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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: RTQ on January 27, 2015, 05:43:26 PM

Title: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: RTQ on January 27, 2015, 05:43:26 PM
This may have been a topic in the past, but I was wondering where everyone bought their TG stuff in the 90s.

I grew up in Oklahoma and the only place I saw TGs for sale was Toys-R-Us.  It was like a Saturday ritual to go there and see if anything new had come out.  I remember when I was able to convince my dad to buy a new game, you had to take the paper slip for the game you wanted to buy to the front of the store to actually get it.  That was a feeling of triumph!  Those were the days!
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Sarumaru on January 27, 2015, 05:55:37 PM
Got mine in late '91 from a place called Game Dude in SoCal where I'm from. With it Keith Courage and Vigilante. My CD unit came from a place called Japan Video Games the next year. My favorite system of all time.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: mitsuman on January 27, 2015, 07:20:12 PM
The first time I owned everything, i got most of it from toys r us.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: jelloslug on January 27, 2015, 11:33:25 PM
I got my Turbo, Turboexpress, Turbobooster Plus and many games from a now closed department chain call Brendel's.  They were a big NEC electronics retailer back in the '80s and '90s. My CD-Rom came from J&R Music World.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: majors on January 28, 2015, 12:03:08 AM
I got my TG-16 lot from a dude that won it in a contest. He just wanted the TV and some other goodies from the winnings, and sold the obey via a buddy that worked at Babbages. The lot included the base TG-16, booster+, tap, extra pad, stick and 5 games. I think I dropped $150 for it all. About a year later, I picked up a CD-ROM from Babbages when the price dropped to $300 and they included the CD+G sampler.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: madboom0522 on January 28, 2015, 01:11:03 AM
Electronic boutique at the end of the turbo's life when it was in the $69.99 price tag. Was able to buy most games for $19.99. Did not get the cd system till 2001 and the duo till last year.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: xelement5x on January 28, 2015, 02:42:17 AM
I was normally a Sega/Sony kid so I had no Turbo at the time it was still in retail. 

I picked up my unit from a guy off Craigslist with Bonk for like $70 I think.  Probably like within 6 months I bought a RX and bundle of games/controllers/stuff in auction off ebay. 
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Black Tiger on January 28, 2015, 02:50:35 AM
Audio Vision in Prince Rupert. I believe that it was only $399.99 + 11.5% sales tax.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: cr8zykuban0 on January 28, 2015, 02:56:11 AM
got mine from the homie syphic almost 2 years ago. im pretty happy to how far my collection has gone.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Sadler on January 28, 2015, 03:00:11 AM
I got my TG16 for Christmas when I was 10 or 11, so I have no idea where that was bought. I got my TurboDuo from TZD and my Express by trading a SNES to a classmate.

EDIT: That's where I got my stuff back in the day. None of that did I hang on to. :( I had to rebuy everything when I pulled my head out of my ass in 2009. That's all been from ebay, forum members, craiglist, or local shops.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Necromancer on January 28, 2015, 03:01:33 AM
I got the TurboDuo back in '92 from a local game store called Gamers (original name, eh?), the TurboExpress came from TZD sometime around '00, and in the last few years stuff has come from forum members (Duo RX, PC-FX, CG beefcase setup, and the LaserActive and pacs) or ebay (PAL Turbob).
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: EvilEvoIX on January 28, 2015, 03:25:15 AM
I got a box of lose Turbo Grafx stuff from a garage sale years ago for like $20.  It came with commons and didn't even have the dust sleeve for the system.  I got my Turbo Express off some kid on my school bus for like $60.  It came with Jacky Chan, Chase H.Q., Football, Hockey, Vigilante, and the 1st Bonk.  My DuoR I got here.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Gentlegamer on January 28, 2015, 04:02:01 AM
Audio Vision in Prince Rupert. I believe that it was only $399.99 + 11.5% sales tax.
It must be hell living behind the Maple Curtain.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: wildfruit on January 28, 2015, 04:18:40 AM
I got mine from consolegoods.co.uk for about £60 inc 20% tax. Came brand new, boxed with blazing lazers.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: DragonmasterDan on January 28, 2015, 04:24:27 AM
I got it as a Christmas gift, but I believe the system was purchased at Target.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: RTQ on January 28, 2015, 04:46:01 AM
I bought a second boxed system and it still has the Sears price tag on it.  I never remember seeing them there.  What other major retailers sold TG?
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: RTQ on January 28, 2015, 04:47:17 AM
It's cool to hear where everyone got their TGs from.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: BlueBMW on January 28, 2015, 04:52:29 AM
I got mine at a used video game store in Littleton Colorado called game force... I think it was the location at Belleview and Broadway for anyone familiar with the area.  Picked it up with Kieth Courage, Final Lap Twin and Victory run.  This was around 2000 or so.
Title: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: esteban on January 28, 2015, 04:57:46 AM
TG-16 @Toys-R-Us $190-200
TurboBooster Plus, TurboStick = ??? (Software Etc. or Electronics Boutique)

TG-CD and 6' extension cable @Video Game Dynasty (floor model for $300 a ~6-8 months after the TG-CD was released.

TurboExpress @TZD
TurboVision TV tuner @nodtveidt

TurboDuo @eBay late-90's

THE SAD THING: I forget the birthdays of my family/friends, but I remember this stuff!
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: csgx1 on January 28, 2015, 05:13:59 AM
Got mine from Toys R Us when they dropped the price to $99. 
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: cr8zykuban0 on January 28, 2015, 05:23:56 AM
man its awesome to know most people here got theirs in an early age or back in the 90s .cant say the same for me :(
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: BigusSchmuck on January 28, 2015, 07:04:36 AM
I got my Duo from Gamedude (surprise surprise) back in 94. I believe I paid $150 for it and it came with YS and the 4 in 1 Gate of Thunder disc. As far as some of my first games, pawn stores at first and then a few years later TZD. I recall getting 5 turbo sticks for like $9.99 a piece brand new. Weirdly enough, I have never owned the actual Turbo base system, but knew a few guys in high school that did.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: cjameslv on January 28, 2015, 07:10:38 AM
I got my turbografx16 & cd addon here in vegas for $100. I got my pce turboduo from a member here for $80 and that included shipping. Games i have gotten locally or through this forum as well.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: wildfruit on January 28, 2015, 07:28:31 AM
I got my turbografx16 & cd addon here in vegas for $100. I got my pce turboduo from a member here for $80 and that included shipping. Games i have gotten locally or through this forum as well.
I want one of those duos $80?
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: vestcoat on January 28, 2015, 07:48:22 AM
new TG16 @ Toys R Us, 1992, $100 w/Keith Courage
used Turbo Duo @ Games to Go (RIP used game shop in Richfield, MN), 1997, $150 w/Ys 1-2

Games and accessories purchased at Toys R us and Games to Go and mail ordered from Radio Shack, Game Dude, BRE Software, Video Game Network (Coon Rapids, MN), and Play It Again Games (NYC).
   
new Turbo Duo replacement @ TZD, 2006, $150
new TE @ TZD, 2006, $180
used SGX @ ebay, c. 2006, $150+/-
used SCD @ ebay, c. 2007, $150+/-
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: MrFulci on January 28, 2015, 08:47:00 AM
I first owned Bloody Wolf, which I bought used, for $6 or so, in the early-mid 90's. I bought it, since it was so cheap, and I knew I'd eventually buy a TG-16.

At the end of the TG-16's life, I already had an Atari 2600, 5200, NES, SNES, Sega Genesis, and a Gameboy I only used in waiting rooms and such. I had chances for a TG-16 before, but I went with the SNES and later genesis, first.

I purchased the TG-16 at Evans Distributors & Jewelers, in Maryland. Evan's was a catalog store, like BEST and Service Merchandise. I forget how much the TG-16 was. it was marked down pretty low, so I'd say, between $30-$50. I also bought 7-10 games, for $5 or so a piece, including RAIDEN.

Later on, I had trouble finding games, since most places had sold their stock, or it was picked through. Not much at TRU, Babbages, Software etc, Radio Shack, etc.

I called the 1-800-DUO-THIS number I saw in a game mag, they were happy to help, sent me catalogs, and I got most of my other stuff through TZD, off and on, until they closed.

I got my 2nd TG-16 deck, and 80-100 games, from a video store that was getting rid of stuff that wasn't renting.

I traded in that 2nd TG-16 deck to TZD, for a new Turbo Duo. I remember doing that near x-mas, and having to go to Radio shack for an RF Modulator, because the TV I wanted to play it on, lacked RCA jacks.

2006 or 2007 I bought a Duo-R from a Japanese seller, then shipped it out to some guy on this forum, I forgtet whom, and had it modified for S-video and a region switch.

2008 or so, I got a Turbo Express, from MindRec, that has screwy sound. I got it, not so much to play on, but just to have.

There was the group buy for the Turbo Everdrive in 2014, I got in on.

I no longer play the Duo machine, since I got the Duo-R modified.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Desh on January 28, 2015, 09:04:49 AM
I wish I had known about the Turbografx in my young years.  In 1989 (I was 5) the only thing I knew about gaming was the old fashioned Atari my dad bought before my birth and the NES.  Needless to say I got an NES Christmas of 89'.

Fast forward 23 years and I was actively seeking a TG16 console.  I finally got a decent deal on a boxed console with Keith for about $70 incl. shipping from ebay.

2013 I pieced together a CD setup from various collectors and folks on the interwebs.  I think I paid $60 for the dock and power supply and $40 for a PCE CDrom2.  Later I got a proper Turbo CD Rom from this forum's own Jelloslug.

Last year I got my first and second PCE DUO.  A boxed one off of Ebay (had to set my alarm for 3:30 a.m. to catch the end of the auction) I paid $135.00 shipped.  The second I got off of Keith Courage

Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: esteban on January 28, 2015, 10:03:57 AM
I love the new and old TurboBobs.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: munchiaz on January 28, 2015, 10:44:00 AM
I entered the game late. I picked up my TG at a local gamestore back in 2011 for around $40. I got my PC duo-R a few months after that from Keith Courage of this forum. 90% of my games and accessories have been from the forum. I love this place.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Gentlegamer on January 28, 2015, 11:15:15 AM
The only TG stuff I bought in the 90s were video game magazines that covered it like GamePro and EGM.

My TG-16 was bought on ebay in 2007 for $20, like new. My Duo-R from Keith Courage last fall.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Kid Fenris on January 28, 2015, 11:59:56 AM
I bought my TurboGrafx-16 off eBay back in 1999. It was one of the first things I got there, and it cost $25. This was well before eBay mandated photos for every auction, so I had no idea what I was getting. The console and the AC adapter were stained by what was probably paint (though I initially thought someone had thrown up on it), and the controller's connectors would fall out of the cable if you pulled it too hard. I should have complained to the seller, but I was too happy playing Ninja Spirit and Keith Courage on my very own TurboGrafx.

I still have the system, with a new controller. The RF switch that came with it conked out, but I can use a Nintendo one.

Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Dicer on January 28, 2015, 01:50:34 PM
I got my Tg-16 from a JC Penny outlet, they had a pile there randomly one day for $99, came with Legendary Axe and Keith courage, was a hell of a deal at the time.

As far as software EB games when I worked there, started in PCE stuff from Gamefan, and ended up working i one of their ill fated retail stores.

Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: cjameslv on January 28, 2015, 02:11:23 PM
I got my turbografx16 & cd addon here in vegas for $100. I got my pce turboduo from a member here for $80 and that included shipping. Games i have gotten locally or through this forum as well.
I want one of those duos $80?

I bet it was one that needed some tlc. Cjameslv is on of those "I fix things" guys.

Lol very true. I had to recap it and adjust the laser pots. Still a very solid deal and much appreciated! On a side note it was very nice shell even had the door!
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: CPTRAVE on January 28, 2015, 02:21:08 PM
I got my Turbografx 16, at Toys R' US in Azusa California, the same year it came out.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: RTQ on January 28, 2015, 04:05:10 PM
Mine were all consecutive Christmases I believe.

89 - TG
90 - TGCD - that wrapped box was so big it didn't fit under the tree. It was awesome!
91 - TurboExpress - my dad put the TV tuner in the tree like an ornament. I played my Express the most and thought it was the most incredible thing ever invented.  I could watch TV and play my favorite games wherever I wanted. I was attached to that thing for a few years. Great memories.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Overand on January 29, 2015, 01:45:01 AM
I bought one of them at a yard sale or flea market in the early or mid 90s.  I used to ride around in the back of the car with it, with the Turbo Stick velcro'd to the top, with a portable, battery-op B&W TV.  Portable 3 player Bomberman '93 was the business.

Another one I have, I bought on eBay around 2005, as part of a TGCD set, with some games.  (It was probably the worst packaged eBay purchase I've ever made; I'm amazed it's still all in working order, more or less).

I also had a Duo in between, which got stolen along with a pile of my games and other retro consoles, back in '01 or '02.  I'm actually completely uncertain how I got that - maybe Turbozone Direct?
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: EvilEvoIX on January 29, 2015, 02:23:40 AM
Mine were all consecutive Christmases I believe.

89 - TG
90 - TGCD - that wrapped box was so big it didn't fit under the tree. It was awesome!
91 - TurboExpress - my dad put the TV tuner in the tree like an ornament. I played my Express the most and thought it was the most incredible thing ever invented.  I could watch TV and play my favorite games wherever I wanted. I was attached to that thing for a few years. Great memories.


Living the Turbo Dream
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: _joshuaTurbo on January 29, 2015, 02:28:12 AM
My first OBEY was a Turbo Duo in July 1994 with 12 games for $200.00 from a place called RSE Videogamestar.
Picked up a Duo R in 2006 for around $150.

Sold everything in 2008,  :(


Reacquired a Duo from beemer in 2010.
PCE from Luke Morse in 2013
TurboExpress from Rockabilly (aka Zach Spears from FB group) in 2014
TG16- "Legendary Axe Edition" this past Xmas.

Woot, Turbo!
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Bloufo on January 29, 2015, 02:30:16 AM
Very late to the party.

All my Turbo stuff off ebay. From 2008 onwards.
No chance in finding anything remotely Turbo related in this neck of the woods.

First piece of hardware was a PC Engine Duo.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: seieienbu on January 29, 2015, 03:38:59 AM
I got my Turbo Grafx 16 for Christmas in 1990.  I got a Turbo CD 2 years later, I think?

I grew up in a pretty small town, College Station TX.  I think the population was 35k or so in 1990.  During its run, you could pick up Turbo stuff at a McDuff, Toys R Us, Service Merchandise, Babbages, and Dillard's. 
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: tggodfrey on January 29, 2015, 04:23:45 AM
Both my TG16 and Duo were from Sears Catalog.
Title: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on January 29, 2015, 04:53:34 AM
I bought my Turbo Expresso last year at Save Point.  Probably payed too much for it, as one usually does when buying such things via storefront, but none of the pixels are dead & that sucker is LOUD.

My PCE I bought from a guy here...Douglas, I think. Great guy, but I don't think he's active here very much these days...
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: esteban on January 29, 2015, 05:52:18 AM

I bought my Turbo Expresso last year at Save Point.  Probably payed too much for it, as one usually does when buying such things via storefront, but none of the pixels are dead & that sucker is LOUD.

My PCE I bought from a guy here...Douglas, I think. Great guy, but I don't think he's active here very much these days...


 (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/wall_of_sound.jpg)
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: MrFulci on January 29, 2015, 09:42:55 AM

I bought my Turbo Expresso last year at Save Point.  Probably payed too much for it, as one usually does when buying such things via storefront, but none of the pixels are dead & that sucker is LOUD.

My PCE I bought from a guy here...Douglas, I think. Great guy, but I don't think he's active here very much these days...


 (http://junk.tg-16.com/images/wall_of_sound.jpg)


There was a Gymkata TG-16 game?!?!?!?!?!   :shock:
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: RTQ on January 29, 2015, 10:34:43 AM
I remember figuring out a way to hook my Express up to our cable channels and to the VCR.  Only problem was that you were wired and immobile.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: dallaspattern on January 29, 2015, 11:42:44 AM
My original TG came from Radio Shack, Xmas 1990. My Duo came from a kijiji score, 2007.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: roflmao on January 29, 2015, 02:50:37 PM
I lived in HI during the obey-heyday and got my consoles from local mom-and-pop gaming shops there.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Phase on January 29, 2015, 03:24:23 PM
Got the TG16 from Toys R Us Xmas 92 I think it was 50-70$ at that time. Location was Minnetonka MN by Ridgedale mall.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: cr8zykuban0 on January 30, 2015, 07:57:30 AM
I entered the game late. I picked up my TG at a local gamestore back in 2011 for around $40. I got my PC duo-R a few months after that from Keith Courage of this forum. 90% of my games and accessories have been from the forum. I love this place.

im more late to the turbo party. got my turbo in 2013
my express and my duo r just last year!!!!

but better late than never
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: SuperGrafx on January 30, 2015, 04:34:37 PM
Kaybee Toys at the mall. 
Summer of 1990 I believe.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: VenomMacbeth on January 31, 2015, 03:29:56 AM
Shit, I remember Kaybee.  They only shut down what, a decade ago?  I seem to recall their vidja games always being a tad overpriced...
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Anthony1 on January 31, 2015, 04:03:16 AM
I got mine in December 1989 at Montgomery Wards.

Possibly the first credit card purchase I've ever made in my life. I believe I bought the system itself, one extra TurboPad, and World Class Baseball. I'm not sure if the salesperson explained to me anything about the TurboTap, so I might have had to run back to the store to get the TurboTap so me and my buds could play two player games in World Class Baseball.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: retro junkie on January 31, 2015, 07:28:41 AM
I know that it was the early nineties. And I think they were just beginning to mark down the TG16 stuff. That is when I got my TG16 at a Toys-R-Us. It was across the state line in another town. I think soon afterwards a local Kay Bees began carrying some games. I gained most all of my TG16 stuff very early. If immediately became my favorite system along with my Genesis.

Using a Turbo Tap, Bomberman became a Family passion. We spent many a nights blowing each other up.

At one point I tried ordering the TG CD attachment from this mail order place I found in the back of a magazine. (no net in those days) The place had ran out of stock of the TG16 CD so they sent me the Turbo Duo as a replacement. I was not disappointed.

And for Christmas around that time my Wife got me the Turbo Express.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: eldritch on January 31, 2015, 07:49:52 AM
TG Pal I got 2 years ago, when they were re-discovered in some german warehouse  :P

Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: SuperGrafx on January 31, 2015, 09:03:24 AM
Shit, I remember Kaybee.  They only shut down what, a decade ago?  I seem to recall their vidja games always being a tad overpriced...

No sir.
They sort of invented the bargain bin.

Kaybee was infamous for having clearance NES games during the system's heyday.  Who doesn't remember seeing multiple copies of Galaga, ALpha Mission and Raid on Bungeling Bay hung up behind the register with the infamous price tags that had "$19.99" written on it with red ink?

I can still remember bins absolutely full or now rare titles like Sega CD "Snatcher" marked down to ridiculous prices or Atari Jaguar systems for $49?  If only I had a time machine...
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: Medic_wheat on January 31, 2015, 10:09:29 AM
Craigslist find a little over three years ago when I first got my state job out of my graduate program. Dude had a ton of NES games listed that I intended to buy but someone came the night before his garage sale and bought them all.

When I got there he tried to sell me a very skeleton name machine for $5 which I passed on. He then said he had one other thing video game related. That being a TG-16 and a fist full of games. The whole thing was from a long gone rental store local to the area. The guy could GIVE it away because it wasn't nintendo and no one knew what it was. I knew but at that moment had not known I once experience Obey from a richer slightly older step cousin when I had visited Dallas TX. Well he sold be the whole bundle for $60. The only two games I didn't pick up where Vigilante and a racing game. Mostly because I didn't have another $5 on me and didn't want to hit up the ATM.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: csgx1 on January 31, 2015, 10:48:44 AM
Shit, I remember Kaybee.  They only shut down what, a decade ago?  I seem to recall their vidja games always being a tad overpriced...

No sir.
They sort of invented the bargain bin.

Kaybee was infamous for having clearance NES games during the system's heyday.  Who doesn't remember seeing multiple copies of Galaga, ALpha Mission and Raid on Bungeling Bay hung up behind the register with the infamous price tags that had "$19.99" written on it with red ink?

I can still remember bins absolutely full or now rare titles like Sega CD "Snatcher" marked down to ridiculous prices or Atari Jaguar systems for $49?  If only I had a time machine...

I forgot about Kaybee.  They did have some good clearance deals. I don't remember them having a whole lot of Turbo stuff though.

The only thing I remember buying there was Mega Man X snes for $9.99.  I also remember around '94 they were clearing out top loader NES systems for $30 and had stacks of them on the behind the counter shelves.
Title: Re: Where'd you buy your TG?
Post by: esadajr on January 31, 2015, 02:01:52 PM
didnt have one in the 90s and didnt know anyone who had one. A local dept store had it, but didn't get a chance to try it.