Should I get a Pc Engine/TurboGrafx 16?

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 4:51 am

For a while I've been considering getting a Pc Engine/TG-16... however I just wanted some opinions from people who own one. Are you satisfied with the games it offers? Seems like there are some pretty good shmups for it, as well as some nice action games (PC Genjin/Bonk). I heard the TG-16 emulation on Wii's VC isn't all that great (blurry). Plus, the US wouldn't get Japanese games (most likely). So, you think it's worth it to invest in a PC Engine?

Also, what would be a good price for one? (I'm not interested in the CD UNLESS there are lots of good shmups/action games for that as well).

Thanks in advance.

Also, I was wondering what this was, exactly. Does it play the Hu cards as well as CD's?

ahnslaught · Post by **ahnslaught** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:12 am

I only got a PCE Duo just about a half a year ago or so, and I've been pretty happy with it. For some reason, though, I feel that games for that system are more expensive than games for other systems that I've owned. Who knows, it's probably because I've been mainly attracted to the more famous PCE titles which are quite expensive. Just don't go into it expecting something with totally awesome graphics, modern features, or anything like that; after all, it's almost a 20 year old system now. Just keep that in mind, and you'll see all the system had to offer then, and how fun the games are still to this day.

As for the system itself, I would definitely get one of the Duo models, and not just a PCE/TG-16. There are some great CD games you'll be missing if you just get the base system, like Spriggan, Ys, Gate of Thunder, etc.

I don't know if you tried out the VC games available, but I tried it and looks fine, so if there only a few US TG-16 games you wanted to play, it's not a bad idea to wait to see if it comes for the VC. BTW, I'm just playing on a regular TV, so it looks just the same as it does on the Duo, at least to me.

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:21 am

All right. So I decided I'll probably get one. Now, check this list of games out.

Aero Blasters
DonDokoDon (Taito, Bubble Bobble-ish looking game)
Fantasy Zone
Final Soldier
Galaga '88
Gradius
Gunhed
KikiKaikai
Marchen Maze
Mr. Heli
Ordyne
PC Genjin 1 2 and 3
Valkyrie no Densetsu
Adventure Island (I think that's the title...)
1943
Detana Twinbee
Dragon Saber
HanaTakaDaka
Legend of Hero Tonma
PC Denjin/Air Zonk
Side Arms

Would you agree as that being a good collection of games? And also, what games do you have/recommend?

And that system pictured above DOES play BOTH HuCards and CD's correct? (I found it for 100 bucks, is that a good deal??)

Thanks again. That was a quick response!

EDIT: Almost forgot CD games I found for sale...

CD Denjin (I think it's a "remixed" version of Air Zonk??)
Gate of Thunder

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:21 am

I'd get it, although a few (very few, but still) games on the system were ported better elsewhere (Marchen Maze, Gradius, and Dragon Saber come to mind for their X68k ports, not that this is a draw for most folks). Great little system with the bizzare soundchip! Also, worth it for Ninja Spirit and Dracula X alone, pretty much.

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:52 am

PCE is one of my favorite systems and it features the best old-style Castlevania, Dracula X Rondo of Blood, the sole reason why I bought my first Duo 8 years ago. Of course there are some mighty fine shooters for it, too.

I'd get a Japanese Duo-R or Duo-RX (more expensive), those are the last (newest) models and you can play everything on them (except for US-Hu cards; you'd need a converter for those).

PS.
There are 2 Denjin games, one on CD and one on Hu-Card. The Hu-Card game is better.

PPS.
I wouldn't buy a PC Engine Duo (that's the black one). It seems that many of them (especially US-units) are having sound problems nowadays caused by faulty capacitors on the sound circuit (a problem caused by age).

ahnslaught · Post by **ahnslaught** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:20 am

Ceph makes great points I forgot about; however, that being said, $100 for the system above is a good deal too. You'll just have to buy additional Super System cards to make some CD games work with the system, which may be relatively pricey and tough to find. Here's a link of the different stuff you may want/need: http://pcenginefx.com/main/nec_compatibility_guide.html

Also, I would add Castlevania and Spriggan to your list. Castlevania is already famous; Spriggan is awesome - plays like MUSHA, but with even better music and kind of a medieval fantasy theme. Caravan mode as well!

Strider77 · Post by **Strider77** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 12:19 pm

I'm not interested in the CD UNLESS there are lots of good shmups/action games for that as well

If you don't get a CD unit don't bother at all. The CD unit is 75% of that system. It's a great little system that lasted a long time and pulled off some really great games. Especially when you take into account of when they came out.

I agree with some above statements. Get a Duo R or RX, if not deffinately a super cd card at least if you get that above set. I have a Duo RX but I have to admit I really like those 1st model sets like above. I always thought it was niffty how it had that "hood" and a flip out handle on the bottom to carry around.

ccovell · Post by **ccovell** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 1:46 pm

That system pictured above HAS a Super System Card. Is that what you're getting? If so, it's a great deal. As long as the CD drive works.

All the games in your list are either good or great, so I'm sure you'd have a blast playing them all. "Adventure Island" is Dragon's Curse (Wonder Boy III), so you have a fun quest game. HanaTakaDaka is a fun shmup with extremely vibrant graphics. Yeah, you'll have fun.

There are a lot of good CD shmups, so, just look through the Xenocide files and pick what you like. Star Parodia, Nexzr, Winds/Lords of Thunder, Spriggan, Gate of Thunder, L-Dis, etc etc are all superlative PCE originals that you can't get anywhere else.*

*With the exception of Lords for SegaCD.

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:45 pm

A BIG thanks to everyone who helped me out here! (and to ahnslaught who directed me to that nice, easy-to-understand site)
So, basically, this sucker can play the HuCards, CD ROM2 and Super CD ROM2 (thanks to the 3.0 System Card)!!
I decided I'll go for it. I've wanted one for a while and YES I'll certainly get Ninja Spirit, Spriggan and Dracula X (if I can find a good price...) sometime in the future.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 5:52 pm

For gamingjustin,

I bought one of those USA region Bios version NEC produced Turbo Duo consoles back in November 1994 brand new for a mere $99.99 USD + tax and it was the very last one in stock! I still have it to this very day and it works like a charm without any problems whatsoever...built very solidly by the famous NEC folks in Japan. ^_~

Back in for the entire year of 1994 and into 1995, U.S. retail stores were heavily discounting their Turbo Grafx-16 and Turbo Duo hardware + software to make more space for the competition (Super Nintendo & Sega Genesis). So if you were to walk into a U.S. based Toys-R-Us store back in 1994, one would see a bunch of cheap-ass TG-16 & Duo software in the range of $14.99-$19.99 USD...quite a bargin back in those days.

Even the very last Turbo Duo Hu-Card software title by the name of "Magical Chase" was priced at a paltry $19.99 at TRU stores across the USA back in 1994 -- it is regarded as the very last TTI (Turbo Technologies Incorporated) produced USA Hu-Card based cartridge to be released for the American Turbo Grafx-16/Turbo Duo platforms -- hence, it's very rare and HTF even today -- it commands a hefty secondary video game cartridge collector's ransom for one...$250.00 USD for one with original instruction manual but no original TTI factory cardboard box is the norm these days. ^_~

And even if you get a PC Engine console of any iteration, it would still have to be internally modified to use with the Hu-Card convertor to play those USA region Hu-Cards anyways. But if you go with either a USA NEC produced Turbo Grafx-16 or Turbo Duo, one would only need to pick up a Hu-Card convertor such as the boxy "Mirai" version or the rare Kisado convertor to play those cool Japanese Hu-Card cartridges. Be prepared to pay upwards of $100.00-$200.00+ USD for a either a boxy "Mirai" or the even rarer "Kisado" Hu-Card convertor though... ^_~

The USA based TG-16's CD-Rom2 interface (in conjunction with either a Super System 2.0 or Arcade Card Pro upgrade) can play those cool Japanese CD-Rom2, Super CD-Rom2 or Arcade CD-Rom2 game titles (only if you have the Arcade Pro upgrade is that possible to play the properity based Arcade CD-Rom2 based titles, otherwise, one would only be able to play with just the regular CD-Rom2 or Super CD-Rom2 formats with a Super System Card 2.0 upgrade on a Japanese PC Engine Duo console).

The USA Turbo Duo already comes with Super System Card 3.0 upgrade and will play the earlier mentioned CD-Rom2 + Super CD-Rom2 based game titles in USA or Japanese formats without the need for any convertor needed. (Same goes for the PC Engine Duos as well, they can play those USA based Super CD-Rom2 game titles without any problems). ^_~

One would have to just pick up an Arcade Duo Hu-Card upgrade to play those cool Arcade CD-Rom2 titles like 'Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire' (aka 'Galaxy Space Police Woman Sapphire' in English -- the only shmup title released on that expensive format) on a USA Turbo Duo console.

It's recommended to pick up a NEC produced Tennoekoe Bank Rom-Ram Hu-Card to save your various PCE game saves for posterity as the internal PC Engine Duo/Turbo Duo's memory manager will lose the stored game saves if not powered up regularly (every two weeks or so) because of the internal capacitor's losing it's charge to save the high scores & game save states. Or the other alternative to pick up a PC Engine Duo Memory Base 128 to save your PCE game saves and high scores with double 'AA' batteries to power it up upon powering the Duo console for the night. ^_~

It is recommended that you pick up a solid PCE joystick controller if you plan to spend some serious gameplay time with the many various PCE shmup titles -- an NEC produced TG-16 "Turbo Stick" arcade stick is an excellent controller for the little $$$ you pay down for one.

Or if $$$ is no object with you, then I'd recommend the rare Hori produced "Fighting Stick PC" arcade stick that was produced in extremely limited numbers for the Japanese PC Engine Duo console market in Japan and was priced at a hefty 7,800 yen MSRP back in 1995-1996! It features a solid all-metal joystick base along with a 8-way digital-based Seimitsu arcade joystick and 6-button "fighting style" layout + built-in slow motion capability & two levels of adjustable auto-firing rates (to fine tune to your gaming tastes). It is regarded as one of the best arcade sticks I have ever used for the PC Engine Duo platform (and will even work on a PC Engine console or even the USA Turbo Grafx-16 consoles with a reverse Duo to PCE controller adapter cable) and is a world-class Japanese arcade stick bar none! I, personally, find my PCE shmup titles scores getting higher if I use this particular Hori 'Fighting Stick PC' arcade stick setup... ^_~

Turbo Zone Direct (based in Southern California, Agoura Hills, to be exact) still sells "brand new" USA Turbo Grafx-16 and Turbo Duo software titles + hardware accessories...it's website address is:

http://www.tzd.com

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 6:23 pm

One last question... I'm buying what's pictured above. Since it's the Japanese version, it comes with a 100V Original AC adaptor!! Will this work since I live in the United States (I think we have 110V)?!?! I just realized this about 5 seconds before I ordered everything! I really hope it will work!

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 6:27 pm

gamingjustin wrote:One last question... I'm buying what's pictured above. Since it's the Japanese version, it comes with a 100V Original AC adaptor!! Will this work since I live in the United States (I think we have 110V)?!?! I just realized this about 5 seconds before I ordered everything! I really hope it will work!

For gamingjustin,

Yes, Japanese 100v A/C will work with USA 120v A/C...so there's no need to go to your local Radio Shack store to buy a expensive "Stepdown A/C Convertor" -- save your hard-earned $$$ and use it to buy your favorite PC Engine shmup titles instead..... ^_~

Congrats on your first PCE hardware purchase...you won't regret it. ^_~

If and when you decide to purchase the aforementioned NEC produced "Arcade Card Pro" upgrade to play those cool Arcade CD-Rom2 based game titles, that will be the highest PCE format upgrade that $$$ can buy if you like to play with mostly PCE Arcade CD-Rom2 fighting-based released styled games. And there is the PCE "Strider" Arcade CD-Rom2 game title to look for if that fancies your eye..... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 6:39 pm

OK!! Thanks a bunch! Yeah, this is the first import system I've ever bought so I just wanted to be EXTRA cautious. Man, I can hardly wait to dig in... got about 20 games comin' with it.

PC Engine Fan X! · Post by **PC Engine Fan X!** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 7:43 pm

When I stop to think about it, my NEC Turbo Duo console is over 12 years old now (it's now December 2006) and still shows no signs of any problems whatsoever...could it be good ol' fashioned luck or what? Not a bad deal for a mere hundred bucks...treat it with utmost care and respect and they should last a long time indeed..... ^_~

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

ahnslaught · Post by **ahnslaught** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:09 pm

Holy crap! 20 games? You're one lucky man. BTW, I love the original PCEs like the one that you'll be getting. I always thought it was the best looking console of all time, being so small and sleek, and always wanted to get one for myself just to have one. Well, the Wii came along and destroyed my funds for the near future, but maybe someday...

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 9:53 pm

Thanks! Whew, I sure am glad I got this. And, surprisingly, games seem quite easy to find for cheap prices (most of the time)! I think I'll start concentrating on the Pc Engine for a while. I never knew the system had so many great games.

Ed Oscuro · Post by **Ed Oscuro** » Sat Dec 02, 2006 11:39 pm

I would recommend you DO buy a step-down converter. Stuff will eventually burn out (Japan's stuff runs on ~100v 50Hz current, whereas US current is 120v @ 60Hz, maybe 110v at the end of your extension cord) because of the higher voltage.

Note that one thing you can (and should) do with stuff in general is unplug it if you aren't using it. Stops the item from drawing current ($) and you'll notice that brick transformers cool down after a while.

Ganelon · Post by **Ganelon** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:24 am

But be sure to plug the system in every few months or so so you don't lose your internal memory.

ill6 · Post by **ill6** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:37 am

YES>... Buy a Jap Duo... Job done, end of story.

scrilla4rella · Post by **scrilla4rella** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 2:12 am

Yup, good job on the PCE purchase, definatly one of my fav systems around.

Are those Hori joysticks really that rare? I was at super potato in Akiba about three years ago and they had stacks upon stacks of the sticks in the box, along with stacks of saturn Virtua On controllers for 1000yen each.

-so I bought two of each

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:26 am

Oh, dang... do I REALLY need a step-down converter? I know it's probably not very good for the system/AC adaptor to have extra voltage flowing into it... but, I'd rather not bother with one. However, if purchacing one is HIGHLY recommended, then I guess I'll get one-- I mean, if it's gonna break down in like 2 years then I'd get one for sure to prevent that!!

Gakidou · Post by **Gakidou** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:07 pm

No love for Splatterhouse in this thread? Been thinking for a while about getting a Duo just for that and Dracula X, but maybe that's a silly line of reasoning since I hear the PCE version of Splatterhouse is quite far from arcade perfect. However, I need a home version of that game and I'm not gonna buy a FM Towns. Has anyone played it?

zinger · Post by **zinger** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 1:14 pm

Gakidou wrote:No love for Splatterhouse in this thread? Been thinking for a while about getting a Duo just for that and Dracula X, but maybe that's a silly line of reasoning since I hear the PCE version of Splatterhouse is quite far from arcade perfect. However, I need a home version of that game and I'm not gonna buy a FM Towns. Has anyone played it?

Here's a full play-through of the PCE port. Looks and sounds alright if you ask me, seems like a good purchase if arcade isn't an option. http://youtube.com/watch?v=A5RX_UNIf3Q

Gakidou · Post by **Gakidou** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:01 pm

Thanks zinger! It does indeed look surprisingly good, especially considering PCE isn't even a true 16 bit system. A bit less detail, less colours and worse animations but still quite close to the original.

DC906270 · Post by **DC906270** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 4:24 pm

pce is easily emulatable in magic engine, all hucard games can be found very easily on the net for download. magic engine also emulates cds nigh on perfectly.

the hucard games are pretty average nowadays, the cd games however still hold their own.

spend your money on cd games to play on magic engine. dracula x and sapphire are both worth having.

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 5:14 pm

Speaking of Dracula X... What's a good price for that game? I'm seeing 130 bucks on ebay. I think it's been like that for years, though-- any chance of it going any lower??

(and I take it I don't REALLY need a step-down converter?)

Ceph · Post by **Ceph** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 6:56 pm

gamingjustin wrote:Speaking of Dracula X... What's a good price for that game? I'm seeing 130 bucks on ebay. I think it's been like that for years, though-- any chance of it going any lower??

(and I take it I don't REALLY need a step-down converter?)

No, the price of Dracula X is not going down; it's a matter of supply and demand. The one you were looking at lacks spine and reply card; a complete copy in near mint/mint contition will almost certainly run you USD 150+. Since it's one of the system's best games I'd say it's worth the price of 3 Maddens

About step-down converters: It is possible that using one will lengthen the power supply unit's life. Not sure if it's really necessary but at least it won't hurt. Since I'm in Europe (we got 230 Volts) I have to use one.

gamingjustin · Post by **gamingjustin** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:16 pm

All right. thanks-- man... I hesitate to spend that much money but... guess it's worth it. Anyone else have some CD recommendations?

shmups.system11.org

Should I get a Pc Engine/TurboGrafx 16?

Should I get a Pc Engine/TurboGrafx 16?

PCE Fan X!'s two cents on entering the world of PCE gaming

Japanese 100v A/C will work just fine with USA 120v A/C...

The amazing durability of the NEC Turbo Duo console...