PC Engine SD

[GoldenWheels]

Builder of this device posted this over at AtariAge, I thought it was a pretty cool project.

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Building a gaming console to commercial standard production is tough work. It comes with lots of trial and error and a dependence on outside help, expertise and collaboration. With little money, this process is glacial, but with dedication and tenacity, at least some of you will enjoy portable arcade gaming with the STARFORCE PI in the future! Until that time, I continue my quest to reinvent old consoles and bring them into the future. My latest creation: the PC Engine SD

Built inside a converted 1990 Amstrad GX4000 case, the system features an original first-model PC Engine motherboard which means the games aren't emulated, the best RGB analog audio/video signal through component, composite or SCART output, full compatibility with PC Engine peripherals such as controllers and multitaps, and an SD-to-HuCard reader using the Turbo Everdrive V2.5 supporting all PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 games. The SD card simply slots in the front, together with the controller (or controllers via a multitap), and the system is ready to be used. No load times – Plug'n'Play!

Relative to my other builds, like the STARFORCE NEO or the upcoming Sega Omega Drive, this was a relatively fast and straightforward build. It took 2 months in total to finish, and cost about €225 to build, including controllers, SCART cable, adapter, and multitap. I would've liked to collect for this system, but I noticed prices for PC engine games were just becoming ridiculous, and because I don't have a childhood connection to the system, I had no problem simply switching to SD cards.

It turned out rather nice! Very simple, still quite compact and attractive, and with a really 1990s edge to the look.

About PC Engine:
It it one of the lesser-known 4th generation video gaming consoles but it was in fact the first released in the era of 16-bit systems. Known as the TurboGrafx-16 in the US, it went after the video gaming juggernaut Nintendo and their 8-bit entertainment system, but ended up competing with the Sega Mega Drive (Genesis) and the SNES in the Console Wars of the early 90s. Sadly, its tiny 8-bit CPU and limited success outside Japan was no match, and faded away by the mid-90s. But it's a great system and deserves some retrogaming love!

PC Engine SD SPECS:

    Authentic NEC PC Engine Model 1 Hardware
    PC Engine & TurboGrafx-16 Compatible
    1x PC Engine Controller Input (Compatible with 5 Player Multitap)
    Composite/Component/SCART RGB Audio/Video Output
    SD-to-HuCard Conversion via Turbo EverDrive 2.5
    Standard SD Card Compatible (Up to 32GB)
    Vintage 1990 Amstrad GX4000 Converted Case
    Dimensions: 25 x 4.4 x 18.4 cm, Weight: 0.9kg (2lbs)

https://starforcepi.wordpress.com/2017/04/19/the-pc-engine-sd/

[NoSexGex]

the games aren't emulated

Hell yeah!

And also

[NecroPhile]

... and an SD-to-HuCard reader using the Turbo Everdrive V2.5 supporting all PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 games...

So it's a remote SD card socket hooked to an Everdrive and it boots only one game at a time instead of loading a boot menu?  Sounds silly. 

[CrackTiger]

So this guy put a TED into the HuCard slot of an RGB modified PCE and placed it inside a different case?

The GX4000 case looks much better in black, but not nearly as compact/attractive/90's edge as an RGB modded CoreGrafx II with a TED that has one of jelloslug's 3D printed black covers.

Anyway, it's nice to learn that the "tiny 8-bit" cpu of the PCE was no match for the powerhouse SFC/SNES cpu. Sadly, it faded away after only 8 or 9 years...

[Michirin9801]

I love how they used Galaxy Fraulein Yuna artwork in the background, and at least the Amstrad GX4000 case doesn't look nearly as ugly as the Atari Jaguar one, but are they gutting perfectly good PC engines to make this? If so, I'm not happy at all with it...

[SignOfZeta]

Nice...I guess. Not really worth photoshopping and writing about though. All he did was Lego some retail shit together. Big deal.

[geise]

This whole thing is a lot of ?????

You can get a pc-engine system for cheap and a turbo everdrive.  Then rgb mod it if desired.  Save the systems!!!!

I also don't get the SD thing?

[HuMan]

That "product" is utterly retarded. There's nothing about it that says "hard work", it's just retail products shoehorned together. The dumbest part is "SD to HuCard conversion via TED 2.5", as if it's as simple as converting PS/2 to USB or PCE/DUO controller to TG16 controller.

I project the retail price to be $399. This project is even worse than the Analogue Nt which originally harvested the NES CPU and PPU chips from Famicoms. The "PC Engine SD" needs to die in a fire.

Edit: just noticed this jewel:

"I would've liked to collect for this system, but I noticed prices for PC engine games were just becoming ridiculous, and because I don't have a childhood connection to the system, I had no problem simply switching to SD cards."

Okay scratch the above, HE should die in a fire. Really, you don't know shit about PC Engine, think the games are too expensive so therefore the logical answer is to use SD cards which being in a complex serial format require a flash cart to be used? We should band together and get this abomination canceled.

[Psycho Punch]

This is stupid on so many levels. Everyone already pointed out all that's wrong with it so I'll just post this: ahahahahahahah

[MrMarth]

What is the point of this thing? Even I know there are other, more efficient and cost effective options for playing PCE/TG16 games

[SuperDeadite]

" full compatibility with PC Engine peripherals"

Except for you know, a CD drive!

[HuMan]

I highly doubt it would still fit the AV Booster and Tennokoe Bank adapters either.

[ClodBusted]

So this guy put a TED into the HuCard slot of an RGB modified PCE and placed it inside a different case?

My thoughts when reading this.

[ChuChu Flamingo]

yo dawg we put your pc engine in another pc engine so your pc engine can obey while obeying.

[OldRover]

yo dawg we put your pc engine in another pc engine so your pc engine can obey while obeying.

You win the internet.

[SignOfZeta]

That "product" is utterly retarded. There's nothing about it that says "hard work", it's just retail products shoehorned together. The dumbest part is "SD to HuCard conversion via TED 2.5", as if it's as simple as converting PS/2 to USB or PCE/DUO controller to TG16 controller.

I project the retail price to be $399. This project is even worse than the Analogue Nt which originally harvested the NES CPU and PPU chips from Famicoms. The "PC Engine SD" needs to die in a fire.

Edit: just noticed this jewel:

"I would've liked to collect for this system, but I noticed prices for PC engine games were just becoming ridiculous, and because I don't have a childhood connection to the system, I had no problem simply switching to SD cards."

Okay scratch the above, HE should die in a fire. Really, you don't know shit about PC Engine, think the games are too expensive so therefore the logical answer is to use SD cards which being in a complex serial format require a flash cart to be used? We should band together and get this abomination canceled.

While I agree with what you are saying, I'm pretty sure this is a one-off. Since it's literally just a case swapped PCE I can't imagine anyone paying for it. Maybe a couple a hardcore Amstrad fans or something.

[GoldenWheels]

Yeah I don't think he has any intentions of selling it as a product, I had asked him that due to all the spec sheets and art etc. He sounds like he'll just sell that project one at some point and be done with it.

I'm used to this place at this point but still didn't expect "HE should die in a fire".   

[LostFlunky]

There's nothing about it that says "hard work"...

Funny choice of words - the phrase "hard work" has been a running gag on AA for about 15 years.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/26594-the-knight-rider-2600-project/


I have no problem with case mods, especially if you have a case that looks like its been bathed in a spittoon...  I just don't understand all the photoshopped "marketing" shots...

[esteban]

There's nothing about it that says "hard work"...

Funny choice of words - the phrase "hard work" has been a running gag on AA for about 15 years.

http://atariage.com/forums/topic/26594-the-knight-rider-2600-project/


I have no problem with case mods, especially if you have a case that looks like its been bathed in a spittoon...  I just don't understand all the photoshopped "marketing" shots...

HahajjjJjJjJjjA.

I didn't read the entire thread, but I'll have to go back.

The first few pages were great, though.

[Groover]

This is like the Shuttle of flashcart setups.

[ClodBusted]

It should be called PC Engine SD-ROM².

[HuMan]

Don't encourage it.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Was this an april fools joke?

You have to admire the idea or wanting to create yet another incarnation of the PCE.  Looks kind of neat.  If they have a working prototype at a con or something, I'd be curious to check it out.