Finally got my TG-16!

[Sadler]

So the cd games are region free but not the hucards correct?

You got it! Although for Arcade CD games, you'll need an arcade card which will require a converter for US systems.

[vashogun]

haha sure is a lot of upgrades I'll need! Kind of ironic considering what I love the most about this machine right now is actually its simplicity (that will clearly change). The cards are unimposing, even fully boxed they pack away well, the lid on the back at least somewhat reduces the wire clutter. I also chose the TG-16 because even though I am very very fond of the sega genesis I absolutely adore the simplicity of a two button interface, it makes games feel more about skill and less about button combinations to me. So it was between the TG-16, the NES, or the Master System. Even one of its faults is a turn on for me - the single controller port. It just makes the whole thing look so nice and clean. Its a very aesthetically pleasing console. Its kind of a shame about the region locked Hucards though. There are a few Japanese hucard games on here that look pretty cool, and even a couple NES games I really liked that would be great to have on the TG16.

[Necromancer]

Welcome aboard!

+1 on getting a CD before completing a cib huey set.  Fretting over finding boxed copies of Time Ball and J.J. & Jeff when you could be playing Ys Book I & II is a crime punishable by pain of CD-i.

[vashogun]

the more and more I go through this library the more and more frustrated I am about the number of games I want to play that are Japanese only hucards. Is there no passthrough device or anything? I suppose the locking bolt when you turn the system on would prevent something like that....

[Necromancer]

There are region converters, but they're generally not worth it.  It's cheaper and more reliable to toss in a region mod, even if you have to pay someone to do it; alternately, apply the region mod. money towards a PCE Duo. 

[vashogun]

Might consider the mod. OK so here are my top 20 US Hucard games I want. I don't think its ALL the ones I want...I know at least one I sacrficed in hindsight to make this list... But my comprimise is if I can get these hucards, THEN I'll invest in upgrading eithier to a modded TG or Duo for the Japanese hucards, or to a CD.

1.Bonk's Adventure
2.Bonk's Revenge
3.Bonk 3 - Bonk's Big Adventure
4.Air Zonk
5.Blazing Lazers
6.Neutopia
7.Neutopia 2
8.Alien Crush
9.Devil's Crush
10.Shockman
11.Splatterhouse
12.Ninja Spirit
13.Galaga 90
14.Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
15.Turrican
16.R-Type
17.R-Type II
18.Bloody Wolf
19.Keith Courage in Alpha Zones
20.Dungeon Explorer

(these are not in order of importance) Let me know if I can expect to have trouble locating nay of these.

[Sadler]

If you get the US R-Type you don't have to worry about R-Type II, the US version has that in it already. Shockman, Jackie Chan and Neutopia II aren't necessarily hard to fine, but they can be pricey. Bonk 3 looks to be the hardest out of that bunch, and the most expensive. I'd recommend you look at New Adventure Island as well, that's a great game.

[SMF]

Might consider the mod. OK so here are my top 20 US Hucard games I want. I don't think its ALL the ones I want...I know at least one I sacrficed in hindsight to make this list... But my comprimise is if I can get these hucards, THEN I'll invest in upgrading eithier to a modded TG or Duo for the Japanese hucards, or to a CD.

1.Bonk's Adventure
2.Bonk's Revenge
3.Bonk 3 - Bonk's Big Adventure
4.Air Zonk
5.Blazing Lazers
6.Neutopia
7.Neutopia 2
8.Alien Crush
9.Devil's Crush
10.Shockman
11.Splatterhouse
12.Ninja Spirit
13.Galaga 90
14.Jackie Chan's Action Kung Fu
15.Turrican
16.R-Type
17.R-Type II
18.Bloody Wolf
19.Keith Courage in Alpha Zones
20.Dungeon Explorer

(these are not in order of importance) Let me know if I can expect to have trouble locating nay of these.

In the states R-Type is both I and II, So I helped you free up a slot.
Bonk 3 is the only 1 that's gonna be hard to snag.
Shockman can be had cheaply as a Huey only
Jackie Chan recently has been on the rare value block and goes for stupid amounts of money rite now.

Keep your eyes on the Forums and you can find all those games here in time.

[vashogun]

In that case I will be replacing R-Type II with eithier Bomberman or New Adventure Island

[roflmao]

So the cd games are region free but not the hucards correct?

That is correct.  However there are 3 types of CD games: CDs, Super CDs and Arcade CDs.  

Depending on the CD system/System card combo you have you may be limited.  

A stock Turbografx CD system which came with a System 2 card can only play normal CD games.  If you get a System 3 card, you can play CDs and Super CDs.  With an Arcade card you can play anything.  

A Duo has the System 3 built in so can play CDs and SCDs out of the box.  

Hope that helps.

EDIT: Whoops, I didn't realize this was already addressed on page 2... :oops:

[Arkhan]

The upgrades aren't really too bad once you get the full scoop.  Really, the upgrade chain goes like this:

PC Engine or Turbo Grafx 16---> Get the CD add on for it----> Get the System Card 3.0 to play everything but arcade CD games.---->get the Arcade CD to play the like 5 games for it---->Become an addict and get a Super Grafx + RAU-30 to connect it to the CD interface that your PCE attached to---> Rejoice.

That is it.  The Duo machines are just a neat looking PC-Engine/TG16+CD+SystemCard 3 all-in-one package.  You don't need it if you have a nice setup already.

You can get a region mod here on the cheap from some of the tech people. Then you can buy an arcade card and the CD setup, and be ready for everything.


Also, why isn't china warrior on your list.  This is sadness.


For now, just focus on getting some HuCard games (your list is pretty easy to nab most of).  Once you have that, keep checking our sale threads for the CD setup.

Without the CD setup, you won't be able to play our homebrew games:

www.aetherbyte.com is where my stuff is.

www.frozenutopia.com has a game coming soon

mindrec.com made some games like 10 years ago.

=3

[roflmao]

Without the CD setup, you won't be able to play our homebrew games:

...but not for long!

[PunkicCyborg]

Welcome dude! Yeah get some more turbografx hu cards to get your feet wet and when you wanna move up to cd games go for a Japanese Duo or Duo R so you can get some Japanese hu cards and some cd's. Don't bother with a US Turboduo if you are on a budget. 

[vashogun]

China Warrior is not on my list true. I DID look at it. And I'm not disappointed. In fact it looks like the kind of game I could really get into. It reminded me a lot of the some what cheesy not-quite-beat-em-ups that the Genesis released early in its life. It reminded me specifically of Altered Beast (the original genesis pack in) or Last Battle. Both of which get panned a lot, but both of which I actually enjoy. I'm a bit of a points whore so I really get into these kinds of games. However I wanted to pick 20 Hucards I could play without modding or buying any new peripherals. It doesn't mean I'll stop there and it doesn't mean I won't play China Warrior. I had to make some tough choices. Notice Bomberman almost didn't make it! I love games with a martial arts theme being a martial artist myself (not that I play them for their realism but the spirit of the thing) however between Ninja Spirit and Jackie Chan Kung fu, I felt I had a pretty good representation and while China Warrior looks like a fun point grabber, I think I would ultimately get more play out of the other two titles.

I'm not crazy about the price tags but I do kind of think its cool that there are so many add ons and mods. It sort of makes the consoles common international name make slightly ironic sense to me. "The PC-Engine". Knowing all the stuff you can do to upgrade it, it kind of makes me feel like this is a hybrid console. You have the plug and play, dedicated device convince of a console, and the upgradable system of a gaming PC. That is kind of neat. Its sort of nice playing the Hucards first for a while knowing that if I get really bored, there are things I can do to enhance the experince. Just wish the cd add ons weren't so freaking rare and pricey. Way more rare than I expected. But I plan to play this console for a long time so its ok. All things in time.

If I have one regret its that I was pretty much left with no choice but to start my collection with TV Sports Basketball. Don't get me wrong there are some charming aspects to this game. Not being an NBA fan the lack of license really doesn't upset me and I love the names of the teams "Zombies, Ninjas, Outlaws", this is cool quirky stuff. I actually like being able to shout plays when I pass middle court thats a cool feature and adds an element of strategy to it. I still don't totally get how to play this one but I'll make sure I spend some time with it. I don't like how nearly everything is mapped to button I, and the difficulty level seems insanely high. I can't get a basket except on a fluke right now. I got this one because my only other options were a casino game and another Sports TV game (football I beleive). I would actually have probably gone with the casino game, but this was complete in box and I wanted to start the collection aspect off on the right foot even if I didn't get much out of the gameplay. The sad end result is I won't be getting much play out of my TG-16 until a week or so from now when I get Bonk's Adventure. I'm just not a big sports game fan and this isn't even very good by sports game standards. But se la ve. Gives me time to catch up on some more recent stuff I've been wanting to finish. Just having the TG16 sitting by my television is satisfying enough at the moment.

[Arkhan]

As far as basketball goes, you need Takin it to the hoop.

and, China Warrior is hella common.  I think I paid like 6$ for the game.  I used to have 4 copies of it, for some reason.  If you like China Warrior, we can be best friends.