Hello!!! So glad to be a part of the TG-16 community!!!

[frozenintears]

^ nice. I like how it's just TurboGrafx. Pretty cool. Nice logo too.

[esteban]

Thanks for welcoming me.
I would, but PCE has so many games it's a bit overwhelming for a noob like me at this point. That's why I am focusing on the more simple things like US Turbo. Besides, the PCE converter is so expensive it's almost a turnoff for newer collectors and gamers like me.

I will definitely look into purchacing the CoreGrafx or the original PCE in the future for playing PCE games.

One of the main reasons to get a PCE is because a lot of the expensive games on TG16 are waaaaaaaay cheaper for PCE versions. For instance, Bonk 3 US will set you back $150 or so while the PCE version will only be about $30 and it's the exact same game with no Japanese skills needed. Don't bother with converters, if you have a basic TG16 that'll handle all of your US hu card games then eventually when you want to get into CD games just get a Japanese Duo variant and you'll be set to play pretty much anything.

oh snap! the japanese Duo plays US CD's?

You could mod your TG-16. But, skip the mod, save your money and (until you win the lottery):

(1) Skip the TG-CD. Use that money towards...
(2) DUO-R(X) / PCE + (S)CD

Your TG-16 will play NA HuCards. Japanese console will play Japanese HuCards and CD's from any region.

Eventually, you may upgrade the System Card to play Arcade CD's...but that's in the future...

[frozenintears]

^ thanks for the great advice. That sounds like a very common sense thing to do in my case.

How about Turbo Duo? I guess that's the USA version of DUO-R? correct?

Is that something worth getting over the original Turbo-CD attachment in case I can't find the DUO-R?

[nat]

Well, actually what little we got over here was a mix of US and Japanese.  I found an old photocopied list from Telegames back in the day with the games I wanted circled.  Most of them were around £50!  Talk about gouging...

But that was grey market importing, right?  The legit stuff sold alongside the PAL TG was all US hueys.

Yeah it was grey market, but AFAIK, it was all grey market - the "official" stuff was just bulk imported and modded.  The officialness was a bit of a myth.  Even in France.

Wrong.

The PAL TurboGrafx was an official NEC product, fully backed and supported. A test launch, as I understand, and it didn't perform as expected so any further release plans were scrapped.

The "Sodipeng" related line and all that crap was the grey market stuff.

[frozenintears]

lol now I am really confused.

OK, let me ask again. 2 questions.

1. Does USA TurboGrafx-16 play European hucards?

2. Does EURO TurboGrafx play USA hucards?

From what I learned here. I know that the all CD systems are region free. And I know that Japanese PCE only plays Japanese HuCards. I just would like to know about the 2 qustions I posted above. Thanks mates!

[Sadler]

^ thanks for the great advice. That sounds like a very common sense thing to do in my case.

How about Turbo Duo? I guess that's the USA version of DUO-R? correct?

Is that something worth getting over the original Turbo-CD attachment in case I can't find the DUO-R?

I think you'll find any Japanese Duo variant to be both easier to find and cheaper than a US Duo.

1. Does USA TurboGrafx-16 play European hucards?

2. Does EURO TurboGrafx play USA hucards?

I don't have any experience with european models, but that won't keep me from shooting my trap off. It's my understanding that the answer to both of your questions is "yes".

[frozenintears]

I think you'll find any Japanese Duo variant to be both easier to find and cheaper than a US Duo.

I don't have any experience with european models, but that won't keep me from shooting my trap off. It's my understanding that the answer to both of your questions is "yes".

oh wow, I never would have thought thats how it goes. Wouldn't it make sense that something Import would be harder to find? oh well. Learn something new everyday. Actually something new every hour with this forum.


That's pretty cool if my US Turbo can play Euro Hueys. I have family in UK. Gonna go bother them to send me some games. woot!!

[BlueBMW]

It is also my understanding that US and Euro systems are the same as far as the hucards are concerned.   So I'd also say in answer to your two questions... Yes on both.

Also, as others have said...

Keep your US TG16 for all the US (or Euro) hucards you want to play. 




Then ideally, find a PC engine Duo R or RX system.  That will cover 98% of all the games US or JPN, hucard or CD.  --  Expect to spend $150 to $200 for a good one of these systems.  Well worth it!




If you want to play the handful of "Arcade Card" games, then you'll just need an Arcade Card Duo CD system card  --  Expect to spend about $30 to $40




If you want to play the 5 (7) SuperGrafx games, then you'll need to get a Supergrafx console.  --  Can be found for $100-$150 or so...




If you want to play the dozen or so LDROM2 games (Laseractive Laserdisc games) then of course you'll need to spend a bundle on a Laseractive and either a US or JPN PAC.  Expect to pay $200 for the base unit and another $250 for an NEC PAC.





If I havent confused you, then I apologize, I'll try harder next time   but give this guide a read, it explains WTF is going on with all these different systems / cd systems etc.

http://pcenginefx.com/main/nec_compatibility_guide.html

[nat]

I think you'll find any Japanese Duo variant to be both easier to find and cheaper than a US Duo.

I don't have any experience with european models, but that won't keep me from shooting my trap off. It's my understanding that the answer to both of your questions is "yes".

oh wow, I never would have thought thats how it goes. Wouldn't it make sense that something Import would be harder to find? oh well. Learn something new everyday. Actually something new every hour with this forum.


That's pretty cool if my US Turbo can play Euro Hueys. I have family in UK. Gonna go bother them to send me some games. woot!!

They can each play the same cartridges because there is no difference between the carts themselves. They just sold the US carts in Europe and the console itself converted the video output to PAL.

I'm not sure how it would benefit you to have family in the UK find you games and send them to you, unless you're also in Europe or something.

If you're in the US you might as well just buy your games here. If you had a European-sold copy of Blazing Lazers in one hand and a US-sold BL in the other, you probably wouldn't even be able to tell the two apart.

[Sadler]

oh wow, I never would have thought thats how it goes. Wouldn't it make sense that something Import would be harder to find? oh well. Learn something new everyday. Actually something new every hour with this forum.

Well, you have to bear in mind that the PC Engine was much more popular in Japan than the US. It lived a much longer life out there, had somewhere around 5x the games released for it and had many more variants in Japan.

Now, I suppose it's true that you are probably more likely to run across a US Duo in a local shop state-side than an import. The internet is your friend here.

[frozenintears]

Thanks a ton guys!!! That really explained a lot of things I wanted to know.

BlueBMW, that breakdown of some of those non-US systems you posted is epic! Things are a bot more clear now. What exactly is the difference between the R and RX?


Nat, the benefit is that I will get games for free whenever my family or friends in Europe will run into them at markets, garage sales etc.


Sadler, thanks for your help bro.

[BlueBMW]

BlueBMW, that breakdown of some of those non-US systems you posted is epic! Things are a bot more clear now. What exactly is the difference between the R and RX?

They're basically identical.  The plastic on the RX is a little more gray, while the R is more white.  The RX originally came with a 6 button controller that is like the pad that comes with the PC-FX console (dont go there yet...)  The R just has a standard 2 button turbo pad.  Before you get excited and start looking for the RX's 6 button pad... be aware that its not THAT great of a controller.  Many will say they much prefer the original Duo Pad over the RX pad.  (I am one of those who dont care much for the RX pad)

Which is one more thing to note....  The TG16 system's controllers have a different plug than all the other systems.  So if and when you do get a Duo, be it a US Turbo Duo, a Japanese Duo-R or whatever.. the controllers wont be interchangeable without adapters.

Also... If you really want to chit chat with some Turbo nuts..... sign up for an account over here: http://pcengine.freeforums.org/index.php  and go to the chat room.  We used to have a shoutbox on the mainpage here, but due to some site issues, it had to be removed.  There's almost always someone online over there talking about turbo, or other cool things

[frozenintears]

Thanks BMW!!!! you rock!

I will join that site as well.

btw, I know you said don't go there yet, but.................wtf is pc-fx?

[BlueBMW]

Thanks BMW!!!! you rock!

I will join that site as well.

btw, I know you said don't go there yet, but.................wtf is pc-fx?

That site was created when this site went offline due to some technical issues (haxorz)  we didnt know if it'd come back up so that forum was made.  Not everyone reads over there.  I mostly just use it for the chatroom.  But you may find some threads of interest.

Regarding the PC-FX.... its the system that succeeded the PC Engine line.  Came out in 1995 only in Japan. (i think it was 1995)  Its not backwards compatible with PC engine games and the majority of its games are Japanese text heavy.   Dont consider it unless you're just a crazy hardcore collector or like neat obscure items.  There are a handful of games that can be played an enjoyed without knowing Japanese.  Its hard to say if its worth the price of admission, most will say its not.  Sadly there is only one shooter for it   But there are a few others that are playable, and there has been more buzz lately about some possible homebrew action.  There are also some games that are being or have been translated.  Most notable is the dating sim / hentai game Welcome to Pia Carrot.  Expect to pay $150 or so for a PC-FX system.

[frozenintears]

ahh ok, so basically this forum and that other one are the biggest NEC PCE communities online. I just registered over there btw.


yeah, you are right, I am not gonna go there with the whole pc-fx thing. But definitely something worth knowing to me. I definitely would like to have as much knowledge as possible about NEC stuff.