The Official Turbografx 16 Thread!

[turboxray]

On 6/17/2022 at 12:50 PM, picklechips said:

 

Did anyone ever get around to opening their copy of the Street Fighter 2' hucard?  I was always curious to see exactly what is or isn't under that bump with some visual proof.  Thanks.

 

 

 

I've opened SF2 and the Arcade card pro hucards. I don't have pics anymore, but I'm sure you can find them on the net. There's nothing under the bump in SF2. The PCB is longer, but the bump is for decoration (I mean better than a sticker haha). The Arcade Card pro does have stuff under the bump though. I guess the SF2 bump/shell could support more rom chips, as the SF2 mapper supports up more than 2.5 megabytes of rom - just that it didn't happen.

[turboxray]

On 6/5/2022 at 4:53 PM, Tanooki said:

Is this some PC emulator you're working on?

Mednafen.. but it's a fork for PCE development.

[Tanooki]

Well now you caught my interest a bit, though concerned annoyance too with it being that utterly obnoxious command line based Mednafen.  I've never had a lot of luck using it, and never could find a competent GUI for it that would bring it up to modern usage standards.  Is this fork something more user friendly or still completely bare bones?

[turboxray]

19 hours ago, Tanooki said:

Well now you caught my interest a bit, though concerned annoyance too with it being that utterly obnoxious command line based Mednafen.  I've never had a lot of luck using it, and never could find a competent GUI for it that would bring it up to modern usage standards.  Is this fork something more user friendly or still completely bare bones?

Someone else wrote a front-end years ago. I guess I could write a standalone python frontend for it (gui frontend). But really, you just need a "gui-configurator" for it. Because once you associate ROMs and PCE CD images with it, the emulator loads them - no command line stuff (double click to open). And everything else in the emulator is driven by function keys/regular keys (i.e. F5 to save state, F7 to load state, 0-9 to pick a save/load state slot).

Edited June 20, 2022 by turboxray

[Tanooki]

Yeah I don't mind function keys, I use them for all sorts of fun emulators/games on here or my computer workstation as it's faster than a mouse.  It's just the general start up, config, loading of the rom which gets annoying and I prefer a GUI for.  Same with DOSBox I use D-fend reloaded where I can tweak what I want, setup the right command structure, and click it works.  It just confuses me why a community so large has neglected making basically d-fend reloaded style of GUI that works for this huge emulator that has been around I think 20 years now, seems inexcusably insane to me.

[Tanooki]

I caught this shortly ago and I just had to update this thread.  Someone figured out finally what part is getting blown out on the PCE/CG/TG MINI consoles because Konami was crap at designing the USB side of things where something just off spec will fry the entire set of ports on the console making it into a pretty brick.

 

It's a cheap fix, and a pretty easy one too if you have some decent tools to do a chip replacement, that's it, one chip, a chip that's like a dollar or two in cost.  Pathetic and awesome.

 

 

[electricmastro]

Apparently the TurboGrafx-16 had the first HD game:

 

 

[Zoyous]

6 hours ago, electricmastro said:

Apparently the TurboGrafx-16 had the first HD game:

Interesting! But it looks like at about 00:53 they show that it is running on a PC workstation..?

 

Also, was there an established HD standard in 1993? I'm not sure when they settled on 1920x1080.

[electricmastro]

4 hours ago, Zoyous said:

Interesting! But it looks like at about 00:53 they show that it is running on a PC workstation..?

 

Also, was there an established HD standard in 1993? I'm not sure when they settled on 1920x1080.

 

Yeah, more specifically it was a custom NEC computer with the Turbografx-16. It was designed for Japan's analog HDTV standard called Hi-Vision which used a resolution of 1035i (japanese HD TV format) with a 16:9 widescreen format. The controller input was handled by two NEC PC-Engine CoreGrafx consoles, each handling 5 players via multi-taps. - https://ultimatehistoryvideogames.jimdofree.com/hi-ten-bomberman

 

It's also note quite "full HD", because Hi-Ten Bomberman's resolution is 1920x1035. The first 1920x1080 game was Star Wars Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2, so I think it started to be standardized by then.

 

 

Edited August 13, 2022 by electricmastro

[WIZZARD77]

Has anyone compared the board of the 8bitdo PcEngine controller to the NES N30 Bluetooth board?

I just got the PCE2Bluetooth adapter and I was wondering if I could swap boards to have a nice wireless PCE controller?

[newtmonkey]

I had a sudden urge to play some PC Engine games, as I've burned out a bit playing RPGs on my SFC and MD.  I only keep one or two consoles out at once, so the MD went temporarily back into storage, and out came my trusty old Core Grafx II.  I played a few games but didn't get much of anywhere with them (Final Zone II, Gradius, Gunhed, Gate of Thunder).  Then I played:

 

Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo

I resumed my save, but instead of making progress forward, I decided to explore the alternate route from Stage 1.  The entrance is pretty easy to find since Stage 1 is so short, and from there I went and cleared the next two stages along the alternate route.  What a great game!  I had always preferred Super Castlevania IV to this, but for some reason it just clicked with me today and I had a blast.  I'd like to complete this one this year, I think, and plan on getting through all the stages and finding all the secrets (I've already unlocked Maria).

 

 

[Gentlegamer]

On 9/4/2022 at 10:02 AM, newtmonkey said:

I had a sudden urge to play some PC Engine games, as I've burned out a bit playing RPGs on my SFC and MD.  I only keep one or two consoles out at once, so the MD went temporarily back into storage, and out came my trusty old Core Grafx II.  I played a few games but didn't get much of anywhere with them (Final Zone II, Gradius, Gunhed, Gate of Thunder).  Then I played:

 

Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo

I resumed my save, but instead of making progress forward, I decided to explore the alternate route from Stage 1.  The entrance is pretty easy to find since Stage 1 is so short, and from there I went and cleared the next two stages along the alternate route.  What a great game!  I had always preferred Super Castlevania IV to this, but for some reason it just clicked with me today and I had a blast.  I'd like to complete this one this year, I think, and plan on getting through all the stages and finding all the secrets (I've already unlocked Maria).

 

 

The two best Castlevanias are Castlevania III - Dracula's Curse and Akumajo Dracula X: Chi no Rondo

[newtmonkey]

Ys IV

I've been slowly working my way through this series (I've completed Ys I/II and Ys III already), and decided to finally get started on this one.  So far, it's really good!  The mazes haven't been too difficult so far, and the good old technique of "picking one wall and following it to the end" has got me through without having to map anything at all.  The graphics are actually very impressive in this game, with large sprites, detailed and varied tiles, and even some cool effects... love the lightning strike effect in the sacred area in the woods!

 

---

 

As for general PCE stuff, my UperGrafx has started acting up lately.  I started to get some freezing in-game whenever the "CD" would be accessed, and restarting the console would present me with a bunch of garbage text in the UperGrafx menu (rapidly switching through the pages would eventually resolve the issue).  I am more inclined to believe that the SD card has gone defective, but the thought of having to use that ikaebi application to send all my images back to a new SD card has driven me back to using the Super SD System 3.  I'm no fan of the SSDS3 (mine came from the batch where the worst video issues were resolved, but it still suffers from overdriven audio), but at least troubleshooting will be easier on this.

 

I also got the 2.4g 8bitdo PCE controller in preparation for the USB2PCE adapter that is scheduled to come out in October from ControllerAdapter (https://controlleradapter.com/). I've been using a Brook Super Converter and PS4 controller until now, and though it's fine, it feels weird to be using that controller with so many buttons, etc. just to play PCE games.  I've heard that you can also get the 2.4g 8bitdo controller working with a Brook Super Converter and Mayflash MAGIC-NS, so I've ordered a MAGIC-NS to test.

Edited October 5, 2022 by newtmonkey

[Tanooki]

You know I really wasn't sure if I'd have a reason anytime soon to pop in here again unless I got into fiddling with something interesting on my PCE Mini because it's basically unhackable, or due to it's flaky board too unstable to safely attempt it that was about it.

 

But about a week ago or maybe about two now I found a SNES Classic Edition locally for $50, all complete, just none of the packing.  Always wanted a backup to tinker with so I could leave my personal one alone unmolested.  At first I stuffed some SNES games on with hackhi-se and it worked after figuring out the details.  Took a few fails figuring out (since there are no instructions) going about other things.  First and ONLY thing came to mind?  Super PCEntendo Mini.   More than enough space to leave the original SNES library (foldered) and then create 2 more folders one for the full blown PCE+TG library(no overlap, with where applies english translated JP titles), and SuperGrafx set of 5 games as well.  It's very, VERY nice to have access to the library once more since I far more enjoy the card games anyway from largely Japan in the first place.  The SNES controller is butter with it, and X/Y work like turbo buttons for BA(which are 1 and 2.)  Haha... had some fun doing a little Gradius, Parodius, and Super Dodgeball the other day.

 

I leave the Super PCEntendo on my desk since I have a long HDMI cable routed from my computer I pop into the rear, fire that up, spin my chair and good to go.  If I felt the need I do have a 8bitdo PCE wireless controller too.  Those games looked amazing in HDMI on my tv.

[newtmonkey]

On 10/5/2022 at 2:56 PM, newtmonkey said:

I also got the 2.4g 8bitdo PCE controller in preparation for the USB2PCE adapter that is scheduled to come out in October from ControllerAdapter (https://controlleradapter.com/). I've been using a Brook Super Converter and PS4 controller until now, and though it's fine, it feels weird to be using that controller with so many buttons, etc. just to play PCE games.  I've heard that you can also get the 2.4g 8bitdo controller working with a Brook Super Converter and Mayflash MAGIC-NS, so I've ordered a MAGIC-NS to test.

Replying to myself to update this.  I could not get the 8bitdo 2.4g PCE controller to work with the Brook Super Converter and Mayflash MAGIC-NS, on any of the MAGIC-NS modes.  I also updated everything to the latest firmware, but no luck.  Either the guy on Reddit who claimed it was working was lying (not impossible), or some firmware update since a year ago broke compatibility.  Oh well, back to using a PS4 controller with my PCE!

 

---

 

Tengai Makyo: ZIRIA

I decided to resume my game in progress, and before I knew it I had spent 2-3 hours straight on this game.  Something about it is enjoyable, but it's not a great (or even good) game.  It's extremely linear and so basic in every way that it feels like a step down even from Dragon Quest II, never mind Dragon Quest III which was released a year before ZIRIA.  It's also extremely annoying and frustrating in that the enemies always seem to go first in nearly every random encounter.  This not only means that your HPs are getting chipped away constantly, but also combat takes much longer than it should, since you have to wait for the enemies to go first before you even get to select any commands.

 

It's a CD game, but looks like a HuCard game.  Every single town looks the same, every single dungeon uses the same tiles.  It just looks and feels like they made this back in 1987, shelved it for a couple years, and then threw it on CD with a bunch of voice clips once the CD attachment came out.

 

Still, there's something enjoyable about turning my brain off and working my way through this game.  It does have good "dungeons" to explore, though even this bit of exploration is ruined somewhat since there is almost nothing worth finding in any of the treasure chests you come across.  You routinely find equipment sold in towns hours earlier into the game.  What's the point?

[turboxray]

I made some hi-color hi-res slide show demos for the PCE

 

 

 

 

[SlidellMan]

@turboxray Wow, those are impressive. Did you code those in assembly?

 

Anyways, am I the only person here who likes Cho Aniki?

I'm glad that I bought this on the Wii VC. As an added bonus, here's Ai Cho Aniki:

 

[turboxray]

5 hours ago, SlidellMan said:

@turboxray Wow, those are impressive. Did you code those in assembly?

 

They are coded in assembly, but it wasn't necessary. It doesn't take up any cpu resource for the images to show.

[roots.genoa]

7 hours ago, SlidellMan said:

Anyways, am I the only person here who likes Cho Aniki?

Apparently yes but...

[NeonSpaceBeagle]

On 10/5/2022 at 1:56 AM, newtmonkey said:

Ys IV

I've been slowly working my way through this series (I've completed Ys I/II and Ys III already), and decided to finally get started on this one.  So far, it's really good!  The mazes haven't been too difficult so far, and the good old technique of "picking one wall and following it to the end" has got me through without having to map anything at all.  The graphics are actually very impressive in this game, with large sprites, detailed and varied tiles, and even some cool effects... love the lightning strike effect in the sacred area in the woods!

 

---

 

As for general PCE stuff, my UperGrafx has started acting up lately.  I started to get some freezing in-game whenever the "CD" would be accessed, and restarting the console would present me with a bunch of garbage text in the UperGrafx menu (rapidly switching through the pages would eventually resolve the issue).  I am more inclined to believe that the SD card has gone defective, but the thought of having to use that ikaebi application to send all my images back to a new SD card has driven me back to using the Super SD System 3.  I'm no fan of the SSDS3 (mine came from the batch where the worst video issues were resolved, but it still suffers from overdriven audio), but at least troubleshooting will be easier on this.

 

I also got the 2.4g 8bitdo PCE controller in preparation for the USB2PCE adapter that is scheduled to come out in October from ControllerAdapter (https://controlleradapter.com/). I've been using a Brook Super Converter and PS4 controller until now, and though it's fine, it feels weird to be using that controller with so many buttons, etc. just to play PCE games.  I've heard that you can also get the 2.4g 8bitdo controller working with a Brook Super Converter and Mayflash MAGIC-NS, so I've ordered a MAGIC-NS to test.

I didn't know there was a brooks converter for tg16. I just got one for the PS2 and I love being able to use the PS3 (for touch sensitive button games) and ps4 ones.   I would find it weire tho playing tg with those.   

[Sinjinhawke]

Just saw something else of yours @turboxray. This was pretty cool.

 

[+5-11under]

I just noticed a couple of days ago that Hyperkin sells controllers for the TG-16, at a decent price (much lower than typical original controllers on eBay, at least). Finally I will have a controller for my TG-16.

 

[Steven Pendleton]

Decided to finally download the PC Engine core on the Pocket and test some stuff. It is clearly very early in development, and it doesn't support SuperGrafx or CD games, but those are coming.

 

It sure doesn't like the slim screen mode in Tatsujin at all!

[NeonSpaceBeagle]

On 10/25/2022 at 12:57 PM, 5-11under said:

I just noticed a couple of days ago that Hyperkin sells controllers for the TG-16, at a decent price (much lower than typical original controllers on eBay, at least). Finally I will have a controller for my TG-16.

 

Is this the same one that says Old Skool on it ? They look decent looks wise but I was not happy with mine.  

[+5-11under]

18 minutes ago, NeonSpaceBeagle said:

Is this the same one that says Old Skool on it ? They look decent looks wise but I was not happy with mine.  

Specialist Premium Controller:

https://www.hyperkin.com/specialist-premium-controller-for-turbografx-16r-pc-enginetm-hyperkin.html

Mine is still on order, so I haven't had a chance to test it. Mine will just be used for testing, anyway, so for me it will be fine even if it's not great.