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NEC TG-16/TE/TurboDuo => TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion => Topic started by: exile on July 19, 2009, 07:13:43 PM

Title: The best Turbo system
Post by: exile on July 19, 2009, 07:13:43 PM
Hey fella's
       Recently my system decided it did not want to be modded and died a horrible painful death. I was wondering what was the best system to buy as a replacement?
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: SignOfZeta on July 19, 2009, 08:19:08 PM
Overall the best system to have is a modded Duo R with Arcade Card.

The most capable would be the Supergraphx+SuperCDROM2+Arcade Card, but that's a lot of bread to gain compatibility with six games that aren't even that great.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Arkhan on July 20, 2009, 01:45:23 AM
Overall the best system to have is a modded Duo R with Arcade Card.

The most capable would be the Supergraphx+SuperCDROM2+Arcade Card, but that's a lot of bread to gain compatibility with six games that aren't even that great.

theyre all great!

Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: guyjin on July 20, 2009, 02:15:51 AM
theyre all great!

Umm, not really. I got to play 2 at the Midwest Gaming Classic, Aldynes and Madou granzort. The latter was an interesting concept, but not very fun to play.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: exile on July 20, 2009, 06:17:44 AM
Thanks for the advice fellas are they hard to find boxed complete? Also what's the difference between the R and the RX is one more expensive than the other?
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: jperryss on July 20, 2009, 06:29:47 AM
Thanks for the advice fellas are they hard to find boxed complete? Also what's the difference between the R and the RX is one more expensive than the other?

The RX is a new version or the R. Functionally they are identical, but the RX costs a bit more, especially if it comes with the original 6-button pad that came with the RX.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: blueraven on July 20, 2009, 06:45:58 AM
I personally like the Black PC Engine Duo; I have an Arcade Card Duo, and 2 Avenue 6 controllers. I dumpster dove for the 30" CRT I play it on. As a result have no use for an RGB mod atm.

The original PCE Duo's more often than not need a soundfix; I have performed this repair on 60% of the units I have owned. 

I've never been a fan of the R or RX despite their better capacitors and relocated power supply.  :mrgreen: but just IMHO. The RX controller is really second-rate and sticky compared to the Avenue Pad 6 .

If you want reliability, collectability, and cool-looking go for a boxed Duo-R and get yourself an arcade card, a tap, and a few Avenue 6 pad for the fighting games.

Don't pay more than $175-200 for the base boxed unit before shipping though. Some folks are selling RGB modded units on eBay for around that price.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: termis on July 20, 2009, 01:06:12 PM
Taking looks aside, Duo-R probably would be the safest bet.

As far as looks go, that's up to you -- I personally like the first (black) duo and the original white PCE/CD-ROM2 setup.  The only problem with the white units are that they can yellow over time, but there seems to be few tricks here which supposedly remedies that problem.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Sinistron on July 20, 2009, 03:38:31 PM
Everyone swears by duo-rs but I've never had any problems with a TG-CD- never had to get it fixed- never had a laser crap out, nothing- meanwhile a good number of people that I know who had or have duos have had to get them fixed at least once.  I have a TG-CD with an ugly-ass diving board converter and it's a warhorse.  Strong like bull.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 20, 2009, 03:56:45 PM
My Turbo system is best.  That's right, mine specifically.  But it is a TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment Supersystem combined with a TurboGrafx-CD-ROM system.  I haves me a purple card converter so I can play the stuff from Nippon and that includes the Arcade Card.  I can still hear all of the audio on MY Turbo system!!!
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Black Tiger on July 20, 2009, 04:30:17 PM
One of the reasons that the Duo R/RX is best is that in the unlikely case that you do need to replace the lens, which in theory should eventually happen to any CD-ROM, it's at least the easiest to obtain a lens for and replace.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: TR0N on July 20, 2009, 05:14:33 PM
My stance still hasn't changed at all a (duo-r or rx) if you want it all in one.No worry's for the sound issue and it will play any game that is on cd.Unless you,want to play any game that is on arcade-cdrom then no problem there.Since the arcade card is easy to obtain.Also while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality. It's gears in the cd-rom can break and then you are stuck with a damn paper weight  :P
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Sinistron on July 21, 2009, 03:29:55 AM
Also while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality.

I must be living in a fantasy world then.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: exile on July 21, 2009, 05:23:53 AM
I think the Duo -r is inferior to the visual style the Duo had, but at this point in my collecting life I need a system that will be reliable. My heart was broken when my system died. Worst part of all it was a boxed complete system. If anyone wants to buy a relatively clean box with all the inserts, one might be available real soon :( I'm still bummed about my american system dying. Do you guys offer support group services?
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: esteban on July 21, 2009, 05:33:35 AM
Also while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality.

I must be living in a fantasy world then.

As am I.

Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Black Tiger on July 21, 2009, 12:58:12 PM
I also have a flawed Turbo-CD drive, I just haven't mentioned it because it came with a work around and I don't plan on fixing it.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: nat on July 21, 2009, 03:01:07 PM
I also have a flawed Turbo-CD drive, I just haven't mentioned it because it came with a work around and I don't plan on fixing it.

Haha, that thing is still trucking along, is it?
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Black Tiger on July 21, 2009, 03:05:27 PM
I also have a flawed Turbo-CD drive, I just haven't mentioned it because it came with a work around and I don't plan on fixing it.

Haha, that thing is still trucking along, is it?

Other than playing it for the novelty, I also use it to output video for my PAL TurboGrafx.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: TR0N on July 21, 2009, 04:51:56 PM
Also while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality.

I must be living in a fantasy world then.
Yup you sure are i'm still debateing if i should keep mine still...
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: m1savage on July 22, 2009, 02:52:59 AM
I still have my original US turbo cd add on that I bought new. It has many hundreds (thousands?) of hours on it and many of those hours were spent testing cdrs back in the iso sharing days. Though a bit noisy at times, still works like a champ today. When I was selling used systems, I had less "dead" cd add on systems then I did Duos for whatever that's worth. If we're including the Japanese systems too, then the original white PC Engine is the best simply because it's just so damn cool.  8)
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: esteban on July 22, 2009, 04:34:35 AM
... then the original white PC Engine is the best simply because it's just so damn cool.  8)

Yup, I have to clean mine up, but it is kool. Plus, I use it with a SuperCD, so there's no fuss about RF.

Unfortunately, you don't get to appreciate the full glory of the white PCE when it is docked, but there's something to admire about the (awkward) SuperCD + PCE  combination.

Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Ichibanrei on July 22, 2009, 04:45:29 AM
My favorite has always been the Core Grafx 2 joined with the Super CDrom2.  It just looks like it can take off and fly.  My TG-CD drive is a mess as well, but I think with some time I'll get it back up and running.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: esteban on July 22, 2009, 04:58:14 AM
My favorite has always been the Core Grafx 2 joined with the Super CDrom2.  It just looks like it can take off and fly.

Indeed, it does. :)

I swap out the white PCE for the CoreGrafx 2 sometimes, but since the Coregrafx 2 has composite video, I usually use it as a standalone, especially to bring over to folks' homes.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: exile on July 22, 2009, 05:22:45 AM
If I buy the Duo-r will the reverse turbo tap work on it or do I need to buy a duo tap? What other compatibility issues do I need to consider?
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: blueraven on July 22, 2009, 06:07:35 AM
You need to get a duo tap.

It's going to run PC Engine controllers instead of TurboGrafx 16 controllers. I recommend the blue CG controllers and the avenue 6 instead of the Duo-RX controller, once again.

Some of the users here have modded theirs successfully to be cross compatible.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Black Tiger on July 22, 2009, 08:16:39 AM
Duo/PCE Taps are <$10, so it's no big deal.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Necromancer on July 22, 2009, 08:34:39 AM
Screw getting a Duo Tap; get a wireless pad setup instead.  Cords are for suckers!  :D
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Black Tiger on July 22, 2009, 12:50:15 PM
Screw getting a Duo Tap; get a wireless pad setup instead.  Cords are for suckers!  :D

I like wireless pads for RPGs, but they're not the best for action intensive games since they have to be perfectly lined up to the receiver. Plus I don't think that they are any 6-button wireless pads out there. :wink:
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Joe Redifer on July 22, 2009, 01:01:08 PM
I LOVE wired pads.  No batteries to replace, ever.  Always a perfect response as well.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: exile on July 23, 2009, 07:17:51 AM
I wouldn't mind having a wireless pad are they difficult to attain? i have a modded duo tap but regular TG 16 controllers plug into it. Will that work on a Duo R? or as stated by another member I need to buy a Japanese Duo tap?
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Necromancer on July 23, 2009, 08:44:48 AM
I wouldn't mind having a wireless pad are they difficult to attain?

I was being a bit facetious with my pro-wireless rant; I may like 'em, but I know they have drawbacks and ain't for everyone.  That said, though a bit pricey, they're not hard to find.  Rising Stuff has receiver/pad sets for $75 boxed ($65 loose) and $15 for each additional pad (only one receiver is required).
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Fatality on July 28, 2009, 05:25:53 PM
Hey everybody I'm new here and I have some very very NOOOOOOOOB questions to ask so please don't kill me :mrgreen: I rarely know anything about NEC, but I do have a US TurboGrafx-16 that I love to death. I am about to purchase a PC Engine Duo-R and I just wan't to clarify on some things. The PC Engine Duo-R plays both American and Japanese CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 games right? Does it only play Japanese HuCards? Sorry for these Noob questions I was orginally going to buy a US Turboduo, but I read on a lot of game forums that the Turboduo has a tendency to lose its sound and that the PC-Engine Duo-R are more reliable is this correct? And I am also going to purchase Street Fighter II for it will it work with this system since the game is an import I believe so I don't need a converter card or anything like that. Thanks for the help and I really apologize for the Noob questions, but I had to ask because you guys are NEC Geniuses. Peace
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: TR0N on July 28, 2009, 05:39:58 PM
Hey everybody I'm new here and I have some very very NOOOOOOOOB questions to ask so please don't kill me :mrgreen: I rarely know anything about NEC, but I do have a US TurboGrafx-16 that I love to death. I am about to purchase a PC Engine Duo-R and I just wan't to clarify on some things. The PC Engine Duo-R plays both American and Japanese CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 games right? Does it only play Japanese HuCards?
Games on cd region free while hucards are not unless a region switch is put in.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: esteban on July 28, 2009, 07:31:22 PM
Hey everybody I'm new here and I have some very very NOOOOOOOOB questions to ask so please don't kill me :mrgreen: I rarely know anything about NEC, but I do have a US TurboGrafx-16 that I love to death. I am about to purchase a PC Engine Duo-R and I just wan't to clarify on some things. The PC Engine Duo-R plays both American and Japanese CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 games right? Does it only play Japanese HuCards? Sorry for these Noob questions I was orginally going to buy a US Turboduo, but I read on a lot of game forums that the Turboduo has a tendency to lose its sound and that the PC-Engine Duo-R are more reliable is this correct? And I am also going to purchase Street Fighter II for it will it work with this system since the game is an import I believe so I don't need a converter card or anything like that. Thanks for the help and I really apologize for the Noob questions, but I had to ask because you guys are NEC Geniuses. Peace

First, welcome.

Second, you're in great shape.

Since you have TG-16 already, you should definitely purchase a Japanese Duo (-R / -RX might be most reliable) because then you will be able to play:

North American HuCards (TG-16 console)
Japanese HuCards (DUO)
All CD/SCD games (plus, you can purchase an Arcade System Card if you want to play ACD's)

                
Quote
Arcade CD's:
                 Battlefield '94 In Super Battle Dream
         Fire Pro Female Wrestling (WOWOW vs. JWP...
         Garou Densetsu 2
         Garou Densetsu Special
         Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire
         Jong Shin Densetsu
         Kabuki Itouryodan
         Mad Stalker Full Metal Force
         Madou Monogatari I Honou no Sotsuenji
         Ryuuko No Ken
         Strider Hiryuu
         World Heroes 2

Street Fighter II' is a Japanese HuCard, which you can play on your Japanese DUO. You probably will want at least 2 six-button controllers for Street Fighter II'.

Your plan is sensible: you'll have an excellent set-up for enjoying all the games, regardless of region. Go for it.

Don't hesitate to ask more questions.
 
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Fatality on July 28, 2009, 08:01:38 PM
Thanks for the help TRON and esteban, greatly appreciate the your responses
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Arkhan on July 28, 2009, 11:47:53 PM
You are also going to want to buy Insanity

dont forget that. :)

Don't fret the lack of 6 button controllers atm.  You will get by fine without breaking your wallet trying to find an RX 6 buttoner.  The Dpads on em are stiff anyways.  What you want is the Avenue 6 pad!

Avenue 6 pads are cheaper and boy are the d-pads nice, but... in all honesty, you will barely get a use out of it unless you want to play fighters, and even then its not going to kill you if you don't have it.  Some fighters only use 2 buttons !

You should be more worried about getting a nice, shiney Duo-R or RX!

Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Necromancer on July 29, 2009, 03:46:37 AM
Welcome aboard, Fatality.  Contrary to Arkhan's lunatic ravings, you'll definitely want to pick up a pair of 6 button pads and a tap; considering how cheap they are, there's no reason to play SFII without 'em (except on a GT).  Besides, you'll need a couple of extra controllers for multi-player bouts in Bomberman and Dungeon Explorer.  8)
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Fatality on July 29, 2009, 05:06:39 AM
Yeah, it seems on ebay that the PC-Engine Duo-R's seem to go a lot cheaper that the Turboduos. My Price Range for the PC Engine Duo-R is around $250 and I see a bunch of them around that price. The Turboduo I see go for more than $400 on ebay. So I'm glad the PC Engine Duo-R is going more cheaper and it is known to be more reliable :mrgreen: Thanks for the response everyone, this is a great forum with a bunch of cool people.
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: Arkhan on July 29, 2009, 11:21:48 AM
Welcome aboard, Fatality.  Contrary to Arkhan's lunatic ravings, you'll definitely want to pick up a pair of 6 button pads and a tap; considering how cheap they are, there's no reason to play SFII without 'em (except on a GT).  Besides, you'll need a couple of extra controllers for multi-player bouts in Bomberman and Dungeon Explorer.  8)

Multiplayer?  Whats that.

I guess you need friends for that!
Title: Re: The best Turbo system
Post by: exile on July 29, 2009, 02:05:22 PM
Damn Arkan, do you need a friend? I'll gladly be one so you wont face those enemied in solo play of D.E :wink: