31
Turbo/PCE Game/Tool Development / Re: Translating Necros Fortress
« Last post by Mathius on August 24, 2025, 06:38:23 PM »I've surprisingly never heard of this one before. Looking forward to it.
Recent Posts
32
Turbo/PCE Game/Tool Development / Re: Translating Necros Fortress
« Last post by Paranoia Dragon on August 24, 2025, 03:35:23 AM »Necros Fortress is a 1990 turn-based RPG on HuCard. It's based on a line of candy toys, but it's actually a quite competent game designed by the studio that'd later do the Far East of Eden and Sakura Wars series. Probably the most notable feature for the time is that it has very fancy battle animations. There's seven chapters and a lot of playable characters: the Mercenary, Knight, Amazon, Magician, Elf, Samurai, Beserker, Dwarf, and Marine.
I've got a CoreGrafx, but no CD system for it. I'm a shmup-head, but also a RPG-head, and wanted a turn-based RPG on HuCard. I've got quite a lot of experience reverse engineering PC games, but never did a romhack before. The first step was figuring out the character set, which seems to be a one-byte encoding with uppercase latin, digits, hiragana, and katakana, with a combining character for dakuten marks. Eventually lowercase Latin characters should replace the Japanese ones, and the rendering width should be reduced a bit.I uh... don't speak Japanese. But a lot of game translators in the 90s didn't speak English. Maybe it's more authentic that way.
Here's a few screenshots of what I have so far:
Oh neat, are you Pennywise? Saw this on another forum. This is one of many games I have an interest in. There's three things I'm really hoping for though, that I hope will be tweaked. The flashing in the original game seems out of control and needs to be toned down somehow, that's the main thing. But it seems like the battles need to be sped up a bit in general, and the encounter rate looks unusually high. Are these things that you have done or are planning to do?
33
Turbo/PCE Game/Tool Development / Re: Translating Necros Fortress
« Last post by Necromancer on August 22, 2025, 07:48:46 PM »Ah, neato. I love me some translated RPG goodies. I'm not very familiar with this one (the language barrier probably scares me off) but I'm looking forward to giving it a go.
Thanks for the effort and for posting about your project. Keep us updated!
Thanks for the effort and for posting about your project. Keep us updated!
34
TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion / Re: Famicom to PCE Controller Adapter?
« Last post by Necromancer on August 22, 2025, 07:45:21 PM »Didn't someone make such an adapter for (or modded) a hori nes pad for pce use? I'm old and forgetting shit, and search is coming up empty...
35
Turbo/PCE Game/Tool Development / Translating Necros Fortress
« Last post by washbear on August 22, 2025, 06:26:36 AM »Necros Fortress is a 1990 turn-based RPG on HuCard. It's based on a line of candy toys, but it's actually a quite competent game designed by the studio that'd later do the Far East of Eden and Sakura Wars series. Probably the most notable feature for the time is that it has very fancy battle animations. There's seven chapters and a lot of playable characters: the Mercenary, Knight, Amazon, Magician, Elf, Samurai, Beserker, Dwarf, and Marine.
I've got a CoreGrafx, but no CD system for it. I'm a shmup-head, but also a RPG-head, and wanted a turn-based RPG on HuCard. I've got quite a lot of experience reverse engineering PC games, but never did a romhack before. The first step was figuring out the character set, which seems to be a one-byte encoding with uppercase latin, digits, hiragana, and katakana, with a combining character for dakuten marks. Eventually lowercase Latin characters should replace the Japanese ones, and the rendering width should be reduced a bit. I uh... don't speak Japanese. But a lot of game translators in the 90s didn't speak English. Maybe it's more authentic that way.
Here's a few screenshots of what I have so far:
I've got a CoreGrafx, but no CD system for it. I'm a shmup-head, but also a RPG-head, and wanted a turn-based RPG on HuCard. I've got quite a lot of experience reverse engineering PC games, but never did a romhack before. The first step was figuring out the character set, which seems to be a one-byte encoding with uppercase latin, digits, hiragana, and katakana, with a combining character for dakuten marks. Eventually lowercase Latin characters should replace the Japanese ones, and the rendering width should be reduced a bit.
I uh... don't speak Japanese. But a lot of game translators in the 90s didn't speak English. Maybe it's more authentic that way.Here's a few screenshots of what I have so far:
36
TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion / Famicom to PCE Controller Adapter?
« Last post by rasterradio on August 22, 2025, 05:30:49 AM »I've got an awesome ASCII Famicom stick that I'd like to use with the PCE. I understand the two systems handle input signals differently, but has anyone tried/know of a converter to use a controller on both systems?
37
Console Chat / Re: Smelling my own farts? aka Turbo games playlists
« Last post by _joshuaTurbo on August 21, 2025, 05:47:41 PM »Shapeshifter (Super CD)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9h0uDFgYfJgywqqgsH609mCr15JuNURt
Had a blast playing through this one, and that end credits theme song is AMAZING!!
Team Innocent (PC-FX)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9h0uDFgYfJhs8Y6kJNPSQ31DeYx1sK_g
Military Madness (TG-16)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9h0uDFgYfJj69XOouiWET30zqZCDTNoC
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9h0uDFgYfJgywqqgsH609mCr15JuNURt
Had a blast playing through this one, and that end credits theme song is AMAZING!!
Team Innocent (PC-FX)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9h0uDFgYfJhs8Y6kJNPSQ31DeYx1sK_g
Military Madness (TG-16)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9h0uDFgYfJj69XOouiWET30zqZCDTNoC
38
TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland
« Last post by Naniyue on August 18, 2025, 10:29:59 PM »You beat Browning?! I will NEVER challenge you to a game! I will lose my @$$!!!!!
Yeah, the first Bonk is good, and I do recommend the soundtrack. I will try to beat it again legitimately in the near enough future.
*******************************************************
NPC - Bazaru, Part 3 -
8-5, and taking a break!
8-10!!
Yatta! Got through all the stages and bought all of the expensive stuff! I didn't get every moneybag, but damn close!
The game is worth a play through, though admittedly I took a brute force approach to figuring the levels out.
*******************************************************
NPM (Naniyue's Platform MADNESS) - Ninja Spirit
Remember being young, and playing a game a lot because it's what you had? That's Ninja Spirit for me! As I've said before, Dungeon Explorer should have been the pack-in Turbochip with my Duo, but nowadays I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, I actually beat this one TWICE back in the day, but only in PC Engine mode. There's NO WAY I could have done it with just one hitpoint!
The graphics are fairly faithful to the arcade. The music is not exactly the same, but is still good. I think I was able to win because those floaty jumps actually worked in my favor, and I got lucky with the final ninja gauntlet.
**********************************************************
NFT (Naniyue's Fightin' Tales) - Black Hole Assault
The cinematics are nice enough, and in English for some reason. The acting itself is okay. Not perfect, but much better than Last Alert or Final Zone II. The game graphics could have used more animation frames. As for the gameplay . . .
This IS kusoge, but still playable, at least in story mode. My limited experience in the other modes wasn't as good. I mostly got close and stayed close, or got the enemy into a pattern, and stuck with (jump) kicks. There are special moves, but good luck with those! And don't bother trying to throw, as only the enemy is good at that. The differences between the player robot choices aren't much, but some enemies seem easier depending on which you pick.
So, yeah, I'll play it again, but with no real frequency.
!!!! CONTEST QUESTION 5 !!!!
In the third in-game cinematic of Black Hole Assault, Captain Grey stands to the left of a screen that has something in roman letters in the bottom right corner. What does it mean?
********************************************************
NSF (Naniyue's Shooter Failures!) - L-Dis
A cute'em up that's tough as nails! I'm lucky if I legitimately pass the first stage! But the graphics and overall silliness are still worth a look.
NPC - Tricky Kick!
I remember winning at least two scenarios many years ago, but again, I got tired of playing. Well, since I made it through the last puzzle game, why not another! I will take my time with this one, though, so expect more focus on other games.
NAG (Naniyue's Adventure Games) - Yuna 2
Taking a little break with something that's more an experience rather than a game.
Damn! That intro was HARSH!
Yuna is her usual goofy self!
So far, more a typical non-interactive adventure title than something of substance. At least every line is voiced so far, though!
Oh no! It's the Erika 7! The most ruthless team ever!!!
Tiny interactive segments so far.
MY GOD! STOP IT WITH THE HIGH-PITCHED VOICES!!!
Yeah, they were there in the first game, but here, they're even WORSE!!!
Thank God for some normal voices! I'll even take the slow talker from the first game!
So, basically, a game-long date, with minor interactive moments and silly, card based fights that tend to take too long.
Shows what the Turbo can put forth in terms of graphics and sound, but the original is definitely the better game!
NPC - Tricky Kick! Part II
"Doctor! My brain hurts!"
Completed nine of the first scenario, and three of the second. It's driving me crazy, so yeah, I'm going to work on this one here and there.
NFT - Asuka 120%
I played through this many years ago, but decided to try it again for this topic.
While not the best fighting game for the system, it is competently made and easy to play, even when using only two buttons. My only real complaint is how lifeless the backgrounds are.
I have the most trouble against Cathy and Tamaki. Cathy just grabs and throws you everywhere, and Tamaki can shoryuken you back and front faster than Ryu. That is, of course, if the CPU is controlling her.
It took me three tries to take Cathy down using Tamaki, and only because I caught Cathy in a loop.
Wow! Went through with Kumi without continuing! BARELY!
My favorite character is, arguably, the frog! Though I don't really care for Karina's move set.
I like how the PCE CD ROM screen disperses in different ways.
****************************************************
NAG - Private Eyedol
An adventure game shown in a JRPG style rather than first person.
Not too bad! Nice graphics with an early psx feel, lots of voice work, and nothing too frustrating so far. Except the raft and lily pad puzzles. Damn those! Okay, they weren't THAT bad, but I guess I just get frustrated too easily. I'm not done with the game just yet.
*****
Chapter 3!!!!
One keg in the first chapter says 2003, and things take place twenty years after the mansion was abandoned, so the game could be set around nowadays or a bit later. In which case things such as the type of cell phones and the 3.5" floppy drive on brand new Navi compatible machines seem anachronistic. I know it's an old game, so I can't expect everything to be correct, but it's still interesting. And we are nowhere near having Oruka even now!
Oh! And I know it's a joke, but there's a PC FX advertisement on the TV in Chapter 3.
******
Finished! Definitely worth it! Will play through again at least one more time in my life!
Another REWARDING experience on the Turbo! PCE does what Sega and Nintendon't!
**********
NFT - Asuka, Continued
Played through with about half of the characters so far.
Currently using Karina, but that damn Cathy has me again!
That's what I get for throwing my hat into the ring . . .
Yeah, the first Bonk is good, and I do recommend the soundtrack. I will try to beat it again legitimately in the near enough future.
*******************************************************
NPC - Bazaru, Part 3 -
8-5, and taking a break!
8-10!!
Yatta! Got through all the stages and bought all of the expensive stuff! I didn't get every moneybag, but damn close!
The game is worth a play through, though admittedly I took a brute force approach to figuring the levels out.
*******************************************************
NPM (Naniyue's Platform MADNESS) - Ninja Spirit
Remember being young, and playing a game a lot because it's what you had? That's Ninja Spirit for me! As I've said before, Dungeon Explorer should have been the pack-in Turbochip with my Duo, but nowadays I guess it doesn't matter. Anyway, I actually beat this one TWICE back in the day, but only in PC Engine mode. There's NO WAY I could have done it with just one hitpoint!
The graphics are fairly faithful to the arcade. The music is not exactly the same, but is still good. I think I was able to win because those floaty jumps actually worked in my favor, and I got lucky with the final ninja gauntlet.
**********************************************************
NFT (Naniyue's Fightin' Tales) - Black Hole Assault
The cinematics are nice enough, and in English for some reason. The acting itself is okay. Not perfect, but much better than Last Alert or Final Zone II. The game graphics could have used more animation frames. As for the gameplay . . .
This IS kusoge, but still playable, at least in story mode. My limited experience in the other modes wasn't as good. I mostly got close and stayed close, or got the enemy into a pattern, and stuck with (jump) kicks. There are special moves, but good luck with those! And don't bother trying to throw, as only the enemy is good at that. The differences between the player robot choices aren't much, but some enemies seem easier depending on which you pick.
So, yeah, I'll play it again, but with no real frequency.
!!!! CONTEST QUESTION 5 !!!!
In the third in-game cinematic of Black Hole Assault, Captain Grey stands to the left of a screen that has something in roman letters in the bottom right corner. What does it mean?
********************************************************
NSF (Naniyue's Shooter Failures!) - L-Dis
A cute'em up that's tough as nails! I'm lucky if I legitimately pass the first stage! But the graphics and overall silliness are still worth a look.
NPC - Tricky Kick!
I remember winning at least two scenarios many years ago, but again, I got tired of playing. Well, since I made it through the last puzzle game, why not another! I will take my time with this one, though, so expect more focus on other games.
NAG (Naniyue's Adventure Games) - Yuna 2
Taking a little break with something that's more an experience rather than a game.
Damn! That intro was HARSH!
Yuna is her usual goofy self!
So far, more a typical non-interactive adventure title than something of substance. At least every line is voiced so far, though!
Oh no! It's the Erika 7! The most ruthless team ever!!!
Tiny interactive segments so far.
MY GOD! STOP IT WITH THE HIGH-PITCHED VOICES!!!
Yeah, they were there in the first game, but here, they're even WORSE!!!
Thank God for some normal voices! I'll even take the slow talker from the first game!
So, basically, a game-long date, with minor interactive moments and silly, card based fights that tend to take too long.
Shows what the Turbo can put forth in terms of graphics and sound, but the original is definitely the better game!
NPC - Tricky Kick! Part II
"Doctor! My brain hurts!"
Completed nine of the first scenario, and three of the second. It's driving me crazy, so yeah, I'm going to work on this one here and there.
NFT - Asuka 120%
I played through this many years ago, but decided to try it again for this topic.
While not the best fighting game for the system, it is competently made and easy to play, even when using only two buttons. My only real complaint is how lifeless the backgrounds are.
I have the most trouble against Cathy and Tamaki. Cathy just grabs and throws you everywhere, and Tamaki can shoryuken you back and front faster than Ryu. That is, of course, if the CPU is controlling her.
It took me three tries to take Cathy down using Tamaki, and only because I caught Cathy in a loop.
Wow! Went through with Kumi without continuing! BARELY!
My favorite character is, arguably, the frog! Though I don't really care for Karina's move set.
I like how the PCE CD ROM screen disperses in different ways.
****************************************************
NAG - Private Eyedol
An adventure game shown in a JRPG style rather than first person.
Not too bad! Nice graphics with an early psx feel, lots of voice work, and nothing too frustrating so far. Except the raft and lily pad puzzles. Damn those! Okay, they weren't THAT bad, but I guess I just get frustrated too easily. I'm not done with the game just yet.
*****
Chapter 3!!!!
One keg in the first chapter says 2003, and things take place twenty years after the mansion was abandoned, so the game could be set around nowadays or a bit later. In which case things such as the type of cell phones and the 3.5" floppy drive on brand new Navi compatible machines seem anachronistic. I know it's an old game, so I can't expect everything to be correct, but it's still interesting. And we are nowhere near having Oruka even now!
Oh! And I know it's a joke, but there's a PC FX advertisement on the TV in Chapter 3.
******
Finished! Definitely worth it! Will play through again at least one more time in my life!
Another REWARDING experience on the Turbo! PCE does what Sega and Nintendon't!
**********
NFT - Asuka, Continued
Played through with about half of the characters so far.
Currently using Karina, but that damn Cathy has me again!
That's what I get for throwing my hat into the ring . . .
39
TG-16/TE/TurboDuo Discussion / Re: Naniyue's Return to Turboland
« Last post by lukester 3.0 on August 18, 2025, 09:21:58 PM »i beat Browning a long time ago. definitely low quality but it wasnt too difficult. helps that its a very short game.
havent played any pce in a while but i plowed through the original bonk's adventure today. still a classic. has a real unique crudeness and "vibe" to it that the other games in the series dont have, the soundtrack is a big part of the charm
havent played any pce in a while but i plowed through the original bonk's adventure today. still a classic. has a real unique crudeness and "vibe" to it that the other games in the series dont have, the soundtrack is a big part of the charm
40
TG/PCE Repair/Mod Discussion / Re: Turboexpress Control Problem (Only two buttons don't work.)
« Last post by MasterofBiscuits on August 15, 2025, 07:25:15 AM »Good job, I had to replace this exact same network resistor on a previous GT I worked on!