New here, looking for RPG recommendations

[DragonmasterDan]

I have a burn of Ys IV with english translation that I got years ago from somebody, but was always afraid of putting it in the system.  Anyone know of one that was done?  Maybe a topic for a new thread.

There have been many many many threads on the topic of playing CDRs in your system. For all intents and purposes the general rule is don't use CDRs unless you're willing to risk hardware problems.

[Black Tiger]

I have a burn of Ys IV with english translation that I got years ago from somebody, but was always afraid of putting it in the system.  Anyone know of one that was done?  Maybe a topic for a new thread.

There have been many many many threads on the topic of playing CDRs in your system. For all intents and purposes the general rule is don't use CDRs unless you're willing to risk hardware problems.

You'll also read in the same threads how cdrs don't seem to affect hardware that is properly taken care of any more than original CD games do. Even by the fear mongering standards, playing through a single RPG on cdr won't hurt your system.

Also "cdr" is a very vague term used to describe a wide range of reproductions. There's a huge difference between some random iso/mp3 download and a properly copied and patch disc.

[esteban]

  Cook is eager to play Bonk IV RPG!

[BigT]

Thanks for the additional suggestions! I did play Phantasy Star 2/3/4 on the Genesis, so Cosmic Fantasy 2 sounds like it'd be something I'd be into. Just have to find a way to play those CD/Super CD games without spending $450+ on a Duo.

A little off topic... am I correct in thinking a PC Engine Duo will play both US and Japanese CDs/Super CDs? I know it won't play the US HuCards (but I can use my original TG16 for that), but if the above is true, I can pick up a Japanese Duo for half the price of the american version. Doing so will not only save me a bunch of money, but then I can play the full lineup of US and import games, correct?

I eventually purchased a modded PC Engine Duo that serves as my main machine.  There's a guy on Ebay, doujindance, who puts them up for sale:
http://www.ebay.com/sch/doujindance/m.html?hash=item2ebc2d976c&item=200725600108&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_trksid=p4340.l2562

These are region modded, so you can play US Turbochips and Japanese Hucards with the flip of the switch.  They are also equipped with a new lens and an RGB mod (albeit European SCART style).

At times, when I'm away from the PC engine, I do rely on emulators, such as Magic Engine...

Do you have a TV that accepts RGB or do you convert it to component? I bought a fully modded Duo R from doujindance and it doesn't work with my RGB-to-component transcoder (un-modded RGB outputting consoles do though). So it just collects dust instead.

I still use it to play on a CRT using composite outputs... I've been too busy to try to figure out the SCART conversion...

I know that the purists will yell at me... but I simply use Magic Engine on my HTPC and LCD monitor... I'm pretty satisfied with the results.

[Keith Courage]

If you system will play the CDR well then I say do it. However if it struggles and takes abnormal amounts of time for the game to load things then don't cause in that case it will wear things out.

[tpivette]

Received my copy of Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes today... unfortunately, my PC Engine Duo hasn't arrived yet. Should be here by the end of this week - beginning of next week. Its torture staring at the Super CD and not being able to play it! Arrggg!

Anyone have extra complete (boxes not necessary) US copies of any of the mentioned RPGs that they want to get rid of? Looking to expand my collection!

[esteban]

Received my copy of Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes today... unfortunately, my PC Engine Duo hasn't arrived yet. Should be here by the end of next week - beginning of next week. Its torture staring at the Super CD and not being able to play it! Arrggg!

Anyone have extra complete (boxes not necessary) US copies of any of the mentioned RPGs that they want to get rid of? Looking to expand my collection!

If you can't play LoH: Dragon Slayer yet, pop the CD into a player and listen to the Red Book. 

[tpivette]

They play in regular CD players? As in, I can pop it into my Eclipse CD3000 on the way to work and check out the audio tracks? Neat! Guess I'll have to check that out tomorrow

[vestcoat]

Skip track 2 (usually data) and test the tracks with your speakers fairly low case you hit some full scale digital.

[esteban]

They play in regular CD players? As in, I can pop it into my Eclipse CD3000 on the way to work and check out the audio tracks? Neat! Guess I'll have to check that out tomorrow

Correct. Track 1 is always a warning. Track 2 is always data. Now, usually, you'll have a bunch of Red Book tracks, but some games have additional data tracks (for example, a redundant data track at end of disc, in case track 2 becomes damaged/corrupt). Less common, you'll see data track interspersed between a bunch of Red Book tracks.

I've never damaged any CD player or speakers. Just hit "skip track" if you hit data. 

[DragonmasterDan]

Received my copy of Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes today... unfortunately, my PC Engine Duo hasn't arrived yet. Should be here by the end of this week - beginning of next week. Its torture staring at the Super CD and not being able to play it! Arrggg!

Just making sure, you got a US copy of Dragon Slayer right?

[tpivette]

Yep, US copy. Everythings in english and it says "Turbo Duo" on the disc

[Black Tiger]

Received my copy of Dragon Slayer: Legend of Heroes today... unfortunately, my PC Engine Duo hasn't arrived yet. Should be here by the end of next week - beginning of next week. Its torture staring at the Super CD and not being able to play it! Arrggg!

Anyone have extra complete (boxes not necessary) US copies of any of the mentioned RPGs that they want to get rid of? Looking to expand my collection!

If you can't play LoH: Dragon Slayer yet, pop the CD into a player and listen to the Red Book. 

That's exactly what I did with it and Shapeshifter while waiting for the TurboDuo and Super CD card to be released.

[nodtveidt]

Nowadays, pretty much all audio CD players will simply skip over a track that identifies as data.

[Tatsujin]

I've never damaged any CD player or speakers. Just hit "skip track" if you hit data.  

Back in times, I had a friend which regulary borrowed PCE CD games from me, just to lissen to the frantastic BGMs. Even tho I warned him about the data tracks may damage his stereo, he once must have past out while the player was in repeat mode.

Conclusion: 2x dead speakers, 1x broken amplifier.

LOL, never underestimate the power of PCE!

Now pump it up to ma..er..PCE!