Dumb Supergrafx questions...

[Kitsunexus]

OK,I am seriously thinking about picking up a Supergrafx (I bet you can never guess the first game I want! ) but I have 2 dumb questions, that you guys may think is a no-brainer, but me only having experience with American hardware would need answers to:

1. Can I play the SuperGrafx on my normal TV without any picture distortion? I know Japan uses NTSC like we do, but I read somewhere that there were some differences, and I was wondering if I'd have to get a whole new TV.

2. Would I have to get some sort of funky power adapter converter?


Thank you! ^.^

[Turbo D]

There is no distortion of any kind with the supergrafx. Also, no funky power adapter is needed. I've been using jdm psus for years with no problems.

[guyjin]

There will be weirdness if you attempt to use an RF switch, since the channels are arranged differently, but I think the SGX outputs AV out-of-the-box.

[Kitsunexus]

There is no distortion of any kind with the supergrafx. Also, no funky power adapter is needed. I've been using jdm psus for years with no problems.

Sweet, thanks for the info! What's a JDM power adapter, though? 

There will be weirdness if you attempt to use an RF switch, since the channels are arranged differently, but I think the SGX outputs AV out-of-the-box.

I have an AV/S-Video selector box that takes any AV or S-Video signal and sends it to my TV via S-Video.

[Turbo D]

jdm=japanese domestic market. Basically the psu you get in Japan with the console. They work well here in the US.

[Kitsunexus]

jdm=japanese domestic market. Basically the psu you get in Japan with the console. They work well here in the US.

Sweet. ^_^

[nat]

A few notes.

Everything that has been said so far is true, but I want to add a little info.

If you pick up a SuperGrafx make sure you find one that comes with an AV cable. It uses a proprietary connector on the SuperGrafx end instead of the stand red/white/yellow composite connectors. You want one that comes with an AV cable because third-party/aftermarket ones suck and don't fit quite right. Finding [a good] one after buying the unit is probably going to be difficult. I can't remember offhand but the connector might be the same as the one on the Genesis. Someone else can probably clarify that. Although you probably don't want to use one of those model-1 Genesis cables anyway because they aren't stereo. And you know you want to be playing Battle Ace in stereo.

Also, Japanese AC adapters. They all work fine in the US. In fact, it seems Nintendo has decided to cut costs by no longer producing US-localized AC adapters for the DS lite because the voltages used in the two countries are so close. They all seem to be coming with Japanese 100v-rated ACs, complete with Japanese text on the label and all.

I have an AV/S-Video selector box that takes any AV or S-Video signal and sends it to my TV via S-Video.

Unless you have a really high-quality switcher, any AV input into the switchbox that gets output to the TV in SVIDEO is going to be significantly downgraded. I found this out the hard way recently when I had my TurboDuo hooked up to a switcher via composite AV then output in SVIDEO to the TV. Joe explained it to me, I think the gist of it is that the luminance doesn't get separated from the composite video signal properly by the cheap switchbox. Whatever the technical reason, the result is a dark, fuzzy picture. It is much more noticable on lower-res consoles like the SuperGrafx as opposed to higher-res stuff like the GameCube or PS2. I don't know why this is, but I had a GameCube hooked up through the same switcher with composite and it didn't look quite as bad (but was still dark).

You have two ways around this. Buy a really high-end switcher, or buy a second really cheap switcher and use it only for your consoles with composite AV. Use the original only for SVIDEO consoles.

I only mention all this because I want you to get the best possible experience from your SuperGrafx.

BTW, keep us posted on your search for a SuperGrafx-- prices, etc. Don't buy the first listing you see on eBay, you will undoubtedly get ripped off.

[nat]

OK, I did a bit of legwork for you.

The best SuperGrafx deal on eBay by far right now is from our friend at Dream Stars Japan. He's got a loose console (with AC and one controller) for $118 which is a good price for the system unless you happen to actually live in Japan. You get killed on shipping though which is $54 to the US. That works out to $172 shipped. The one problem with this setup is it doesn't come with the original NEC AV cable I mentioned earlier, it comes with one of the crappy aftermarket ones.

My local video game shop here in Seattle has a SuperGrafx for sale, actually a complete-in-box set (not new though) for $139.99. I'm not sure if the AV cable is original or not but I think it is, I'd have to check it out in-store. If I were to buy this for you and ship it to you myself I'd have to pay sales tax on it, which would be about $12, and then shipping maybe another $10. So we'd probably make out for about $162 which is still $10 cheaper over Dream Star's deal.

My local store here also has Battle Ace complete with cardboard slipcover for $34.99 but that's not such a good deal, you could score it on eBay cheaper.

If you'd be interested in me checking out that one locally at the store just PM me or something.

EDIT: If you choose to wait a while, a better deal will come along some day. But you might be waiting a long time-- it's up to you. Check out some of the other SuperGrafx listings on eBay, they go pretty high (as high as $599.99) which is more typical of what you will find there price-wise. I got my SuperGrafx for $65. It was a loose console with just the AC adapter and original AV cable. But don't expect to ever see a deal like that unless you actually know someone in Japan who can shop for you.

[SignOfZeta]

Just so that you understand, the Supergrafx really kind of sucks. It costs as much as a Duo R and can't play CDs. Its rather pointless.

Its fine if you want one, you just need to understand that its pointless. I myself would like one someday, even though I don't actually give a shit about any of the Supergrafx games themselves.

[NecroPhile]

I myself would like one someday, even though I don't actually give a shit about any of the Supergrafx games themselves.

Same here, except I give a tiny turd about 1941.

[GUTS]

I always kinda wanted one just for the hell of it, but for the money I'd buy another PCFX instead, I regret selling mine.

[nat]

Yeah the PC-FX is awesome.

No to derail the thread, but I've been getting back into mine again lately. I finally finished Last Imperial Prince after playing it off and on for like a year. I think you said you couldn't get into that one because of the battle system. I was able to stick it out, but some of the battles near the end were just ridiculous. Imagine an armada of like 30 enemies (literally) that just keep coming and coming. But you never know how many there really are because they only attack one at a time.

Some of the 32-bit visuals, especially the desert and ice areas later in the game are really, really nice though.

[PCEngineHell]

Just so that you understand, the Supergrafx really kind of sucks. It costs as much as a Duo R and can't play CDs. Its rather pointless.

Its fine if you want one, you just need to understand that its pointless. I myself would like one someday, even though I don't actually give a shit about any of the Supergrafx games themselves.

Someone who's never owned one saying it sucks,priceless. If you said you actually owned one,Id say your opinion has merit,but since it doesn't,Kits should ignore you. He shopuld only be taking the opinions of people who owned one (good or bad) seriously. Kits,I say buy one,you can get a Super Cd-Rom 2 drive for it later when your ready to do so. You will be able to enjoy the few Supergrafx titles which are great,along with the Pc-engine hu-card library. Its a win win situation,and doesn't cost a arm and  a leg.

[td741]

My modded SuperGrafx + SuperCD is my current system.  I have all of the SGX games + the Darius cross-platform game.  I've only really played it using a SVideo connection.  My original power adapter died so I'm just using another equally rated adapter.

I was a little underwhelmed by the SGX games at first...  The thing that stuck out were that the games seemed fast (especially Aldynes and 1941.) Aldynes is my favorite game out of the bunch.

[nat]

Yeah I think Aldynes is definitely the best system-exclusive game it's got. Great game, that. Real tough.

[guyjin]

Just found a sweet deal on a Supergrafx! better hurry, kitsune!

http://cgi.ebay.com/pc-engine-super-grafx-supergrafx_W0QQitemZ350002864777QQihZ022QQcategoryZ4315QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

[Kitsunexus]

I need to buy a car first.

[guyjin]

at least look.

[NecroPhile]

Just found a sweet deal on a Supergrafx! better hurry, kitsune!

That's an awesome deal; I'm tempted to jump on that myself.

[TurboXray]

If you've got an SGX+SCD unit, you might be in for an extra treat on the translation front. That's all I'm gonna say for now.

[SignOfZeta]

Someone who's never owned one saying it sucks,priceless. If you said you actually owned one,Id say your opinion has merit,but since it doesn't,Kits should ignore you. He shopuld only be taking the opinions of people who owned one (good or bad) seriously.

You are such an antagonistic mother fucker. Coming from me, that means something.

Why the hell do I have to have owned one? I've played every SGX game that they made, what's more I actually played them pre-PS1 so I experienced them in the 2D age and had a realistic mindset of what to expect. The fact that I didn't waste $600 fucking dollars on the thing is actually good, IMO, since I've known it to be far more of a bias to own something. That is, people that waste money on stupid shit talk themselves into liking it more than they really should, when someone who has nothing invested can be much more realistic. Example, I know a guy that bought the original SvC Chaos as a $1400 JAMMA board (originally not released as an MVS cart, but rather a stand alone PCB) and he insisted it was a good game, much better than CvS2. He probably still thinks this is the case, because he's probably still paying off his credit card. I'm  not the biggest fan of CvS2, but everyone understands that Chaos was a flop on every level. Basically a resurrected project that someone in Korea found on a hard drive after the SNK meltdown.

The SGX sucks. While its a cheap thing to own know, its still impractically expensive for someone's first PCE system. It was poorly (stupidly) designed, and even NEC saw this and ditched it almost instantly deciding instead to develop other PCE systems...like the Duo R, which is what I recommend.

As I said, I'd like to own one, but its a crap choice for a someone who has never owned an actual piece of NEC hardware before when he could be playing SCDs that are twice as good and cost half as much on a Duo.

[Turbo D]

Supergrafx is a pretty good system. I got mine with the 5 exclusives everything boxed for only $300 US. Of course I got it from a dude on this forum who seems to have disappeared. I'm very happy with it. I do see the point that sozeta is making though. He's basically saying that a duo-r is a better investment for a 1st time buyer. I say to buy whatever will make you happy! Remember that all pc engine hucards are playable on SuperGrafx.

[Joe Redifer]

I can't remember offhand but the connector might be the same as the one on the Genesis. Someone else can probably clarify that. Although you probably don't want to use one of those model-1 Genesis cables anyway because they aren't stereo. And you know you want to be playing Battle Ace in stereo.

Sounds like the standard TurboDuo cable.

[nat]

Yeah it's the same cable.

[guyjin]

that's kinda awesome.

[TurboXray]

The SGX sucks.

Your obviously jealous and trying to justify having not purchased one. 


 The SGX+SCD is a better investment than just buying a Duo or Duo-R and thinking about getting an SGX later. An SGX+SCD means you can skip purchasing a Duo/R. I got my original SGX with 4 SGX games for $50 back in the day. Guess I lucked out. Still, and SGX for $150 + a SCD unit for $150 is a pretty decent deal. Plus the Super CDROM2 unit seems tougher than the Duo/R units. In my experience it never has any problem reading even the crappiest CD-R or CD and the laser never "parks" to the right. With an SGX+SCD+ACD you can play every hucard or cd game put out (except Altered Beast).

 SGX ftw!

 Also, only ghey people think the SGX *isn't* a sexy beast. Especially sexy when the Super CDROM2 unit attached. 

[SignOfZeta]

The SGX+SCD is a better investment than just buying a Duo or Duo-R and thinking about getting an SGX later.

A Supergrapfx+SuperCDROM costs like...$150-200+ *more* than a Duo R. Since there are only 6 SGX games, that means that in addition to the price of those games (not as cheap as far better SCDs) you are paying an extra $25-33 *per game* to have compatibility with each SGX title. Not even close to worth it. For that amount of cash you could just skip the SGX and have stuff like Drac X, Kaze Kiri, Star Parodia, and Syphia...or you could have a version of Makaimura that isn't even notably better than the version that runs on a $20 Genesis.

If the SGX had at least a Sega CD level of support, or even a 32x level of support, it would be worth it, but as it is none of the SGX games even crack the top 50 PCE titles, IMO.

Yes, its cheaper in the "long run", but that's assuming you ever decide you need SGX compatibility at all.

[PCEngineHell]

The SGX sucks.

Your obviously jealous and trying to justify having not purchased one. 


 The SGX+SCD is a better investment than just buying a Duo or Duo-R and thinking about getting an SGX later. An SGX+SCD means you can skip purchasing a Duo/R. I got my original SGX with 4 SGX games for $50 back in the day. Guess I lucked out. Still, and SGX for $150 + a SCD unit for $150 is a pretty decent deal. Plus the Super CDROM2 unit seems tougher than the Duo/R units. In my experience it never has any problem reading even the crappiest CD-R or CD and the laser never "parks" to the right. With an SGX+SCD+ACD you can play every hucard or cd game put out (except Altered Beast).

 SGX ftw!

 Also, only ghey people think the SGX *isn't* a sexy beast. Especially sexy when the Super CDROM2 unit attached. 

Yea,thats another good point. The Super Cd-Rom 2 unit is built better and is more reliable. Plus I only ran into one with a bad audio issue from dried caps,but it didn't matter cause the audio came out of the Coregrafx fine still. I have heard of a couple others having the issue too a couple years ago,so they would just use the audio out of the Coregrafx also.Cd audio out hat way was fine. My current one has no issues either way it goes so I think this problem wasn't on a major scale like it was with the black Duos.

[nat]

That's the beauty of some of these "dual" systems over a Duo. You have two options where to pull audio and video from.

On my SuperGrafx setup I pull the video straight off the SG because it's better quality than the composite coming out of the white IFU-30 briefcase for some reason. I pull the audio directly from the IFU-30 though.

[termis]

A Supergrapfx+SuperCDROM costs like...$150-200+ *more* than a Duo R. Since there are only 6 SGX games, that means that in addition to the price of those games (not as cheap as far better SCDs) you are paying an extra $25-33 *per game* to have compatibility with each SGX title. Not even close to worth it. For that amount of cash you could just skip the SGX and have stuff like Drac X, Kaze Kiri, Star Parodia, and Syphia...or you could have a version of Makaimura that isn't even notably better than the version that runs on a $20 Genesis.

If the SGX had at least a Sega CD level of support, or even a 32x level of support, it would be worth it, but as it is none of the SGX games even crack the top 50 PCE titles, IMO.

Yes, its cheaper in the "long run", but that's assuming you ever decide you need SGX compatibility at all.

The $150-$200 difference is probably on the higher end of the estimate.  Probably more like $100 +/- 20 bucks, at least with the experience I had buying/selling both types of these systems.

And besides, why are you so hung up on a few bucks?  Most people with a real job can easily afford a one-time luxury of $100~$200.  You bring up the "poor bang-for-the-buck" argument for things other than this (US HuCards, US TurboDuo, etc), but if that's the case, why do you seem to prefer the white Japanese Saturn system?  You can buy the black US units for practically pocket change, whereas the non-piss colored Japanese white units go for helluva lot more.

[TurboXray]

The SGX+SCD is a better investment than just buying a Duo or Duo-R and thinking about getting an SGX later.

A Supergrapfx+SuperCDROM costs like...$150-200+ *more* than a Duo R. Since there are only 6 SGX games, that means that in addition to the price of those games (not as cheap as far better SCDs) you are paying an extra $25-33 *per game* to have compatibility with each SGX title. Not even close to worth it. For that amount of cash you could just skip the SGX and have stuff like Drac X, Kaze Kiri, Star Parodia, and Syphia...or you could have a version of Makaimura that isn't even notably better than the version that runs on a $20 Genesis.

If the SGX had at least a Sega CD level of support, or even a 32x level of support, it would be worth it, but as it is none of the SGX games even crack the top 50 PCE titles, IMO.

Yes, its cheaper in the "long run", but that's assuming you ever decide you need SGX compatibility at all.

Lies.... all lies! Seriously, you have some sort of grudge against the SGX or something? An SGX *is* a PCE. When you buy an SGX, you get PCE compatibility. It's worth it to play Aldynes, 1941, Ghouls and Ghosts. That is, if you're a die hard PCE fan. If not, then I can see if you don't care.

[nat]

I think Zeta is having a bad day or something.

[PCEngineHell]

Considering how he acts alot of the time I wonder if he likes anything NEC....Makes me sad for him

[PCEngineHell]

I think Zeta is having a bad day or something.

Yea hes been kinda a jerk on this and other threads,makes me wonder why???

[MissaFX]

I think Zeta is having a bad day or something.

Yea hes been kinda a jerk on this and other treads,makes me wonder why???

Whatever it is, talking about it here publically will probably only make him more upset/agitated.

[guyjin]

I bet "he" is on the rag. 

[spenoza]

OK, heading this off right here. If anyone acts like a jerk and raises your hackles, just ignore them. If they stop getting attention maybe they'll stop being a jerk. Reward good forum behavior and punish bad forum behavior. Period. This includes me. If I'm a jerk, head me off at the pass by NOT REWARDING ME.

[PCEngineHell]

OK, heading this off right here. If anyone acts like a jerk and raises your hackles, just ignore them. If they stop getting attention maybe they'll stop being a jerk. Reward good forum behavior and punish bad forum behavior. Period. This includes me. If I'm a jerk, head me off at the pass by NOT REWARDING ME.

Wrong,the strong shall devour the meeks reward

[spenoza]

Hey! Don't egg me on or I'll spork you in the gonads!   

Wrong,the strong shall devour the meeks reward

[GUTS]

No way, some of the best threads here have come from someone being a jerk.

[PCEngineHell]

No way, some of the best threads here have come from someone being a jerk.

Agreed

[nat]

No way, some most of the best threads here have come from someone being a jerk.

Damn straight.

[D-Lite]

As a longtime Neo-geo.com guy, none of this phases me.

Regarding SGx+SCD2 vs. DuoR, the difference is probably around the $100 +/- $20 like t_t said.  Both parts around $125 isn't too big a stretch to find.  And I honestly think Granzort is worth playing for at least a little while.

[spenoza]

Dammit, there's a lotta gonad sporking to do! You bastards!

 

[turbofan1]

Im pretty confident most people think im A jerk.I don`t care though,I just speak whats on my mind.And so should everybody else.Who says we all have to be friends in here.The Super Grafx would definitely be worth owning,if the infamous Strider would of been released.That and if you can pick it up for the same price as a core grafx unit,Than it would be worth owning.Does anybody no of any other game that where supposed to be released for the Super Grafx?.