WTB PCE Duo-R

[SignOfZeta]

This is one of the most tedious threads I've participated in in my 10 years on this forum. Never say noobs can't bring anything to the table that we haven't seen before.

[OC2010]

This is one of the most tedious threads I've participated in in my 10 years on this forum. Never say noobs can't bring anything to the table that we haven't seen before.

No one is making you stay a part of it. You can leave whenever you wish. What is tedious? You insult, I answer. People ask legit questions, I answer. If you don't like it, then why are you here? This is a forum... go elsewhere if you don't like it. I thought we were all fine until you started insulting me on page 2. I don't know what I ever did to you...

I understand that I screwed up by asking about a PCE Duo-R in a US TG16/Duo area of the forum. I apologized for that once I realized it. If that is what has your panties in a bunch, please get over it and move on. I'm sure you are a nice guy once people get to know you. Believe it or not, I am not angry at you. I am tired of the insults, but that is all. Let's move on in a friendly way. We will continue here, you can go, I'll see you around and hope to catch you in better spirits next time.

Truce?

[crazydean]

As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

Not to be a dick, but is this something that you actually do? Personally, I haven't taken a system to a friend's house since I was like 14. Also, doesn't a raspberry pi do this? Or a hacked Wii or hacked Xbox?

You speak of how convenient it is to load all of your games onto a system, but that's essentially what an Everdrive does, except you don't have to use an emulator. I guess the all-in-one console just seems shaky to me. If I want the real deal, I would just spend the money and get a Duo. If I wanted "good enough", then I would just get a hacked Xbox or raspberry pi and save some dough.

[OC2010]

As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

Not to be a dick, but is this something that you actually do? Personally, I haven't taken a system to a friend's house since I was like 14. Also, doesn't a raspberry pi do this? Or a hacked Wii or hacked Xbox?

You speak of how convenient it is to load all of your games onto a system, but that's essentially what an Everdrive does, except you don't have to use an emulator. I guess the all-in-one console just seems shaky to me. If I want the real deal, I would just spend the money and get a Duo. If I wanted "good enough", then I would just get a hacked Xbox or raspberry pi and save some dough.

I see what you are saying here. I think that the convenience of the all-in-one is the biggest thing. It saves me space and is rather convenient being pocket-sized. But I haven't gone into this blind. I am getting my reviews from collectors who were skeptics, many of which did not like the Retron 5 for various reasons. Most are happily endorsing it to the point of buying it themselves to make their gaming lives more convenient as well.

I do still have gamer friends and we get together from time to time to game at each other's places. But family life does admittedly make it much more difficult for us to find the time. We would likely do it more if things were more portable and I had more to offer at my place. Just two new consoles isn't as much fun as an entire library of Nintendo and Sega that goes back 30+ years... Also, I like to bring games on trips when I have to stay in hotels without much to do. This could be great to have then.

[Zero_Gamer]

As convenient when taking them to a friend's house with all your save data, or to a place without consoles and hook it into any HDTV? Nope.

Not to be a dick, but is this something that you actually do? Personally, I haven't taken a system to a friend's house since I was like 14. Also, doesn't a raspberry pi do this? Or a hacked Wii or hacked Xbox?

You speak of how convenient it is to load all of your games onto a system, but that's essentially what an Everdrive does, except you don't have to use an emulator. I guess the all-in-one console just seems shaky to me. If I want the real deal, I would just spend the money and get a Duo. If I wanted "good enough", then I would just get a hacked Xbox or raspberry pi and save some dough.

The Pi is excellent for this! I take mine on vacation and on other trips all the time. You really can't beat it.

[nopepper]

If you are going with the Retro Freak, then so be it, but you would be missing out on the fantastic CD library of the PCE/Turbo world. Otherwise, I think that you can get into this world for a bit less than you were anticipating...

You can purchase a doujindance RGB and region modded Duo R for about $350, from ebay. Then a framemeister for ~$350 (I recently saw one used in shmups for less than 300, so check there), and you are pretty much set. I think you will find that the Framemeister will justify itself very quickly, as you will be able to play Genesis/MD and Super Nintendo, by just buying a couple of cables, straight OOTB. If you look at it that way, you can divide the cost by the number of consoles you will be using it with, and make you feel a little bit better about your investment!

If you dont care for the real game packaging, etc., then get an Everdrive, burn all your CDs, and you are good to go. Heck, I'd suggest going this route before plunging knee deep, as this way  you can try out some games before you spend the insane prices some are going for nowadays.

Also, you can get taps for ~$15 and extra controllers for about the same. The Arcade Card can be had for $30, but you can take your time and wait for a good deal to pop up, as there are going to be plenty of games to explore before you will find the "need" to get into those.

Having everything consolidated in a single unit does have some obvious appeal, but I personally find a lot of enjoyment playing from real hardware. Plus nostalgia is part of the satisfaction of owning this RETRO RETRO RETRO stuff.

Ask any questions and I'm sure there will be helpful people/advice in between all the douchebaggery. Also, make sure to play Lost Sunheart once you make your purchase and lets talk about it!

[Black Tiger]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

[jtucci31]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

Yeah. Doujindance mods seem to be more work than they're worth. I'd be cautious

[SavagePencil]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

Yeah. Doujindance mods seem to be more work than they're worth. I'd be cautious

I didn't use him (them?) for mine, but what are the issues with doujindance mods?

[nopepper]

Don't waste money on doujindance mods, especially if you plan to build off of that with things like a framemeister.

Can you please elaborate on what is wrong with them? If not doujindance, can you recommend other installers? Keith Courage?

I've owned a doujindance Duo R for a couple of years and have not had any issues, other than having some faint jailbars, but they don't bother me enough to consider other alternatives.

Thanks.

[jtucci31]

Well the RGB just didn't work well at all and I wanted that specifically for RGB. Normal composite and S-video still looked good. And the laser was iffy when I got it and had to get it replaced

[SignOfZeta]

What are you using for display? My experience with RGB and the PCE is that it's pretty easy to get something going that will display on an analog system but XRGB and other devices weren't so happy.

[nopepper]

Well the RGB just didn't work well at all and I wanted that specifically for RGB. Normal composite and S-video still looked good. And the laser was iffy when I got it and had to get it replaced

What do you mean "didn't work well at all"? You didn't get any picture through RGB?

Mine came with a new laser and it has been rock solid. Prior to getting this one, I used to have another, unmodified Duo R, and that one definitely exhibited all the symptoms of a shot laser, so I'm experienced with that issue. If yours came with a new laser and it was still flaky, then I would understand the criticism. Otherwise, IMO, it's some of the expected wear and tear with these old consoles.

Anyway, it's great to bring these topics up so potential buyers are aware of them when reviewing their options for RGB modded Duo consoles. I would still like to hear from some of the other experienced members here, to see what the prevalent issues with doujindance mods are.

[jtucci31]

I hooked it up to a 14" Sony PVM and the RGB image was very heavy on one color. Tested it on many other PVMs at DragonmasterDan's place as well. He can attest to it. It was more of just a good machine for S-video and composite.

[nopepper]

That's unfortunate.

I will make sure to qualify my recommendations of doujindance mods in the future. Thankfully, in my case, his mods have been great.