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TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Naniyue on August 01, 2025, 08:45:29 PM »

When I first played the original, I made it to map 4. Much later, when I borrowed it from a friend, I accidentally discovered the surround tactic. THAT changed everything! You gain bonuses to atk/def depending on friendly units next to you, and if you can attack from around the back, this greatly hinders maneuverability in the fight, and therefore there is a HUGE reduction in enemy def. Terrain counts as well, of course. And luck. And hopefully, the CPU won't cheat, leaving just one unit of an enemy left that stays in your way at just the wrong time.

Sometimes, your very first moves count. I was just playing stage 9, and only two turns in I knew I had lost.

I can do turn-based. It's real time strategy that I'm terrible at! I just CANNOT keep all that stuff in my head, looking at one end of the map while something else is happening on the other side, and I just can't split my attention because there's not enough time!

In Military Madness, tension is part of the appeal! Did you guess right? Wrong? Played it smart, or just got lucky? Thought you had lost it all just to turn it around? Knew it would happen but wish it hadn't, or in the long run glad that it had? And you sit there, waiting for the units to line up. Then that cannon takes two seconds too long to fire, leaving you on the edge of your seat for the results.

The western name for the series fits MUCH better! Kind of like how Resident Evil sounds better than Bio-hazard.

He he. Just had my max capability, full rabbit squad ANNIHILATED by a 3-star, full enemy rabbit squad on the same terrain. Nigh impossible! WHAT a surprise, indeed!

Have you tried Vasteel? I wasn't as good at that one, strategically, but my arcade skills kept me afloat!

I had forgotten that the game also takes place on Mars. And now, the fate of humanity is in my hands! No, no pressure. No pressure at all . . . .

Contest question 2:
True or False: Space Fantasy Zone was never officially released.

TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Mathius on August 01, 2025, 07:00:33 PM »

Few games infuriate me more than Military Madness. The game has for the time the best (only?) in-game visual instruction manual on console, yet by map three the computer is so tough I always end up throwing in the towel. I can't imagine how Bucci soldiered through the entire game for his video review. Yet I always come back for more due to the game's thick atmosphere thanks to it's music complimenting its space theme so well.

TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Naniyue on July 30, 2025, 08:50:09 PM »

Thank you for your support!

Back to run and gun games, we have:

Mystic Formula (PCE SCD) -

An average game. The graphics are okay, but you've seen better on the same system. The story is basic, with decent cinematics. You get to choose between four characters, each with different weaponry that can be powered up. Similar to The Legendary Axe, you can wait for your shots to charge up, or go in blazing with constant but weaker ones. Scrolling is a bit off, but you get used to it. At least on easy difficulty, you can bum rush your way through most stages, but one hit deaths and start-of-stage continues keep the game from being a complete cake walk. The graphics for the final boss do stand out.

Worth a shot! Get it?

If you are a viewer of 80's and 90's anime, the more you play these CD games, the more voices you will recognize. Raiden, the main male character, definitely has a voice I've heard before. I'm not good with voice actor's names, though.

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!!! NEO NECTARIS !!!

This game is responsible for me losing two consecutive nights of sleep. Not from playing it, but waiting for it to come in the mail! It did NOT disappoint! If you liked Military Madness, then this one is required playing. A true sequel that outperforms the original. And it includes the original game! Of course, the CPU is still a cheating bastard! Almost every time you desperately need a particular attack to work, AND your stats and position are favorable, you'll STILL miss!

WARNING! You can only save after completing a mission, so be sure you can devote the time it takes to beat later stages.

From my blackout/brownout topic:
"I was playing Neo Nectaris, getting things handed to me the way that game does, when after three long hours of edge of your seat play, the tide had miraculously turned! BUT, as I was finally close to winning, I had a feeling that the power would go out. Yup."

NOTES:
There is a PC DOS Military Madness game with additional maps and even new units! I've never finished it, though. I probably should do that . . .

With better 3D graphics nowadays, the PSX version doesn't look as good anymore. Perfect example of older, less technologically advanced 2D graphics (Turbo) looking better in some ways, especially color, than 3D ones.

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Peripherals, etc. I (used to) own:

Alas, I sold a couple things when I needed money, or gave stuff away.
For example, I still have the manual for Bomberman '93, but the game is long gone. I gave it to a friend a quarter century ago!
My multiplayer tap is gone.
My 128k memory base is gone! But that thing ate through batteries, anyway! I didn't have an adapter for import hucards, as I was focused on CD games, so the ten no koe bank was impossible for me to use at the time.
I DO still have two 6 button Avenue Pads!! They save you a couple button presses when playing Emerald Dragon.
At a bookstore, I bought a color illustrated guidebook for the first Record of Lodoss War game that came with the game! It was a neat little package that only cost me about 1,000 Yen, or about $10! After beating the game, I gave it to the same person that has Bomberman '93.
I still have one mailer from Turbozone Direct! At one time, they had sent me a free copy of that Hudson 1993 music CD, but I have no idea where that went!

********************************************************

!!!!! TURBO TRIVIA CONTEST !!!!!

Over the course of this thread, I will ask ten questions about the Turbografx/PC Engine. The first, second, and third people to PM me all ten correct answers will receive a prize! These are TBD, but will all be Turbo related! Contest good only in the contiguous 48 states, as I will pay the shipping charges.

Question one:
In Ys I, which track number on the CD is the music for the abandoned mines?

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More Neo Nectaris!

I was originally going to leave things as they were, but I've decided to play through the whole thing again, and tell you how it goes.

First things first, I had forgotten how good the graphics are! They really went the extra mile, or is that kilometer, since it's made in Japan. The music is a big upgrade, very military like and appropriate. That opening title sequence with the moon is still awesome and effective!
(This clip cuts off the first and last couple seconds of the title for some reason.)

今, 命運はあなたの手に!
Ima, meiun wa anata no te ni!

Now, our fate is in your hands!

My hands? We are soooo SCREWED!

UPDATE:

It took me three tries to beat stage three. I never said I was good at the game! Already had one of those BS moments when I should have annihilated the target. Eventually, I was needlessly attacking a surrounded unit, when I saw the way clear to take the enemy base. Tsk tsk. Armchair general my behind! More like below even private!

Stage 4: I am already getting better at predicting the outcome of battle. Now, to predict everything else, so I can actually beat the stage!
I like the factory capture sequence of the original better. The graphic in Neo has a nice anime look, but it's stationary with no special music.
The real skill comes in getting it right the first time! I'll never be THAT good a player, at least not consistently, but it's still fun!
Got it on the second try.
The map graphic for the Grizzly tank looks to me like there's a large guy's upper torso and arms sticking out of it.
Beat map 5 on the first try! Yay! Don't expect THAT to happen often!
And map 6! BED. NOW!!!!

Okay, no more stage by stage! Just highlights.

First, I had forgotten how many new units there are!
Compared to games of today, there are so few animation frames! I think that's one of the reasons Prince of Persia stood out in its time.
It's also interesting how much data such a, nowadays, low spec machine as the turbo can handle. We're looking at multiple units at various coordinates with many different abilities and states of activity and well-being, plus the graphics and sound effects, plus the math played out in an attack, etc. etc. There's a lot of stuff going on!

TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Mathius on July 30, 2025, 02:39:58 PM »

I've got nothing to add but keep it up please.

TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Naniyue on July 29, 2025, 11:10:18 PM »

I remember buying these clear colored, medium sized bouncy balls with puyo eyes! Gave them to one of my sisters a loooonggg time ago! And a Bomberman B-Daman before they became extra robot-like.

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Exploring Dungeon Explorer, Part I

After about ten years, I've tried playing DE II again over the last few months. I thought I'd pretend to be new at the game, but ended up dying in places I wouldn't have otherwise, so I lost interest. But, now that I've started this thread, I figured I'd play through both again.

Dungeon Explorer (Turbochip) - I first played this one a very, very long time ago, with the latest run no more than seven years ago.

OVERVIEW:
The next step in the evolution of Gauntlet, in my opinion, though the quest mode of Gauntlet IV on the Genesis could be considered such, too. While not quite an RPG, Dungeon Explorer still has elements of such, with NPC interactions and stat increases.

Thoughts as I play:

Atlus was involved?!
Why does the opening look so damned ugly?
I chose the fighter.
Dummy me went the wrong way and got killed. Starting over.
Okay, NOW I'm going south like I'm supposed to!
I prefer the numerical view of my stats, but that's in DE II.
I'm going to use all of my knowledge of the game(s) to get through.
Farming for potions and stat increases is helpful, but beware those will o' the wisps!
Tried almost every class, but died too easily.
The monsters at the bottom of the status bar remind me of the cacodemons from DooM.
I'm back to the fighter, though I will naturally change to the princess once I can.
I tried several times to rescue the princess without dying, and then that damn munchkin right after that got me! Well, at least I got her password before then!

One day later, after work:

Oohh yeah! Now THAT'S how I play! Finally made it back to town with the fighter without dying! I think my DE skills are back! I still may die at some point, but I wanted to reach that particular point at least.

To be continued!

EDIT:
I swear that the music of Dungeon 2 takes a tiny bit of inspiration from Earth Wind & Fire's "September".

September:

Dungeon 2:

While we're at it, I might as well show the similarities between "Willy and the Hand Jive" and the music at one of the bars in Shadowrun for the Genesis:

Willy and the Hand Jive:

Shadowrun, Bar 4:

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Exploring Dungeon Explorer, Part II

No, I won't be doing this stream of consciousness approach for every game. It's just a fun little experiment. Like seeing into the mind of a fellow player.

Changed to the princess.
Thought I'd double check with the king and also check out the completed dungeons. I didn't realize the stat increase items would be back, so yay!
Just because I'm using the princess doesn't mean I get to be sloppy!
Took care of the caterkiller again.
The red slimes look like blood cells.
That tiger was a pain, but I got him, barely!
"Witch heads! Witch heads! Roly poly witch heads!"
Damn! Those purple warriors are TOUGH! Thank goodness they can't reach me!
Damn those gnome wizards in Cherry Tower! I had so many on screen at one point that the generators couldn't put out more! The boss was easy, though.
I've invested too much in hitpoints! Need more ATK increases!
The sliding tiles are almost more dangerous than the monsters!
Killed Cyclopus! Took a point in ATK!
Karma Castle's "searchlight" traps are interesting.
Killed Death easily! Another point to ATK!
Oh, goody! Rallymaze! Kinda feels like something from Phantasy Star II.
Monsters have become stingy with potions.
Some of you might be thinking, "Of course it's easy with the princess!" Too bad! I'm trying not to die, and her abilities make that more likely. I have gone through DE II without her before, but it's easier in that one to get more powerups, if memory serves.
Got the dragon! NEED MORE POTIONS!
286 HP. How about 386? 486? Pentium?
Wish I had this as the pack-in turbochip with my duo instead of Ninja Spirit.
The Ratonix Dungeon music is my favorite:

I never could get the hang of analog controls. Hooray for the d-pad!
Agility at max! Can't pick up the boots!
With so many generators, I'm afraid of the wisps! One almost got me a dungeon or two ago!
Another old game that suffers from too much palette swapping.
Wisps out the wazoooo!!!!!
Got the Ora orb! That imposter king! Never saw that coming!

Why, that backstabbing Judas!

Oh yeah! Hardcore style victory! I could never do that with any other character, though I wouldn't be surprised if some of you have! I'm just an average player, in comparison.

Conclusion:

Good game! Well worth playing! The ending could have been more rewarding, but DE II will take care of all that! Will explore that one soon!

TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Necromancer on July 28, 2025, 10:05:30 AM »

I also can't handle battle puzzlers. I'm just too dumb to set up good combos, so I get smoked. It's unfortunate, as Panic Bomber and Puyo Puyo are great looking games.

TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland

« Last post by Naniyue on July 28, 2025, 03:37:17 AM »

Panic Bomber! (PCE SCD) - I'm decent at well puzzles, but LOUSY at battle well puzzles! This was one of the few times I actually got to use the five player adapter. Three of my fellow gaijin at the time beat the crap out of me in this one! I decided to fire this up again and attempt the story mode at easy difficulty. Years ago I ended up cheating, and probably still will, but it's a silly little game with a pretty map screen that's worth trying out.

Shooter Quickies!

Seirei Senshi Spriggan (PCE CD) - I play through this one every few years because of the graphics, but I have to cheat. The game is too hard for me, and the powerup system just comes down to me choosing red and blue.

Spriggan Mark II (PCE SCD) - Most prefer the first one. I like this one a LOT better! Awesome graphics with lots of color and parallax scrolling, a decent enough story, weapon choices, and a regenerating shield! Unfortunately, I have to cheat through this one as well. Once, after a VERY concerted effort, I got to the last stage fair and square, but that was it.

I DO like that you control a mecha in both games instead of a ship.

Psycho Chaser (PCE HuCard) - You know those games that you like, but will never get far in? This is one of them for me. I like the overall vibe, both graphics and audio, but the difficulty is just too much!

Blazing Lazers (Turbochip) - I've always liked this one, but could never legitimately win. This time, after years of only playing a few minutes of the game, I made it to area 7, then kept dying so much that I simply gave up. I normally use the disruptor wave, but decided to try field thunder instead. I may try again, but with (mostly) my mainstay weapon.

Super Air Zonk (TSCD) - Compared to the original, this one is uninspiring and a chore to play. The music isn't as good either. The only fusion I liked was on the 5th stage, which combines Zonk with the Yamato!

Tengai Makyou I (PCE (S)CD), part II - I admit, I am enjoying myself, but can still only play so much at a time. There are two or three different backdrops for the same terrain, so that's nice, and they almost look like they were scanned in. I'm at the town just past the one in which you rescue the white deer, so I'm not really that far in yet.

Chit-Chat / Re: teh "what did you buy today"-thread

« Last post by Mathius on July 26, 2025, 06:49:27 PM »

Quote from: Necromancer on July 26, 2025, 06:32:00 PM

Yesterday's mail brought me a copy of Luna Patrol (homebrew from the late BT Garner) and a copy of TurboGrafx and TurboExpress Secrets book. I've had part 2 of the latter for years, but I never picked up the first one before now.

I look forward to playing the game (moon patrol is forkin' sweet) and I appreciate that BT's family didn't let his hard work go unloved. Pour one out for the lost Turbo Friends.

Don't forget to hug your local Turbro.

Chit-Chat / Re: teh "what did you buy today"-thread

« Last post by Necromancer on July 26, 2025, 06:32:00 PM »

Yesterday's mail brought me a copy of Luna Patrol (homebrew from the late BT Garner) and a copy of TurboGrafx and TurboExpress Secrets book. I've had part 2 of the latter for years, but I never picked up the first one before now.

I look forward to playing the game (moon patrol is forkin' sweet) and I appreciate that BT's family didn't let his hard work go unloved. Pour one out for the lost Turbo Friends.

Turbo/PCE Game/Tool Development / Re: SHINOBI for Supergrafx : WIP

« Last post by touko on July 25, 2025, 09:32:43 AM »

Quote

Do this classic justice!

That's the goal, and i don't want to let the MD have a better version .

So i'll do my best on this

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