So, I just bought a Turbo Duo...

[Aggro Sky]

Hey everyone, I've been told by people that watch my videos (over and over again) that I need to buy a PC-Engine. Well, I finally did tonight. A Japanese Turbo Duo to be exact. I am sending it directly to my modder to have it modded for RGB, recapped and a region switch installed. However, I have some questions for you guys as I know next to nothing about the system...

1) What is the cheapest decent SHMUP I can buy on the system? The reason I ask this is I need to send my modder a game to test on it, and I'd prefer it be one that I'd actually want to play.

2) What is the cheapest CD game I can get that isn't horrible? SHMUP or otherwise. I understand that Turbo Duo CD games are expensive... So perhaps least expensive is the best choice of words to use here?

3) Does anyone have experience with Flash Carts for this system? Any recommendations for a good one to use?

4) I understand that you can get burned games to work on the Turbo Duo but that it's touchy. Any suggestions on this topic? Or another way to play CD based games on the Turbo Duo? Is there a flashcart that plays disc images?

5) And of course, I need SHMUP recommendations! Of course, I know there are lots. So maybe a list of the best ones, or even most affordable ones, something like that.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[GSK]

Gate of Thunder would have been my pick for "cheap CD shmup" but it, like every other game, got way more expensive since the last time I checked.

Even so, be sure to grab a copy as it's definitely something you'll dig--it's a sci-fi hori by the people who made Thunder Force 2 & 3 and it's very similar to their previous games. (They made a second game with a heavy metal fantasy theme called Lords of Thunder, check that out as well.)

Burning games is mostly just a case of burning at a slow speed (x8 or lower) and maybe using 74-minute/650MB discs if you're paranoid. Duos can have particular issues with burned discs but if your system's getting recapped and the laser's being aligned/replaced then you should be good.

[Gamer683441]

Congrats on your new purchase. I've been wanting a Pc engine myself but it will have to wait till next year. Anyway enjoy.

[drunkninja24]

The Everdrives are pretty much the flashcart of choice these days for most older systems

https://krikzz.com/store/home/35-turbo- ... e-v24.html

I don't have personal experience with this one, but I do have the Everdrive MD for my Genesis and it works great

[Jeneki]

Also remember that while CD games are region free, the card-based games are not. There are converters to get import cards working, however the are priced silly these days (they were pretty much freebees in the 90s, no joke).

Yes, the Everdrive plays any region card game. No, it does not play CD games.

[Aggro Sky]

Also remember that while CD games are region free, the card-based games are not. There are converters to get import cards working, however the are priced silly these days (they were pretty much freebees in the 90s, no joke).

Yes, the Everdrive plays any region card game. No, it does not play CD games.

This is why I am having a region switch installed

The Everdrives are pretty much the flashcart of choice these days for most older systems

https://krikzz.com/store/home/35-turbo- ... e-v24.html

I don't have personal experience with this one, but I do have the Everdrive MD for my Genesis and it works great

I have an Everdrive for both my SNES and Gens so I guess I will go that route.

Gate of Thunder would have been my pick for "cheap CD shmup" but it, like every other game, got way more expensive since the last time I checked.

Even so, be sure to grab a copy as it's definitely something you'll dig--it's a sci-fi hori by the people who made Thunder Force 2 & 3 and it's very similar to their previous games. (They made a second game with a heavy metal fantasy theme called Lords of Thunder, check that out as well.)

Burning games is mostly just a case of burning at a slow speed (x8 or lower) and maybe using 74-minute/650MB discs if you're paranoid. Duos can have particular issues with burned discs but if your system's getting recapped and the laser's being aligned/replaced then you should be good.

Thanks for the suggestion! I am interested in anything Technosoft did, so I will check that out!

[OmegaFlareX]

This is why I am having a region switch installed

I wouldn't bother with this, since there's a switch on the Turbo ED to match whatever region console you have.

[professor ganson]

That's an awesome purchase, man. There's years and years worth of entertainment to be had shmups-wise, as you likely realize. I've mainly been playing PCE shmups the last year or two, and I feel like I've only touched the surface. Enjoy!

I'll try to list my favorites for the system when I get some spare time.

[Aggro Sky]

This is why I am having a region switch installed

I wouldn't bother with this, since there's a switch on the Turbo ED to match whatever region console you have.

Well, I plan on using real games too, not just the ED. So it's worthy.

[Sumez]

Congrats on your day of infinite happiness!!

The Ys games are quite cheap, and IMO really fun games, with absolutely outstanding CD soundtracks that makes the format worth it. Remember the CD games are all region free.
Other CD games worth getting would be the "of Thunder"-games of course, Spriggan (the vertical one), CD Denjin, Dracula X (BEST game on the system), and hell, get Ai Cho Aniki just for the curiosity!

Typically you'll want action games on HuCard though. I do love the cd-rom add-on, but it's wonky, prone to break, and often has super long loading times. For example I would never recommend getting the CD-ROM version of R-Type even though it's the complete game (HuCard version is split into two different released, except in USA which had the entire game on one HuCard) - the arranged CD soundtrack is pretty cool, but having to wait for the stage to load every time you die is such a pain.

[BIL]

For example I would never recommend getting the CD-ROM version of R-Type even though it's the complete game (HuCard version is split into two different released, except in USA which had the entire game on one HuCard) - the arranged CD soundtrack is pretty cool, but having to wait for the stage to load every time you die is such a pain.

"R-Type Complete" is unfortunately anything but - it's missing the second loop! What the fuuuck!

[Sumez]

I wouldn't know. I don't even score.

[BIL]

Yeah but do you survive 3;

[KyoKusagani1999]

Congratulations on nabbing a console that deserves way more recognition than it received !
Regrettably, prices have skyrocketed for every SHMUP released on the powerhouse,
however, if you shop around, you can sometimes find Image Fight without breaking the bank too much.

If you don't mind frustration and harsh difficulty curves, Image Fight plays
very similarly to R-Type, and I think you'll find overcoming the difficult
road ahead satisfying.

[Sumez]

Yeah but do you survive 3;

In R-Type, surviving IS scoring, isn't it?

[Sumez]

Nexzr is probably the best CD shoot'em up on the console, but good luck finding it [the non-carnival edition] for a humanly approachable price.
Just thought it deserved a mention.

[KyoKusagani1999]

In R-Type, surviving IS scoring, isn't it?

Correct! You don't really need elaborate scoring systems to measure how
good somebody is at a game, and IREM's games are living proof of that.

[BIL]

In R-Type, surviving IS scoring, isn't it?

Oh HELL no, scoring is dying. Repeatedly! At lucrative checkpoints. Then surviving. ;3

Nexzr is probably the best CD shoot'em up on the console, but good luck finding it [the non-carnival edition] for a humanly approachable price.
Just thought it deserved a mention.

I absolutely adore Nexzr - tbh, even if the Special/Summer Carnival '93 version wasn't cheaper, I'd still have chosen it over the regular version. Loss of cutscenes and a rad coverart is more than compensated for by the exclusive caravan modes. Also, even if the cover is plain it completes the Naxat Summer Carnival quartet with Spriggan, Recca and Al's A Dick very nicely.

[KyoKusagani1999]

In R-Type, surviving IS scoring, isn't it?

Oh HELL no, scoring is dying. Repeatedly! At lucrative checkpoints. Then surviving. ;3

Huh. Funny how you can learn new tricks for games years after you've already been through them!
All the more reason for me to look back at R-type one of these days, that was such a good
port back in the day and it still holds its own.

[kennyrh]

I'm really jealous mate because I have been trying to re-purchase a Duo practically since I sold mine in a bout of pennilessness (is that even a word ?) many moons ago. Which model did you get - the grey one ???

I've heard that many Duos have suffered a fault over the years which makes them even more scarce these days in working condition.

However, I'm not a complete mug because when I sold mine I hung on to all my CD shmups so . . .if i were fortunate enough to find one in working condition at a reasonable price i wouldn't have to rob a bank to afford the games.

I recently acquired a normal PC Engine in very nice shape for a very decent price and all properly modified for my PAL UK TV - so I'm taking that as a good omen.

[phase3]

Gunhed and the Star Soldier series are among the more affordable high quality hu-card shooters. Absolutely essential.
Daisenpu is also relatively inexpensive both on CD and hu-card, although many claim it is better represented on the MD.
Override is an excellent game that unfortunately tends to go overlooked, even amongst PC Engine enthusiasts. Can be had pretty cheaply as well.
Also try Cyber Core, Psycho Chaser, Dragon Spirit, and Rabio Lupus Special (If you're into horis). All are Hu-cards, and all can be had for a bargain if you look around.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Be sure to check out Magical Chase in it's original JPN carnation and the uber-rare TTI (Turbo Technologies Incorporated) version of the same name as well. Using a Turbo Everdrive flash cart is the best way to play either version without breaking the bank. Protip: If you scour your local pawn shops, you might get lucky to score such a rare and in loose condition TTI Magical Chase Turbo Chip card for mere pennies on the dollar -- this'd be your best bet without having to spend upwards of in the 3 to 4 figure range for one in super mint condition and complete with original TTI MC cardboard box, instruction manual and the obligatory plastic tray.

What's cool about the TED is that it can be used to upgrade/downgrade the system itself to play the older CD-Rom2 titles if you so desire (the Altered Beast CD-Rom2 game title comes to mind since it requires version 1.0 to boot up/run anyways).

If you do get either the optional NEC Arcade Card Pro or the Arcade Card Duo, it's needed to play the only released Arcade CD-Rom2 shmup known as Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire -- there are other Arcade CD-Rom2 titles available as well but with Sapphire, it's nice to have it in the PCE shmup stash alrighty. If you can get it for about $250.00 USD or thereabouts here on the Trading Section of Shmups.org, that's a pretty reasonable price to pay for one these days.

Another cool Super CD-Rom2 shmup title worth owning/play is, Kiadan 00 with it's cool opening theme song/vocals anime cutscenes and gameplay. I bought it blind back in 2000 and was pleasantly surprised at the overall production values done with it. It's a keeper in my book.

A Tennoekoe Bank Rom-Ram Card (with it's 8,000kb of storage space) is needed to save your precious PCE game saves as the mere 2,000kb on-board a typical PC Engine Duo/Duo-R/Duo-RX/Turbo Duo console won't be enough (as the PCE gaming collection grows and thus the room for game score saving and whatnot ends up getting smaller and smaller down the road). Having several on hand is always a good idea/necessary. The optional NEC "128 Memory Base" add-on has a whopping 128,000kb of storage space but only a certain select Super CD-Rom2 and Arcade CD-rom2 game titles take advantage of it to be of any use -- no PCE shmups utilize it though. The classic PCE shmup of Soldier Blade does use Back-up Ram functionality, so it's cool to see your best scores and even high score initials saved for posterity. How cool is that?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[pegboy]

Be sure to check out Magical Chase in it's original JPN carnation and the uber-rare TTI (Turbo Technologies Incorporated) version of the same name as well. Using a Turbo Everdrive flash cart is the best way to play either version without breaking the bank. Protip: If you scour your local pawn shops, you might get lucky to score such a rare and in loose condition TTI Magical Chase Turbo Chip card for mere pennies on the dollar -- this'd be your best bet without having to spend upwards of in the 3 to 4 figure range for one in super mint condition and complete with original TTI MC cardboard box, instruction manual and the obligatory plastic tray.

What's cool about the TED is that it can be used to upgrade/downgrade the system itself to play the older CD-Rom2 titles if you so desire (the Altered Beast CD-Rom2 game title comes to mind since it requires version 1.0 to boot up/run anyways).

If you do get either the optional NEC Arcade Card Pro or the Arcade Card Duo, it's needed to play the only released Arcade CD-Rom2 shmup known as Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire -- there are other Arcade CD-Rom2 titles available as well but with Sapphire, it's nice to have it in the PCE shmup stash alrighty. If you can get it for about $250.00 USD or thereabouts here on the Trading Section of Shmups.org, that's a pretty reasonable price to pay for one these days.

Another cool Super CD-Rom2 shmup title worth owning/play is, Kiadan 00 with it's cool opening theme song/vocals anime cutscenes and gameplay. I bought it blind back in 2000 and was pleasantly surprised at the overall production values done with it. It's a keeper in my book.

A Tennoekoe Bank Rom-Ram Card (with it's 8,000kb of storage space) is needed to save your precious PCE game saves as the mere 2,000kb on-board a typical PC Engine Duo/Duo-R/Duo-RX/Turbo Duo console won't be enough (as the PCE gaming collection grows and thus the room for game score saving and whatnot ends up getting smaller and smaller down the road). Having several on hand is always a good idea/necessary. The optional NEC "128 Memory Base" add-on has a whopping 128,000kb of storage space but only a certain select Super CD-Rom2 and Arcade CD-rom2 game titles take advantage of it to be of any use -- no PCE shmups utilize it though. The classic PCE shmup of Soldier Blade does use Back-up Ram functionality, so it's cool to see your best scores and even high score initials saved for posterity. How cool is that?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

$250 for Sapphire? Maybe for one of the many fake copies, but no way will you get a real one for that price.

If you want to play the CD games you can just burn discs and play whatever you want.

[Aggro Sky]

Wow! Thank you everyone for the great suggestions! I went with Image Fight to start as I got it for under $20.

As for a CD game, I will probably just go with something cheap so my modder guy can test it and make sure it is working properly. I don't plan on investing in CD games because the format sucks for durability and longevity. I'll just burn what I want to play very likely...

I'm really jealous mate because I have been trying to re-purchase a Duo practically since I sold mine in a bout of pennilessness (is that even a word ?) many moons ago. Which model did you get - the grey one ???

I've heard that many Duos have suffered a fault over the years which makes them even more scarce these days in working condition.

However, I'm not a complete mug because when I sold mine I hung on to all my CD shmups so . . .if i were fortunate enough to find one in working condition at a reasonable price i wouldn't have to rob a bank to afford the games.

I recently acquired a normal PC Engine in very nice shape for a very decent price and all properly modified for my PAL UK TV - so I'm taking that as a good omen.

Yeah mine is the grey model and like I said at the top of the thread, I had it sent straight to my modder for it to be recapped and any issues resolved. So when it makes it's way to me it should be in perfect working order and future proofed, I can hope

[EmperorIng]

In answer to your questions:

1) Decent cheap shmups: Detana Twinbee, Side Arms: HyperDyne, Kyuukyoku Tiger

2) For a cheap CD game that is fun, Super Darius is a good port of the first Darius game, and L-Dis is a nice parody/goofy shooter. For non-shmup action games, the first Valis game on the CD is the only one that can be somewhat positively recommended as a decent (but not great) game; the third and fourth have their moments but are invariably cheap and sloppy, and the second seems like it's a demo or placeholder for a real game (which is Valis II on the Sharp X68000, motherfuckers!). I mean, if you played the Genesis version of Valis 1, you kinda know what you are getting yourself into. Brandish is a neat (and should be fairly inexpensive) Falcom dungeon-crawler that has a low language barrier, but you would need to read up on its less-than-intuitive control set-up.

4) Burning CDs: make sure you use a 650MB CD-R, and burn at a slow speed (I like to do 2X, since I think that is the drive speed of the console). I use ImgBurn and it works just fine.

5) Recommending (aside from above):

HuCard:
Dragon Saber (one of my favorites on the system)
Down Load
Metal Stoker
Mr. Heli

CD:
Gradius II
Cotton (this is what burning CDs is for!)
Image Fight II (see above!)

Nexzr is probably the best CD shoot'em up on the console, but good luck finding it [the non-carnival edition] for a humanly approachable price.
Just thought it deserved a mention.

I only want to bring this up to gloat, but on a fluke I won a Summer Carnival Nexzr on an auction for $35 early this year. I don't think I will ever have that type of luck again.

I encourage you Aggro to check out my topic (linked in my sig) if you are interested in the CD library. While there is definitely a lot of trash there, if you are willing to burn some CDs you can find a number of fun games worth playing.

[Aggro Sky]

In answer to your questions:

1) Decent cheap shmups: Detana Twinbee, Side Arms: HyperDyne, Kyuukyoku Tiger

2) For a cheap CD game that is fun, Super Darius is a good port of the first Darius game, and L-Dis is a nice parody/goofy shooter. For non-shmup action games, the first Valis game on the CD is the only one that can be somewhat positively recommended as a decent (but not great) game; the third and fourth have their moments but are invariably cheap and sloppy, and the second seems like it's a demo or placeholder for a real game (which is Valis II on the Sharp X68000, motherfuckers!). I mean, if you played the Genesis version of Valis 1, you kinda know what you are getting yourself into. Brandish is a neat (and should be fairly inexpensive) Falcom dungeon-crawler that has a low language barrier, but you would need to read up on its less-than-intuitive control set-up.

4) Burning CDs: make sure you use a 650MB CD-R, and burn at a slow speed (I like to do 2X, since I think that is the drive speed of the console). I use ImgBurn and it works just fine.

5) Recommending (aside from above):

HuCard:
Dragon Saber (one of my favorites on the system)
Down Load
Metal Stoker
Mr. Heli

CD:
Gradius II
Cotton (this is what burning CDs is for!)
Image Fight II (see above!)

Nexzr is probably the best CD shoot'em up on the console, but good luck finding it [the non-carnival edition] for a humanly approachable price.
Just thought it deserved a mention.

I only want to bring this up to gloat, but on a fluke I won a Summer Carnival Nexzr on an auction for $35 early this year. I don't think I will ever have that type of luck again.

I encourage you Aggro to check out my topic (linked in my sig) if you are interested in the CD library. While there is definitely a lot of trash there, if you are willing to burn some CDs you can find a number of fun games worth playing.

Thanks for all the info! I have heard about the technique that you have to use to burn the CD games. I will keep that in mind.

Also, I took a look at Side Arms and that looks really cool! Thanks for the recs!

[MintyTheCat]

Yes, a very good move on your part: one of THE Shmup machines to own along with the Saturn I would say.
I have more Shmups on the PCE than any other platform but I can tell you it is a great machine to have - good work.

[Skykid]

In R-Type, surviving IS scoring, isn't it?

Oh HELL no, scoring is dying. Repeatedly! At lucrative checkpoints. Then surviving. ;3

Nexzr is probably the best CD shoot'em up on the console, but good luck finding it [the non-carnival edition] for a humanly approachable price.
Just thought it deserved a mention.

I absolutely adore Nexzr - tbh, even if the Special/Summer Carnival '93 version wasn't cheaper, I'd still have chosen it over the regular version. Loss of cutscenes and a rad coverart is more than compensated for by the exclusive caravan modes. Also, even if the cover is plain it completes the Naxat Summer Carnival quartet with Spriggan, Recca and Al's A Dick very nicely.

Sure, but at the same time Nexzr's cover art is one of the best things ever. Fucking magnificent.

[MintyTheCat]

Yes, I got the Nexzr version instead of the Carnival version just for the artwork - pretty epic art.
I think there are many, many fine examples of good artwork to be found in Shmups.

[Magma Dragoon]

Some CD titles not mentioned: Cho Aniki (worth to see all the crazy stuff), Download 2 (cyberspace Adolf Hitler), Hellfire S, Psychic Storm, Rayxanber III, Spriggan, Star Parodier, Super Air Zonk and Super Darius II