Pushing the Limits of the TG-16/PCE hardware

[spenoza]

Man, I love it when you guys go all technical on me. And I'm not being sarcastic, either. I really love technical discussion about hardware capabilities and programming "hacks" to get around them. In fact, I have a real doozey of an article idea after this one that'll really take some research on my part (or rather, polling the minds of people who are in the know) on technical details.

Anyway, you guys have provided lots of great ideas for the article. I'll just have a thank you to the forum in the article. If you want to read (and critique) the other articles, here are the links for the 101 and the definitive games articles. I'm sure I've got some stuff horrible wrong. I haven't owned one in forever. Feel free to rip into me.

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2007/06/tubrografix-16-tg16-101-beginners-guide.html

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/turbografx-16/2007/06/the-games-that-defined-the-turbografx-16.html

[nat]

You know, it's a funny coincidence that I read both those articles just yesterday. I don't remember how I stumbled across them.

There was something in one of them that seemed inaccurate to me. I don't remember at all now what it was.

[ccovell]

Well here are some that I had noticed:

The later CD-ROM games rectified the problem with lackluster music and sound quality and set the tone for the medium.

 

I think you mean the later CD-ROM games rectified the problem of lackluster music...  Otherwise, the above means the CD music was crap.

Blazing Lazers is considered by many to be part of Hudson’s Caravan Shooting series but there is some contention in other circles due to the stylistic differences and the fact that it wasn’t programmed by Hudson.

No, Blazing Lazers (Gunhed) is part of Hudson's Caravan series, having been used in the 1989 Summer Caravan.  It's just not part of the "Soldier" series.

Gates of Thunder...

Gate!


Anyway, back on topic.  I've always been impressed by Parasol Stars' graphics, not just the audio.  This game throws around plenty of large sprites, with really vibrant colours.

Also, let's not forget Faceball as another game that draws polygons on-screen (in 2 little windows)...

Finally, I second Sherlock Holmes as having not only FMV, but doing it in the PCE's 512-pixel horizontal resolution.

[nat]

This is totally off-topic, but seeing your message just now reminded me, Chris: what's up with your website?

[ccovell]

Ah, my friend (who hosts my site for me) lost his credit card, so he had to have the number changed.  He also forgot to inform godaddy.   

I don't know how long it will take for the site/URL to be restored, but I hope it'll be quick!

[ParanoiaDragon]

Actually, Faceball uses a maximum of 4 windows!  It's pretty neat to see, too bad it was just a search & destroy party game, rather then including some kind of adventure mode.

[ccovell]

Right, I forgot about the 4-player mode.  I have no friends and only 2 hands.   

[PhilBiker]

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2007/06/tubrografix-16-tg16-101-beginners-guide.html

One big mistake: the Most Duos won't play burned CD-Rs, as a matter of fact, some Duos have been known to fail as a direct result of attempting to play CD-Rs.  The older TG-CD system is much more robust in this regard.  Your points about "cheap" CD games are not correct.  Otherwise, nice article.

[termis]

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2007/06/tubrografix-16-tg16-101-beginners-guide.html

One big mistake: the Most Duos won't play burned CD-Rs, as a matter of fact, some Duos have been known to fail as a direct result of attempting to play CD-Rs. 

You know, I keep on hearing that, but both of my Duos play CD-Rs without too many problems, and people here also seem to be okay with it. 

My gray Super CD-ROM2 system however, has had some issues...

[Turbo D]

I had no problems with the laser when playing cdrs. My sound died out recently but that is a totally diff story dude.

[SignOfZeta]

http://www.racketboy.com/retro/2007/06/tubrografix-16-tg16-101-beginners-guide.html

One big mistake: the Most Duos won't play burned CD-Rs, as a matter of fact, some Duos have been known to fail as a direct result of attempting to play CD-Rs.  The older TG-CD system is much more robust in this regard.  Your points about "cheap" CD games are not correct.  Otherwise, nice article.

Nah, I'd say most Duo will play CD-Rs, as will all the other hardware because they all have the same CDROM drive.

Also, as for "fail"ing when playing a CD-R, this is no big deal. What happens is the laser parks itself way out where it can't be retracted. Manually winding it back towards the center a cm or two will make it good as new.

[Tatsujin]

very nice and easy to read article. thanks for that. great work.

[spenoza]

Chris, Parasol Stars has always been one of my favorite games for the system in general. I will definitely make mention of the graphics. Still, the music is, I find, some of the best ever on TurboChip and demonstrates sounds and tempos I've never really heard on the system before or since.

[spenoza]

Racketboy is sitting on the article for a few days. I imagine it'll go up Sunday, since that's the day he's posted the other two I did for him.

[lkermel]

Another game nobody mentionned is Dead Moon which has an incredible parallax scrolling...