WTB: my first PC Engine! UK ideally, or just general advice for a noob, please!

[onemanandhisdroid]

Hello everyone!

Long story short, I have decided it's time to get off my arse and get a PC Engine after years of procrastinating. So, quite simply, I'm hoping this forum could help me with sorting out a first system, or even just advise on what sort of prices I'm looking at. The ideal choice would be a Duo R, but I have  feeling they may be a bit pricey for now at least if ebay is anything to go by...

I did consider one of the NOS PAL Turbografx systems, but 50hz puts me off, and I have seen a tidy looking shuttle for about £150-ish shipped from Japan but of course this would mean no CD option later on, but at least it would get me sorted for Hucards for now and they do look kinda cool and I've heard the controller is nice. I have also seen RGB modded PCE systems sell for around £100 on other forums so I'm using that as a ball park figure for now.

Please feel free to advise or recommend reliable sellers!   

[MrBroadway]

The Duo R is indeed pricey, and you'll want someone to region mod it as well. Alternatively, a full briefcase is nice, and you'll have the option of slowly building it up. Might not be a bad idea to just buy a PC Engine, buy something like Galaga 88, Ninja Spirit, and Super Star Soldier, and have fun.

[Necromancer]

A Duo (any version) is the best and cheapest option in the long run, but a core grafx is a good opiton to start if a Duo is out of the cards due to cost.  The shuttle is cool as well, but it's not worth the extra cost (and pricier backup unit, if wanted) over a CG.

[Otaking]

I agree with Necro.
If you're a complete beginner get a Core Grafx I or II, explore the HuCard library first.
In fact probably even a better idea to get a Turbo EverDrive with the Core Grafx, then you can test out the entire HuCard library and then buy the games you like.

[MrBroadway]

I agree with Necro.
If you're a complete beginner get a Core Grafx I or II, explore the HuCard library first.
In fact probably even a better idea to get a Turbo EverDrive with the Core Grafx, then you can test out the entire HuCard library and then buy the games you like.

Honestly, this ought to suffice for most people. It's a real shame too many people think that owning original stuff is actually impressive, as in spending money = how cool you are.

[onemanandhisdroid]

I agree with Necro.
If you're a complete beginner get a Core Grafx I or II, explore the HuCard library first.
In fact probably even a better idea to get a Turbo EverDrive with the Core Grafx, then you can test out the entire HuCard library and then buy the games you like.

This is the plan! Personally speaking, I'm firmly in the camp of 'original hardware + roms' rather than putting my original software into shady Chinese hardware running ripped off emulators.

[elmer]

If you're not into throwing money away ... then I'd recommend firing up a copy of Mednafen on your PC and downloading a bunch of HuCard and ISO images to get a feel for the library.

If you do that, then you'll probably decide right at the start that it's worth spending the extra money on a Japanese DUO/DUO-R so that you can play the CD games, too.

Since you're UK-based, you probably don't have the emotional-attachment to the USA TurboGrafx releases that most folks here do, and would be quite happy to collect/buy the Japanese library, just like us UK PCE owners did back-in-the-day.

Then if you don't want/need to collect the USA TurboGrafx HuCard releases, you don't even need a region-modified system, as you can run all the USA HuCard releases on a TurboEverdrive.

Both US and Japanese CD releases will work on the Japanese DUO without a region-mod.

You'll probably want a Turbo Everdrive anyway at some point if you want to run any of the (small) number of fan-translated Japanese HuCards, or play-without-buying some of the stupidly-expensive "rare" HuCards.

P.S. I like the name ... it's good to see someone that remembers the classic old games!

[crazydean]

Elmer has the right approach towards disc games. Typically when people go for the Coregrafx or white PCE, within a couple weeks they want a disc drive. Play some games on an emulator or watch some videos online to see if you want the disc system. A duo is cheaper in the long run.

[onemanandhisdroid]

If you're not into throwing money away ... then I'd recommend firing up a copy of Mednafen on your PC and downloading a bunch of HuCard and ISO images to get a feel for the library.

Good idea. Installed Ootake last night and have been having a play. 

If you do that, then you'll probably decide right at the start that it's worth spending the extra money on a Japanese DUO/DUO-R so that you can play the CD games, too.

This may very well happen.

Since you're UK-based, you probably don't have the emotional-attachment to the USA TurboGrafx releases that most folks here do, and would be quite happy to collect/buy the Japanese library, just like us UK PCE owners did back-in-the-day.

That's pretty much it - it's an itch I've needed to scratch since reading about the PCE in the import pages of C&VG etc. Oh, how I lusted after a GT and a copy of Parodius Da! as a young lad back then!

P.S. I like the name ... it's good to see someone that remembers the classic old games!

Thanks - still love the old 8-bit micros!

[mjsaville]

I agree with Necro.
If you're a complete beginner get a Core Grafx I or II, explore the HuCard library first.
In fact probably even a better idea to get a Turbo EverDrive with the Core Grafx, then you can test out the entire HuCard library and then buy the games you like.

This is the plan! Personally speaking, I'm firmly in the camp of 'original hardware + roms' rather than putting my original software into shady Chinese hardware running ripped off emulators.

I love original hardware and cards, if people don't look after the hardware in another 10 years it will be all gone, broken and thrown out. Original Hardware was part of me as I grew up and something I wish to keep for the future.

[pas7680]

An RGB modded system is definitely the way to go, £100 should get you a complete set up in the UK and i have been selling full set ups for £90 -100 for the last few years. recently the price has creeped up a bit mainly due to the exchange rate getting worse. I don't have any console systems on their own at the moment - just full ifu briefcase systems....as i'm going on holiday just after Christmas which is proving to be very costly.

from about march i should be back to normal selling rgb modded systems on a monthly basis.

[blueraven]

Get a black PCE Duo (not from doujindance) if you want to play CD games, otherwise I'd start looking for a coregrafx and just play some of the cheaper hueys to get a feel for the system.

mickcris, Keith Courage, and MNKyDeth usually have well-cared-for units for sale. You can get an Everdrive, and boom, instant setup.

Alternatively Mendafen as elmer suggested. Good luck!