Turbo Express Multi-Player Resource

[vestcoat]

I’ve always been interested in the TE’s ability to play special two-player modes in Bomberman and Falcon.  Unfortunately, information about TE multiplayers, GT compatibility and the TurboLink has been impossible to find.
After recently picking up a 2nd Express and some additional gear on the cheap I ran some tests and made a few other discoveries along the way.

*No need for a TurboLink!  Not only are they impossible to find, but you can save yourself $15 and buy an eighth-inch TRS (stereo) cable at Radio Shack; I tested it and it works fine.

*If you’re a stubborn collector, you could try to order a TurboLink here:  http://www.videogamer.org (no idea if this dealer is any good, I got mine on ebay).

*PCECP apparently updated their advanced search filters sometime in the last year and I finally found out what all of the GT multi-players are:  Columns, Puzzle Boy, Spin Pair, Bomberman, and Bomberman 93.

*The TE multi-players are:  Bomberman, Bomberman 93 and Falcon.

*The skimpy instructions included with the TurboLink list Ballistix, Davis Cup Tennis and Andre Panza Kickboxing as additional, upcoming games that are Link compatible but I strongly doubt the final releases included this function because there is no mention of the feature in any of the manuals or on PCECP.

*Region compatibility!  I played US Bomberman 93 on a TE linked to PCE Bomberman 93 on another TE with a Mirai adapter last night and it worked fine.  I don’t have a GT to test, but I’m sure it would be fine linking the two considering that the software is compatible and the 1/8” stereo jack is such a simple interface.

These discoveries raise a few other questions.
1.  Is there any way to use the TG16 expansion port to link two turbografx units together?  (and if so, how come they never made multi-player Doom??? )
2.  Any chance Ballistix, Davis Cup Tennis or Andre Panza Kickboxing are actually compatible?  Who wants to mail me their loose extra copy to test?
3.  Why is multiplayer Bomberman 93 so stupid?  There’s only one level, no computer players, and the only power-ups are bombs, flames and viruses (no kicks, chainbombs, etc.)  Is it hard to sync two units?  Primitive hardware?  Stupid cable?

[Keranu]

Thread of the year! Seriously this thread is downright awesome! Thanks so much for the outstanding information!

Now to get this straight, the only way to play two player games on Turbo Expresses is to link up only the compatable games with the Turbo Link like Bomberman? So you couldn't play Cadash on two Turbo Expresses for example?

Also, how is two player Falcon?

[vestcoat]

So you couldn't play Cadash on two Turbo Expresses for example?

Yep, it sucks.  For a system that dominated every other portable on the market, the TE/GT totally got it's ass kicked in the multi-player department.  The titles I listed are the only confirmed two player games.

Also, how is two player Falcon?

I don't know because I don't know how to play Falcon--I've played the game for all of five minutes.  I do own two copies and I tested it out the other day but it looks pretty boring.  Nothing but two flight-simulator planes slowly flying around trying to shoot each other. 

I haven't tested the first Bomberman because I only own one copy.

BTW, that videogamer.org site is the only dealer in the world I've found who still sells Turbolinks.

I would seriously love to know if it would be possible to link two TG16's or PCE's via the expansion port.  It would be f*cking sweet to see some kind of Double Dungeons/Faceball/Final Lap Twin type homebrew use this function and play a game on two TVs (this would be a good money-maker because people would have an incentive to buy two copies).  It also wouldn't be unreasonable considering how cheap TG16 decks go for.  Even if such a game were never developed, I'd still like to play the lame Bomberman/Falcon modes on a couple home systems.

Do any of you techies know if this is possible?  I don't understand this shit:  http://www.gamesx.com/misctech/pcebp.php

[Pcenginefx]

Yes, thank you for posting up this info vestcoat...there is a serious lack of multiplayer TE info online.

As far as linking Turbo hardware together, it is my understanding that the game has to support some kind of system link setting to detect the other hardware.  Even if you perfectly hook up two TG-16's via the expansion port, they won't even look for the port unless the game specifically calls it out.

[theoakwoody]

Linking two tg16's would be sweet for bomberman alone.  Two systems, 2 tvs, sounds good to me.

I guess someone would have to start narrowing all hardware differences between the express and 16.  I know its pretty common knowledge that the express(Or was is the shuttle?) is only missing 1 pin that would allow it to except the cd attachment so right there is a minor difference.

[sideshow]

The Turbo Express was so damn expensive when it came out you were lucky to find somebody else to link to.  Strange how they made Falcon a link game cause its a very boring game.  Bomberman makes perfect sense for linking.  Parasol Stars would of been a great link game.  Anyhow great information nonetheless.

[Turbo D]

I have a Turbo Express, but no one to link with   

[esteban]

Thread of the year! Seriously this thread is downright awesome! Thanks so much for the outstanding information!

Woohoo! I agree. Thanks for the info, vestcoat.

I've been too lazy to check on this myself because I do not own extra copies of the "TurboLink-compatilbe" games.

Someone here on these boards sold me a TurboLink not too long ago (nat? and maybe it was a year ago, now that I think about it) because I've never been able to find the damn cable. Well, I missed one on ebay once (and it was cheap), but that's because I was an idiot.

[Keranu]

I have a Turbo Express, but no one to link with   

Wanna link up, buddy?

Seriously, I was hoping I could finally link up with someone at Turbo Fest last June but I don't think anyone else brought an Express. Maybe next year .

[Turbo D]

definitely next year 

[hoobs88]

Parasol Stars is not linkable?

[Necromancer]

Parasol Stars is not linkable?

Correct.

[nodtveidt]

I was wondering about the TurboLink. I figured "hey, standard 1/8th inch plug, wonder if a normal stereo patch cable will work". Good to know it does.

As for the games themselves, Aaron is right...the software has to specifically use the comlink port. I don't believe this is an issue ever tackled by homebrewers, though I think maybe it's about time someone did some poking around the registers looking for it. With the existence of flash carts now, it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Now if I could only get two flash carts and another working TE...

[vestcoat]

Heck, even something like Crash or Humpball would be awesome on two TVs.

[spenoza]

I really wish Cadash had been made linkable. In the TG-16 version you have to be on the same screen as the other player, obviously, but in the arcade you could wander far apart from each other. In fact, if you joined a game already in progress you started at the beginning and had to wander through the areas the other player(s) had already passed. You still got to kill regular enemies but the bosses, naturally, were defeated and gone.

The GT/TE would have been perfect for emulating this mode of play.