PC Engine Flash Cart

[EricDeLee]

I got my hands into things a bit last night... and was rather impressed with this flash cart. I have a few other things I'd like to try prior to giving a full report... but thus far it seems really good. With that said... HOLD OFF ON BUYING ONE... wait until I do a few more things tonight and post a report.

 

I've only tested 4 games thus far... (on my TG Express)... so I'd like to test out a few other things and see if everything is okay. I'll let you all know. But... thus far... it looks great!

[EricDeLee]

Let me start off by saying this:

 

BUY! BUY! BUY!! BUY!!!!

 

The PC Engine Flash Cart is as good as it gets. I'll be straight and forward with you on the only real flaw that I see: it is a 64M cart. So... you have to watch what games you put on the cart. If you put Street Fighter on there... it will eat up around 20M of the cart. That leaves you only (Quick... I need a math expert) 44M of space left on the cart. (I'm not all that technical.... so I am not really sure what 64M really means as to what 64 MB is.... Someone else will fill us in on that I'm sure).

 

Either way... I really kind of wish it had a little bit more space.

 

The packaging for this item was exceptional! I was impressed. It came in the plastic container that you see on their website. Here's what you get: The PCE Flash Cart, the USB slim reader thingy, and a CD with all of the applications for this product (and others I assume).

 

When you get everything out of the package... insert the PCE Flash cart into the USB Reader thingy. There aren't too many ways it can fit... so just stick the thing in there and plug it into your USB port on your computer.

 

That is the proper way to put the PCE Flash Cart in. Also... notice the label. That is the label I have... and it is really shiny! My pictures are below.

 

Then... pop in the little CD that came with the package... and your computer should say something about finding new hardware. Just go to the folder that has the drivers for the USB Reader thingy. Click on the file and it will load the USB drivers onto your computer. From this point... you can click on the PCE Flash Cart folder (it uses a different name). Then click on the subfolder: PCE Software.

 

It will start up without any troubles...

 

This is what you will see:

 

Now here's all you need to really worry about. Top right hand corner... Where it says get machine status... click on it and make sure it says Connecting Success.

 

After that.... Click the OPEN FILES button. This works exactly like a "Browse Files" button when you are looking for something on your computer. Then go to where ever you store your TG roms. I don't care if they are PCE, or US Released HU Cards... they all work. Click on the ones you want. (you may need to add each one individually). Next step... when you are back to the screen above.... you'll see all of the ones you picked in the bottom portion of the program. Click on the button "WRITE". A pop up will ask what type of system you are using. Most of us here are using the TG-16 Console... or the Express handheld. So of course you'd pick TG-16 as your option. It then writes all of the games so they can play on a TG-16 (US BASED) system. You will still get the Japanese writing and everything... but that is just part of the trade off here. Then just wait it out a bit. Grab a beer or something. It shouldn't take to long.... 5 min at the max (if you are filling the entire card) and you'll be on your way.

 

Now... I've PERSONALLY tested this on a TG-16 Console... and a TG Express. I was a little worried at first because I first tested with my TG Express (I had never played on the home console until recently... so I was learning a few things). The picture appeared rather grainy to me. The ONLY reason I noticed this... is because I was playing Space Invadeers and Galaga '90 on my PSP the same day. On the PSP... it is very very clear. Going from a PSP screen to a Turbo Grafx Express screen... well... let's just say I noticed that technology has really advanced. So... then I tried it on the home console. And I was very pleased. The quality is great. Just trying it out through emulation on the PSP and then trying it out on the home console really just showed me a flaw in the Express' armor. I didn't think it had any flaws.... until I noticed that.

 

Okay... off of my little rant there. When you put the card in... you will get this upon the start:

 

 

Great stuff I tell ya. Push up and down on the directional pad.... and find witch game you want. I think this is a great menu for the PCE Card. It tells you basically how many games you have on the card... and then it tells you the size of the game. Push a button to start that game! It is that easy!

 

Here's a tip. Don't be silly like me. I sat there and tried a few games. Each time I tried to reset the Express with the 'Select' and 'Run' buttons.... it returns to the opening part of the game you selected from the menu. Just as though you had that HU Card in the slot reader. It doesn't recognize the other games on the cart. Don't sit there and turn the Express or TG-16 off and then turn it back on to get to the Menu screen. Push the OBVIOUS BUTTON that is labeled 'RESET'

 

It takes you back to the menu automatically so you can pick a different game. I actually sat there... and said... "Boy... I sure wish this thing had a reset button to take me back to the menu. That would make it really cool so that I don't have to keep turning off the machine"

 

Yes... I'm a dork... but if you can't laugh at yourself... you may as well just give up!

 

 

 

So that is it. You have about all I can give you when it comes to information. I personally think this is an amazing product. I wish it had a little more room... but beyond that it is amazing. Cosmetically... it is the best out there on the market. Aside from the reset button... this looks like a HU Card. I actually placed it in a spare HU Card holder for safe keeping. I may even make a special CD case for it... that way I can keep track of it all.

 

I will more than likely get rid of my PCE carts now. There is really no need to own those unless you just have to have them. In my opinion, this product makes them obsolete. So my convertor... and the carts are going to hit the road. I was thinking about getting rid of the others as well (the US HU CARDS)... but I'll hold off for right now. If they can may one of these that will hold all of the US Releases... I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

I hope a few of you take advantage of this! It is a wonderful cart!

 

Take care....

 

Eric DeLee

[EricDeLee]

My crappy pics.....

 

One is of the reader... and the Flash cart...

 

The other is of my load/menu screen on my TG Express

[EricDeLee]

If any of you others were offended by my email.... just throw it in your delete folder and ignore it. I was simply trying to help out those that were wanting to know about this product and help out fellow atariage members. Go figure.... I can't believe some of the people here. WOW!!!!

Edited September 9, 2006 by EricDeLee

[Tempest]

I think Bruce overreacted in his response to you, but in the future you may not want to mass email everyone about your posting in a thread. There's a watch thread feature that will alert people to new postings in a thread if they want to be notified.

 

Tempest

[Jagasian]

EricDeLee,

 

Thanks for the review. I linked your review from NeoFlash's official forums:

http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,3171.0.html

 

I am personally holding out for the SNES and N64 flash kits. The Genesis kit has been released already, but I will wait to buy it along with the SNES and N64 kits.

[uosipa llamxew]

Thanks for the great info, EricDeLee! I'm extremely interested in getting one of these! :-)

[Shannon]

Interesting.. I\'ll have to seriously consider getting this.

[Spector]

I'd like to add my thanks too - that was an important post, and it looks like I'll be getting one of these soon.

[EricDeLee]

What are your favorite places for ROMS? Mine is no longer working.

[+remowilliams]

Cool, thanks for the info Eric. I think I'm going to pick one up and sell my TotoTek flash card.

[yuppicide]

They're $109 each, which is $1090 for 10 of them. If we get together an order of 10 we could get them for $790, which would save everyone $30 each.

 

Anyway, the site says 64mb to 128mb size. I won't buy one until the larger models come out.

Edited September 10, 2006 by yuppicide

[yuppicide]

You guys were always thinking a Virtual Boy flash cart would be good.. you should go over to the forums and vote on it then, maybe they will make it:

 

http://www.neoflash.com/forum/index.php/topic,2219.0.html

 

I voted for Intellivision and Virtual Boy, but I'd definately like a Sega Master System one.

Edited September 10, 2006 by yuppicide

[bigjoeroy]

They're $109 each, which is $1090 for 10 of them. If we get together an order of 10 we could get them for $790, which would save everyone $30 each.

 

Anyway, the site says 64mb to 128mb size. I won't buy one until the larger models come out.

 

 

I'm really interested in a group buy. Is anyone else?

[scooby105]

I'd be up for a group buy too.

 

 

They're $109 each, which is $1090 for 10 of them. If we get together an order of 10 we could get them for $790, which would save everyone $30 each.

 

Anyway, the site says 64mb to 128mb size. I won't buy one until the larger models come out.

 

 

I'm really interested in a group buy. Is anyone else?

[masschamber]

I'd be in for a group buy as well

[Rockin' Kat]

I'd be in for a group buy as well

 

Me too.

[EricDeLee]

You all will like this product. I wish it was a tad bigger.... but I still like the product... very professional

 

If anyone wants to go in on something else (say the Sega cart) let me know.

[Jagasian]

You all will like this product. I wish it was a tad bigger.... but I still like the product... very professional

 

If anyone wants to go in on something else (say the Sega cart) let me know.

 

I want to go in on a group buy of the Sega Genesis flash cart.

[masschamber]

I should be getting a relatively large amount of extra money soon (2-3 weeks), so if I can atleast 7 other people who are willing to pay $90 (paypal and shipping costs) apiece for the turbo grafx flash cards, I'll put the entire sum of money up front, then those that want them can just pay me when I've got them ready to be shipped

[scooby105]

You all will like this product. I wish it was a tad bigger.... but I still like the product... very professional

 

If anyone wants to go in on something else (say the Sega cart) let me know.

 

 

The Sega cart isn't out yet and the idea of having to buy the Neo2 cart in addition to the Genesis cart for memory is something I'm not a fan of. The Neo2 is a very low quality GBA/NDS cart. If they released their SNES, Genesis, and N64 carts all at once, then maybe I'd be interested. But dropping about $180 for a Genesis flash cart isn't worth it.

 

Anyways, I'm looking to pick up the PCE flash card this week. If anybody wants to do the group buy, shoot me an email at scooby105 AT sbcglobal DOT net or pm me under the same handle at the digital press forums. If we've got 10 people, I'll set something up. Otherwise, I'll just end up picking up the card myself.

 

Edit: I didn't see the post directly above mine. masschamber: if you are picking up a bunch of card soon, let me know. I'll buy one from you.

Edited September 30, 2006 by scooby105

[guitarmas]

I wish there was somesort of cover that goes over the exposed connector while playing it.

[EricDeLee]

I wish they'd make a JAG cart.....

 

(ducks for cover from the anti-piracy Jag fans)

[pepeart]

I need some help, I sent two cards back that were defective and the third one arrived yesterday and its doing the same thing. It freezes when writting the bios,when writting the dummy block or can only do 3 to 4 games. I am running xp and loaded the mini usb drivers correctly. Can some one please help me?