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I'm looking to get a PC Engine Duo soon, and I was wondering if anyone with one can answer some questions I have about the system.
1. What's the latest/last version of the arcade card for the system?
2. Are the older CD games compatible with newer arcade cards?
3. What's the difference between the Duo-RX and the regular Duo?
4. How's the build quality? I've had my Sega CD since it was released and it still works like a charm.
5. Finally, can the Duo output s-video?
1. They never "revised" the Arcade Card. There are two different versions of the Arcade Card, and the only difference is that one is designed for the Duo and one is designed for the add-on. There needed to be a difference because the Duo has the Super System 3.0 built-in (to play Super CDs), whereas if you have the separate units you'd have to get a Super System 3.0 card to play Super CD games; the Arcade Card Plus doubles as a Super System 3.0 card, whereas the Arcade Card Duo does not (and you can't use the Plus on a Duo system or vice-versa). So if you're interested in playing Arcade Card games and you do get a Duo system, make sure to get the Arcade Card Duo. Personally, however, I would say that it's not really necessary, as the Arcade Cards are kind of pricey and there's not that many Arcade Card games.
2. The only game I'm aware of that has a compatibility problem is Altered Beast (which won't work on a Duo system, period). Every other game should work fine with the Arcade Card left in; however, you could always remove it if it gives you trouble for a game. Unlike the CD add-on system, the Duo doesn't require you to have a System Hucard at all times to drive CD games (unless it's an Arcade Card game, of course).
3. As far as I know, the only difference is that the R was a cheaper unit and lacks a headphone jack and is a/v only (no RF output). Duo-R and Duo-RX are the same system; the "X" just refers to a different package deal they had.
4. Very good. NEC's consoles are remarkably reliable.
5. Officially speaking, no. There is a mod you can do but it's multi-faceted. The video chip supports RGB, but the console itself has no RGB output. So you have to attach wires to the video chip and replace the DIN, and that will give you an RGB signal, which you can convert into s-video or component or whatever. However, the RGB signal is weak, so you need to do an amp mod (unless you don't mind it looking crappy). Alternatively, you can use an upscan converter.
Be aware that if you want to get an Arcade Card you'll also have to get an adapter that lets Japanese cards play in the US systems.
I'm getting ready to RGB mod my old TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM. I'll run the wires from the CD attachment instead of the video chip. The Turbo will remain unmodded. Will probably still need the RGB amp, though. What is the point of making a weak RGB signal? It's like they said "Let's give them RGB, but make sure it sucks!" I hope the RGB mod will get rid of all of the fuzziness and shimmering that happens when just about any Turbo game scrolls.
That's all the info I need. Thanks guys!
He said he's getting a PC Engine Duo, so no he will not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Redifer
True. But be aware that even with an adaptor a PC Engine can never play US card games. For some reason it only works the other way around.
I believe you can mod a PC Engine to play US card games, though.
J Factor I demand you tell me if an RGB mod for the PC Engine/Turbo will make the fuzziness and shimmering during scrolling go away!
Um... can you give me some precise examples of shimmering/fuzziness?
Basically any game that scrolls. A good example would be the Ys Book 1 and 2 title screen. It doesn't scroll, but it shimmers like a biotch!
http://pixelcraze.film-tech.net/crap/Ys.gif
It does this, but much, much faster (depending on your browser).
hmm... I just loaded up Ys Book I & II, and only her hair was shimmering.
OK that's probably in the code, then. Try:
Dragon's Curse (if you have it)-
Start a new game. The red bricks will lightly shimmer as the screen scrolls.
Legendary Axe 1 (if you have it)-
Stage 1, go down and kill the spider. Stay down there and walk back and forth. While walking, press the jump button while still moving in that direction. As you jump the scrolling gets slightly faster... and shimmers. It also shimmers slowly when you climb back up the rope.
I'm having a hard time deciding what CD shooter to get next for my newly acquired PC-Engine Duo - RX. Spriggan or Gate of Thunder?
Between those two, Gate of Thunder, definitely.
No more shimmering for me since I play the Turbo in component now. Ys I & II no longer has shimmering hair at all.