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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 07:52:29 AM
Title: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 07:52:29 AM
Greetings All,
You would not believe how long it has taken me to get my membership for this forum approved! I applied for an account almost a month ago and have been checking back almost daily to see if it had been approved by the moderator! ](*,) I sent 3 or 4 emails asking to have it approved but did not received a response. I then tracked down the owners youtube account (through watching his TG-16 related videos) and send him a message via youtube asking what the deal was? Imagine my delight as I arrived home from work and checked my hotmail to discover the email saying I am now a member! Yippie :mrgreen:
So TG-16 and me.................
I am 27 so I vaguely remember the TG from when I was a kid. Although everyone in the UK had Nintendo or Sega. I remember a television program called Games Master that would review the odd TG game and I always thought to myself... I wonder :-k
I have a thing for retro consoles and I like to look at them on ebay, about 4-5 weeks ago was bidding on a 3DO and thought I was going to win it, and I was already excited with the prospect of building up a collection of games for it and was gutted when I was pipped at the post for the machine. I wanted to have a little retro project to work on and I stumbled upon a new TG-16 console at a reasonable price so purchased it and never looked back.
I have one of the European versions that plays US HU Cards. It does not have a CD drive and this is an addition I plan on making asap. So far I have the console boxed in new condition, two official pads, a multi-tap adaptor and the following games; Galaga '90 (HU Only), Vigilante (HU Only), Legendary Axe (HU Only), Cratermaze (HU Only), J.J and Jeff (HU Only), China Warrior (HU Only), Victory Run (HU Only), Blazing Lazers (with case - looks like a re-seal job but in new condition), Ordyne (Complete - still factory sealed), Bravo Man (Complete and sealed) and Dragon Spirit (Complete and sealed).
I have not actually opened any of the sealed ones yet as I am trying to get the most out of the loose ones before I do.
The first thing that strikes me about the games is how hard and unforgiving they are. Compared to modern day games (I have a 360) that give you infinite lives and let you complete it first time round. For some reason I really like China Warrior. I think it is really funny how big your character is.
SO - I am a total n00b to TG-16 and will probably ask the most basic questions and get on your nerves. I would also like to be able to buy games from members at some point but I totally appreciate that there needs to be an element of trust build up before that can happen!
I plan to grow my TG-16 Collection and, if your interested, share my experience with you and make some internet buddies along the way!
Nice to meet you all.
Sleepy Gnome. :dance:
.........Oh P.S. I am from (and still live in) Portsmouth, UK.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Necromancer on June 29, 2011, 07:59:20 AM
Welcome aboard. Now that you've got the Turbob bug, you'll be needing a Duo for CD games and playing at the proper speed. :D
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: DragonmasterDan on June 29, 2011, 08:04:44 AM
You would not believe how long it has taken me to get my membership for this forum approved! I applied for an account almost a month ago and have been checking back almost daily to see if it had been approved by the moderator! ](*,) I sent 3 or 4 emails asking to have it approved but did not received a response. I then tracked down the owners youtube account (through watching his TG-16 related videos) and send him a message via youtube asking what the deal was? Imagine my delight as I arrived home from work and checked my hotmail to discover the email saying I am now a member! Yippie :mrgreen:
So TG-16 and me.................
I am 27 so I vaguely remember the TG from when I was a kid. Although everyone in the UK had Nintendo or Sega. I remember a television program called Games Master that would review the odd TG game and I always thought to myself... I wonder :-k
I have a thing for retro consoles and I like to look at them on ebay, about 4-5 weeks ago was bidding on a 3DO and thought I was going to win it, and I was already excited with the prospect of building up a collection of games for it and was gutted when I was pipped at the post for the machine. I wanted to have a little retro project to work on and I stumbled upon a new TG-16 console at a reasonable price so purchased it and never looked back.
I have one of the European versions that plays US HU Cards. It does not have a CD drive and this is an addition I plan on making asap. So far I have the console boxed in new condition, two official pads, a multi-tap adaptor and the following games; Galaga '90 (HU Only), Vigilante (HU Only), Legendary Axe (HU Only), Cratermaze (HU Only), J.J and Jeff (HU Only), China Warrior (HU Only), Victory Run (HU Only), Blazing Lazers (with case - looks like a re-seal job but in new condition), Ordyne (Complete - still factory sealed), Bravo Man (Complete and sealed) and Dragon Spirit (Complete and sealed).
I have not actually opened any of the sealed ones yet as I am trying to get the most out of the loose ones before I do.
The first thing that strikes me about the games is how hard and unforgiving they are. Compared to modern day games (I have a 360) that give you infinite lives and let you complete it first time round. For some reason I really like China Warrior. I think it is really funny how big your character is.
SO - I am a total n00b to TG-16 and will probably ask the most basic questions and get on your nerves. I would also like to be able to buy games from members at some point but I totally appreciate that there needs to be an element of trust build up before that can happen!
I plan to grow my TG-16 Collection and, if your interested, share my experience with you and make some internet buddies along the way!
Nice to meet you all.
Sleepy Gnome. :dance:
.........Oh P.S. I am from (and still live in) Portsmouth, UK.
Welcome to the forum!
Just on a side note, there aren't a lot of users on here using the European PAL TurboGrafx (with no 16). Have you noticed games running off-speed at all? Oh also, I'm not sure that anyone has tested the European system with the add-on CD. So you might be the first if you go in that direction.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 08:05:53 AM
N00b questions No.1
Does a duo perform diffrently (better) than the console with the CD Drive attachment? Once I had brought the damn thing I started learning about it and soon realised how hard it is to get a CD drive to attach to it. I wish I'd just spent the extra money on buying a duo to begin with but its to late now. I quite fancy building the console up and attached a CD drive the HU Machine. I'll look cool - but will be expensive to track down all the parts tho....
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: DragonmasterDan on June 29, 2011, 08:08:01 AM
Does a duo perform diffrently (better) than the console with the CD Drive attachment? Once I had brought the damn thing I started learning about it and soon realised how hard it is to get a CD drive to attach to it. I wish I'd just spent the extra money on buying a duo to begin with but its to late now. I quite fancy building the console up and attached a CD drive the HU Machine. I'll look cool - but will be expensive to track down all the parts tho....
The Duo has system card 3.0 built into it, so if you had a Duo you wouldn't need to track down a system card for the CD-ROM.
Besides the fact that the Duo only needs one power supply and is a consolidated unit, there are some differences in sound volumes for PCM and redbook audio between a Duo and an add-on CD. Also the add on CD rom is a bit more difficult to repair.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 08:12:33 AM
TG-16 Ownership is such a mine field. I had no idea!
Hmmmm... its a tough one really because I only just got the console but I probably should just bite the bullet and get a Duo then, i guess? Damn.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: DragonmasterDan on June 29, 2011, 08:13:57 AM
I didn't even realise there was two diffrent things like that. So is mine as good as a TG-16 then? It plays TG-16 games...
It seems to play them fine and I havent noticed any slow down at all.
It runs at a slightly slower clock speed, most games run fine. A few games apparently run off-speed.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Necromancer on June 29, 2011, 08:24:31 AM
In addition to the differences noted by Dan, the Duos also have slightly shorter seek times (load times are still the same).
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 08:31:48 AM
there are so many questions I want to ask you guys and, rather than making millions of threads, I might as well pick you brains in here...
What are the games that are "must have". I quite like RPG's, most seem to be on CD but are there any good ones with English text that I can get on a US HU Card? Also Splatter House seems to be very highly rated - think i'll have to get that jawn (can we say "jawn" on here?)
I'd also like a good 4 player tennis game and any other 4 player games that are very good. Who else is here from the UK, they would probably be my best bet to try and make friends with and do some buying from!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: DragonmasterDan on June 29, 2011, 08:37:05 AM
there are so many questions I want to ask you guys and, rather than making millions of threads, I might as well pick you brains in here...
What are the games that are "must have". I quite like RPG's, most seem to be on CD but are there any good ones with English text that I can get on a US HU Card? Also Splatter House seems to be very highly rated - think i'll have to get that jawn (can we say "jawn" on here?)
I'd also like a good 4 player tennis game and any other 4 player games that are very good. Who else is here from the UK, they would probably be my best bet to try and make friends with and do some buying from!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There aren't any traditional turn based RPGs on US HuCard since there's no way to save. There is a D&D game called Order of the Griffon, along with Neutopia 1 and 2 which are Action-RPGs. And Dungeon Explorer, a Gauntlet style game.
As far as the must have HuCards, the big ones are Devils Crush, Air Zonk and Bonks Revenge.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: MasonSushi on June 29, 2011, 08:44:19 AM
welcome to the site
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 08:49:31 AM
thanks for the warm welcome and all the advice guys. love it!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Keranu on June 29, 2011, 08:52:06 AM
Welcome aboard, HAR, HAAARRR, HAAAAAARRRRRR!
Loved your Turbo journey story, always enjoy reading those. You have a good selection of starters games, I hope you enjoy shooters because there are an endless supply of them! I'm personally a J.J. and Jeff fanatic despite all the flack it gets, but if you loved China Warrior then you might find enjoyment in J.J. and Jeff as well. Hilarious games.
If I were you, I would invest in a PC Engine Duo or Duo R/RX. They tend to be less expensive than Turbo Duos and since you already have hardware that can play US HuCards, you'll have be able to access the vast library of Japanese HuCards as well, which also means you can play Arcade Card CD games.
Yes I know the all the Turbo/PCE hardware can be very difficult for beginners to wrap their heads around. Check out the NEC Compatability Guide (http://http/pcenginefx.com/main/nec_compatibility_guide.html) on the site to make better sense of all this system card mumbo-jumbo.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Black Tiger on June 29, 2011, 08:52:28 AM
Welcome. :) The next piece of hardware you should buy is a PC Engine Duo R/RX. Don't bother wasting any money on the Turbo CD-ROM. It's hard to find at a fair price (as in cheaper than a Duo system) and your Turbografx doesn't play games at the proper speed, both HuCards and CDs.
In the meantime, you should get Dungeon Explorer, Dragon's Curse, Neutopia, Neutopia II and maybe Order of the Griffon... if you can handle using passwords.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 09:02:01 AM
strange question... Is it usual for the plastic sleaves that the games are kept in to feel a bit sticky and to have to peel them off of the HU Cards when you remove them to play them?
I appreciate this could sound like I am either a complete perve or just joking but I am being serious - I am finding this with most of the HU Cards and sleaves that I have... weird.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Keranu on June 29, 2011, 09:05:22 AM
HuCards need to wear protection like the rest of us. :|
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: roflmao on June 29, 2011, 09:14:39 AM
Open Blazing Lazers. It's freaking awesome.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: vestcoat on June 29, 2011, 09:17:36 AM
If I were you, I would invest in a PC Engine Duo or Duo R/RX. They tend to be less expensive than Turbo Duos and since you already have hardware that can play US HuCards, you'll have be able to access the vast library of Japanese HuCards as well, which also means you can play Arcade Card CD games.
Seconded. CD's are region free, so a PC Engine Duo will play all CDs.
Is it usual for the plastic sleaves that the games are kept in to feel a bit sticky and to have to peel them off of the HU Cards when you remove them to play them?
No. Clean them. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't recommend how.
I have a thing for retro consoles and I like to look at them on ebay, about 4-5 weeks ago was bidding on a 3DO and thought I was going to win it, and I was already excited with the prospect of building up a collection of games for it and was gutted when I was pipped at the post for the machine.
hmmm....was it a FZ-10 with a couple controllers, a flight stick, and a bunch of loose discs that went for $50? :-"
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: SuperPlay on June 29, 2011, 09:26:59 AM
Hi and Welcome Sleepy Gnome.
How could anyone in the UK forget GamesMaster co-hosted by the now "Sir" Patrick Moore.
On the games front I would also recommend Neutopia for a chip RPG. Plays Similar to Legend of Zeleda on the SNES.
Check out my links thread there is loads of good info here:
I have a thing for retro consoles and I like to look at them on ebay, about 4-5 weeks ago was bidding on a 3DO and thought I was going to win it, and I was already excited with the prospect of building up a collection of games for it and was gutted when I was pipped at the post for the machine.
Sorry to hear about you being pipped at the post. That's the first time I've heard that phrase and I like it! I think I'll use it here in the US to throw someone off sometime. cheers
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Keranu on June 29, 2011, 09:53:37 AM
Oh yeah I forgot to mention how much Games Master rules! I've only seen a few episodes I downloaded off the net years ago, had a great time with them! I love the one where the hosts marries the lady on stage that succeeds in some game... Yoshi's Island I think?
I never saw any Turbo games shown, did they refer to the system as Turbo Grafx-16 or PC Engine?
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 10:37:33 AM
If I were you, I would invest in a PC Engine Duo or Duo R/RX. They tend to be less expensive than Turbo Duos and since you already have hardware that can play US HuCards, you'll have be able to access the vast library of Japanese HuCards as well, which also means you can play Arcade Card CD games.
Seconded. CD's are region free, so a PC Engine Duo will play all CDs.
Is it usual for the plastic sleaves that the games are kept in to feel a bit sticky and to have to peel them off of the HU Cards when you remove them to play them?
No. Clean them. Unfortunately, I'm afraid I can't recommend how.
I have a thing for retro consoles and I like to look at them on ebay, about 4-5 weeks ago was bidding on a 3DO and thought I was going to win it, and I was already excited with the prospect of building up a collection of games for it and was gutted when I was pipped at the post for the machine.
hmmm....was it a FZ-10 with a couple controllers, a flight stick, and a bunch of loose discs that went for $50? :-"
Nah it was on the uk ebay and someone had listed it as "3D0" by mistake - hence I dont think many people had seen it. I cant remember what it went for in the end but I thought my cheeky little start bid might have won the auction.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 10:42:02 AM
Oh yeah I forgot to mention how much Games Master rules! I've only seen a few episodes I downloaded off the net years ago, had a great time with them! I love the one where the hosts marries the lady on stage that succeeds in some game... Yoshi's Island I think?
I never saw any Turbo games shown, did they refer to the system as Turbo Grafx-16 or PC Engine?
I got hold of a torrent file years ago that had all of them in it. it downloaded at like 20kb a second and took weeks but I got them all in the end. really bad quality tho. I recon theres a small chance I could find them on my old PC but I might not have them any more. If anyone is interested I could try and track them down?
I think they refered to it as PC Engine on there. I can remember the guys voice as he was introducing a game and he said it - cant remember which game it was though. I remember it being called PC Engine in the old games mags i used to read in UK aswell.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: pceslayer on June 29, 2011, 10:56:53 AM
If you can, grab a Duo over the CDROM attachment. Add a region mod and you'd be set for life!
Lets see here... TG16 games you can't go wrong with
Bonk's Revenge Ninja Spirit Splatterhouse Raiden Blazing Lazers Military Madness Devils Crush Bomberman 93 - 5 player awesomeness Dungeon Explorer - 5 player gauntlet style Bloody Wolf Neutopia
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 29, 2011, 11:09:49 AM
Goodness me the only few Duo's on ebay(.co.uk) are going for outragious amounts...
you can get one sent over from Japan for about £150 - hmmmm. Might give that one a miss for now, or maybe I should just buy one. At least that would stop me from spending the money on jagermeister.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: pceslayer on June 29, 2011, 11:16:19 AM
Another other route you can go is to buy a broken one and have one of the folks on here repair it for you.
Keep your eyes in the PCE and TG16 Buy/Sell threads and you'll end up getting one for a much better deal than anything on ebay.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: War Pig on June 29, 2011, 11:42:15 AM
Welcome to the forum!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Dyna138 on June 29, 2011, 12:44:46 PM
Welcome aboard! I had about the same wait time before I was approved for the forum.
Now that you have a Turbo I'd play the hell out of what you have and then start thinking about picking up a Duo R or Duo RX to play CD and SCD games. They are cheaper and typically more reliable than a US Duo (US Duo's tend to develope sound issues which can be fixed), although personally asthetically I prefer the black US Duo. Keep in mind you can play Japanese and US CD games on both Japanese and US Duos as they are not region locked like Hucards.
There aren't too many RPGs on HuCard, but if you like action RPGs you should look into Dragon's Curse, Cadash and the Neutopia series. Once you get a Duo you can get access to YS Book I & II, YS III, Cosmic Fantasy 2 and Dragon Slayer, which are all excellent RPGs translated in English. Also beware the price gouging on Ebay particularly on US Turbo games.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: lord_cack on June 29, 2011, 12:51:22 PM
Hey Sleepy Gnome, welcome aboard.... I mean, get the h*ll out, we don't need or want your kind around here!! n00b....
:-s
Hey, some people say that how we are around here.... Just thought someone had to play the stereotype. :D....
But seriously, welcome to the place and check out all the forums, don't neglect the bottom half of the page, the PC Engine/Supergrafx threads and the Homebrew sections. Good stuff in there....
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: PunkicCyborg on June 29, 2011, 01:10:15 PM
A lot of people on here, including myself, have purchased RGB modded Duo-Rs from DoujinDance on Ebay. That is a good route for you European types that have access to TV's with SCART plugs on the back. You could do the mod yourself but his units are clean and he also puts in a new laser and cleans it inside and out well and hooks you up with a SCART cable. If you have a TurboGrafx, a Duo-R is the way to go, no fuss, and you can play everything between those two units.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: vestcoat on June 29, 2011, 02:08:50 PM
EDIT: redundant post, responded without reading the third page.
A lot of people on here, including myself, have purchased RGB modded Duo-Rs from DoujinDance on Ebay. That is a good route for you European types that have access to TV's with SCART plugs on the back. You could do the mod yourself but his units are clean and he also puts in a new laser and cleans it inside and out well and hooks you up with a SCART cable. If you have a TurboGrafx, a Duo-R is the way to go, no fuss, and you can play everything between those two units.
sounds like good advice, thanks.
Thanks to all of you.
Check this out. I just discovered that the person who sits next to me at work has a PC Engine! That amazing. I traided 2 jap hu cards that I had with him, dungon explorer and tennis, for some really strong perscrption pain killers that are leathal to hangovers and also are pretty good to take alongside a heafty amount of beer as well. Happy days!
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: csgx1 on June 30, 2011, 09:17:11 AM
Check this out. I just discovered that the person who sits next to me at work has a PC Engine! That amazing. I traided 2 jap hu cards that I had with him, dungon explorer and tennis, for some really strong perscrption pain killers that are leathal to hangovers and also are pretty good to take alongside a heafty amount of beer as well. Happy days!
Welcome.
That IS amazing to find someone that you work with that's into PC Engine. It's a shame, not even my closest friends are into PCE/TG16. I am sure glad this forum is around. :D
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: IDCHAPPY on June 30, 2011, 09:43:13 AM
Welcome aboard buddy :clap:
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 30, 2011, 10:27:55 AM
HI!
Can anyone spare a moment to spell a few things out for me because two of the Jawns on this site are confusing me, ya figga deal me?
-What is the 'Virtual Console'?
&
-Whats the deal with homebrew games? (What has been made? How to buy? etc)
(I have actually already asked this 2nd question in the relevant forum though...)
Many thanks,
Gnome
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Black Tiger on June 30, 2011, 10:37:14 AM
Virtual Console is a series of emulated console games for the Wii. You can buy a lot of cool games on there, including CD games.
The big, main sorta full game homebrew releases so far are:
Implode -puzzle game Meteor Blaster -Asteroids clone Insanity -Berserk clone Tongueman's Logic -rom only puzzle game Mysterious Song -upcoming RPG that is being finalized.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Necromancer on June 30, 2011, 10:46:14 AM
-Whats the deal with homebrew games? (What has been made? How to buy? etc)
There are four 'complete' homebrew titles released so far: Implode (http://www.mindrec.com/?main=pce/implode.php), Meteor Blaster DX (http://www.mindrec.com/?main=pce/meteordx.php), Insanity (http://www.aetherbyte.com/insanity.htm) (have your virus scanner on guard before clicking that one), and Tongueman's Logic (http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/chrisc/TMLogic.html). The first three are available for purchase from the sites linked, but the latter is download only, meaning you'll either have to play it on an emulator or via a flash cart.
There are also quite a few games under development, most all of which can be read about in the homebrew sub-forum.
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: Sleepy Gnome on June 30, 2011, 10:52:08 AM
are there any Homebrew HU's?
Title: Re: Hello Everyone! What a momentious day it is that I have joined you!
Post by: DragonmasterDan on June 30, 2011, 11:19:35 AM