Messages

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: PAL turbografx NTSC mod]

Out of curiosity:
I heard that the PAL TG16s were basically modded US units, as NEC never bothered to release it here. The PAL TG16 are supposedly units modded by and sold by big importers. Is that correct? So basically you unmodded the thing?

Or was there a specific PAL run after all?

In France at least, the were importers who modified PC Engine systems and translated manuals.

The PAL "TurboGrafx" was planned for a market test by NEC, but it sounds like it never even made it that far. It has non-final packaging, with accessories contained in a separate box. The NOS stock was picked up by liquidators who are still trying to burn through their supply, many years later.

It has roughly the same physical shell as the TG-16, but instead of an RF switch jack, it has a CoreGrafx/Duo style AV jack. It is compatible with the Turbo-CD, but each game runs at different slower speeds.

Do you know of any in-depth comparison or history article behind this? Maybe on this forum? I find this quite fascinating. I remember reading back in the day that NEC was considering the Duo for Europe, around the time Sega tried to push the Mega-CD here. Nothing ever materialized, but the PAL TG16 is interesting nonetheless.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Momotaro Katsugeki Dialog and Items help?]

Very useful, this is actually one of the games I got with my Duo the other day. It's playable, but some understanding certainly would help.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PC Engine top 25 games featured in this months Retro Gamer magazine (UK)]

This is the kind of result I expected. Like the kids who arhue in youtube comments. These are the titles thry'll name drop to prove that the know the library well.

"I've played Dracula X and Gates of Thunder and have a full rom set."

RG's lists are always like that. I was about to pull my own hair out when I read their Mega Drive list, so uninspired...  they just seem to have a checklist of well known titles that automatically must be the best.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: PAL turbografx NTSC mod]

I assume they're all new units. It doesn't make much sense to pull the pcb from brand new units just to stuff 'em into slightly different cases, with different controllers and new boxes.

Ah, okay. Sorry, I was unaware of the differences and assumed it was 1:1 identical to US versions, just with a "PAL version" sticker slapped on. This being special units does make it sound like a somewhat more serious/official effort.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: PAL turbografx NTSC mod]

Out of curiosity:
I heard that the PAL TG16s were basically modded US units, as NEC never bothered to release it here. The PAL TG16 are supposedly units modded by and sold by big importers. Is that correct? So basically you unmodded the thing?

Or was there a specific PAL run after all?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo Everdrive V2 does not work in my US Turbo]

Thanks for the reply. Hmh, that means that the best chance would be to try a TED v1. Still kind of a big risk for the price...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Wonderboy Series]

Love the Wonder Boy / Monster World series. MWIV on the MD is my favorite; it is more simple than MWII and III, but very well designed and beautiful to look at. I feel there is no repetition in the game, every obstacle is unique. Love the gameplay with Pepe too. I also applaud the pixel artists, they managed to make 64 colors seem like more than enough, so vibrant does it look.

On the PCE I definitely want to play Dragon's Curse. The Master System version is a great game, and with the graphical capabilities of the PCE it should be even better.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbo Everdrive V2 does not work in my US Turbo]

I've been looking to get an Everdrive too, but I am worried since my PCE Duo is region modded. Can you tell if it will work by knowing who modded it? My Duo is from doujindance, who afaik is a well-known and respected modder. Anybody have experiences with region modded Duos from him and TEDs?

[Feedback / Re: Suggestion: "Welcome/Tell us about Yourself" Section]

Well then, it's my turn.

Hi everybody, name's Daniel, aka 108 Stars on the interwebz. Was a regular at Sega-16 years ago, now I post more on Atari Age. Finally got myself a PC Engine Duo, so a longtime wish has come true. I look forward to experience a "new" system from back in the day. I am actually not that big of a shmup fan, still the PCE seems to offer a lot of good stuff in other genres.

Being from Germany the whole PCE is a bit of a myth to me; since it was never officially released in Europe, all I knew was magazines writing of this spectacular 8-/16-bit console from Japan in import sections. Sure I have played it since when visiting collector friends, but I never really got deep into it because it seemed too expensive/too much effort, having to import, modify and learn about that clusterfuck of peripherals & system cards. But finally, here I am.

Beside gaming I like to do pixel art. I did graphics for Pier Solar on Mega Drive, and a couple of Lynx games (Luchsenstein 3D, Alien and Lynxopoly all released, with more WIP). Who knows, maybe I will get the chance to do something on the Engine someday too.

Looking forward to learn more about the system.