Completely new to TurboGrafx/Duo Pc Engine

[HotJuicyBurgers]

Hey there everyone! I was playing my copy of splatterhouse 3 on Genesis when I started doing some research on the series and that eventually led me to looking up the turbografx and everything in between. Despite this however, I was wondering if there was somewhere that could give me pros and cons about all the different version?

I'm pretty interested in getting a TurboGrafx and trying out all the games that are associated with it. (Both USA and imports, as well as CD games)

From what I understand turbografx cards are regions locked but not CD's. Is that true? I'd also be interesting in getting rgb out from the console as I have a way to output it from a scart connector.

All in all. thanks for allowing me into the forum, hopefully I get to have a ton of fun playing Turbo grafx games one day lol

[Black Tiger]

Turbo brand products are overpriced. You should get a PC Engine setup, ideally a Duo R or RX system, which will play 97% of the worldwide library right out of the box.

You should also get a TurboEverdrive and try games before you buy. Same deal with CD titles, just burn a cdr and decide if a game is worth owning.

You'll have to mod a system to get RGB output, but it's easier than ever now with dedicated parts and several people who offer the service.

[HotJuicyBurgers]

Turbo brand products are overpriced. You should get a PC Engine setup, ideally a Duo R or RX system, which will play 97% of the worldwide library right out of the box.

You should also get a TurboEverdrive and try games before you buy. Same deal with CD titles, just burn a cdr and decide if a game is worth owning.

You'll have to mod a system to get RGB output, but it's easier than ever now with dedicated parts and several people who offer the service.

A Duo R or RX will play American games out of the box? Or would I need to do a region mod? I've never done something like that in all honesty. Also, to play cd games I've read something about needing some kind of system card? I'm not very clear on the details.

[EvilEvoIX]

Great advice.  Great games but collecting is very expensive.  Look into everdrive for sure.

[ParanoiaDragon]

Turbo brand products are overpriced. You should get a PC Engine setup, ideally a Duo R or RX system, which will play 97% of the worldwide library right out of the box.

You should also get a TurboEverdrive and try games before you buy. Same deal with CD titles, just burn a cdr and decide if a game is worth owning.

You'll have to mod a system to get RGB output, but it's easier than ever now with dedicated parts and several people who offer the service.

A Duo R or RX will play American games out of the box? Or would I need to do a region mod? I've never done something like that in all honesty. Also, to play cd games I've read something about needing some kind of system card? I'm not very clear on the details.

With the Duo R or RX, you can play all import Hucards with exception to SuperGrafx games, which there's only 5 of.  You can't play US Hucards unless you mod the Duo R/RX.  There might be an adapter to play US Hucards, but I'm sure it's hideously expensive. 

As for CD's, you can play most import & domestic CD's in the R/Rx, with the exception of a few.  Games that are labeled as Arcade CD games(Fatal Fury 2, Strider, Mad Stalker, etc.) are only playable on the R/RX IF you have an Arcade system card(either the Arcade Duo or Arcade Pro, but you don't need the Pro unless you get a regular PC Engine/Turbo Grafx setup).  Also, there are a few older CD games that have problems running on some systems(Altered Beast).

[thisIsLoneWolf]

Welcome friend!

I take it you'll be looking to get your hands on Splatterhouse. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Some good advice from the other members as well. You'll probably want to take a look at the game library, and then determine which formats you need to support.

If you only want to play hucards like Splatterhouse, you can probably get away with spending a fair bit less money.

[HotJuicyBurgers]

Welcome friend!

I take it you'll be looking to get your hands on Splatterhouse. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Some good advice from the other members as well. You'll probably want to take a look at the game library, and then determine which formats you need to support.

If you only want to play hucards like Splatterhouse, you can probably get away with spending a fair bit less money.

I just feel like if I'm going to spend money I might as well go all out so I don't regret it later and have to spend even more money in the future. For instance, I'd love to play rondo of blood, so I'll need some way to cd's, and from what I understand a lot of games never made it to the US.

[geise]

A PC-Engine Duo setup would work fine for all cd's and super cd games.  You can also play all japanese hucard titles.  Later, for Arcade Card cd titles you can get an Arcade Card Duo if you want.  This usually is the cheapest setup.  Only drawback is you might have to replace the caps in the system since they have been known to go bad over time.  Like others mentioned the Duo R and RX don't normally have the capacitor issues but cost more upfront. 

[Necromancer]

+1 on getting a PCE Duo, but I wouldn't limit yourself to an R or RX.  Once recapped and with their blazing lazer adjusted, an original (black) Duo is just as good.

You can't play US Hucards unless you mod the Duo R/RX.  There might be an adapter to play US Hucards, but I'm sure it's hideously expensive.

Those PC Henshin things seem relatively cheap, about the same cost as paying someone to mod a system and cover shipping both ways.  They're usually sold out though. 

[HotJuicyBurgers]

A PC-Engine Duo setup would work fine for all cd's and super cd games.  You can also play all japanese hucard titles.  Later, for Arcade Card cd titles you can get an Arcade Card Duo if you want.  This usually is the cheapest setup.  Only drawback is you might have to replace the caps in the system since they have been known to go bad over time.  Like others mentioned the Duo R and RX don't normally have the capacitor issues but cost more upfront.

How many games require the arcade card? I spoke to Keith Courage here on the forums and he said he has two different setups, the briefcase setup and the Duo setup. Does anyone have experience with these two? Is there any preference?

[Sparky]

Hey welcome aboard, and ya what Black tiger said, even being patient in finding good deals on games can set you back this day and age. Good luck and if you decide to go for the actual games this place can guide you on prices, and even suggest some start you off games that are good but will not rip open your wallet. <<welcome hug>>

[schweaty]

How many games require the arcade card? I spoke to Keith Courage here on the forums and he said he has two different setups, the briefcase setup and the Duo setup. Does anyone have experience with these two? Is there any preference?

Get a duo.  The briefcase requires a system 3.0 card to play super cdroms (the majority of the library).  The duo has the 3.0 card built into it.  Plus, if you want to play Arcade games, the arcade duo card is much cheaper than the arcade pro card

[HotJuicyBurgers]

Hey welcome aboard, and ya what Black tiger said, even being patient in finding good deals on games can set you back this day and age. Good luck and if you decide to go for the actual games this place can guide you on prices, and even suggest some start you off games that are good but will not rip open your wallet. <<welcome hug>>

Thanks a ton for the welcome! It's always tricky making a post like this because some  communities jump on you at the first sigh of weakness, but it hasn't been like that at all lol

At least not yet... 

I've got quite a few genesis, nes, snes games but from what I understand Turbo/PCE is kind of a different beast.

[geise]

+1 on getting a PCE Duo, but I wouldn't limit yourself to an R or RX.  Once recapped and with their blazing lazer adjusted, an original (black) Duo is just as good.

Not to mention it just looks better!  That is fact.  O:)

[esteban]

Hey welcome aboard, and ya what Black tiger said, even being patient in finding good deals on games can set you back this day and age. Good luck and if you decide to go for the actual games this place can guide you on prices, and even suggest some start you off games that are good but will not rip open your wallet. <<welcome hug>>

Thanks a ton for the welcome! It's always tricky making a post like this because some  communities jump on you at the first sigh of weakness, but it hasn't been like that at all lol

At least not yet... 

I've got quite a few genesis, nes, snes games but from what I understand Turbo/PCE is kind of a different beast.

Welcome, comrade

Complete list of ACD games:

http://archives.tg-16.com/Dengeki_PC_Engine_1994_03.htm#complete_list_of_acd_games

(Note that you might not want to play all of them unless you are a fan of mahjong, wrestling and baseball simulators...)

Here is a nice guide:

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

..just to help you understand where a DUO fits into things (you should get one).