Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release

turbokon · 09/07/2012, 11:53 PM

Good question Joe, hopefully somebody can answer that.

Chris, you're right on. I had to split the pce roms into two folders.

All I can say is the everdrive is freakin awesome. Every roms I tried loads up, doesn't matter if they are PCE's or tg16's and doesn't matter what region systems because it works on the my turbo express and supergrafx. Even the supergrafx games loads fine (even the opening soundtrack of aldynes loads up on my express) where else before I could only get 1941 to work with the neo flash cart. No missing around with headers or anything.

Joe Redifer · 09/08/2012, 12:20 AM

You've just gotta make sure you download good TEH ROMZ. I had a lot of bad Turbo ones that I had to seek out replacements for. I have a bunch of dupes in my PC engine collection because the titles of the games are so nonsensical and the same game may be titled two or three separate ways, resulting in dupes.

Also, is the PC Engine version of Twin Hawk really called Tiger Shark?

meka · 09/08/2012, 11:40 AM

No Intro Rom Sets are good rom sets, they only use verified roms.

CGQuarterly · 09/08/2012, 12:59 PM

Quote from: meka on 09/08/2012, 11:40 AMNo Intro Rom Sets are good rom sets, they only use verified roms.

Yup, that's what I use.

Chris

Bloody Wolf · 09/08/2012, 09:30 PM

Those peeps that had the older flash cards, are ya dumping those now?

NecroPhile · 09/10/2012, 10:21 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 09/07/2012, 07:35 PMI tried Populous, the only HuCard with a battery save and yet it saves to the internal RAM of my awesome TurboGrafx-CD Interface Unit. What's the battery save for?

Are you new here?

As has been discussed many times before, Populous does not have battery save on the huey; the RomRam logo refers to the onboard ram used ingame.

P.S. - the only HuCARD with battery save is the Tennokoe Bank.

Joe Redifer · 09/10/2012, 07:12 PM

What is the extra RAM used for? And Populous wasn't really a game I would care to be much more informed about, so I probably overlooked those threads. It's a good game, yeah, but I was always kind of indifferent to it until now. Seems to run fine on the Everdrive from what I've played of it.

NecroPhile · 09/11/2012, 09:59 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 09/10/2012, 07:12 PMWhat is the extra RAM used for?

It needed room for all the stuff it has to keep track of - big, interactive maps with lots of people and structures.

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 09/10/2012, 07:12 PMSeems to run fine on the Everdrive from what I've played of it.

How far in did you play it? Maybe it doesn't need the extra ram until some of the later levels.

Joe Redifer · 09/11/2012, 06:19 PM

Not far, maybe 3 minutes.

KnightWarrior · 09/12/2012, 03:37 PM

Will the prices for older flash cards goes down??

Deletion · 09/12/2012, 09:00 PM

Quote from: KnightWarrior on 09/12/2012, 03:37 PMWill the prices for older flash cards goes down??

A better questions is will the manufacturers of other flash carts improve their products to be more competitive with the TED?

Drakon · 09/13/2012, 12:29 PM

I seriously doubt they'd improve the products. Prices may go down, or people will just stop buying them.

Quote from: Deletion on 09/12/2012, 09:00 PM
Quote from: KnightWarrior on 09/12/2012, 03:37 PMWill the prices for older flash cards goes down??
A better questions is will the manufacturers of other flash carts improve their products to be more competitive with the TED?

thesteve · 09/13/2012, 06:17 PM

having repaired a neoflash card, there is room for improvement

Deletion · 10/25/2012, 12:07 AM

Stone Age Gamer's Facebook page has some updates on the Deluxe Edition. Apparently he has a good number of TEDs in stock for the folks who placed orders and are waiting for the Deluxe Edition and is holding off on selling any more units (Deluxe or Board Only) until the Deluxe Edition is ready for sale. His post reads:

"I am getting a lot of e-mails and messages about the Turbo EverDrive and when it will be in stock. We have decided to not stock any Turbo EverDrives on the site until the Deluxe Edition is complete OR the small chance it doesn't come to fruition.

The reason we are doing this is because we already have almost 50 people on hold who purchased a Board Only that are waiting for possible Deluxe Edition. From our experience from the people who ordered from us about 80% to 90% want to wait. We can not continue to build this ON HOLD list, by the end we may have 100+ waiting for the product that is not finished. This is something we do not want to do.

What about people who don't want the Deluxe? Well to prevent confusion we still do not want to list the Turbo EverDrive (Board Only) on our site until we are close to a finished Deluxe. We feel it may just become confusing and a lot of those people will buy in a panic instead of waiting for the choice of what versions. We have a good amount of "surplus" boards for Board Only and Deluxe that will be made available once Deluxe is finished.

The plastics company said they will be doing our small run tomorrow to allow us to finish prototyping. So we hope sometime next week we will have a small amount of cut plastic in to finish the product. We will obviously post pictures once we have something.

Lastly, if you are someone who bought a Board Only and are waiting for possible Deluxe. If you no longer want to wait please reply to your order confirmation e-mail and we will fill your order as-is."

Photo caption: Turbo EverDrive with smoke plastic circuit area cover. Board has not been coated in black vinyl coat yet, but I figured everyone would want to see something ASAP.

Prototyping:

Final:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.564612656888479&type=3

Frank_fjs · 10/25/2012, 12:33 AM

Wow, all this waiting and messing around for that? It looks rather simple, which isn't a bad thing but it really depends on the price. StoneAge do seem to charge an incredible premium for their deluxe editions, anyone know what they plan on charging for this? I wouldn't be a happy camper if I were waiting for an order to be fulfilled and I didn't want to wait for a $2 piece of plastic.

Duo_R · 10/25/2012, 01:13 AM

Pretty long wait for something so simple. Glad I did my own

Quote from: Duo_R on 08/14/2012, 11:24 PMHere is mine: /20120814202116572.th.jpg

NightWolve · 10/25/2012, 02:41 AM

But it's not as cool looking and it doesn't come in black... ;)

Joe Redifer · 10/25/2012, 03:03 AM

Always buy from Retrogate. Stone Age Gamer is pretty useless. He probably doesn't want to sell the board only versions because he can't profit as much from it. He's all about the crappy "deluxe" versions which are all pretty useless. How hard is it to find a normal cartridge shell at a thrift store and use that if you really need it? The Turbo Everdrive certainly doesn't need a "deluxe" edition, especially something emblazoned with Stone Age Gamer's logo on it.

sirhcman · 10/25/2012, 07:42 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 10/25/2012, 03:03 AMAlways buy from Retrogate. Stone Age Gamer is pretty useless. He probably doesn't want to sell the board only versions because he can't profit as much from it. He's all about the crappy "deluxe" versions which are all pretty useless. How hard is it to find a normal cartridge shell at a thrift store and use that if you really need it? The Turbo Everdrive certainly doesn't need a "deluxe" edition, especially something emblazoned with Stone Age Gamer's logo on it.

Thanks Joe, I was wondering where the best place to get one of these was.. A tad off topic but do you or anyone else here have any experience with the SMS Everdrive?

PS: Love your show!

ConHuevos · 10/28/2012, 02:47 PM

Ya, stone age gamer just adds a bunch of useless fluff (like a plastic case, paints the cartridge) and adds $50-$70 to the price. If you buy PCB only you still pay $5-$10 more at stone age. Avoid that place for flashcarts. They do occasionally get good deals on console clones however, if you're into that sort of thing.

But yes, avoid for flashcarts.

QuotePretty long wait for something so simple. Glad I did my own

Ya, I love how stoneagegamer used terms like "prototyping" a small piece of plastic that isn't even an odd shape with 2 half circles cut out, held in by screws...lol

Probably just took it to a local fabricator.

turbokon · 10/28/2012, 09:42 PM

Quote from: Duo_R on 10/25/2012, 01:13 AMPretty long wait for something so simple. Glad I did my own
Quote from: Duo_R on 08/14/2012, 11:24 PMHere is mine

/20120814202116572.th.jpg
That's pretty good Duo_r, if you can print on it would perfect!!

ConHuevos · 10/28/2012, 09:55 PM

It'd be pretty sweet if you could actually replicate an actual hucard shell and place it in that. I bought a crap keith courage hucard just to see if I could and realized it wasn't possible =/

KnightWarrior · 10/31/2012, 12:54 AM

How much will the deluxe version be??

ConHuevos · 10/31/2012, 02:22 AM

Add $50-$70 to the bare board. Or you could just order here like a sane person:

krikzz.com/our-products/cartridges/turbo-everdrive-v2.html

Duo_R · 10/31/2012, 02:29 AM

Haven't messed with it for a while but wouldn't be hard to add a logo on the plastic.

Quote from: turbokon on 10/28/2012, 09:42 PM
Quote from: Duo_R on 10/25/2012, 01:13 AMPretty long wait for something so simple. Glad I did my own
Quote from: Duo_R on 08/14/2012, 11:24 PMHere is mine

/20120814202116572.th.jpg

Haven't messed with it for a while but wouldn't be hard to add a logo on the plastic.
That's pretty good Duo_r, if you can print on it would perfect!!

NightWolve · 10/31/2012, 01:44 PM

Quote from: ConHuevos on 10/31/2012, 02:22 AMAdd $50-$70 to the bare board. Or you could just order here like a sane person:

http://shop.retrogate.com/Turbo-EverDrive-TURBO-ED.htm

Yeah, $79 with shipping included is a damn good deal for this thing! It does look very cool what StoneAgeGamer is doing with the vinyl coating and the top plastic piece, but the jacking up of an already good price is the issue. For $89 I'd maybe consider it, but not for another $20-$30+ as they'll probably be able to justify with the fancy case and manual. If they're going as high as $50+, pffft, fuck that...

CGQuarterly · 10/31/2012, 06:22 PM

I bought my original Everdrive and my Turbo Everdrive board-only from the developer. For some reason I bought my Super Everdrive from Stone Age Gamer. They put it in a shell, added a label, but that into a universal game case, and included a couple of free firmware upgrade coupons. The thing that pissed me off is that the firmware update coupons both have expiration dates. So my Super Everdrive coupons are already void. So basically I paid maybe $40 extra for a shell, label, and universal game case. Whoop-fucking-pee. Then when the TurboEverdrive got released, I didn't know about it, so I missed out on the first wave of them. I asked SAG why they didn't send out an e-mail to previous Everdrive customers, and their response was that if I wanted updates about products, I would have to "like" them on Facebook.

They also won't sell people the game cases that they had made for the TE. So if I wanted one, I would have to send them my Everdrive so that they could "upgrade" it to the deluxe version. All I want is the fucking case. These people remind me of Neo Geo Freaks. "Send us your Turbo Everdrive and we'll freak it for you."

Chris

KnightWarrior · 10/31/2012, 09:30 PM

You could always find a better Case and Insert for the TurboEverDrive

NightWolve · 10/31/2012, 11:14 PM

Quote from: CGQuarterly on 10/31/2012, 06:22 PMI bought my original Everdrive and my Turbo Everdrive board-only from the developer. For some reason I bought my Super Everdrive from Stone Age Gamer.

I had made contact with Krizz on Youtube, exchanged a few PMs and pointed out that there might be problems given placement of the USB port and what not with the SuperGrafx given SamIam's concerns, etc. Anyway, that was about 4-5 PMs going back'n'forth, bringing that to his attention, praising the work, etc., but then I guess I pushed my luck with the last PM where I asked if I could buy it directly from him hoping I could save a couple of bucks versus his retailers... Well, he never responded back to me after that. ;) We call that one a polite "no..." Hehe. Ah well, I tried. I assume when you did it his site http://krikzz.com/ had an integrated shopping cart to order direct from him and not a bunch of links to all the retailers that he's made a deal with for his products.

CGQuarterly · 10/31/2012, 11:17 PM

Quote from: NightWolve on 10/31/2012, 11:14 PM
Quote from: CGQuarterly on 10/31/2012, 06:22 PMI bought my original Everdrive and my Turbo Everdrive board-only from the developer. For some reason I bought my Super Everdrive from Stone Age Gamer.
I had made contact with Krizz on Youtube, exchanged a few PMs and pointed out that there might be problems given placement of the USB port and what not with the SuperGrafx, etc. That was about 4-5 PMs going back'n'forth, but then I guess I pushed my luck with the last PM where I asked if I could buy it directly from him hoping I could save a couple of bucks from his retailers... Well, he never responded back to me after that. ;) We call that one a polite "no..." Hehe. Ah well, I tried. I assume when you did it his site http://krikzz.com/ had an integrated shopping cart to order direct from him and not a bunch of links to all the retailers that he's made a deal with for his products.

Retrogate.com is his storefront. Buy from there, and you're buying from him.

Chris

CGQuarterly · 10/31/2012, 11:18 PM

Quote from: KnightWarrior on 10/31/2012, 09:30 PMYou could always find a better Case and Insert for the TurboEverDrive

I bought a jewel case for a PCMCIA card off of eBay, as it should be the right size. Hasn't arrived yet, though.

Chris

NightWolve · 11/01/2012, 12:01 AM

Quote from: CGQuarterly on 10/31/2012, 11:17 PMRetrogate.com is his storefront. Buy from there, and you're buying from him.

Ah, you're right, looks like it is. The domain is owned by someone in Germany (and for some reason, Germany is excluded from shipping to), but when you look up info on shipping, it mentions tracking via the Ukrainian Post which is in Krikzz's country. The other correction is I thought the $5 shipping charge was included, a change in policy, but it's not, so $84 bucks altogether is the total like he had said originally when I asked.

ConHuevos · 11/01/2012, 01:49 AM

Yes retrogate is definitely his storefront. I've ordered a Everdrive 64, SD2SNES and a turbo everdrive from there and each time I've contacted that store, Krikkz himself replied.

NightWolve · 11/01/2012, 03:19 AM

How is that SD2SNES BTW? I think I would like to buy that one day as well! How many chips did he emulate (eh, he tells you, but I dunno how much of the library that translates to), or rather, how much of the SNES library works with it ? It can't possibly be 100%, eh?

Joe Redifer · 11/01/2012, 05:26 AM

I'd like an SD2SNES as well but they only make like 5 a year or something ridiculously low. I wish it had an FX2 on there.

SamIAm · 11/01/2012, 07:16 AM

The technical aspects start going over my head very quickly, but I remember from my days with an SNES copier talking on relevant forums that the SFX, the SA-1, the SDD-1/SPC-7110 and maybe one or two others aren't easily put into a flashcart or a copier because these chips are given customized access to specific parts of the ROM that varies case by case. They also have their own work-RAM (~32kb, I think). It's probably not altogether impossible, but I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't feasible with the current methods.

The following chips are supported in the SD2SNES:

BS-X memory map / Satellaview base unit registers (clock)
DSP1 / 1b
DSP2
DSP3
DSP4
ST-010
Cx4
MSU1
S-RTC

ConHuevos · 11/01/2012, 08:25 AM

SD2SNES is nice, the problem is that even though it emulates the special chips, they aren't really emulated correctly. Like CX4, with megaman x2/X3, there is a lot of in-game lag that shouldn't be there just when doing charged shots when there are 2 or more enemies on screen.

The best thing about it, is no having to hold reset or anything to save your SRAM. Also loading roms is far faster than the super everdrive and SNES powerpak. SuperFX could be added by the end of the year (minimal) and is being worked on. Personally I'd rather see SA-1 implemented but it doesn't look possible as it's more powerful than the superFX and more complicated.

KnightWarrior · 11/03/2012, 11:26 PM

Quote from: CGQuarterly on 10/31/2012, 11:18 PM
Quote from: KnightWarrior on 10/31/2012, 09:30 PMYou could always find a better Case and Insert for the TurboEverDrive
I bought a jewel case for a PCMCIA card off of eBay, as it should be the right size. Hasn't arrived yet, though.

Chris

If it's the right size, I buy one

CrackTiger · 11/07/2012, 02:31 PM

I finally ordered a Turbo Everdrive. Only the usb version was available. Shipping to Canada was $5. Took about a week till I got a shipped notice.

I dont have time to reread this thread, so I'll just be a dick and blindly ask these questions here.

Will filing down the corners to make them round like a HuCard damage the pcb?

Would automotive paint damage the card, make it too thick to use or rub off on a console when inserting/removing?

Joe Redifer · 11/07/2012, 05:29 PM

I don't think the PCB would be functionally damaged by filing it. The USB jack might get in your way on one side and the MicroSD card slot on the other, though. And I imagine paint would rub off after a while. I don't think most paint is conductive but I still wouldn't recommend it. You just get a lot of paint flakes inside your system.

jperryss · 11/07/2012, 05:50 PM

Does anyone here know the science behind this?

1)Cart may not work properly with region modded systems

I've been wanting to pick one up to use with my modded Duo-R and am a bit concerned that I might not be able to use it.

NecroPhile · 11/07/2012, 05:54 PM

I think that's due to some huey slots not having enough power for the region mod chip and the flash cart, which can be worked around by tapping a different source for more juice.

CGQuarterly · 11/07/2012, 10:09 PM

Quote from: jperryss on 11/07/2012, 05:50 PMDoes anyone here know the science behind this?

1)Cart may not work properly with region modded systems

I've been wanting to pick one up to use with my modded Duo-R and am a bit concerned that I might not be able to use it.

I have a region-modded duo-r and the turbo Everdrive works fine for me.

Chris

jperryss · 11/07/2012, 10:40 PM

Quote from: CGQuarterly on 11/07/2012, 10:09 PMI have a region-modded duo-r and the turbo Everdrive works fine for me.

Nice, that makes me feel a bit better about purchasing.

bartre · 11/08/2012, 05:11 AM

Quote from: guest on 11/07/2012, 05:54 PMI think that's due to some huey slots not having enough power for the region mod chip and the flash cart, which can be worked around by tapping a different source for more juice.

He's right, all you have to do to fix it is tap 5v to the correct pin on the huey slot and all will be well.

CrackTiger · 11/08/2012, 09:28 AM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 11/07/2012, 05:29 PMI don't think the PCB would be functionally damaged by filing it. The USB jack might get in your way on one side and the MicroSD card slot on the other, though. And I imagine paint would rub off after a while. I don't think most paint is conductive but I still wouldn't recommend it. You just get a lot of paint flakes inside your system.

Its the top corners near the pins that bother me in pics. If they were rounded, it would look much more natural.

Its really only the top side that I would like painted to look like a hucard. I only see wear and tear on the back side of real hucards.

csgx1 · 11/08/2012, 10:11 PM

I've heard that the Plasti Dip spray works fairly well for car parts and for temporarily doing color changes over good existing car paint since it's removable. Never used the stuff myself, but I hear its somewhat durable since it's rubberized. Might work well for the top portion of the everdrive.

What would be better than paint is if you can find a thin overlay material that's similar looking to the black portion of original Hucards.

Not sure what Stone Age Gamer used for their deluxe version but it's probably (or should be) really durable since they also painted the bottom side. Possibly enamel paint ? Honestly, I think the bare PCB looks better than painted. Something with the holes and the trace lines showing through the paint makes it look cheap.

/546585432024535_lost.jpg
/546585222024556_lost.jpg

Frank_fjs · 11/08/2012, 10:43 PM

That painted one looks horrible!

MotherGunner · 11/09/2012, 01:02 PM

I don't mind the paint. I do prefer white though since it will match conventional fat Huey's a little better.

Oh, and I hope Sparky makes some neat labels and inserts for these!

ConHuevos · 11/09/2012, 06:15 PM

Can anyone with a turbo duo and a turbo ever drive confirm if soldier blade (USA) has sprite artifacts on the title screen? Also aero blasters enemy explosions, basically play through the first stage of aeroblasters and you should notice them about halfway through. I know it isn't my rom because both these games play fine on my flash hucard on my duo and I'm using the no-intro rom set.