Review of Krikzz's Turbo Everdrive flash cart for PCE/TG-16

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Finally nabbed one of those Krikzz's Turbo Everdrive flash cart and have to say that it's quite an impressive piece of hardware indeed. Having got the version with a mini USB port installed + a 4GB micro SDHC card, they'll both come in handy. By using an mini USB to normal USB interface cable, you can upload your own homebrew PCE/TG-16 games and test them out on real hardware.

http://krikzz.com/index.php?route=produ ... duct_id=57

Loading up various PC Engine or TurboGrafx-16 roms is straight foward with the latest firmware revision 1.2 that came pre-installed. It's just a matter of formatting the micro SDHC card to FAT format and making a folder named "Game" to place various PCE game roms in it. The nice thing about uploading your favorite PCE roms is, it doesn't matter if it's in alphabetical order or not as it will still show up as listed in alphabetical order when booted up on-screen on your favorite CRT TV monitor or RGB monitor setup. Just simply choose the PCE rom to play, press the "Run" button, a red LED will light up on the TE PCB (when it finally stops, the game will boot up -- on the average of between about five to ten seconds tops). The largest PCE rom file of Super Street Fighter 2 will take a bit longer to load up due to it's initial 20 megabit size.

The need for a PC Engine Hu-Card convertor or a Kisado convertor isn't necessary and you can play your favorite Japanese PC Engine roms on a TurboGrafx-16 console via sliding the tiny switch from PCE to TG-16 to play them (and vice versa with TG-16 game roms on a PC Engine console setup). Nor is there need to have your PC Engine console region modded either if you use a TE flash card setup.

Trying out some various PC Engine homebrew titles like Chris Covell's Tongueman's Logic (Final 1.0 version circa 2007) is jaw-dropping. With such graphical tricks up the sleeves such as scaling effects, parallax scrolling effects, etc., it's shows what the ol' PCE or TG-16 can do in the hands of a talented programmer.

This TE flash cart setup, imho, is the cheapest way to play the rare TTI Magical Chase game properly on a TG-16 setup without having to pony up a three to four figure chunk of change just to play it. Much better on the real console as opposed to using emulation like Magic Engine on the PC platform.

Even booting up the PCE shmup roms of Gunhed Special Version, Final Soldier Special Version, and Soldier Blade Special Version rare Caravan Hu-Card games work like a charm. No need to spend $200.00+ each just to give 'em a spin on a PCE or TG-16.

Here's another review of the TE flash cart: http://www.assemblergames.com/forums/sh ... ve-English

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Adderall]

great write up!

mine is still in the mail.. on it's way to me

I'm glad it's easy to use and it looks like it supports just about everything!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Yes, it even supports the lower PC Engine CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 firmware revisions such as:

CD-Rom2 System V1.00 (required to play the PCE CD-Rom2 version of Altered Beast + has special Debug mode)
CD-Rom2 System V2.00
CD-Rom2 System V2.10
Super CD-Rom2 System V3.00 (Japan region) -- for PC Engine with CD-Rom2 interface unit to boot-up/play Super CD-Rom2 titles

plus even these listed firmware revisions for the TurboGrafx CD unit interface:

[Bios] TurboGrafx CD System Card v2.0 (USA region) -- boots up those cool CD-Rom2 titles from the get-go
[Bios] TurboGrafx CD System Card v3.0 (USA region) -- needed to run those cool Super CD-Rom2 titles on a TG-16 CD setup anyways

and even support for them Game Express CD-Rom games as well:

Game Express CD Card 1993 (to run those sexy 18+ Only rated Game Express CD-Rom titles)

You'll still need either an Arcade Duo Card if you want to play those slick Arcade CD-Rom2 game titles on a PC Engine Duo/Duo-R/Duo-RX or Turbo Duo setup. Or pick up an Arcade Pro Card if you have a PC Engine with CD-Rom2 interface unit or a TurboGrafx CD setup.

This TE flash cart is certainly worth it's weight in gold due to it's high versatility when downgrading/upgrading to various firmwares on a as-needed-basis to suit your gaming needs.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[undamned]

So getting one of these. Got a pile of crappy looking PCE's I've been meaning to mod/paint/etc. so putting this in at least one of them will be a must
-ud

[lettuce]

Am finally considering getting a PC-Engine now after a few years of sporadically looking on ebay for a pure white one (not yellow) and this card my push me over the edge in getting one! Now all i need to do is wait for a decent one to turn up!

[BuckoA51]

If you have a Supergrafx, you have to use the card without a USB port is that correct? That seems to be what most places are saying. Bit of a shame but I guess I can live with it.

[Fudoh]

I haven't seen anyplace selling the version WITH usb yet. I think all versions shipped so far from krikzz are without the USB port anyway.

[cyborc]

it's in stock at retrogate.com right now. That's where I bought mine. USB is not included but there is an option to add it for $15.

[nem]

Retrogate is krikzz's own store, so you should head there if you need the USB port. However, USB is really more for hobbyist developers and not end users.

[gabe]

Retrogate is krikzz's own store, so you should head there if you need the USB port. However, USB is really more for hobbyist developers and not end users.

And... They currently have it in stock with USB.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

If you have a Supergrafx, you have to use the card without a USB port is that correct? That seems to be what most places are saying. Bit of a shame but I guess I can live with it.

Actually, it's possible to use a Turbo Everdrive cart with USB port installed...just have to do a bit of cosmetic surgery on the ol' Supergrafx's sliding power switch to boot it up properly. Otherwise, a TE cart without a USB port on it would be best on a Supergrafx setup (if you want to leave the power switch stock & pristine as it is). By loading up all SGX roms on a handy micro SDHC card setup, it's a blast to play 'em SGX games.

The mini USB port if you do want one installed, looks great and is professionally soldered on with absolutely no messy soldering joints whatsoever. You won't be dissapointed with this $15.00 upgrade. Color me impressed with this super PCE flash cart setup. It's ace stuff for the hard-core PCE/SGX/TG-16/Duo gamer.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

After doing a bit of investigative research, only one of Game Express' releases makes use of the 3rd-party Game Express Card: the PCE "CD Mahjong Bishojo Tyushinha". So with the TE flash cart setup, it can replicate that particular PC Engine System Card with ease.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

ProTip: if you discover you have some PCE or TG-16 roms that won't boot up on the real hardware and run into a "dreaded black screen senario", follow these simple steps to get them 100% working again.

1.) Boot up the Ootake emulator and load up the particular rom that's not working.

2.) Select it and attempt to boot up with the Ootake program & it'll tell you that it's been shuffled and attempt to fix it. Select the "YES" command prompt box to get it repaired. The fixed PCE rom will be placed inside the Ootake's subfolder labelled "Install".

3.) Simply delete the "unbootable" PCE rom file in question on your micro SDHC card and replace it with the "fixed" PCE rom file that Ootake has placed inside the "Install" folder.

4.) Re-insert the micro SDHC card back into the TE flash card and you're good to go. Easy as pie.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Ed Oscuro]

Probably Ootake has automatic header detection and removal.

Interesting stuff, you make it sound very charming!

[PC Engine Fan X!]

It's my speciality to help others out with their PC Engine/Turbografx-16/Turbo Duo gaming fix.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I've noticed that all the PC Engine based Game Express CD titles that Game Express has published over the years do require the obligatory Game Express CD Card to boot them up, otherwise you'll get the "Disc Error" message when trying to boot 'em up with a regular Super System 3.0, Arcade Card Duo or Arcade Card Pro setup. It's a given alrighty.

Chris Covell's "The Fractual Engine 2" program for the PC Engine (released earlier this year) is quite a novel little program to mess around with. Sure, it'll take a while to generate a single Fractual image but it'll be presented in high-res 512 x 240 format on a PCE or TG-16 console setup. It's even better on a Supergrafx console with the high-res screen presentation end-result + faster rendering time. Plus with slick color cycling capability in either forward or reverse patterns adds to the overall coolness factor. Great as a novel PCE screensaver tech demo to show off to your friends or just to "kill some time" if you're bored.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Fudoh]

Is the PCE Everdrive limited to around ~220 files per folder or is this a problem with the file system of my SD card ?

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Is the PCE Everdrive limited to around ~220 files per folder or is this a problem with the file system of my SD card ?

According to Krikzz, that's the maximum stated number of files to accomodate such PCE roms per folder. Btw, what size micro SDHC card are you using?

Krikzz has mentioned that the Turbo Everdrive flash cart can accept up to an 32GB micro SDHC card easily.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Fudoh]

Just only got my Everdrive today. I'm using a 2GB SD (not SDHC) card. Just noticed the limit, so I'm splitting up the folders now. Eventually I have to go through the files and do some sorting anyway.

The reset button on the card itself is basically the same as switching the PCE off and on again, right ?

[Fudoh]

hmm...

you can play your favorite Japanese PC Engine roms on a TurboGrafx-16 console via sliding the tiny switch from PCE to TG-16 to play them

where is that switch ? I didn't notice one and playing a few japanese and a few US roms already, I obviously didn't need it either (?)

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Just only got my Everdrive today. I'm using a 2GB SD (not SDHC) card. Just noticed the limit, so I'm splitting up the folders now. Eventually I have to go through the files and do some sorting anyway.

The reset button on the card itself is basically the same as switching the PCE off and on again, right ?

I'm currently using a 4GB micro SDHC card setup and have several main folders to dicate which appropiate roms belong in each respective categories to make things a bit tidier and easier to manage:

Games - PC Engine roms
Games - SuperGrafx roms
PC Engine Tennokoe Card
PCE Utility Programs
PCE Graphical Demos
PCE Homebrew games

Yes, pressing the reset button on the TE flash cart simply returns you to the main folder directory rather than having to manually switch off and back on again just to get to the main folder screen prompts.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Fudoh]

edit: ok, found the switch. But that's just for setting your PCE/TG hardware, right ?

PC Engine Tennokoe Card

can you use the Everdrive to copy savegames from/to your interface unit ??

[PC Engine Fan X!]

hmm...

you can play your favorite Japanese PC Engine roms on a TurboGrafx-16 console via sliding the tiny switch from PCE to TG-16 to play them

where is that switch ? I didn't notice one and playing a few japanese and a few US roms already, I obviously didn't need it either (?)

It's a very tiny switch to the upper right-side of the TE flash cart itself. You'll see the tiny PCE and TG-16 wording on the PCB itself. Just simply slide the switch to the respective region (if using an TG-16, in the TG position and if using an PCE console setup, in the PCE position) and you're good to go. Otherwise, you see an all-white screen if booted up in the wrong region selection. So a region modded PCE or TG-16 isn't necessary if using an TE flash setup indeed.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

edit: ok, found the switch. But that's just for setting your PCE/TG hardware, right ?

PC Engine Tennokoe Card

can you use the Everdrive to copy savegames from/to your interface unit ??

It's just to tell the flash cart to boot up to which proper region.

According to Krikzz, his TE flash cart can't save such PCE savegame files (like with a real Tennokoe Card setup as those have a dedicated allocated 2,000 kb storage size). I just use a Tennokoe Card to swap my numerous PCE gamesaves to and from the PC Engine Duo-RX and Turbo Duo consoles.

The other alternative is to use an "Neo PC-E Ultra Flash Cart" with 128 megabit + Save option to save your precious PCE gamesaves with the built-in on-board back-up battery. Works like a charm going that particular route.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Fudoh]

I was just wondering about this particular folder on your SD card. That's ok. I have a bunch of Tennokoes.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I was just wondering about this particular folder on your SD card. That's ok. I have a bunch of Tennokoes.

I just have it there for completeness even if it's really isn't functional on a TE flash cart.

It'd sure be nice if such an dedicated 3rd-party PC Engine Tennokoe Card was made to save gamesaves without the need for a back-up battery nowdays via such removable memory card media. That'd be ace in my book.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

After booting up the PC Engine rom of Sega's After Burner II, it's a slick tech-demo game showcasing sprite scaling, sprite zooming, and super fast framerates (seems to be pushing the arcade-spec of 60fps benchmark or even faster than that). Are all those graphical tricks in the PCE version of AB-II software based and not hardware based?

The cool rotating sprite demo shown in the PCE AB-II game along with the sprite tech demo shown in the PCE Time Cruise II pinball game (aka Time Cruise for the TG-16) sure do show what the PCE was capable in the hands of talented devs.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Ed Oscuro]

After booting up the PC Engine rom of Sega's After Burner II, it's a slick tech-demo game showcasing sprite scaling, sprite zooming, and super fast framerates (seems to be pushing the arcade-spec of 60fps benchmark or even faster than that).

I read this cool PC Engine Fan X!'s review of this After-Burner II, and I got my hair slicked back!

I think there's a tire stripe running down my spine, too! Be wary of those super-fast games utilizing the HuC6280 assembly to its fullest.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Brought back an old hardware thread from the dead...here's a cool PCE musical demo that showcases the ol' PC Engine being able to play MSX and some various arcade chiptunes -- all this done by homebrew PCE wizard, Chris Covell! Here's the link to d/l it to your Turbo Everdrive: https://www.pouet.net/prod.php?which=72039

The "Binary Star" pce.file itself is just a mere 768kb in overall file size but it shows what the ol' PC Engine can do in the hands of a talented homebrew programmer indeed.

Here's a Youtube video of it in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8XydojdsGY and another YT vid of all the songs playing only once: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLmwpvkw-0I

Plus some more cool technical info on how the music conversion was done from MSX to PCE by the programmer himself: http://www.chrismcovell.com/texts/binarystar-tech.html

Enjoy!

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Here's another alternative OS update that does include the following for use with a Krikzz v2.5 Turbo Everdrive flashcart setup (it won't work on the older Turbo Everdrive flash carts with earlier hardware revisions):

Super System Card support for the TurboGrafx CD add-on unit/PCE CD-Rom2 Interface add-on (no need to buy/use the pricey TTI Super System Card 3.0 upgrade anymore)
Backup RAM support
Tennoekoe Bank support
NEC Memory Base 128

Too bad Krikzz didn't include proper Arcade Card support with a firmware upgrade as that was mentioned/promised on Krikzz's site but never implemented.

Youtube video on how to d/l and setup it up on a Micro SDHC card: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmK7Msf0jlw

Source to d/l TEOS v3.01 zipfile: https://github.com/jbrandwood/teos/releases/tag/v3.01

This isn't my github page nor is the YT vid mine as well.

PCE/TG-16 game saves are saved directly to the Micro SDHC card itself for posterity. How cool is that?

This newer Turbo Everdrive OS does give a v2.5 TE memory saving functionality from the get-go nowadays (it would've been nice if this was implemented when the v.2.5 TE was released back in the day). Better later than never, right folks?

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~