SuperGrafx, vs. PCDuo etc

[ctoomey]

Hello, I am trying to figure out the best configuration for playing the most formats possible...I was thinking that a SuperGrafx with CD2 would be best? (I already have a TG & TE for US games)...THOUGH I'm thinking getting SFX may be a waste since it only has a handful of games?

I know this is retreading old ground...If there is a link with some good data on it I'd be happy to review it! Thanks

Also, How much should a SuperGrafx and CD2 go for? Any thoughts on where to get them besides ebay, its been a bit dry lately! Thanks everyone!

[termis]

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

Yeah, the SuperGrafx with the SCD-Rom2 + Arcade Card Duo (or Pro) + a region mod will allow you to play pretty much every single PCEngine/TG16 game ever released.

The problem with the above setup is that it's a HULK of a setup - it takes up a loooota space.

The more practical setup is either:
1) Duo system + Arcade Card Duo + region mod
2) PCE + Briefcase System/SCD-ROM2 system + Arcade Card Duo/Pro + region mod

That's a much more compact and manageable setup, and you're only giving up the 5 SuperGrafx titles from the first SGX setup.

Of course, if you don't care about playing US card games, you can do without the region mod as well.

[ctoomey]

What is the Arcade Card Duo? I was thinking about getting this system from Japanstock:

http://www.japangamestock.com/buy_video_games.php?cPath=67&products_id=9710

It has card 3.0...What would I be missing (besides US games and SGFX) with this setup?

Thanks!!!

[nat]

Arcade card games.

My friend in Japan is selling his console which is exactly the same as the one on that page you linked to. The difference is his comes boxed in original packaging with all the cables and adapters included (even manual). His also comes with the Arcade card instead of the System 3.0 card which means you wouldn't miss out on the Arcade Card games. Also he said he'll include a Ten no Koe Bank (memory card). The Arcade Card and Ten no Koe alone are probably worth $40 or $50 by themselves. He wants $155 for the entire bundled shipped anywhere in the US.

He may have already sold it-- if you are interested, contact me and I'll send you his contact info. He's 100% trustworthy, I think other folks here may have bought from him before.

[termis]

Arcade Card Duo can be used with:
1) any Duo systems (Original Duo, R/Rx)
2) Super CD-ROM2 System [the gray piggyback system] + anything (Coregrafx I/II, SuperGrafx, etc...)

Arcade Card Pro can be used with:
1) All the above setup
2) CD-ROM2 System [the white brifecase system] + anything (original PCE, coregrafx I/II, SuperGrafx with adapter...)

So obviously, for the same price, Arcade Card Pro works in more settings, but the Pro version is about 2x more expensive than the Arcade Card Duo.  You only have to have the ACD Pro card if you're going with the white briefcase CD-ROM2 system.

And following are the Arcade Card games.  The first group "ACD only" games require ACD cards, and the 2nd group of SCD/ACD games, the ACD card is optional and is used usually for minimal improvements (slightly faster load times, etc).

+-------------------------------------------+---------+
| name                                      | format  |
+-------------------------------------------+---------+
| Battlefield '94 In Super Battle Dream     | ACD     |
| Fire Pro Female Wrestling (WOWOW vs. JWP) | ACD     |
| Garou Densetsu 2                          | ACD     | (aka Fatal Fury 2)
| Garou Densetsu Special                    | ACD     | (aka Fatal Fury Special)
| Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire             | ACD     |
| Jsu  ong Shin Denset                      | ACD     |
| Kabuki Itouryodan                         | ACD     |
| Mad Stalker Full Metal Force              | ACD     |
| Madou Monogatari I Honou no Sotsuenji     | ACD     |
| Ryuuko No Ken                             | ACD     | (aka Art of Fighting)
| Strider Hiryuu                            | ACD     |
| World Heroes 2                            | ACD     |
| 3 x 3 Eyes Sanjiyan Hensei                | SCD/ACD |
| Atlas (The) - Renaissance Voyager         | SCD/ACD |
| Brandish                                  | SCD/ACD |
| Eikan Wa Kimini                           | SCD/ACD |
| Formation Soccer '95                      | SCD/ACD |
| J. League Tremendous Soccer '94           | SCD/ACD |
| Linda Cube                                | SCD/ACD |
| Mahjong Sword Princess Quest Gaiden       | SCD/ACD |
| Popful Mail                               | SCD/ACD |
| Princess Maker 2                          | SCD/ACD |
| Private Eye Doll                          | SCD/ACD |
| Sexy Idol Mahjong Fashion Monogatari      | SCD/ACD |
| Sotsugyou II Neo Generation               | SCD/ACD |
| Super Real Mahjong P II & III Custom      | SCD/ACD |
| Super Real Mahjong P V Custom             | SCD/ACD |
| Tanjou Debut                              | SCD/ACD |
| Vasteel 2                                 | SCD/ACD |
| Wrestling Angels Double Impact            | SCD/ACD |
+-------------------------------------------+---------+

[Tatsujin]

and you need in additional the systemcard 1.0 for playing altered beast

[peperocket]

Caution, somes bugs appears with Arcade Card Pro (Rayxanber 3 for example..) 

[vestcoat]

3 x 3 Eyes is the only SCD/ACD game that has any confirmed improvements when used with an Arcade Card.  I've gone back and forth using my other SCD/ACD games with both cards and haven't noticed a bit of difference. 

Note that the strictly ACD games are a pretty small list.  Without an Arcade card you're not missing out on much.  You'll want to pick one up eventually, but unless you own Sapphire or are crazy about vs. fighting games don't worry about it for now.

However, other than the possible glitches peperocket mentioned, there's no reason to buy that PCE 3.0 card unless you're planning on buying a PCE briefcase to play your CD games and you can't afford the Arcade Card Pro.  If you're going for any kind of Dou or a SCD2 attachment you should just buy the Arcade Card Dou.  They cost about the same as the 3.0 cards.

I own a SGX with the Super CD attached.  Unfortunately, its convenience is offset by the fact that it loads slightly slower than my Duo.  It's possible that this is just because of my particular unit, but I've heard rumors that Duo's are a little faster than the CD attachments.  Because of this I prefer to use my Duo for games with lots of loading, like CF2 and the ACD fighters. 

A Supergrafx and the SCD2 are both pretty expensive units.  I was eventually able to get both of them separately for about $100 each (not including shipping) over the course of a year of hard searching.  Usually they go for a least twice that.  I got them both on Ebay and I'm sorry to say I don't know of any better place to look. 

I'd tell you not to bother with the SGX but there is something endearing about those five games and it sounds like playing all of the formats is important to you.  So my advice is keep your TG16, pick up a cheap PCE Duo and continue your search for a SGX/SCD as a long term, back-burner goal (unless your have $500-800 to give whatever shmuck happens to be currently selling them "Buy It Now).

[nodtveidt]

I own a SGX with the Super CD attached.  Unfortunately, its convenience is offset by the fact that it loads slightly slower than my Duo.  It's possible that this is just because of my particular unit, but I've heard rumors that Duo's are a little faster than the CD attachments.  Because of this I prefer to use my Duo for games with lots of loading, like CF2 and the ACD fighters.

During the whole "it's a 1X! No, it's a 2X!" debacle, I explained to people the difference in the drives and why the Duo drives are slightly faster...has to do mostly with drive spinup itme, the Duo's drive has a much quicker spinup. Also, the laser assembly can move quicker on the Duo drives. Both are very easily testable.

[termis]

3 x 3 Eyes is the only SCD/ACD game that has any confirmed improvements when used with an Arcade Card.  I've gone back and forth using my other SCD/ACD games with both cards and haven't noticed a bit of difference. 

I think it's hard to tell the improvements about the SCD/ACD hybrid games unless you know exactly what you're looking for.  For example, Bonknuts verified using a debugger that the Arcade Card is used to cache some parts of the game in Gulliver Boy here.  I'd assume other hybrid games do the same with certain parts of the game (hence once again, difficult to verify the improvements unless you know exactly which part of the game was cached).

[termis]

Ah, and one more piece of hardware for the completionist, there's the "Game Express" System card.

I personally don't know too much about it, other than it's used for that company's games - basically unlicensed porno games, and that it's only compatible with a Duo or Super CD-Rom System (and not the white briefcase system), since it needs the 2Mbit memory that's already in the Duo/SCD systems.

[elnino]

That's a much more compact and manageable setup, and you're only giving up the 5 SuperGrafx titles from the first SGX setup.

But with 1941, Aldynes and Daimakaimura you're giving up three masterpieces no one should miss!!

[termis]

That's a much more compact and manageable setup, and you're only giving up the 5 SuperGrafx titles from the first SGX setup.

But with 1941, Aldynes and Daimakaimura you're giving up three masterpieces no one should miss!!

Sure, they're cool, but better versions of 1941 and Ghouls n' Ghosts can be had elsewhere anyway.  (or so I hear - I only have Battle Ace for my SuperGrafx.)

[elnino]

That's a much more compact and manageable setup, and you're only giving up the 5 SuperGrafx titles from the first SGX setup.

But with 1941, Aldynes and Daimakaimura you're giving up three masterpieces no one should miss!!

Sure, they're cool, but better versions of 1941 and Ghouls n' Ghosts can be had elsewhere anyway.  (or so I hear - I only have Battle Ace for my SuperGrafx.)

I disagree, let aside the arcade PCBs you won't find better ports for these two games

[ccovell]

I disagree, the PlayStation and Saturn both have a Capcom Generations collection with excellent conversions of the 3 Makaimura games - regular, Dai, and Choh.