Got some PC Engine/TurboGrafx 16 questions

[Ace_1]

I'm looking into buying a PC Engine or TurboGrafx 16, but I need some questions to be answered:

 

1-What are the best shoot-em-ups on the system(besides Gradius and R-Type)?

 

2-Is it possible to use a Japanese CD-ROM unit through the American Interface Unit(Turbo CD units are harder to find than PC Engine CD-ROM units)?

 

3-Can you use a PC Engine CoreGrafx with the normal CD unit and a Super System Card(not the Super CD-ROM unit)?

 

4-Is the Super System Card integrated on the PC Engine Duo/Turbo Duo?

 

5-What is the PC Engine CoreGrafx's power rating(with and without a CD unit, I don't want to burn out the power supply because of American power outlets' 120V output instad of Japan's 100V)?

 

I apologie if some questions are stupid or noob-ish, but PLEASE, DON'T FLAME ME OVER THIS.

[bust3dstr8]

1. A shitload here are some: Nexzr, Spriggan, Star Parodier, Gate of Thunder, Winds of Thunder, Super Star Soldier,

Soldier Blade, Gunhed, Chou Aniki, Kaiden 00, Macross 2036, Parodius, PC Denjin, Sylphia, Raiden CD, Kyukyoku Tiger

Salamander, Super Darius II, Tatsujin, Twin Bee, Cotton, Rayxanber III, Hana taka daka

 

2&3&4. Just get a Duo-R, Duo-RX, Core w/ Super CD Rom2 or (SuperGrafx w/ Super CD Rom2 if you want to play the few special games). They all have system 3.0 built in. The newer stuff is more reliable and you dont need to mess with the system card either. I haven't priced systems in a while, these may be cheaper if not close to breifcase stuff, except for the SuperGrafx.

 

5.

CoreGrafx I+II 9V 800mA -

PC Engine Shuttle 9V 800mA -

SuperGrafx 9V 800mA -

PC Engine Duo 10V 1A +

Super CD-ROM2 12V 1A +

DUO-R + RX 9V 1A +

 

+/- is TIP

Edited November 17, 2007 by bust3dstr8

[Ace_1]

I guess it's Duo-R for me. Just need to find a power supply that matches its power rating(just to clarify, tip is the inside of the plug, right?). The SuperGrafx is useless for me, not to mention that I HATE ITS DESIGN. It looks so stupid(pardon my language). Just 2 little questions on the PC Engine Duo-R and RX. What's different between the two besides their controllers? When you turn on the system with no HuCard in the slot, will it automatically boot the Super System Card?

[bust3dstr8]

I guess it's Duo-R for me. Just need to find a power supply that matches its power rating(just to clarify, tip is the inside of the plug, right?

Bingo

 

 

When you turn the machine on with no card, it boots up the 3.0 bios and allows you manage your game data.

A lot of the CD's and some HuCards can use the onboard memory.

 

The difference is just the bundled controller. Most people that have tried both like the Avenue 6 better.

I haven't tried the RX contolller, but I like the Avenue 6 a lot. It's comforatable, well made and has a nice textured

feel.

 

[Ze_ro]

1-What are the best shoot-em-ups on the system(besides Gradius and R-Type)?

Well, here's the North American games I'd recommend:

 

HuCard: Blazing Lazers, Super Star Soldier, Soldier Blade, Aero Blasters, Side Arms, Dragon Spirit, Air Zonk, Raiden, Galaga '90, R-Type, Sinistron, Dead Moon, Magical Chase (good luck getting that one though!).

CD: Gate of Thunder, Lords of Thunder, Cotton, Terraforming

 

Gradius wasn't released in North America, and there are a ton of great shooters that were only released in Japan. Most of them were on CD, so no big problems playing them here.

 

2-Is it possible to use a Japanese CD-ROM unit through the American Interface Unit(Turbo CD units are harder to find than PC Engine CD-ROM units)?

I'm not sure, but my guess would be yes... I wouldn't recommend going that route though. Do North-Am IFU's show up that often without the CD-ROM drive?

 

3-Can you use a PC Engine CoreGrafx with the normal CD unit and a Super System Card(not the Super CD-ROM unit)?

If by "normal CD unit", you mean the North American TGCD, then no. The Japanese and North American systems have different expansion ports. If you were really dedicated, you could probably rewire the port to make it work, but it wouldn't be worth it.

 

If you're talking about the Japanese CD-ROM2 (the white briefcase thing), then yes, it will work fine with that.

 

As for the Super System Card, you can't use North American HuCards with Japanese systems, not even the system cards. Though a Japanese System Card would work (And in fact, I think the Japanese ones are easier to find... Arcade Cards are always on eBay, and they will play SCD games).

 

4-Is the Super System Card integrated on the PC Engine Duo/Turbo Duo?

Yes. Apparently, it's also integrated into the Super CD-ROM2 unit that was released in Japan.

 

The SuperGrafx is useless for me, not to mention that I HATE ITS DESIGN. It looks so stupid(pardon my language).

If it's shooters you're into, then you should know that Aldynes and 1941 are very good shooters for the SGX... plus the Darius games will apparently take advantage of it's capabilities (not sure how much it adds though). I also thought Battle Ace was a fun game, though I seem to be in the minority with that opinion.

 

That said, the SuperGrafx + Super CD-ROM2 combo is a beast of a contraption, and the SuperGrafx + RAU-30 + CD-ROM2 is even worse! What a mess they made with this in Japan...

 

--Zero

[Ace_1]

I don't even want a SuperGrafx. I might be missing out on some good shooters, but I couldn't care less that I miss some(the ones I absolutely CAN'T miss are Gradius and R-Type). I'm also ready to get a PC Engine Duo-R in my house, as I found a power supply(my modem's....) rated DC 9V 1000mA(1 amp) with a positive tip. Just need to buy the system.

Edited November 18, 2007 by Ace_1

[+Psionic]

That said, the SuperGrafx + Super CD-ROM2 combo is a beast of a contraption, and the SuperGrafx + RAU-30 + CD-ROM2 is even worse! What a mess they made with this in Japan...

I don't even want a SuperGrafx.

If the SuperGrafx isn't the worst designed, worst looking system ever, it's in the top two.

[Ze_ro]

I like the look of the SuperGrafx itself, but when combined with a CD... well... yeah.

 

 

--Zero

[Uzumaki]

Turbo CD base unit do show up without CD sometimes because they come apart so easily. Only 1 knob locks the CD in place and that one doesn't lock on well. Given enough time, they'll come apart and becomes forever separated.

 

Also the CD unit by itself can play like oversized CD player.

[so_tough!]

I love Pc engine I have two original white ones, looking to get a cd ad on soon

 

I love this system, man i love megadrive too

[EricDeLee]

I would also recommend the the PCE Duo-R. If you can get one modded... it is well worth it. I love mine. Just a push button on the back allows me to play all of my US HU cards. I've got around 150 or more HU cards right now. I lost track. I have most of the US HU cards and about 80 or so Jp HU cards. I haven't played it as much as I would like, but that's cool. It is still nice to own them.

[bust3dstr8]

Also this is a must own for anyone with a PCE/DUO

 

http://www.tzd.com/details.php?id=493

 

 

 

 

Damn......Eric, you just got that Duo and you have 80 Hu for it already. You must of found some nice lots.

[rjchamp3]

I like the look of the SuperGrafx itself, but when combined with a CD... well... yeah.

 

 

--Zero

 

 

That is one ugly f...... system

[Ace_1]

I sure wouldn't want that as a 9th console(a PC Engine Duo-R looks much better, although I might re-paint the one I buy in black, looks nicer).

[Uzumaki]

A Macintosh serial extension cable will work for TurboDuo. Not if only the extension cord for larger 8 pin DIN were easy to find. The standard controller comes with cord so short you'd almost have to stand next to TG-16 to play em.

[DragonmasterDan]

Also this is a must own for anyone with a PCE/DUO

 

http://www.tzd.com/details.php?id=493

 

 

 

 

Damn......Eric, you just got that Duo and you have 80 Hu for it already. You must of found some nice lots.

 

Well the tap is also a must own strictly because it also extends your controller distance from the system a little bit. Also a word of recommendation, avoid the NEC Avenue 6 button PC Engine pads (the ones designed for Street Fighter) the D-pad is looser than a standard TurboGrafx/Duo/PCE pad and it causes trouble with certain games (some games go into automatic slow motion etc, this is why the 6 button Genesis pad had a mode button)