Looking for advice on getting started with the TG16/Duo

[Grandmaster]

Hi, Big fan of video games here. i never had a TurboGrafx-16 even though i always wanted one (was swept up in the nes, genesis, snes craze and couldnt afford everything at once).

i have been looking and considering to finally pick up this, or a Duo. Since most of you own one of these or a PC Engine, could you please inform me as to what i should be looking for, which system i might start with, where i can find them other than ebay if there is such a place and anything to make me smarter as a gamer/consumer. also, please tell me what your first system was and your experience with it if you could. looking for a basic rundown on pros, cons, costs and great games to look for.

thank you! 

[nat]

Welcome to the forums.

If you want my take, there is nothing sexier than a black US Duo. Sleek, compact, and quiet you can play JP and US CD games on this as well as US carts. If you get a region mod or converter you can also play JP carts. The only problem is that the black Duos had a bad run of sound capacitors so if you spring for one of these, you'll want to seek out one that has had a sound cap overhaul done on it. It's a fairly simple procedure if you know what you're doing, so if you're handy with a soldering iron you could even tackle it yourself.

My first Turbo system was a core TG-16 my parents bought for me for Christmas in 1990. I was a Nintendo (NES) kid prior to that, but once I got the Turbo, I never looked back. I still own that very same TG-16 almost 20 years later, although I burned up the logic board in it back in '97 attempting my first-ever mod. It was at that time that I finally upgraded to a TurboGrafx-CD console and bought a region converter. I played the hell out of the TG-CD for almost a decade before selling it to another member here. I bought the US Duo in '06 or '07, did a sound capacitor overhaul and re-calibrated the laser and it's quickly become my favorite of all the domestic Turbo consoles.

The white Duo-R and Duo-RX are later generation models and don't have the sound capacitor issue, but IMO, they are a bit uglier (not to mention bulkier) than the black Duos.

[Black Tiger]

Welcome! I recommend getting a Duo R or RX. They're basically the same, except that RX's can go for more. Both are reliable and the laser can be replaced by anyone and it's available to buy if it ever comes to that (unlike the rarer Turbo-CD laser). With a japanese Duo system you can play 95% of all PCE and TG-16 games without having to deal with mods or converters. They're often available for reasonable prices on eBay.

$250 Boxed Duo RX with Tap extra 6-button pad

$215 CIB Duo R

$170 Boxed Duo R with 6-button pad

$150 Complete Duo R

$150 Duo R + 2 x 6-button pads + Tap + Memory Base 128

[Arkhan]

If you are not Japanese savvy and mostly want US games, I would say either spring for a US Boxed Duo as was mentioned since you will not have to hunt for a system card 3....then you have access to every US HuCard, and ANY CD-ROM2 or Super CD Rom game....

if you aren't sure you will like the Turbo that much (who are we kidding here, you will love it, :-D), just buy a standard Turbo Grafx-16 and a few HuCard games just to get started.  You can then do the following at a later date:

[ul][li]Find the CD Addon + US System card 3 and be able to play all the US games and any CD/SCD game[/li][li]Find CD addon + get a converter or region mod + Cheaper Japanese System Card 3 and have access to every HuCard (US and Japanese) plus any CD/SCD games....[/li][li]Sell the unit and get that Duo-R! <<< Probably the best option[/li][/ul]
the Japanese System Card 3 is way cheaper, and if you have a converter, works the same in a US Turbo Grafx, thus saving you money if you region mod your Turbo....and lets you do everything.

Some users here perform region mods if I'm not mistaken, and they don't cost too much!

But as was mentioned and is probably obvious by now, a Duo-R is ultimately the best system to obtain, though it is a lot to spend at the start if you're unsure.

Some HuCard games from US that you should try out:

Bonks Adventure, Blazing Lazers, R-Type, Silent Debuggers, and Legendary Axe

I'm sure others can recommend more

anyway, welcome! 

[Necromancer]

Like nat, I think the TurboDuos are the most sexy; unfortunately, they're also the most expensive.  If I were in your shoes, I'd probably buy a Duo-R or wait for a good deal on a 'no sound' TurboDuo and have the caps replaced.

For some game recommendations, check out some of the 'top ten' threads: Survey 1, Survey 2, Survey 3, Survey 4, Survey 5.

[ceti alpha]

Like nat, I think the TurboDuos are the most sexy; unfortunately, they're also the most expensive.  If I were in your shoes, I'd probably buy a Duo-R or wait for a good deal on a 'no sound' TurboDuo and have the caps replaced.

For some game recommendations, check out some of the 'top ten' threads: Survey 1, Survey 2, Survey 3, Survey 4, Survey 5.

I have a US Duo and love it regardless of the headaches it has given me. It really is one of the sexiest consoles of all time. Like nat said, if you're able to do repairs yourself or don't mind shipping it out to someone to get modded then the US Duo is the way to go. However, I'd have to agree with Necro - the Duo-R is really your safest bet. It's also very sexy, but you won't have the sound issue. If you want to play US HuCards you can find cheap Turbografx on eBay or around these here parts.

Anyway, welcome aboard! Whatever choice you make you'll be happy and you'll wonder what the hell you were doing waiting so long to get an NEC console. 

[Grandmaster]

thanks for the information so far everyone.

i am still a little unsure though. there are so many different systems out  .

the Duo-R and RX are the same? what would make NEC release the RX if it wasnt any different than the Duo-R? can the duo systems play US hucards?

what is the super grafx system?

what is the pc engine black duo system and is it any different than the Duo-R or RX?

i was considering getting a US turbo duo, but they can be expensive. still an option however. what is the difference between the pc engine duo and turbo duo?

sorry to ask so many questions. i will do some research myself but there is still a lot i dont know.

[Press_Run]

the Duo-R and RX are the same? what would make NEC release the RX if it wasnt any different than the Duo-R? can the duo systems play US hucards?

The Duo-R and RX are practically the same given that RX comes with a 6-button controller.

what is the super grafx system?

NEC's attempt at a true 16-bit system. (Fun fact: The turbo-grafx/PCE is actually an 8-bit machine with 16-bit GPU.) Saw one at the South Jersey Classic and that thing was a behemoth. Too bad it's the only thing big about it. Wasn't well received and only has 7 games to its library due to lack of software support. Reminds of one story I heard about a Capcom programmer gone nearly insane trying to fitting Strider on the SuperGrafx or so I've heard.

i was considering getting a US turbo duo, but they can be expensive. still an option however. what is the difference between the pc engine duo and turbo duo?

Both have region-free CD drives, so you play both Turbo/PCE CD games on either. Turbo duo plays American Hucards while the PCE duo plays Japanese Hucards. And the duo has sound capacitor problems becoming overheated as they were too close to the A/V jack and the PCE duo had rectified this problem.

If you want to get more bang for your buck, I suggest the tg-16/pce-duo route to be the cheapest. The tg16 is the cheapest system of the bunch and as stated before, the duo-r/rx are cheaper than Turbo duo or Turbo 16 with CD attachment and super system card. With this setup, you can play both JPN/USA Hucard/CD games. If low on space, there's region-modding the duo-r and forgetting about the tg16 altogether.

Ebay is a good place to find Turbo stuff for a decent price knowing where to look or there's isn't a retro store within a thousand miles. Let me stress this, DO NOT BUY FROM GAME_SQUAD! That guy's prices are a ripoff. Avoid him like the plague.

 
sorry to ask so many questions. i will do some research myself but there is still a lot i dont know.

No prob.  We always love the chance to exercise our nerdiness.....  Quick! Ask us another question! Please....

[Grandmaster]

No prob.  We always love the chance to exercise our nerdiness.....  Quick! Ask us another question! Please....

thanks, lol, i'd love to! 

i'd like to know more about these duo-r and duo-rx systems. im not really worried about space so i wouldnt mind getting one of those and a turbografx 16 to play US hucards. that sounds like the best option for me in terms of cost and reliability too i hope.

were there any internal changes between the duo-r and rx? is it nothing more than a different controller pack in?

[Arkhan]

the color of the r and rx are different (ones whiteish the other is grayish)

and the controller difference...

[rag-time4]

what is the super grafx system?

Just to be more clear here... The Super Grafx is capable of playing all regular Japanese HuCard games as well as the SuperGrafx games (of which there aren't many)

The Super Grafx is compatible with the Super CD-ROM add-on, or the PC-Engine CD-ROM with the RAU-30 adapter.

[jperryss]

Both have region-free CD drives, so you play both Turbo/PCE CD games on either. Turbo duo plays American Hucards while the PCE duo plays Japanese Hucards. And the duo has sound capacitor problems becoming overheated as they were too close to the A/V jack and the PCE duo had rectified this problem.

I think the capacitor issue existed on both the Turbo Duo and the original black PCE Duo, and was resolved with the Duo-R and RX.

If you want to get more bang for your buck, I suggest the tg-16/pce-duo route to be the cheapest. The tg16 is the cheapest system of the bunch and as stated before, the duo-r/rx are cheaper than Turbo duo or Turbo 16 with CD attachment and super system card. With this setup, you can play both JPN/USA Hucard/CD games. If low on space, there's region-modding the duo-r and forgetting about the tg16 altogether.

This is my vote also.

[bacteria]

To be a bit controversial, if you are in PAL land, get the PAL TurboGrafx, like I did. The system is cheaper, at £45 on e-bay including delivery, and importantly, has the CTX chip that boosts the RGB nicely to output RGB directly (the composite sucks, not suggesting it for that!). You don't have to hack the board smaller, like I have done; but you can quite easily mod it to do the Japanese games as well as American ones too. I am pleased I got that system.

[Black Tiger]

To be a bit controversial, if you are in PAL land, get the PAL TurboGrafx, like I did. The system is cheaper, at £45 on e-bay including delivery, and importantly, has the CTX chip that boosts the RGB nicely to output RGB directly (the composite sucks, not suggesting it for that!). You don't have to hack the board smaller, like I have done; but you can quite easily mod it to do the Japanese games as well as American ones too. I am pleased I got that system.

Don't waste your money on a PAL TG. The games often run slower, the A/V port is unique and incompatible with Turbo/PCE hookups and the only way you can use it to play CD games is to buy a pricey, different colored Turbo-CD, pay for shipping across the world and then fork out a ton for a U.S. Super CD card. If you can do mods, then just RGB mod a PCE Duo system. Even if you weren't interested in CDs, you'd be better off buying a CoreGrafx shipped for the same price or less. Euro sellers with rip off prices just prey on Europeans that think that it's cheaper to buy local to save on shipping, when really it's cheaper to buy PCE goods from japan. The PAL TG is just a collectible.

[Zeon]

Both have region-free CD drives, so you play both Turbo/PCE CD games on either. Turbo duo plays American Hucards while the PCE duo plays Japanese Hucards. And the duo has sound capacitor problems becoming overheated as they were too close to the A/V jack and the PCE duo had rectified this problem.

I think the capacitor issue existed on both the Turbo Duo and the original black PCE Duo, and was resolved with the Duo-R and RX.

Speaking of which, has anyone determined other possible causes to near mute audio on all types of audio on the black duos? The duo I am STILL troubleshooting has had the works.....3 times over. Dishwash, scrub replace caps, dishwash, remove caps (not just the audio related ones) soak and scrub the entire board with rubbing alcohol replace caps with another new set, remove caps wash and clean again and put the caps back. Still no signs of improvement whatsoever. Worse yet, still no signs of any possible solution. I know what I am doing with the duo I have fixed one in the past no problems with not nearly this much trouble. Others are getting bum "unfixable" duos too. Maybe I made a mistake, but honestly after all of that and quadruple checking my work at least 10 time by now, I highly doubt it.

I am still trying to find the time to go by channelmaniac's place, believe me if he can't figure this out no one can...

With that said, avoid black duo's like the plague, sure you might get lucky and sure your's might be an easy fix, but honestly you are gonna be extremely frustrated if you get one of the "bung" ones and waste month's trying to get it working, not to mention the laser issues. They might look nice, but I prefer functionality, and reliability over aesthetics any day.

It's just too much of a crap shoot, so do yourself a favor and get a region modded duo-r, of which cases such as sound issues rarely ever happen and the laser tends to last longer. Might as well get an rgb modded on while you are at it.