Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Hello I want to get a PC Engine...well, I really want a Supergrafx but man, seems like a lot of extra dough just for me to play 1941, lol. Anyways, is there anything I should know? I honestly know nothing about this system, I've never even owned a Turbografx. I want a PC Engine since the game selection seems to be MUCH bigger. Not big on disc games so I'll probably just go Hucards. They seem to be reasonable if you are not worried about cases/etc (I'm not, loose is fine) Any advice? I took a plunge on Intellivision recently and have been having a blast, figured I would try out a new post crash system also Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seob Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Seems to mee a nice system, but i don't own one and never played one, since they weren't official release in my country. As for loose hucards, you can store them in those basebalcard holders. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Just pick up a coregrafx or coregrafx II and an everdrive. Those 2 models have av out so no need to worry about crappy RF. With an everdrive, you can play all US and JPN games. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nutsy Doodleheimer Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 I don't have a PC engine, but have a Turbo Grafx-16. I do have the emulator of both and all the roms on my modded xbox. I recall Hudson Soft is the developer for the PC engine and NEC for Turbo Grafx. Some of the best games to look for on the system is. The Bonk series. Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge and Bonk 3. If you like platformers. You will be hooked. Fun game, addicting, and great bonus rounds. There is a great Pac-Land and Splatterhouse arcade ports released for both. Blazing Lasers, Galaga 90, and Kato Chan and Ken Chan (J.J. and Jeff in N.A.) is flat out hilarious!!! The controllers are great. The original controllers on the Engine have direction pad, selecr, run, and buttons 1 and 2. For Tg-16 and in '89 for the Engine. They have a switch which increases speed or spin jumps fast or slow, jump higher or shorter, and etc. Hope this helps. :-) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 Just pick up a coregrafx or coregrafx II and an everdrive. Those 2 models have av out so no need to worry about crappy RF. With an everdrive, you can play all US and JPN games. Ah ok, I was wondering why none of the white systems had AV cables with them. I take it the white ones were RF only? Thanks for the tip, I probably would have bought a white one because they seem to be a little cheaper, then realized it doesn't have AV and would be stuck with it (I just can't do RF anymore, even all my pre crash systems are modded now) I don't mind buying the cards, I'm more of a collector really. I like the "hunt" The loose cards all seem to be pretty reasonable, I've never been a big fan of jewel cases anyways 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 As for loose hucards, you can store them in those basebalcard holders. Thats exactly what I was thinking! I have these cool enclosed binders for sports cards that I was about to get rid off but they seem like a perfect fit for the hucards Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 I don't have a PC engine, but have a Turbo Grafx-16. I do have the emulator of both and all the roms on my modded xbox. I recall Hudson Soft is the developer for the PC engine and NEC for Turbo Grafx. Some of the best games to look for on the system is. The Bonk series. Bonk's Adventure, Bonk's Revenge and Bonk 3. If you like platformers. You will be hooked. Fun game, addicting, and great bonus rounds. There is a great Pac-Land and Splatterhouse arcade ports released for both. Blazing Lasers, Galaga 90, and Kato Chan and Ken Chan (J.J. and Jeff in N.A.) is flat out hilarious!!! The controllers are great. The original controllers on the Engine have direction pad, selecr, run, and buttons 1 and 2. For Tg-16 and in '89 for the Engine. They have a switch which increases speed or spin jumps fast or slow, jump higher or shorter, and etc. Hope this helps. :-) I can't remember where, but I played one of the Bonk games and just did not get into it at all, I think as far as major platformers go the mario series set the bar pretty high for me, lol. My main interest is the amount of arcade ports, some of which look fantastic! Almost worth buying a CD unit for Strider, holy schnikes does that version look awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Great choice! Before you choose, the PC-Engine and Turbografx 16 cards are electriaclly incompatible. Tho it's just two lines reversed so a bit of modding or a cheap adapter can do the trick. As mentionned before, the PC Engine white doesn't have composite output. The latter models, Coregrafx, Coregrafx II, Duo, etc... have it. There is no difference between all models in terms of compatibility (except for the Supergrafx of course); except for the Shuttle which have specific add-ons due do it's odd shape. Also in case you grow interested in CD games, there are add-ons to plus on the back of the system; you'll only need a separate "Arcade card" to add for latter games. http://i.imgur.com/Dz5MVkG.jpg There is a memory bank available that plug on the back of the unit, the Tennokoe II. RGB is outputted at the back of the unit, even for the white one, so if you have a RGB compatible monitor and modding skills or you can find a RGB box adapter, you can pick up a white one. It says composite too, but I can't confirm if that's color composite or just B&W composite for syncing the RGB. Many games use only the two buttons. Latter games and fighting games use more, so you might like to seach for an Avenue 3 pad and an Avenue 6 pad. Or a Turbo duo controller. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) Ah ok, I was wondering why none of the white systems had AV cables with them. I take it the white ones were RF only? Thanks for the tip, I probably would have bought a white one because they seem to be a little cheaper, then realized it doesn't have AV and would be stuck with it (I just can't do RF anymore, even all my pre crash systems are modded now) I don't mind buying the cards, I'm more of a collector really. I like the "hunt" The loose cards all seem to be pretty reasonable, I've never been a big fan of jewel cases anyways Yeah, like Catpix said above, the white PCE and the TG16 only have RF out. There are addons though and can be modded for AV output so you would not have been completely out of luck with one. If you dont want an everdrive, I would suggest you get your console with a region switch or pick up a convertor like this: http://www.db-elec.com/home/products/turbo-pc-henshin That way you are not limiting yourself to one regions library. Edited May 15, 2015 by mickcris 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giltygear Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 The PCE has gotten very expensive in the last couple of years. Its a shame, too, as that it my favorite system for shooters. Get a Duo-R or Duo-Rx. You can play HuCards and CD games, you wont need the system card (only the arcade card for Sapphire and some other games), and you can play US or JP CD games. If youre going to play Street Fighter II, invest in a 6 button pad (I preferred the Avenue 6), and for Forgotten Worlds get the Avenue 3-button pad (for whatever reason, I've had trouble playing that game with the 6-button pad, and the stock pad is ridiculous to use with that game.). If you get card games and dont care about the cases, you can get a regular 3-ring binder and a few pages of baseball card sleeves. Its like looking through a catalog and finding the game you want to play. A shelf full of PCE cases is dead sexy, too, tho. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Shooters is where the PCE is at.If you're not into them, the system is less attractive, but it does have some nice alternatives. Pinball games (Alien Crush, Devil's Crush), side-scrollers (Legendary Axe, Ninja Spirit, Splatterhouse), and RPGs (Dungeon Explorer, Neutopia) are all good, but I love it for Raiden (cheaper than getting into the Jaguar!), 1943, Galaga 88/90, Blazing Lazers, Super Star Soldier, and Aero Blasters, as well as great upgrades to NES shooters (Gradius, Salamander, and Image Fight). There are even some good classic-style arcade games on the system, like Klax, Newzealand Story, Galaga 88, and Zipang. As everyone else has said, though, it's not cheap to get into, neither hardware nor games. But if you just want a PC Engine/Turbografx and not a CD component, that price drops quite a bit. The CDs are the more expensive of the two media, so you're saving a bit of money there. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 PC Engine rawks! Best version of Street Fighter IMO and that 6-button control pad is pure joy. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Banquo Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) I've always wanted one of these but they are so incredibly expensive I just stick with emulators. I do buy my favorite games on CD though, like Valis 4. Magic Engine can run them just fine.There are a lot of great Japanese games that never made it over here; the US library has some really good games but not nearly as many in my opinion. It is definitely an underrated console; I just wish it had been more successful here. Edited May 15, 2015 by Banquo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatPix Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Expensive? You must be thinking of the US Turbografx. You can get a PC Engine Core Grafx from a Japanese seller on eBay for about 40/60$ (usually loose, with one controller). Boxed Japanese games sell between 2$ to about 20$ for the most common. Most CD games are in the 20-50$ price range. The most costly things are the Supergrafx consoles, and the CD-rom unit which sells into the 150$ range usually. Now, the US Turbografx is so ridiculously costly, you gotta get a good deal or really be fan to get one IMO. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Turbo Duos will run you $200-$300, and then some to get it region-free for hucards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 Man, I'm getting pumped up now Thanks for all the advice guys! As far as mods go...I'm sure I'm "capable" of doing them but I just know I would never get around to it. Kind of like working on my car, when my manifold warped last year I "could" have done it myself but when my buddy offered to do it for $100 I was like "yup, where do I sign!" The CD is tempting, if anything just for Strider alone. I love that game and the PC engine version looks damn good! I do love shmups, I mostly play newer CAVE stuff these days but I think a lot of those 16 bit shooters really shined. I will never forget the roots! 1943 is one of my favorites, I watched a gameplay video and was a little bummed at how different the music was, thats one of the best parts. How's the price on the shooters? I know for other systems they have just been skyrocketing lately... I saw this system on dabay that looks tempting... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pc-Engine-console-AV-output-Work-Japan-Hucard-US-Turbo-Grafx-Hucard-/121649663514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c52e28e1a Looks like it's been modded with a swith to play JP/US games and also upgraded to AV. What do you think? Price seems reasonable and it sounds like I need to track down a six button controller anyways... So... if I get that white system above can I still attach a CD unit to it or do I have to get a core grafx system? Also is there any benefit to owning a Supergrafx outside of being able to play 1941 and being a huge GnG fan? (I actually own the supergrafx GnG just because I buy everything to do with that series, lol) Oh, almost forgot...if I did go the Supergrafx route, can a CD unit still be attached to it or an I limited to Hucards forever? Thanks again everyone, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 (edited) Man, I'm getting pumped up now Thanks for all the advice guys! As far as mods go...I'm sure I'm "capable" of doing them but I just know I would never get around to it. Kind of like working on my car, when my manifold warped last year I "could" have done it myself but when my buddy offered to do it for $100 I was like "yup, where do I sign!" The CD is tempting, if anything just for Strider alone. I love that game and the PC engine version looks damn good! I do love shmups, I mostly play newer CAVE stuff these days but I think a lot of those 16 bit shooters really shined. I will never forget the roots! 1943 is one of my favorites, I watched a gameplay video and was a little bummed at how different the music was, thats one of the best parts. How's the price on the shooters? I know for other systems they have just been skyrocketing lately... I saw this system on dabay that looks tempting... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pc-Engine-console-AV-output-Work-Japan-Hucard-US-Turbo-Grafx-Hucard-/121649663514?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c52e28e1a Looks like it's been modded with a swith to play JP/US games and also upgraded to AV. What do you think? Price seems reasonable and it sounds like I need to track down a six button controller anyways... So... if I get that white system above can I still attach a CD unit to it or do I have to get a core grafx system? Also is there any benefit to owning a Supergrafx outside of being able to play 1941 and being a huge GnG fan? (I actually own the supergrafx GnG just because I buy everything to do with that series, lol) Oh, almost forgot...if I did go the Supergrafx route, can a CD unit still be attached to it or an I limited to Hucards forever? Thanks again everyone, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger you can connect a cd unit to the white one or the supergrafx. you need an adapter to connect the supergrafx to a cd interface unit (briefcase) though as it doesnt physically fit in it. I think there are only 4 games for the supergrafx and 2 more that are enhanced when using them on it. probably not worth the extra cost. I bought a broken one cheap and fixed it, but probably would not have otherwise. gamedrhk is fine. here is there website: http://gamedoctorhk.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=72_21_70 Edited May 15, 2015 by mickcris 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+save2600 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Doesn't look like anyone's mentioned the Castlevania game for the CD unit yet! Two words... um yeah. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 Doesn't look like anyone's mentioned the Castlevania game for the CD unit yet! Two words... um yeah. Woah, that looks freakin sweeeeet! Man, I just checked a bunch of CD prices and woah, big jump from the Hucards. I think I'll just start with cards...even though some of those CD games look like MUST haves! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Woah, that looks freakin sweeeeet! Man, I just checked a bunch of CD prices and woah, big jump from the Hucards. I think I'll just start with cards...even though some of those CD games look like MUST haves! The cds do not have copy protection. Not that I am advocating running burned discs or anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Climber Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 The cds do not have copy protection. Not that I am advocating running burned discs or anything. Oh F**K YES!! That settles it, getting a CD unit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickcris Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Oh F**K YES!! That settles it, getting a CD unit The cd side is not region locked either like the HuCard side, which is nice too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost Dragon Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Wonderous machine :-). Always held out for that official UK release that mags like ACE and C+VG etc promised was just around the corner, sadly never happened. :-( I use a PC Engine Emulator a lot, just for Ninja Spirt as that oddly never had a Megadrive conversion (nor did Rastan for that matter.Hmmn...) and i'd loved the game on C64 and ST. As for Strider NEC told EDGE that the game originally started out as a Super Grafx version back in 1990, but they'd seen that both publishers and consumers alike were ignoring the machine, so decision was made to make a normal PC Engine version instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800fan Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Oh F**K YES!! That settles it, getting a CD unit Keep in mind the old white CD system for PCE/Coregrafx and TurboCD system all predates CD-R technology, they will not read CD-R well at all. A Duo is better for CD-R Duo-R and RX are probably the best one to get if you plan to make illegal CD copies. RX seems more expensive but the only real difference from older R is the 6 button controller, which is stupid. I am still sporting an older TG-16 and TurboCD setup, original owner. Did you know, the CD base and the CD drive can have matching serial number? If I can find the original box I got with this, I am planning to sell it while they still work and get a Duo. Duo is more common, easier to fix (mostly), and Japanese model is much cheaper. I should have plenty of cash left after selling my old setup and buying a Duo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Keep in mind the old white CD system for PCE/Coregrafx and TurboCD system all predates CD-R technology, they will not read CD-R well at all. A Duo is better for CD-R Duo-R and RX are probably the best one to get if you plan to make illegal CD copies. RX seems more expensive but the only real difference from older R is the 6 button controller, which is stupid. I am still sporting an older TG-16 and TurboCD setup, original owner. Did you know, the CD base and the CD drive can have matching serial number? If I can find the original box I got with this, I am planning to sell it while they still work and get a Duo. Duo is more common, easier to fix (mostly), and Japanese model is much cheaper. I should have plenty of cash left after selling my old setup and buying a Duo. Duos have their own problem reading CD-R's. Tempest mentioned altering the pots, but I haven't done that yet to see if it works. As it is now, my JP Duo does not like burned games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.