport-EXTport adapter > SGX in case you want to use a classic CD-Rom² instead of a Super CD-Rom² unit.

[Opethian]

why fool with a IFU setup when you can have "teh hammerhead"

[SuperDeadite]

Meh, just get a LaserActive. Very easy to tap RGB then you get a nice compact system that plays everything but 32X/SGX and only needs one set of cables, plus some awesome LD games as well.

SGX isn't a bad choice as the 4/5 games are great. LA for day to day, and an SGX in the closet for when it's needed is the way to go, unless you really want to play 32X games...

[bobrocks95]

Those things with the appropriate add-ons CAN'T be cheap, can they?

[mickcris]

Those things with the appropriate add-ons CAN'T be cheap, can they?

He may be joking. I dont think the laser active is something that would be called "compact". It also is super expensive with all the add-ons.

[Ed Oscuro]

Laseractive is about the same size as any other LD player, right? About the same size as any classic era equipment cabinet deck.

[BuckoA51]

why fool with a IFU setup when you can have "teh hammerhead"

High five bro Yeah those are the units I have too, though I can sort of see why people would find it "awkward".

[speedlolita]

Those things with the appropriate add-ons CAN'T be cheap, can they?

He may be joking. I dont think the laser active is something that would be called "compact". It also is super expensive with all the add-ons.

A Super CD-ROM2 is nothing to sneeze at! Could buy a Duo R for the price of one of those, from what I've seen.

[McCracAttack]

Uhh, I can't tell if some of these answers are serious or not.

OP, I would also recommend a PC Engine Duo-R from doujindance on eBay. They sell out quickly but just check back frequently (early morning is best) and one will pop up again in short order. Benefits include:

-Cleaned and refurbished.
-Region switch for hu-card games.
-RGB modded

The Duo-Rs were already among the most reliable CD-based PC Engines and doujindance sells them with a good compliment of mods. Start here and if you still have the PC Engine bug you can start hunting down some of the crazier models for fun.

[SuperDeadite]

A LaserActive is large compared to say a standard MD and DUO. But takes up far less space then having both machines out at the same time. Plus you never have to change the chords, just the front slot loading PAC, and it's built buff enough to stack stuff on, I've seen people use them as PVM stands. LAs aren't cheap, but if you get one, do the simple RGB tap mod, you won't regret it.