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NEC PC-Engine/SuperGrafx => PC Engine/SuperGrafx Discussion => Topic started by: VenomMacbeth on February 03, 2012, 08:28:15 PM
Title: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 03, 2012, 08:28:15 PM
Rather than pollute this section with a bunch of threads, I decided to just use this one!
Okay, so here's my issue...I want to get into PC Engine gaming. However, there are games for both the Turbografx-16 and the PC-Engine that I want. I've been told to go with the PC Engine, as there are more, better exclusive titles for it. I am inclined to agree with that; I like the PC Engine much better than the Turbografx.
However, games like Blazing Lazers, Raiden, and a few others I'm interested in seem cheaper on the Turbografx. So, should I:
1. Get one or the other and have it region-modded? IE, the mod that lets you play either region games without a converter. How much would a mod like this cost to have done?
2. Get both. Not necessarily the most cost-effective solution, but I like both consoles for different reasons, aesthetically.
3. Get one, and get a Hucard converter.
What do?
Title: Re: What should I expect to pay for Raiden & Soldier Blade?
Post by: Samurai Ghost on February 04, 2012, 02:26:33 AM
As for Soldier Blade, here in Japan a loose card will run you $10-$20. Complete is more like $30-$50. As for Raiden, I don't know. They very rarely pop up for sale. I'd say $70+ is a fair estimate. The CD version is a lot cheaper; you can probably find a copy for around $20.
Title: Re: What should I expect to pay for Raiden & Soldier Blade?
Post by: Opethian on February 04, 2012, 05:32:10 PM
uhh JP raiden is not worth more than $30-40 US boxed maybe $40-50
yes the CD SUPER RAIDEN would be the most gaem for the money as they add 2 more stages and the CD arrange tracks are awesome!
Title: Re: What should I expect to pay for Raiden & Soldier Blade?
Post by: Samurai Ghost on February 05, 2012, 01:15:54 AM
OK, thanks for the clarification. I just never ever see it pop up on auction or some of the used game site I go, and since it's a classic shooter I wouldn't be surprised to see people bidding over 5,000 yen on it. But if it can be found that cheap I'll have to keep an eye out.
Title: Re: What should I expect to pay for Raiden & Soldier Blade?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 05, 2012, 04:51:08 AM
yes the CD SUPER RAIDEN would be the most gaem for the money as they add 2 more stages and the CD arrange tracks are awesome!
Well, it does look very nice, but I haven't found the arranged tracks to be quite to my taste. I think they should have thrown in the original soundtrack, like they did on Raiden Project for the PS1. Plus, I barely have the money for a Core Grafx...I REALLY don't have the money for a CD-ROM attachment or a Duo. :/ Which sucks, because I'll probably ultimately end up wanting one anyway. -.-
Title: Re: What should I expect to pay for Raiden & Soldier Blade?
Post by: Opethian on February 05, 2012, 10:36:50 AM
well the card has alot more flicker as compared to the CD but Raiden Project on PS1 is probably the definitive port (plus you get Raiden 2 :D)
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 09, 2012, 09:53:35 AM
bamp, changed topic.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Necromancer on February 09, 2012, 10:29:01 AM
Save your pennies and buy a region modded PCE Duo. If you absolutely must get a huey only system, I'd go for a region modded TG-16; that way you'll have an easier time finding a CD add-on later.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: BuraiFighter on February 09, 2012, 11:38:37 AM
Agree with Necromancer, if you've got the money go for the region modded PCE Duo. I got a refurbished & region modded Duo-R from doujindance last year and it's just perfect, paid more than I would've liked but I'd buy from him again.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: thesteve on February 09, 2012, 12:08:05 PM
we do region mods, and sell a kit (if that helps) https://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=10112.0
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: PunkicCyborg on February 09, 2012, 12:20:22 PM
I had thesteve perform a region mod on my DuoR and I just buy whichever version is cooler/cheaper or I get the US version if I need English to get through the game. I lean more towards PCE when I have a choice though. The packaging and total product is much nicer usually.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: soop on February 09, 2012, 09:49:56 PM
Hmmm, I dunno. You can fit a TG-16 CD in a briefcase no? It's just aesthetics.
So buy a Supergrafx and a TG-16, then get a CD ROM2 and a RAU-30. Then you can play everything.
Otherwise, get a Core Grafx.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 09, 2012, 09:57:42 PM
Exactly. I'm rooting for a PC Engine/Core Grafx, simply because they're so cool-looking. I mean hell...if need be, I can just get them both. If I get in a money crunch, I can have someone mod my PC engine to play Turbografx games, and sell the TG-16. I guess the only question, then, is which one to get first.
So that region mod kit...does it work on a PC Engine? Or is it TG-16/Duo only?
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: soop on February 09, 2012, 10:32:01 PM
Exactly. I'm rooting for a PC Engine/Core Grafx, simply because they're so cool-looking. I mean hell...if need be, I can just get them both. If I get in a money crunch, I can have someone mod my PC engine to play Turbografx games, and sell the TG-16. I guess the only question, then, is which one to get first.
So that region mod kit...does it work on a PC Engine? Or is it TG-16/Duo only?
By aesthetics, I really mean a white CD-ROM system and white PCE looks nicer than say a black TG-16 CD System and most other things (IMO). But a TG-16 CD may be cheaper.
TBH, I'd just buy a Supergrafx and mod it yourself if you can. or if you're sending it off, you might want to get an RGB mod at the same time, 2 birds one stone.
I couldn't cut a Supergrafx though T____T
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: turbokon on February 09, 2012, 11:38:38 PM
Just get both, problem solve:)
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Arkhan on February 10, 2012, 12:52:10 AM
what you want is a briefcase unit with a super grafx and RAU-30, and region mod the super grafx so you can play Roundeye games.
It'll cost you like 800$ but it's worth it.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: soop on February 10, 2012, 01:42:10 AM
what you want is a briefcase unit with a super grafx and RAU-30, and region mod the super grafx so you can play Roundeye games.
It'll cost you like 800$ but it's worth it.
Wouldn't the Vaccuum cleaner be cheaper? I've seen Super CDROM2s go cheaper than a working briefcase.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: majors on February 10, 2012, 01:55:22 AM
I vote for the US Duo and Supergrafx or Core. Like folks said already, a US Duo will run your US Hu's and all (S)CD's and the Supergrafx/Core takes care of your few JP Hu's. I would go with the Core because at the end of the day, there is not much for SGX and the two games you WANT, will set you back. Plus the Core is pure sex.
I un-region locked my JP Duo to work with my Kisado. Before the Duo, I had a TG-16 CDROM w/ ACD but it finally died (donation to BlueBMW!). With the convertor, it played everything except SGX but it seems convertors are getting pricey.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Arkhan on February 10, 2012, 02:01:01 AM
Maybe, but if that's the case why only 2? When the SuperGrafx is hooked up to the IFU-30 via the RAU-30, do you still obtain video/audio from the IFU-30? I vaguely recall reading something weird/different about using the SuperGrafx with the IFU-30 - not sure though, might be getting my wires crossed.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: esteban on February 11, 2012, 02:42:54 AM
Those are cyanide capsules. If, due to unfortunate circumstances, SuperGrafx games stop being released, children 12 and under* take one capsule. 13+ years of age take two capsules.
*NEC recommends that extremely husky children 12 and under take 2 capsules.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: SignOfZeta on February 11, 2012, 02:55:49 AM
Um...they are the same system.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 11, 2012, 04:46:24 AM
Those are cyanide capsules. If, due to unfortunate circumstances, SuperGrafx games stop being released, children 12 and under* take one capsule. 13+ years of age take two capsules.
*NEC recommends that extremely husky children 12 and under take 2 capsules.
That shit is FUNNY!
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 11, 2012, 06:47:16 AM
its not like the NES vs. Famicom where the hardware is actually different. NES has more pins than FC, and all that shit.
You can put a Turbo hucard in a PCE. It just won't do anything unless you toss a switch in or use a convertor. :)
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Black Tiger on February 11, 2012, 08:25:18 AM
Get both, but the most cost effective path is to get a PC Engine Duo R/RX system first. Most shared games are cheaper on PC Engine. Then when you can afford to, either have your Duo modded for TurboChips or buy a TurboGrafx-16.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: RegalSin on February 11, 2012, 08:35:53 AM
It is about preference thats all.
So far their are four alternatives for PC engine you can choose from.
The same thing with the Sega series. You have five differnt systems to choose from, not including the Mega Drive or Saturn series.
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Black Tiger on February 11, 2012, 10:52:16 AM
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
I'd like to see that, do you have a link?
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: TheClash603 on February 11, 2012, 11:00:59 AM
The best answer hasn't been posted yet... but get NEITHER!
I do all of my TG16 and PC-E gaming on my Laseractive with N1 and N10 pacs. That is the best set-up, hands down.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: RegalSin on February 11, 2012, 11:26:18 AM
Quote from: Black Tiger link=topic=11039.msg209190#msg209190 I'd like to see that, do you have a link?[/quote
You will need a converter as well. Their is a pin you will have to soilder, so the extra sound can come threw. I do not know if you have to build anything. I forget the webpage, try NESworld, or Famicomworld. It was a long time ago.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: TR0N on February 11, 2012, 05:20:39 PM
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
I'd like to see that, do you have a link?
My friend has a NES with an FDS attached. I'm not sure how its done. I'm not sure what he means about the extra sound chip. This is a Konami thing basically, right?
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: TheClash603 on February 12, 2012, 03:42:33 AM
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
I'd like to see that, do you have a link?
My friend has a NES with an FDS attached. I'm not sure how its done. I'm not sure what he means about the extra sound chip. This is a Konami thing basically, right?
Certain games in Japan have better sound than their U.S. counterparts, like Castlevania 3, taking advantage of an extra sound chip. A game never released in the U.S., Mr. Gimmick, uses the chip very well.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: arromdee on February 12, 2012, 04:10:48 AM
Basically, the problem is that the system was never popular in the USA, so getting a full system is going to require at least one rare component. The Duo is rare, the US 3.0 card is rare, and converters are rare. CDs are more common than I thought but I don't know if they could be called common. The simplest way to play everything is to buy an American TG-16 system and a Japanese Duo, which is absurd but true. It may help if there's someone here who can do a region mod or a homemade converter.
And ignore the people telling you to get a Laseractive or Supergrafx.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: nectarsis on February 12, 2012, 05:24:28 AM
Duo's may be a tad "uncommon", but def not hard to find....plus if you look around (as mentioned in this thread) there are multiple people doing mods.
P.S. The Supergrafx is a fine suggestion, my main gaming setup.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: blueraven on February 12, 2012, 06:10:11 AM
Get a region modded Duo. A PCE duo will be cheaper and is less in demand.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: TheClash603 on February 12, 2012, 06:19:08 AM
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
I'd like to see that, do you have a link?
My friend has a NES with an FDS attached. I'm not sure how its done. I'm not sure what he means about the extra sound chip. This is a Konami thing basically, right?
I use a FDS on my NES2. You just need a pin convertor, thats it. THe FDS attaches to the cart port. You can do it to the front loader, but you have to fiddlef*ck with actual mods to get it to connect. The cart connector + convertor won't fit in the front of a NES.
The extra sound chip in question, is the FM crap on the FDS. Like look at Simons Quest FDS
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Samurai Ghost on February 12, 2012, 10:46:13 PM
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
I'd like to see that, do you have a link?
My friend has a NES with an FDS attached. I'm not sure how its done. I'm not sure what he means about the extra sound chip. This is a Konami thing basically, right?
I use a FDS on my NES2. You just need a pin convertor, thats it. THe FDS attaches to the cart port. You can do it to the front loader, but you have to fiddlef*ck with actual mods to get it to connect. The cart connector + convertor won't fit in the front of a NES.
The extra sound chip in question, is the FM crap on the FDS. Like look at Simons Quest FDS
And ignore the people telling you to get a Laseractive or Supergrafx.
The Supergrafx is a legitimate option. If you only buy one Core unit, you might as well go with a Supergrafx, because it can do everything a regular unit can, doesn't cost much more, AND plays the 5 SGX only games.
One thing I would say, is that a Duo would probably be cheaper than a CD unit and a SGX.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Samurai Ghost on February 13, 2012, 12:11:56 AM
And ignore the people telling you to get a Laseractive or Supergrafx.
The Supergrafx is a legitimate option. If you only buy one Core unit, you might as well go with a Supergrafx, because it can do everything a regular unit can, doesn't cost much more, AND plays the 5 SGX only games.
One thing I would say, is that a Duo would probably be cheaper than a CD unit and a SGX.
The only thing I would mention is the size issue. A CoreGrafx system fits in the palm of your hand, and is just an amazingly cool piece of hardware. The SGX is as big as a vacuum cleaner and basically does the exact same thing while taking up 5 times the space.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Arkhan on February 13, 2012, 12:43:26 AM
The only thing I would mention is the size issue. A CoreGrafx system fits in the palm of your hand, and is just an amazingly cool piece of hardware. The SGX is as big as a vacuum cleaner and basically does the exact same thing while taking up 5 times the space.
I have a beefcase w/ SGX+RAU-30 hooked up front and center on my 55" TV.
It's composite for now, but the XRGB3 is on it's way.
I am pretty sure it looks f*cking sweet.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on February 13, 2012, 12:56:49 AM
The only thing I would mention is the size issue. A CoreGrafx system fits in the palm of your hand, and is just an amazingly cool piece of hardware. The SGX is as big as a vacuum cleaner and basically does the exact same thing while taking up 5 times the space.
+1 this. I don't think there are any supergrafx games I want, either.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Samurai Ghost on February 13, 2012, 01:48:21 AM
The only thing I would mention is the size issue. A CoreGrafx system fits in the palm of your hand, and is just an amazingly cool piece of hardware. The SGX is as big as a vacuum cleaner and basically does the exact same thing while taking up 5 times the space.
I have a beefcase w/ SGX+RAU-30 hooked up front and center on my 55" TV.
It's composite for now, but the XRGB3 is on it's way.
I am pretty sure it looks f*cking sweet.
Don't get me wrong, that is f*cking awesome! Especially with the RAU-30. But if you are just looking for something to play HuCards on a CGI is a good option.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Necromancer on February 13, 2012, 03:53:15 AM
Also the NES can be modified to play famicom, and disk system games, with the extra sound chip.
I'd like to see that, do you have a link?
My friend has a NES with an FDS attached. I'm not sure how its done. I'm not sure what he means about the extra sound chip. This is a Konami thing basically, right?
I use a FDS on my NES2. You just need a pin convertor, thats it. THe FDS attaches to the cart port. You can do it to the front loader, but you have to fiddlef*ck with actual mods to get it to connect. The cart connector + convertor won't fit in the front of a NES.
The extra sound chip in question, is the FM crap on the FDS. Like look at Simons Quest FDS
The Famicom version of Castlevania 3 destroys the NES in the sound department.
What's interesting here, is to that to me, the "enhanced" Castlvania III soundtrack on the Famicom sounds like it would sound if it was run through the Turbo's soundchip.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Samurai Ghost on February 13, 2012, 02:57:04 PM
Yeah, you are right, it does! I wonder how the number of sound channels compare.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Arkhan on February 14, 2012, 02:33:11 AM
What's interesting here, is to that to me, the "enhanced" Castlvania III soundtrack on the Famicom sounds like it would sound if it was run through the Turbo's soundchip.
That's because Konami's special soundchip technology sounds similar to the PC Engine. FDS games use the FDS's internal soundstuff, where Konami's carts sometimes have special sound chip excitement.
Check out any MSX games using their SCC chip:
Totally sounds like the PCE. Konami is awesome.
I can't speak for the Famicom chip, but the SCC has 5 channels instead of 6 like PCE... and there is no stereo panning. So, MSX people kinda envy our sound chip in that regard.
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: RegalSin on February 14, 2012, 09:50:21 AM
Where did Konomi get all that sound doh from? Did they run a service hotel or something?
Title: Re: PC-Engine, Turbografx, or both?
Post by: Bonknuts on February 14, 2012, 04:37:45 PM
The vcr6 chip (http://nesdev.parodius.com/vrcvi.txt) used for the CV3 japanese cart. It adds two pulse channels (which have 8 duty cycle settings VS NES/famcioms 4 duty cycles on the basic two pulse channels) and one sawtooth channel. Sounds fuller/more layered. Interesting that the sawtooth channel has no volume control (pulse channels do), but seeing as how the waveform is built up from the phase accumulator - you can just create smaller (in height) ramp to emulate volume (changing the P bits for each volume change). So all in all, adds three new channels to the NES/famicom existing 5.