Messages

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: SCART: is it worth the investment?]

SCART works for me.  It's just a connector type.  The way I do it with my systems is to transcode the RGB into component video which looks pretty close if you have a good TV.  Not all TVs are created equal, but that's another story.  I have SCART cables for my Genesis (model2 cable even though I have a model 1 so I can connect it to my 32X), Neo-Geo, SNES, Saturn and TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM.  This way I only need one type of connector since the unit I have that transcodes to component accepts SCART.  It is very convenient for me.

Hey Joe, it sounds like you have the sort of set up that I'm looking at, SCART converted to component. Do you find the signal quality much improved over composite? I know this might seem obvious, but I have zero experience with how SCART to component converters handle the display signal and/or if it retains a high level of quality.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: SCART: is it worth the investment?]

Wow, this is a confusing thread for noobs, big time.

First to clarify some things: SCART is not a signal type, its just a form factor for the connector, SCART connectors can accommodate RGB, composite, component, s-video, RF, mono audio, stereo audio, +5V, and probably some other stuff as well from time to time. When people talk about getting RGB from a PCE it is often convenient for people in Europe to have it packaged into the SCART connector, but that's because their TVs have SCART sockets on them. American TVs don't. There is no point in going to SCART cables specifically unless you have something to plug it into.

In the US the vast majority of RGB capable displays are either inconvenient arcade monitors with no housings, or ancient 13" computer monitors from the 80s. Even then, they never have SCART sockets on them.

Secondly: if by "HDTV" you mean an LCD or plasma, you need a lot more than an RGB signal. SD game systems look like SHIT on these displays no matter what signal type you are using. A box like an XRGB, Edge, or other things is pretty much required unless you are blind or under the age of 20 (thereby, often times, not actually knowing what a good SD signal even looks like). You can convert the RGB to component, but it still going to be shit and quite possibly laggy.

So, figure $300 on this upgrade, if not more.

Hey thanks everyone for all the info. Exactly what I needed. Just wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I guess what my most probable set up would be to just have a SCART modded PCE going to a SCART -> component converter and into the HDTV. Is it worth the cost/hassle to upgrade from composite?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: SCART: is it worth the investment?]

I'd be converting it to component via a converter. Isn't the quality better than composite? What are other options for better quality that are possible with an NTSC HDTV?

Thanks for all the info so far. I'm just trying to figure out the best price/performance option for getting a better picture.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / SCART: is it worth the investment?]

I'm asking a related question in the modding forum, but thought I'd ask folks about their personal experiences with SCART here.

I'm thinking about getting a SCART-modded PC Engine or CD-ROM2 system. Is the upgrade in video quality worth the cash? Do you have a SCART system? If so, how do you have it set up/connecting to your TV? Drawbacks and pluses of having a SCART system? Is it better to have a SCART PC Engine system or better to SCART-mod a CD-ROM2?

Any help, advice, ramblings, etc., would be helpful!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: What's the best RGB/SCART set up for a PCE + CD-ROM2?]

It will work from just the PC Engine, but you wont get any CD audio.

But I'd hook up the audio from the CD-ROM2 to get the sound, right?

How would I get the sound from a SCART modded PC Engine connected to a SCART-Component converter? Wouldn't I need a SCART TV to get the sound through the SCART connection?

Sorry if these seem like really basic questions, I'm just curious about how this would all work if I were to pick up a SCART PC Engine. Again, any advice is appreciated!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / What's the best RGB/SCART set up for a PCE + CD-ROM2?]

Mainly curious if you need to have the CD-ROM2 unit SCART modded, or the just the PC Engine (running the SCART from the console as opposed to running it from the CD-ROM2)? Would it even work just running from the PC Engine? Any info would be great, thanks!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Sega Master System games: Did it hurt they Turbo?]

I was generally just curious if it made an impact with anyone. It definitely didn't for me (I actually rented Ys on the Master System first, because I didn't have all the cash for the CD system - otherwise, I didn't notice the shared titles back then).

The Turbo versions are definitely upgrades, but thought that maybe someone familiar with the SMS library at the time thought it funny/odd to see so many SMS games on the Turbo.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Sega Master System games: Did it hurt the Turbo?]

Do you think Master System games on the Turbo impacted sales and overall perception negatively?

I didn't realize it so much at the time, but it seems like there were an unusually large number of games that showed up at home on the Master System first (Vigilante, Dragon's Curse, Space Harrier, Ys - just off the top of my head).

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What year did you first start gaming on the PC Engine/Turbografx??]

I still use my original TG-CD, but I also use a SuperCD and US/JP Duo's to evenly distribute the wear and tear.

I like this reasoning. Gives me an excuse to buy more than one system... 

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Favorite Turbo/PCE Chiptune?]

Man, I'd really have to think about this, and probably play quite a few games again to really nail it down. I really like chiptunes and think that many of the chiptune songs have way more character and are cooler than most of the music in todays games.


Also, just in case nobody has seen this, awesome video:

Around 5:25 I think is especially cool.

Damn, that is pretty friggin' incredible... I wonder if he's got any plans to mass produce the Chipophone.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What year did you first start gaming on the PC Engine/Turbografx??]

I still have my Turbo-CD and original Turbo and will play them sometimes, but I usually play on a region-switching Core Grafx and "suitcase" CD-ROM, with an Arcade Card. I just prefer the look of that set up over the Duo - I know, weird.

And yeah, those boxes were HUGE. Wish I still had mine, but it would have taken up the majority of my closet when I was a kid. I'm still not sure why they were so big, was the size of a mini-fridge... I remember being so excited about bringing that huge box home.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What year did you first start gaming on the PC Engine/Turbografx??]

thats awesome!!! story!  Its the only system I never got rid of but I worked all summer to get my tg/cd and ys copy but man was it worth it and it blew my mind as well!  Welcome to the forum!

Hey man, thanks! I'm glad I wasn't the only one to spend all that cash on the CD-ROM attachment back in the day.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What year did you first start gaming on the PC Engine/Turbografx??]

In November of 1989, I remember seeing the TurboGrafx-16 in the display case next to the Sega Genesis at the local Montgomery-Ward. It looked interesting, but I didn't know any of the games and the Sega had all these arcade titles available - so I chose the Sega.

Then later that month, I started reading about the PC Engine in the first EGM I ever bought (#4). It really looked amazing. I remember seeing the white little console with a copy of Vigilante and the unique card-based software format. EGM talked about how the PC Engine already had dozens of games out that were potentially a built in library for the Turbo to choose from.

While I was generally happy with my Genesis, I was very interested in learning more about the Turbo and read a lot about the system in EGM through the spring and summer of 1990. Finally, after saving up some cash, I decided to pick up a TurboGrafx with Bonk. I'm so glad I did. There's just something about the graphics and gameplay on the Turbo that I still, to this day, can't quite put my finger on - it just seems to be more vibrant and responsive than most other systems. Bonk showed this off perfectly. Tunes from Keith Courage and Bonk always remind me of that summer. 

The following summer I saved enough to buy the CD-ROM attachment and Ys I & II. After reading about it in EGM, my expectations were very high. Ed Semrad (one of the reviewers, who I trusted for good reviews) said "the perfect game finally happened." I fully agree. Even today, it's a game I never get bored with. It's so unique and easy to pick up. The story, graphics and cinema cut-scenes blend perfectly. That whole summer was spent playing Ys and Legendary Axe.

So those were my initial, favorite Turbo moments. Those moments have really stuck with me. So much so, that it's been the only system I've never sold.

[Buy/Sell/Trade / Re: WTB: Wireless PC Engine controllers and receiver]

Hey, thanks. I'll hit him up. And being forced to buy a few games wouldn't be so bad either... 

[Buy/Sell/Trade / WTB: Wireless PC Engine controllers and receiver]

Hit me up if you know where to find a good deal on them. Thanks!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: The Smithsonian is going to have a game exhibit next year and Turbob needs ur Ob]

Still, if they wanted to do simply an art exhibit of video games they shouldn't have grouped it chronologically, by era. By grouping it as such, it gives a more of historical feel, when, according to the curator, it is not. I think it's totally misleading.

And anyone who sees the introduction of the CD medium on console systems as only a footnote in video gaming needs to have their head examined. It completely changed how games would be developed and contributed fully to the video game as an art form.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

Hey, BT - Neo Metal Fantasy looks great! I'll be checking it out once I get my CD system from back home next month. And thanks for the suggestion of the katakana chart. My main concern is being able to understand the basics like menus, etc. - it sounds like the chart will be very helpful for that.

The Brothers Duomazov site is amazing, btw.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

I don't like me no pains in the dick - so I'll be avoiding Sorcerian for now.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Who designed the PC Engine consoles?]

From what I've gleaned, Hudson came up with the system architecture / software format, and NEC built the hardware, but did NEC also design the systems' outer casings?

Just curious, because for me, there are no better looking systems out there, past or present.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

Ah, true that. Magic Engine is pretty awesome for that, though. I flash card would come in handy for taking games on the go, though. So, are there any non-Japanese reading folks out there who have tackled a Japanese RPG? What was the experience like. I'm a little intimidated taking on a Japanese RPG - even with a walkthrough, considering I don't know a lick of Japanese.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

Flash cart would be nice, but I actually don't mind collecting the actual HuCards. There's something so awesome about them. I would, however be interested in some type of Turbo Booster Plus for the PCE GT...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

I just ordered a NeoFlash like a month ago.  You can still nab them no problem usually!

USB connectivity, and the new flasher program uses WPF so it's all nice.


If you've got the CD stuff, do yourself a favor and get the Xak games, and Fray.

You will enjoy yourself so much you'll probably pee.

I also highhhhhly reccommend you try La Valeur and Emerald Dragon.

Hey, thanks! I'll definitely check those out - and I'll try not to piss myself.

Just wondering, where'd you track down the NeoFlash? And (this might be a stupid question), does the flasher program come in a Mac variety? If not, I can just boot up in Windows.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

Here are reviews for most of the Japan-only, traditional-style HuCard RPGs:
Benkei Gaiden

Hey runin. Have you played the SNES version of Benkei Gaiden? If so, do you know if it's a sequel or a remake?

 I completely forget about that game. Pretty cool little 3megabit hucard. Definitely a hucard game that translation scene has overlooked (hucards are much easier to hack for translation than CD games).

HuCard adventure/RPG type games aren't good to play on the go since you can't save your game and it's hard to read the long passwords on the Turbo Express/PCE GT screen.

You know, I never thought about that concerning the TG Express and other PCE portables. In general, for you PCE fans out there, how important would a 'back up' compatible device be? Like a pass through port (kind of like how game genies work on portable systems). Like if a group/community were to actually make one. From a technical stand point, there's pretty much nothing to it. One reg mapped into open bus of the last 8k of address range - to lock/unlock BRAM, and 2k of ram mapped to bank $F7 (battery backed or flash). Would there be enough demand to cover the cost or do PCE portables owners not play their portable systems enough to warrant such a building of said device? Just curious. I know building such a device wouldn't be cheap for the sole fact that the unique hucard female connector isn't cheap to manufacture (or so I've been told from someone that looked into it). I know David Shadoff build the entire lot of kisado converters from buying old stock of digital controlled sewing machine parts. They just happen to use the same female connector. But AFAIK, he bought and used them all and couldn't kind another source after that.

 GAUGE: Hey BP, glad to see you're a multi console fan.   No CD unit? Which core system do you have? TG16 or one of the PCE models?

A type of booster for the TurboExpress, PCE GT would be awesome. I'd have no idea how to do it, but I would definitely pick one up. I do some graphic design and illustration if that helps.

It's pretty much impossible to get a flash card for the PCE/Turbo these days, right?

And yeah, BonkNuts, I dig a few consoles. I've actually been a fan of the TG-16 since I got mine in 1990. Still have it along with an old CD unit. A few years back, one summer, a I really started collecting (picking up a US/Japanese converter, Arcade Card, SF II, a TurboExpress, Lords, Dragon Slayer, etc.), but the lack of RPGs and portable saving left me feeling like I needed more. So I got a Nomad and really got into Sega stuff.

I'm feeling like I might be up to the challenge of using a walkthough on a Japanese RPG. I'm looking at getting a copy of Benkei Gaiden.

Right now I'm mostly using a region modded PCE Core, with a CD-ROM2 unit and a region modded PCE GT. The CD system is back home in CA. So yeah, I can play CD games too, it'll just be a few weeks before I get my CD-ROM back.

Thanks again for all the help here. I'm still digging through all the recommendations.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

WOAH! You guys are awesome. It'll take me a while to dig through all the recommendations, but seriously, it's really appreciated.

RPG, either turn based or action, is good by me. Just something that I can sink some hours into and pick up where I left off. The main reason for focusing on HuCards was so that I could use them on the go, but I'll definitely be checking out both HuCards and CD recommendations.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

Sort of new to the PC Engine and am looking for some great RPGs, especially HuCard-based games, and a general resource for finding good, translated walkthroughs for HuCard- or CD-based games. I've been to a few different sites, did some Google-ing and have had some luck, but figured I'd check in with you guys on here for some more insight. Any advice would be appreciated!

The first thread of this section is a good start for english walkthroughs-

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2559.0

Ah, sorry about that. I guess I need to open my eyes a little more. Still feeling my way around.

Thanks for the feedback, folks! Great info so far.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?]

Sort of new to the PC Engine and am looking for some great RPGs, especially HuCard-based games, and a general resource for finding good, translated walkthroughs for HuCard- or CD-based games. I've been to a few different sites, did some Google-ing and have had some luck, but figured I'd check in with you guys on here for some more insight. Any advice would be appreciated!

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: SuperCD-Rom and Tototek card]

Ah, my bad. Thanks for the clarification.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: beautiful plastic(NEC consoles)]

Man, is the SG and SCD combo as huge and as awkward as it looks? I have an SG I've been tempted to get an SCD for, but seriously, I don't think it'd fit on my shelf. I'd have to say, in my personal opinion, I've always thought the Super Famicom, Core systems and SuperGrafx are by far the best looking systems ever released.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: SuperCD-Rom and Tototek card]

Essentially, the Tototek card I'm talking about just lets you download your backup saves from one CD/booster system to another CD/booster system. I'd figure it would work with the SuperCDrom2, but the thread from last year made me question the card's compatibility with the SuperCDrom2. The folks in the discussion talk about having problems with the Tototek card deleting data on Core and SuperGrafx systems connected to a SuperCDrom2 unit. I'm new here, so I could be reading the posting wrong, or they could be talking about a different card and/or use.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / SuperCD-Rom and Tototek card]

I found a posting from last year talking about problems with the Tototek card and SuperCD-Rom not working together. Was just wondering if this was true for most people, or an isolated incident?