which is more reliable?

[duodreamer]

I am new to the pce and am going to buy a supergrafx or pc engine duo in the next couple of months and was wondering which of the two are more reliable and had less problems?

[termis]

Well, the SuperGrafx doesn't play the CD media games so it won't have any worn out laser-eye issues like the Duo.  And some Duos also have sound fading issues.  Both of these common problems on the Duos are rather easily fixed, though.

[SignOfZeta]

You probably don't want a Supergrafx. I've been collecting PCE since the system was in its prime, and I still don't have one (even though I own multiple PCEs). They don't play CDs unless you buy an add-on CD, and the only feature they have over a standard HuCard-only PC Engine is that they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO. Its more of a collectors thing, really.

If you want a reliable system, your probably want a PC Engine Duo R, or Duo RX. Conventional wisdom says that original PC Engine Duos are less reliable, but I'm not sure how true that is. They are all year or three newer though, that much is known, so that might work for you.

[Turbo D]

 I'd advise you to buy the pc-engine duo

[D-Lite]

Over the past 5 or so years I've opened up and tested at least 100 different CD based NEC Duo/R/RX systems and I can easily say that the original black Duo is the worst in terms of reliability.  I have rarely found an R/RX with any of the typical sound fade problems, but I'd say 25-30% of black Duos have been faulty.  Probably something to do with the use of newer caps in the later years of manufacturing, who knows.  Also I still believe a lot of it has to do with where the heat sinks are.  Realize that the heat sinks in the original Duo are right next to the audio circuits/capacitors.  Excessive heat from long gaming sessions could have more easily damaged/dried those caps over the years.  The R/RX are laid out completely differently internally.

[Black Tiger]

Even if the SuperGafx was indestructible, its not worth the trade-offs.

Just buy a Duo R/RX.

[spenoza]

No love for a Core + CD-ROM?
Probably a cheaper combo....

I found a site that'll sell me a core, cd-rom, and Super System Card for like $150

[WoodyXP]

Like the fellas said, get a Dou R or RX... I even recommend a Briefcase if you can find one in good
condition.  They're very solid too.

[elnino]

they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO.

C'mon, three of them are among the best games for the PCE and really worth to buy the SGFX system!

[Tatsujin]

right there, inufun!!

[lbblue]

No love for a Core + CD-ROM?
Probably a cheaper combo....

I found a site that'll sell me a core, cd-rom, and Super System Card for like $150

What site?  :

[SignOfZeta]

they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO.

C'mon, three of them are among the best games for the PCE and really worth to buy the SGFX system!

Um...what? I've played all the SGX games (I think), and I can barely even remember what they even were. Makaimura seemed to best to me, but if I actually felt like playing that one I'd just buy the Genesis one for $10.

The best format PCE-wise is clearly Super CD, and to a lesser extent HuCard. The really great shit like Kaze Kiri, and Tengai II, and LoT, and Drac X, and all that far outweighs the SGX. I know I never played a SGX game better than Star Parodia, or even Super Star Solider.

[SignOfZeta]

No love for a Core + CD-ROM?
Probably a cheaper combo....

I found a site that'll sell me a core, cd-rom, and Super System Card for like $150

I have great love for the Core+CD-ROM combo, its my favorite version of the PCE, but in my experience is not as cheap as a Duo R. They are also mostly yellow and gross looking nowadays. On top of that if you want the AC, you have to get the Pro, which costs twice as much as the Duo.

[cho_aniki]

   It's true that the bulk of the really good games are probably on Super CD format, however I still think the Supergrafx is worth getting.

   Aldynes is a personal favourite, and Daimakaimura and 1941 are nice games as well.  The Supergrafx attaches nicely to the Super Cd rom attachment

   and, although a bit bulky, I think it's nice to have a setup that allows you to play absolutely anything in the Pc-engine library.


   

[Black Tiger]

The SuperGrafx is not worth getting unless you're a hardcore PC Engine fan who already has a good complete setup to play any other PCE games and you already own most of the PCE titles you're interested in.