Question About Turbo CD and Arcade Card

lisalover1 · 01/22/2009, 05:47 PM

I have been searching around for a reasonably-priced turbo duo for a while now, until I realized that such a thing does not exist. So, instead, I'm looking for a TG16 and TCD; it should be a bit cheaper. But, I heard that games like Sapphire can only be played on a Turbo Duo/Duo R with the Arcade card. Is this true or not?

nectarsis · 01/22/2009, 06:02 PM

Well the Arcade Card can only be played on any of the japanese systems, OR a US system with either a convertor, or a region modded system.

lisalover1 · 01/22/2009, 06:07 PM

Well, I plan on region-modding it.

nectarsis · 01/22/2009, 06:08 PM

Then you'll be all set ;)

NecroPhile · 01/22/2009, 06:11 PM

They made Arcade Cards for both Duo/Duo-R/Duo-RX/Super CDROM/LaserActive and PCE-CD/TG-CD systems; the Arcade Card Duo was for the former and the Arcade Card Pro was for the latter (and will also work on Duos). They're function is identical, the Pro just includes the extra 2mb of memory missing in the non-Super CD systems. The Pro cards are less common and consequently more expensive, so you might not save much money by picking a TG-CD over a Duo.

jperryss · 01/22/2009, 06:19 PM

I was just typing up a reply but NecroPhile beat me to it and said pretty much exactly what I was gonna say.

The $ you save on a CD combo over a Duo would probably be negated by the cost of the more expensive Arcade Pro card.

I'd definitely check out the Duo-R and RX (and I'm not just saying that because I have one, LOL). They seem to go cheaper on the 'bay than the US Duos (even including the overseas shipping sometimes). And the Duo-R and RX did not have many of the capacitor issues that the original Duos had (which might not be an issue if you're handy with a soldering iron).

I paid just over $200 shipped for a perfectly-functioning Duo-R, two pads, a tap, and an Arcade Card Duo. I bought a separate base TG16 unit strictly for US HuCard duties, but the Duo-R is being region-modded soon so I can sell off the TG16 and have one console to play everything.

Lord Thag · 01/22/2009, 06:41 PM

Yep, the advice here is on the money. Go for a Duo-R. Got mine for about $150. My arcade card cost a whopping $15

And Sapphire is sweeeeet

jperryss · 01/22/2009, 06:49 PM

Quote from: Lord Thag on 01/22/2009, 06:41 PMAnd Sapphire is sweeeeet

The Duo will seem cheap once you start pricing out Sapphire, though.

lisalover1 · 01/22/2009, 07:29 PM

I guess I'll just wait until I find one for around 150. All the current ones are well over 200. Thanks for all your help!

lisalover1 · 01/23/2009, 01:56 PM

This is probably a really, really stupid question, but can you connect a pc-engine cd to a turbografx? I think pce-cd systems are cheaper than tcd's, so I was just curious.

NecroPhile · 01/23/2009, 02:04 PM

Quote from: lisalover1 on 01/23/2009, 01:56 PMThis is probably a really, really stupid question, but can you connect a pc-engine cd to a turbografx?

Yes, though you'll still need the interface unit thingamabob.

Ceti Alpha · 01/23/2009, 02:11 PM

Quote from: guest on 01/23/2009, 02:04 PM
Quote from: lisalover1 on 01/23/2009, 01:56 PMThis is probably a really, really stupid question, but can you connect a pc-engine cd to a turbografx?
Yes, though you'll still need the interface unit thingamabob.

Necro, please don't confuse us laymen with your technobabble.

lisalover1 · 01/23/2009, 02:41 PM

Well, an interface unit shouldn't be too pricey. Do you think it would be worth it?

jperryss · 01/23/2009, 03:13 PM

Quote from: lisalover1 on 01/23/2009, 02:41 PMWell, an interface unit shouldn't be too pricey. Do you think it would be worth it?

Just save yourself all the trouble and go with a Duo-R/RX + Arcade Card Duo.

NecroPhile · 01/23/2009, 03:17 PM

Quote from: lisalover1 on 01/23/2009, 02:41 PMWell, an interface unit shouldn't be too pricey. Do you think it would be worth it?

It depends on how much you'll save. I haven't seen the interface unit sold seperately very often, but if it's cheap enough then go for it. Personally, I'd rather just have a Duo or pay a bit more for a matching set, but that's just picky ol' me.

Duo_R · 01/23/2009, 03:28 PM

Duo's is the way to go. Also keep in mind that alot of TG-CD units have been getting the "I am F##### gear" issues lately. Once the tiny little gear goes out your done! Just ask Zeon, I think he has like 3 of these units.

Cap issues aren't difficult to overcome, best world is the Duo-R (the X is the same thing but with a controller that hikes up the price). Clean looking system, no cap issues, only problem is the coloring sometimes.

BTW - I might have a JP Turbo Duo for sale. I could even have it region modded if needed and was planning to be proactive and replace the caps in the pre-amp area and give it the full makeover.

PM me for details.