New to the PC-Engine

[CraZyP83]

I just recently purchased a pc-engine Core Grafx II and have some questions about the cd-rom attachment.  Are all games compatible with all the cd-roms models provided i have the correct system card.  Are there any cd-rom models I should avoid or a particular version which is better or more reliable than the others.

[bartre]

I'm pretty new myself, but here's my understanding:
Everything but the Duo-R sucks for reliability.

some other users will probably be able to elaborate on that, but that's what i've been told.
and as far as i know, there are no games that require you to have a certain model of CD attachment, just the proper system card.

[BlueBMW]

All CDROMs are region free, so you dont have to worry about US vs JP region.  Having the proper system card is required.  If you use the CGFXII in an orignal interface unit with a basic CDROM2 unit, you'll have to use whatever system card your game requires.  If you find a Super CDROM attachment (the one that actually matches your CGFXII) I believe those have the 3.0 system built in and so would play anything but Arcade games.

Check out the ultimate compatibility guide here... http://pcenginefx.com/main/nec_compatibility_guide.html

[CraZyP83]

All CDROMs are region free, so you dont have to worry about US vs JP region.  Having the proper system card is required.  If you use the CGFXII in an orignal interface unit with a basic CDROM2 unit, you'll have to use whatever system card your game requires.  If you find a Super CDROM attachment (the one that actually matches your CGFXII) I believe those have the 3.0 system built in and so would play anything but Arcade games.

Check out the ultimate compatibility guide here... http://pcenginefx.com/main/nec_compatibility_guide.html

Thats what I thought but I wanted to be sure.  One other question I have is other than ebay are there any places recommended that i may find the cd-rom attachment.  I'm having the feeling i should have bought both together because it seems most people on ebay are selling the two togethter.  I happend to get the core grafx for 80 dollars shipped from a US seller as opposed to buying it from japan and paying alot for shipping.

[BlueBMW]

CDROM attachments can be tricky.  They have a fairly high failure rate (broken gears, worn out lasers, failed motherboards) so they are difficult to find, especially loose and at a reasonable price.  I know you just bought the Core GFX II, which is a really cool system, but you might be best off trying to locate a reasonably priced Duo-R or RX.  That would play all your hucards still and all the CDROM and Super CDROM games. (2.0 and 3.0 respectively)  The Duo-Rs and RXs seem to have the best reliability as far as the CDROM systems go.

There are a few of us on here (like me) who insist on using a regular Turbo Duo or CDROM attachment.  But be forewarned, they can sometimes be a love hate relationship with the somewhat frequent failures / repairs you experience.

If you can find a "Super CDROM" attachment, that might be different.  I haven't heard a whole lot on their reliability, but I would guess they would be similar to a Duo R based on their production times.

This unit here: http://a-button.jp/blog/public/image/abutton/200808/cdrom2.jpg

[Arkhan]

Lets be realistic. 

Don't dick off with any attachments and doojabbers and whatnot.  Just accept your fate and get a duo-r

anything else is a gamble.  A ticking time bomb, destined to go HI, I AM NOW BROKEN AND YOU CAN'T PLAY VALIS NOW. SUCKS TO BE YOU.

[Mathius]

I haven't had one single issue with my Turbo-CD. Sure, it may go nuclear on me like Arkhan says, but so far so good. Whoever had it before me took mighty good care of it.

[ceti alpha]

I agree with what has been said above. Get a Duo-R. It's just more reliable. Besides, your CGII is a great backup, which is always nice to have. I have a TG and a US Duo, but I definitely plan on getting a Duo-R. There's just no avoiding it.

[Mathius]

I agree with what has been said above. Get a Duo-R. It's just more reliable. Besides, your CGII is a great backup, which is always nice to have. I have a TG and a US Duo, but I definitely plan on getting a Duo-R. There's just no avoiding it.

Yeah, me too. No avoiding it.

[Arkhan]

I haven't had one single issue with my Turbo-CD. Sure, it may go nuclear on me like Arkhan says, but so far so good. Whoever had it before me took mighty good care of it.

yeah, mines been pretty safe as well.  I checked the gears, they look brand new.

but you cant always be lucky and its not worth the risk

[turbogrfxfan]

get a duo r !!!   dont waste any time!!!  If u get a turbo cd your just going to worry when its going to break.

[SOU212]

Get a Duo-R. I am going to buy one of those myself soon. The original black Turbo/PCE Duo makes the original 360 look like it is built like a tank. I used to have one and a week later after a purchased mine 2 years ago, I noticed some of the sound effects in my CD games became mute because the sound capacitors inside the system were fried or something. So yeah definitely get a Duo-R.

[MotherGunner]

BTW Crazy, welcome to the forums.  Agreed with the others DUO-R/RX is the way to go.

And keep the GCII for when you just want to have your hucards on another TV, work or on the road. 

[TR0N]

If you can't find a (super-cdrom2) just get a (duo-r) then it's is the most reliable model out there.