Turbo Grafx-16 - Thoughts?

[OldSchool]

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?

Sounds like an absolute steal to me... less than $200 for 60 games and a system... that's ummm.... cheap n stuff.


Too bad there was no Military Madness listed in there.

[OldSchool]

The only reason I even want the system is for Military Madness and Splatterhouse. Keith Courage and Pacland and I guess the two Bonks games... meh... honestly just want it for Military Madness.

So I need a special adapter to get Composite out of it?... can't be too expensive. Is it a special adapter with RCAs or is it this Turboduo model?

I read through the thread the other day on my phone, but I have forgotten what was said in regard to getting Composite signal out of this thing... thanks.

[tomaitheous]

The only reason I even want the system is for Military Madness and Splatterhouse. Keith Courage and Pacland and I guess the two Bonks games... meh... honestly just want it for Military Madness.

So I need a special adapter to get Composite out of it?... can't be too expensive. Is it a special adapter with RCAs or is it this Turboduo model?

I read through the thread the other day on my phone, but I have forgotten what was said in regard to getting Composite signal out of this thing... thanks.

You can make your own composite and stereo RCA cables for stock TG16s and PC-Engines. No adapter/converter need. I can post some pics of anyone needs them. But there is one thing the 'Turbo Booster Plus" gives you beside composite and stereo output, and that's BRAM. Hucards don't have batteries on them for saving. All saving is down either through the CD base addon, or Duo, or the Booster Plus. Even if it's just saving your high score, it's kind of a nice feature to have. Not sure how much the booster plus goes for (and you don't need one if you have a CD addon or an all-in-one system like the Duos).

[Joe Redifer]

I was blown away when I got my Turbo CD and rented some HuCard, I think it may have been Cratermaze, and it saved. I thought it was awesome that HuCards could use the CD attachment to save games as well.

[OldSchool]

You can make your own composite and stereo RCA cables for stock TG16s and PC-Engines. No adapter/converter need. I can post some pics of anyone needs them. But there is one thing the 'Turbo Booster Plus" gives you beside composite and stereo output, and that's BRAM. Hucards don't have batteries on them for saving. All saving is down either through the CD base addon, or Duo, or the Booster Plus. Even if it's just saving your high score, it's kind of a nice feature to have. Not sure how much the booster plus goes for (and you don't need one if you have a CD addon or an all-in-one system like the Duos).

That does sound like a nice feature although I think I could do without.

I simply want the base model with the ability to go out Composite to the TV, I also want Stereo sound... are you saying there are no 3rd party cables that will give me both of those?

[Guntz]

Nice to hear somebody else just wants a base HuCard player like me.

Can't you just get some Molex connectors that would fit the pins in the TG16's expansion port? You know, the kind of connectors used in car electronics? I saw a pic in this very topic using connectors like those. Not sure about stereo sound, but the TG16 definitely does have a bare, un-utilized and completely usable composite video signal on it's expansion port.

Oh yeah, I have another question for the TG16 owners. Is there a list of all games that use the Turbo Tap? Such as ones that use all 5 ports on it?

[tomaitheous]

That does sound like a nice feature although I think I could do without.

I simply want the base model with the ability to go out Composite to the TV, I also want Stereo sound... are you saying there are no 3rd party cables that will give me both of those?

Uhm.. 3D party and TG/PCE don't really go together ;>_>

So no. You'll either need to either A) make your own cables, B) buy a booster or booster plus, C) buy a CD addon, or D) buy a duo instead. You don't see aftermarket cables for the system now (as in retro cables) because the base TG/PCE unit isn't as popular as the Duo and CD systems. You know, cause there's more CD games than hucard games (and popular opinion says the best rated games are on CD). And those that do run a TG or PCE/Core/etc, spend the money to get the booster (be it the japanese booster for the PCE, or the US booster for the TG16).

You can't collect for the TG/PCE series of systems, and complain about price - at the same time. Everyone knows going in, that it's expensive no matter what option you chose for these consoles. If you haven't bought a TG16 yet, and are worried about cost, then leave the NEC consoles alone. High prices and NEC consoles go hand in hand.

I personally never understood the reason why anyone would only want to play hucards. I guess, if all you ever had/used was a TG Express or a PCE GT or LT. But even then. Owning only a hucard capable system, is like owning a porsche... but only a "poor mans porsche". Doesn't really count.

[OldSchool]

Uhm.. 3D party and TG/PCE don't really go together ;>_>

So no. You'll either need to either A) make your own cables, B) buy a booster or booster plus, C) buy a CD addon, or D) buy a duo instead. You don't see aftermarket cables for the system now (as in retro cables) because the base TG/PCE unit isn't as popular as the Duo and CD systems. You know, cause there's more CD games than hucard games (and popular opinion says the best rated games are on CD). And those that do run a TG or PCE/Core/etc, spend the money to get the booster (be it the japanese booster for the PCE, or the US booster for the TG16).

You can't collect for the TG/PCE series of systems, and complain about price - at the same time. Everyone knows going in, that it's expensive no matter what option you chose for these consoles. If you haven't bought a TG16 yet, and are worried about cost, then leave the NEC consoles alone. High prices and NEC consoles go hand in hand.

I personally never understood the reason why anyone would only want to play hucards. I guess, if all you ever had/used was a TG Express or a PCE GT or LT. But even then. Owning only a hucard capable system, is like owning a porsche... but only a "poor mans porsche". Doesn't really count.

Thanks for the Breakdown... guess I'll need to make my own cables or buy the Booster.

Because I only want the system for Military Madness, Splatterhouse, Pacland, and Keiths Courage... maybe another 5 or so. Pretty simple really.

[Iron Lizard]

I get the feeling after about 10 minutes of play that list will be narrowed down to just Military Madness.

[Dazz]

Alien Crush and Vigilante are to very good games. I am not much of a pinball player but i really liked it on my Express.

[tomaitheous]

Thanks for the Breakdown... guess I'll need to make my own cables or buy the Booster.

Because I only want the system for Military Madness, Splatterhouse, Pacland, and Keiths Courage... maybe another 5 or so. Pretty simple really.

You actually want to play keith courage!? Ok, your name is going on the list of a few people that play that game (and it's a really tiny list).

[Guntz]

Must be all those people who are spoiled by the PCE CD. They forget about poor little old Keith Courage.

I tried it on an emulator and while the on foot sections are boring, I really like the robot parts of levels. Only problem is when you jump forward, if you push back you'll go straight down. You can't even keep going forward. Reminds me of Ice Climbers except not as hard to get a running jump.

A couple questions:

1 Are most of the good PCE CD games just arcade games? Or are their ones with actual replay value? I'm basing this question off this quote:

I get the feeling after about 10 minutes of play that list will be narrowed down to just Military Madness.

2 What are all the 5 player US HuCard games? This is probably going to be a small list isn't it?

[Iron Lizard]

Keith Courage was like NEC saying to Sega "You think you have have a boring pack-in with Altered Beat?! We'll show you a boring pack-in." Its just the same two levels over and over again. Vigilante is also pretty terrible. Its like Irem tried to make Kung-Fu again but this time they forgot to make it fun. Splatter House has shock value and that is about it. Its awful. Pacland is more garbage with bizarre control as I recall. The Shooters, Military Madness ,Neutopia is where the action is on that system.

Bomberman has 5 player. I can't think of anymore.

[Black_Tiger]

1 Are most of the good PCE CD games just arcade games? Or are their ones with actual replay value?

I don't know if you mean 'arcade ports' or 'Arcade Card CD games', but either way the answer is no. The PCE has tons of great CD RPGs, many of the best of which have english walkthroughs. There are loads of great original games. Replay value depends on personal taste. Many people can play arcade style games forever, but only play questy RPG/adventure games once. The PCE has lots of both.

Basically, the PCE has a library as good as and almost as large as the Genesis. There are too many great games to list. Just pick up a few and research or ask for suggestions when you're ready for more.

2 What are all the 5 player US HuCard games? This is probably going to be a small list isn't it?

Dungeon Explorer
Bomberman
Bomberman '94
Battle Royale
TV Sports Hockey, Football, Basketball
Motoroader
maybe on of the Volleyball games?

Keith Courage was like NEC saying to Sega "You think you have have a boring pack-in with Altered Beat?! We'll show you a boring pack-in." Its just the same two levels over and over again.

As opposed to the same one level over and over?

Vigilante is also pretty terrible. Its like Irem tried to make Kung-Fu again but this time they forgot to make it fun. Splatter House has shock value and that is about it. Its awful. Pacland is more garbage with bizarre control as I recall. The Shooters, Military Madness ,Neutopia is where the action is on that system.

Here are some good non-shooter games- Dragon's Curse, Order of the Griffon, Jackie Chan Action Kung Fu, Legendary Axe I & II, Dungeon Explorer, Cadash, Parasol Stars, Bonk 1 - 3, Alien Crush, Devil's Crush.

[OldSchool]

You actually want to play keith courage!? Ok, your name is going on the list of a few people that play that game (and it's a really tiny list).

Hahaha, fair enough... I remember it being a pretty fun platformer when I was a kid.

I get the feeling after about 10 minutes of play that list will be narrowed down to just Military Madness.

Lol.... MM is one of the best strategy games I ever played... that damn thing had me so rialed up at times.. I can't wait to see how much better I am at it now. LOVED the music too!