Starting collecting PCE and tip of Top Games?

[MXS]

Hi everyone!
I am new on the forum and have decided to start to collect PCE games.
I have looked around, and it seems that a PCE Duo wouldbe the best for me, I already have some HuCards since I own a PCE GT handheld console. But I want a lot of CD games to, so it seems that a PCE Duo would fit perfect.

Is it worth to buy a Duo R och RX, or is i fine with a standard Duo?
Please let me know your guys experience of the Duo-consoles.

I also want tips of great (top games) in the following genres:

Shooters (both HuCard and DC)
Puzzle games (both HuCard and DC)
Platformers (both HuCard and DC)

One more question.. can I play US (Turbografx games) on a JAP system (Duo) ?
Or do I need som converter?

Thanks a lot!
Markus (from Sweden)

[gat]

Let me the first to say welcome!! I'm also new to this forum and it's been great. The people are nice and there's a lot of info.

I've read that the Duo-Rs are the more reliable system.. but they are more expensive. Yes; you'll need a converter or a mod to play Japanese Hu cards on a US system. Japanese CD-Rom games will play on the US system without a converter or mod.

Fantasy Zone, Air Zonk and Lords of Thunder are the shooters that stand out in my mind. I haven't played em in years though... I have a duo on the way soo.. I be playin em soon! I can't think of any many platforms off the top of my head.. except the Bonk games.. which are great!

Another board member has some great game reviews. Check em out!

[Arkhan]

a US System cant play Japanese games and vice versa.

In terms of Duo systems, (keep in mind ANY region's CD system can play ANY regions CD games...no limits!)

1) the Duo-R or RX is best to locate.  You can play Japanese hucards, and any CD game.

plus, you can get the arcade card and play Arcade CD games.

then, you can get it region modified to play US Hucards also.

2) buy a US Duo (which has sound issues that need fixed due to the age of the system and stuff) and have it region modded to play japanese hucards, and then you can do the same as 1)

3) Get a US Turbo-Grafx 16 + CD add on, and again, get it region modded to play Japanese huCards (or use a Hucard converter) then buy a system card 3.0 putting you back at doing what 1) can do.  (Or get a Japanese PC Engine + CD add on and region mod to play US cards...)

these are the best options.... ranked from BEST to WORST

Once you region mod a US based TurboGrafx system, you can get a cheaper Japanese sys card 3, since the US version is expensive/rare.


Another option (what I do...) I have a Duo-R to play Japanese games + CD stuff, and then a US TG16+CD to play US games.  takes up more space, but skips having to region mod your system.


Gamewise my favorites:

Shooters: Fantasy Zone, Lords of Thunder, Final Soldier, Psychosis, Tatsujin
Puzzle: puyo puyo CD, Skweek, Puznic, Panic Bomber
Platformer: Parasol Stars, any Bonk game, Shockman, Kaze Kiri, Ninja Spirit, Dracula X

Check out pcengine.co.uk for more stuff!

[MXS]

Thanks for quick and friendly answers!

I mostly like japanese PCE games, so I think I will go for a JAP system.
So if I want to play both CDs and HuCards I will need the Duo-System of course.

But what is the best argument to buy a Duo-R or RX ? Instead of the standard Duo-System?
They removed a sound port on the newer system right? Do I need this for any use?

Is the R and RX-models better in any way? (technical, faster?)
Can they play more games then the Standard-Duo?

And what is a good price to pay for a complete good boxed version of  Duo, Duo-R and Duo-RX?
(so I don´t pay a too high price)

Thanks for helping me!

[Tatsujin]

In terms of Duo systems, (keep in mind ANY region's CD system can play ANY regions CD games...no limits!)

there are some limits like altered beast

[ceti alpha]

In terms of Duo systems, (keep in mind ANY region's CD system can play ANY regions CD games...no limits!)

there are some limits like altered beast

lol. Shucky darns. 

Welcome to the gong show MXS!

The Duo-R is definitely your best bet, especially since you're more interested in PCE games. As for recommended games, I'd go for:

New Adventure Island (HuCard) - Addicting as all heck.
Gate of Thunder 3 in 1 (SuperCD) - might as well pick up the US version that has Bonk, Bonk's Revenge and a Bomberman easter egg on one CD.
Nexzr (SuperCD) - You can pick this awesome shooter up for pretty cheap now, so I'd take advantage. You won't regret it. There's Nexzr and Nexzr Special (Summer Carnival  '93). The only difference between the two versions is that Nexzr Special dropped the animated cut scenes for other gameplay modes.
Dungeon Explorer (HuCard) - Just get it. 
Ninja Spirit - Can't go wrong with this one either.

The list goes on, but these are some of my top picks.

[Tatsujin]

and of course the uber fabulous seirei senshi spriggan!

[MXS]

Thanks ceti alpha for the recommended games!

My friend have Summer Carneval 93 on Famicom, so I know it, it´s a really great hori-shooter!

Dungeon Explorer do I have on HuCard to play on my PCE GT, also great game.

So I will check out these titles!
New Adventure Island (HuCard)
Gate of Thunder 3 in 1 (SuperCD)
Nexzr (SuperCD)
Ninja Spirit

But what is the big difference beteween the standard Duo-system and the Duo-R system? I need to get things clear for me Please compare them and explain why I should go for the R-system and not just the standard Duo-console.

Tatsujin: Seirei Senshi Spriggan (PC Engine) it looks really good, smooth with nice graphics, I didn´t see any slowdowns either when I looked at it on youtube.

Is it expensive to get?

One other game I have heard about that is expensive is Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, is it really good and worth the money? Or is it more like a collectable rare game?

[ceti alpha]

Thanks ceti alpha for the recommended games!

My friend have Summer Carneval 93 on Famicom, so I know it, it´s a really great hori-shooter!

Dungeon Explorer do I have on HuCard to play on my PCE GT, also great game.

So I will check out these titles!
New Adventure Island (HuCard)
Gate of Thunder 3 in 1 (SuperCD)
Nexzr (SuperCD)
Ninja Spirit

But what is the big difference beteween the standard Duo-system and the Duo-R system? I need to get things clear for me Please compare them and explain why I should go for the R-system and not just the standard Duo-console.

Tatsujin: Seirei Senshi Spriggan (PC Engine) it looks really good, smooth with nice graphics, I didn´t see any slowdowns either when I looked at it on youtube.

Is it expensive to get?

One other game I have heard about that is expensive is Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire, is it really good and worth the money? Or is it more like a collectable rare game?

You're friend had Summer Carnival '92 Recca. Nexzr (Summer Carnival '93) is a different game, but was given a Carnival Release.

I'm embarrassed to say I don't have Spriggan, but I've put it on my top 10 wishlist. I'll be picking it up quite soon.  :oops:

Sapphire is great. It's not the very best shooter for the PCE, but it has 2 player co-op and not to mention fantastic graphics that hold up even today. It has a very arcade-like feel to it. But you'll need the Arcade Card Duo in order to play it, which you can get for cheap. Sapphire is quite rare, but you can find high quality bootlegs for relatively cheap. Someone just got the bootleg with the Arcade Card for $100 smackaroos just the other day on a sale here on these forums. If you're not worried about buying expensive games then Dracula X: Rondo of Blood. Just amazing.

[MXS]

Yes sorry.. it´s titled '92 Recca of course! (he founded it for cheap money when he was in Tokuo last year)

I picked up a copy of Rondo of Blood recently from a friend, I got it for 550 SEK (=70.00 US dollar).
Nice condition but missing spine. Supercool game, the graphics are incredible to be on PCE. And the music is so good.

Why do I have to have a "Arcade Card Duo" to play Sapphire? And what is a Arcade Card Duo?
I did thought I just could own a PCE Duo to play all cd games, isn´t that enough?

[Tatsujin]

I'm embarrassed to say I don't have Spriggan, but I've put it on my top 10 wishlist. I'll be picking it up quite soon.  :oops:

yeah, that story I hear now since days. and when do you consider to buy it? :donkey:

[ceti alpha]

Why do I have to have a "Arcade Card Duo" to play Sapphire? And what is a Arcade Card Duo?
I did thought I just could own a PCE Duo to play all cd games, isn´t that enough?

The Arcade Card basically beefs up the memory of the PC Engine. It's a HuCard that you pop into the HuCard slot. There's the Arcade Card Pro and the Arcade Card Duo. The Arcade Card Pro is for the PC Engine briefcase set up and the Arcade Card Duo is for the Duo systems. The Duo systems already have the SuperCD System Card built into them.

Here's the compatibility guide for all the various NEC consoles found on this site:

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

And here's a video from Retroware TV about the Arcade Card, which should explain everything:

http://vodpod.com/watch/1016935-pc-engine-arcade-card-retroware-tv-turbo-grafx

[MXS]

OK I see! (and I saw the Retroware video, good documented and explained)
So the Arcade Card a Memory Expansion. How much cost a Arcade Card for the Duo? Are they rare to find?

Because it´s using the HuCard port on the system then I understand that it´s only a expansion for CD games right? No HuCards can be used with the Arcade Card?

Thanks for helping a new (soon) "PCE Lover" out..

[Tatsujin]

So the Arcade Card a Memory Expansion. How much cost a Arcade Card for the Duo? Are they rare to find?

it depends on where you search ebay offers them periodically for about 20~30 bucks. remember that you only need to buy the arcade card DUO, not the PRO. the DUO is normally about 30% cheaper. but of course the PRO will do the same job as well. so just buy the one which you can find for the cheapest.

Because it´s using the HuCard port on the system then I understand that it´s only a expansion for CD games right? No HuCards can be used with the Arcade Card?

you are right!

Thanks for helping a new (soon) "PCE Lover" out..

you are welcome

and don't you forget about register on www.pcedaisakusen.net to add and maintain your collection and share to compare with other fellows

[ceti alpha]

The DUO is normally about 30% cheaper. but of course the PRO will do the same job as well. so just buy the one which you can find for the cheapest.

I thought the Arcade Card Pro didn't work with the Duo.