Turbo Grafx-16 - Thoughts?

[ApolloBoy]

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask, but what are all of these amazing games that can only be had on JHuCard and CD? Can somebody give me a list of titles instead of vague crap that I hear on a regular basis on most other platforms (ESPECIALLY Saturn)?

Here's my favorite Japanese-only PC Engine games, sorted by format:

HuCard
1943 Kai
After Burner II
Batman
Bomberman '94
City Hunter
Detana! TwinBee
Final Soldier
Gradius
Kiki Kaikai
Kyuukyoku Tiger
Mizubaku Daibouken
Ninja Ryukenden
Out Run
Parodius
Salamander
Son Son II
Street Fighter II
Valkyrie no Densetsu
Volfied

CD
Advanced VG
Asuka 120%
Double Dragon II
Dracula X
Faussete Amour
Gradius II
Image Fight II
Kaze no Densetsu Xanadu
Nexzr
Popful Mail
Sapphire (very pricey, but it's a pretty awesome game nonetheless)
Shubibinman 3
Spriggan
Star Parodia
Valis
Valis IV

[Guntz]

I notice most of the games you guys listed are shooters. I don't think I'm missing TOO much...

*notices Xanadu*

Actually, that seems pretty enticing. Maybe not enough to spend hundreds of dollars on a set-up, but still something to keep in mind.

[nat]

You shouldn't have to spend hundreds of dollars on a setup. If you're really patient, you can get a TurboDuo for a good price (think $120). Just be really, really patient and look for deals on forums and whatnot as opposed to eBay.

If you're interested in reading about some game options, check out www.thebrothersduomazov.com -- a site me and some buddies put together (and actively update) with about 300 game reviews up currently.

[Guntz]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TurboGrafx-16-CD-...item3efcbb90a9

This lot is going to go for a stupid amount of money...

[ApolloBoy]

Have you tried asking around the PC Engine FX forums? There's a lot of knowledgeable people there and someone could hook you up with a TG-16/PCE setup for cheaper than eBay.

[Guntz]

http://cgi.ebay.ca/TurboGrafx-16-CD-...item3efcbb90a9

This lot is going to go for a stupid amount of money...

Ha, I knew it was gonna go for a pretty penny.

Though I do have another question. Are there any third party controllers for TG16?

[ApolloBoy]

Ha, I knew it was gonna go for a pretty penny.

Though I do have another question. Are there any third party controllers for TG16?

Not very many, but there's a few third party controllers out there for the PC Engine, including 6-button controllers. You can use some of these PC Engine controllers on the TG-16 by swapping out the cable for a TurboPad cable. I did the same thing with an Avenue Pad 6 and it works great.

[Guntz]

Can you take say, a Genesis controller and mod it with a TG16 controller plug?

[SketchTurner94]

I got the TG-16, now all I need is the CD. I can't find anything anywhere.

[tomaitheous]

Can you take say, a Genesis controller and mod it with a TG16 controller plug?

You'd have to use a mini pic chip and convert the signals directly. But, more easily, you could hack up a Genesis controller (3 button ones are dime a dozen). You'd need to grab a schematic of the PCE and the off the shelf parts it uses. Also, don't forget you NEED turbo settings. Quite a few games rely on the turbo settings (which is just 3 settings: high, low, off).

[Guntz]

You'd have to use a mini pic chip and convert the signals directly. But, more easily, you could hack up a Genesis controller (3 button ones are dime a dozen). You'd need to grab a schematic of the PCE and the off the shelf parts it uses. Also, don't forget you NEED turbo settings. Quite a few games rely on the turbo settings (which is just 3 settings: high, low, off).

Sheesh, even the NES and Genesis/2600 controllers weren't that complicated. Seems official controllers are the only easy option.

Also, what possible purpose would the turbo settings have outside of looping button input?... Well, I guess since it has a ridiculously complex interfacing chip, you could do anything with it.

[tomaitheous]

Sheesh, even the NES and Genesis/2600 controllers weren't that complicated. Seems official controllers are the only easy option.

I don't understand what you mean. NES and Genesis controllers aren't anything a like. NES is a serial interface while Genesis is a two phase 4bit parallel interface (which is pretty much just like the PCE/TG16).

[QUOTE=Guntz;224489]Sheesh, even the NES and Genesis/2600 controllers weren't that complicated. Seems official controllers are the only easy option.

Also, what possible purpose would the turbo settings have outside of looping button input?

Nothing. But the point is, quite a few games expect you to have turbo functionality. And the rapid fire mechanism is pretty simple (again, off the shelf part).

[Guntz]

I don't understand what you mean. NES and Genesis controllers aren't anything a like. NES is a serial interface while Genesis is a two phase 4bit parallel interface (which is pretty much just like the PCE/TG16).

I meant that they can both be easily modded for other purposes. The Genesis, doesn't need any modding to be used on a 2600, which is a completely different console. The NES controller can be modded for use on the 7800, all it takes is a little pin rewiring as well as a new plug.

Nothing. But the point is, quite a few games expect you to have turbo functionality. And the rapid fire mechanism is pretty simple (again, off the shelf part).

Well that's rather moronic. It's only turbo function, it doesn't have any interaction with the game itself, just the signals from the controller.

[Dazz]

exactly what apolloboy stated. I was loving my Saturn until i finally got me a Duo R from a good trader in japan. On gripe i have is that mines is not modded to play US HU cards which i have more of but the Duo look is way better than the TG-16 with CD add on.

TG-16 usually runs around $30-$50 depending person
CD add on can get pricey


I got my PC Engine Duo R for about $150 (With trade + cash) and i am so happy. The cd units are known to crap out also so be sure that it works flawlessy before buying.

[tomaitheous]

Well that's rather moronic. It's only turbo function, it doesn't have any interaction with the game itself, just the signals from the controller.

I don't see how it's moronic when the stock controllers came with rapid fire settings. And it *can* serve the purpose as a two function button. The game soft can easily tell which of the two rapid settings you have, because the on/off state is directly tied to reading the game pad. I.e. if the game software doesn't read the game pad, the pad technically doesn't cycle the rapid fire function. If a game as "auto" rapid fire on the Genesis and and you need a charge system for some weapons, you'd use button A for charge, B for rapid fire, C for bombs or such. On the PCE/TG16, button II can be for bombs, button I for charge if turbo is off, else one of the rapid fire positions for normal blasting. You wouldn't sit there and "tap" the button for such a game. That would be retarded. Thus, that's one example of how a game expects you to have rapid fire. Not every, but enough games - if you were going to do a controller conversion.