What year did you first start gaming on the PC Engine/Turbografx??

turbogirl · 03/19/2011, 06:23 PM

Quote from: turbogirl on 02/27/2011, 09:43 PMI first played TurboGrafx 16 when I applied for a job at NEC Technologies in Wood Dale (IL). A friend and I both applied for the job and both got the job for a new Customer Service Helpline that was going to offer customer service for its newly launched game system, called the TurboGrafx 16. I had played Nintendo before, and had Customer Service background, so I thought, how cool is that? On the job interview they asked all sore of questions, but I will never forget hat one of he questions was "What is a boss?" in a video game. I remember thinking what a weird question, but I guess I answered correctly because 5 minutes later they invited me to work there, and my training day was going to consist of playing the game that came with the system, Keith Courage. Wouldn't you know I came to hate that game because I got stuck on one level and couldn't pass the level. One of the Gamer Guys secretly put in a code they knew , probably taking pity on me, since I was new. He opened up a whole new world to me because I didn't know about codes before that!I realized that our job was to play all the games! I was like, how wild is this? Best job ever! I will never forget playing my first game, even if it was Keith Courage because it was the start of the best 3 years of my life! : )

Quote from: nat on 02/27/2011, 10:37 PMWas it level 4? I got stuck on that level 4 boss for ages when I was a kid. Summer of '91 I wrote a letter to your customer service department (probably the same department you worked in) asking how to beat him. While I waited for a response, I actually figured it out on my own.

Yes, it was level 4, and gosh I hated that game! Sorry to say, but it wasn't the best game to showcase the graphics! I do remember that occasionally we did get letters when the system came out, and I actually remember someone bringing a letter into the dept, with that question. I don't know if anyone ever replied to it...but I remember some staff talking about how to respond, and I remember that if someone put their phone number on their letter, someone from our dept. would call them back with the hint, when we were still the 1-800 number. Did you ever get a response?

turbogirl · 03/19/2011, 06:28 PM

Quote from: turbogrfxfan on 02/27/2011, 09:47 PM
Quote from: turbogirl on 02/27/2011, 09:43 PMI first played TurboGrafx 16 when I applied for a job at NEC Technologies in Wood Dale (IL). A friend and I both applied for the job and both got the job for a new Customer Service Helpline that was going to offer customer service for its newly launched game system, called the TurboGrafx 16. I had played Nintendo before, and had Customer Service background, so I thought, how cool is that? On the job interview they asked all sore of questions, but I will never forget hat one of he questions was "What is a boss?" in a video game. I remember thinking what a weird question, but I guess I answered correctly because 5 minutes later they invited me to work there, and my training day was going to consist of playing the game that came with the system, Keith Courage. Wouldn't you know I came to hate that game because I got stuck on one level and couldn't pass the level. One of the Gamer Guys secretly put in a code they knew , probably taking pity on me, since I was new. He opened up a whole new world to me because I didn't know about codes before that!I realized that our job was to play all the games! I was like, how wild is this? Best job ever! I will never forget playing my first game, even if it was Keith Courage because it was the start of the best 3 years of my life! : )
LOL wow I would of killed for that job as a kid. good for you!

It was fun while it lasted! : ) Thanks!

nat · 03/19/2011, 07:25 PM

Quote from: turbogirl on 03/19/2011, 06:23 PM
Quote from: turbogirl on 02/27/2011, 09:43 PMI first played TurboGrafx 16 when I applied for a job at NEC Technologies in Wood Dale (IL). A friend and I both applied for the job and both got the job for a new Customer Service Helpline that was going to offer customer service for its newly launched game system, called the TurboGrafx 16. I had played Nintendo before, and had Customer Service background, so I thought, how cool is that? On the job interview they asked all sore of questions, but I will never forget hat one of he questions was "What is a boss?" in a video game. I remember thinking what a weird question, but I guess I answered correctly because 5 minutes later they invited me to work there, and my training day was going to consist of playing the game that came with the system, Keith Courage. Wouldn't you know I came to hate that game because I got stuck on one level and couldn't pass the level. One of the Gamer Guys secretly put in a code they knew , probably taking pity on me, since I was new. He opened up a whole new world to me because I didn't know about codes before that!I realized that our job was to play all the games! I was like, how wild is this? Best job ever! I will never forget playing my first game, even if it was Keith Courage because it was the start of the best 3 years of my life! : )
Quote from: nat on 02/27/2011, 10:37 PMWas it level 4? I got stuck on that level 4 boss for ages when I was a kid. Summer of '91 I wrote a letter to your customer service department (probably the same department you worked in) asking how to beat him. While I waited for a response, I actually figured it out on my own.
Yes, it was level 4, and gosh I hated that game! Sorry to say, but it wasn't the best game to showcase the graphics! I do remember that occasionally we did get letters when the system came out, and I actually remember someone bringing a letter into the dept, with that question. I don't know if anyone ever replied to it...but I remember some staff talking about how to respond, and I remember that if someone put their phone number on their letter, someone from our dept. would call them back with the hint, when we were still the 1-800 number. Did you ever get a response?

I did.

It took a few months, but I finally received a response. Ironically, the strategy they advised in their reply was different from the strategy I devised on my own for beating the boss. I think mine actually works better/is easier.

thrush · 03/19/2011, 07:38 PM

I started playing in 1993. I had read reviews for TG16 games but never got the chance to play one until a close friend if mine bought a Duo that year. He had a wide collection of consoles and a much broader appretiation for games than I did at that age (we were both 14). Probably he also had a bigger budget. My household was strictly Atari & Nintendo, and I recall him always trying to interest me in Sega stuff and what I considered his other "weird" systems. Nothing ever struck me as particularly worthwhile until he got his Duo -- then my much-loved SNES finally felt second-best.

I played a wide variety of Duo titles with him regularly throughout highschool, and have wanted to own one of my own ever since. Not until this year were the stars right for that.... But, I've got a Duo-R on the way at last, so I'm excited to make up for lost time! I enjoyed many of the games I played back then, but looking back it's deffinitely Valis 3 & Cosmic Fantasy that left the strongest impressions on my teenage years.

SaturdayMorningRobots · 03/19/2011, 09:38 PM

I am really glad for you. You won't regret it. Last year there were a bunch of cheap Cosmic Fantasy 2's on ebay. I don't know what the situation is like now, but I too really loved that game.

Mathius · 03/19/2011, 10:21 PM

Quote from: thrush on 03/19/2011, 07:38 PMI started playing in 1993. I had read reviews for TG16 games but never got the chance to play one until a close friend if mine bought a Duo that year. He had a wide collection of consoles and a much broader appretiation for games than I did at that age (we were both 14). Probably he also had a bigger budget. My household was strictly Atari & Nintendo, and I recall him always trying to interest me in Sega stuff and what I considered his other "weird" systems. Nothing ever struck me as particularly worthwhile until he got his Duo -- then my much-loved SNES finally felt second-best.

I played a wide variety of Duo titles with him regularly throughout highschool, and have wanted to own one of my own ever since. Not until this year were the stars right for that.... But, I've got a Duo-R on the way at last, so I'm excited to make up for lost time! I enjoyed many of the games I played back then, but looking back it's deffinitely Valis 3 & Cosmic Fantasy that left the strongest impressions on my teenage years.

It warms my heart to know that you finally got a Duo coming. A Duo-R no less. Consider yourself one of the few, the proud.

Quote from: SaturdayMorningRobots on 03/19/2011, 09:38 PMI am really glad for you. You won't regret it. Last year there were a bunch of cheap Cosmic Fantasy 2's on ebay. I don't know what the situation is like now, but I too really loved that game.

I picked up my then-sealed copy of CF2 for $7 then!

neoxeno · 03/19/2011, 11:13 PM

I always wanted to have TG16 and a 3DO when I was young but they were too expensive (instead I got a NES and SNES). In 2005 or 2006, I bought a TG16 and 3DO and I started collecting games for these sytems. Quickly, I saw that the games on the 3DO really suck and I sold it but I kept my TG16. I really like the system and the library is pretty good (Only 32 HuCards left to complete my collection). I bought my first PC Engine (Turbo Duo) when I was in Japan in 2009 with a few games.

thrush · 03/21/2011, 01:19 PM

Thanks Mathius & SaturdayMorningRobots: after waiting so long it feels a little unreal. I'm definitely keeping my eyes out for CF2!

Sadler · 03/24/2011, 09:54 PM

The first time I saw a TurboGrafx was in McDuff's, probably in 1990. The store display had R-Type and I loved it. I actually used to beg my parents to take me to McDuff's just so I could play it. About a year later I got one for Christmas. Lots of cool games and way better graphics than NES. Man I loved that thing.

A few years later I managed to get a TurboDuo and I was once again blown away. Y's I & II? Amazing. I still think that's one of the best games I've ever played. I loved the Exiles and Cosmic Fantasy 2, although I don't think they've aged as well. It Came From the Desert has always sucked. I picked up a SNES somewhere around this time, and it was definitely cool, but I ended up trading it for a TurboExpress.

Over the next several years I made some of the worst gaming decisions I can imagine. I honestly don't remember what happened to my TurboExpress, but at some point I apparently gave it away or traded it for something else. My Duo suffered a far worse fate: I sold it to a buddy along with maybe 15 games so I could buy a 3DO. No, I don't know what I was thinking. I paid nearly $700 for the 3DO and some games. Does anyone remember how expensive this thing was?! Anyway, with the exception of Gex (awesome game), and possibly Total Eclipse and Shockwave, I really didn't enjoy any of the games on the 3DO.

This wasn't the end of my retardation. I still had a number of very good games for the Duo. Exile 1 and 2, Dungeon Explorer II and Vasteel were in that group. I traded these to a roomate during college

. Fortunately, my roomate and I learned that TZD was selling brand new Duo's in this time frame, sometime in the early 2000's. I convinced him to buy one and we purchased several games, including many I never had the chance to play when I was younger. Games like Ys III (still an amazing game, shut up about the scrolling

) and Shape Shifter (didn't think it was very cool).

After graduating college, I didn't play and TurboGrafx/Duo for a while. Sometime around 2008 I discovered MagicEngine. In 2009 I went to Japan and discovered Akihabara (and actually Fukuoka). They had PC Engine games! Games that I had read about as a teen, but never got to play! Games like Dracula X! Right there, you could just buy it! Oh man, I was blown away. I bought maybe 10 CD/SuperCD/Arcade titles and couldn't wait to play them.

As soon as I got back I bought a DuoRX off of ebay. Since then I've been gradually collecting titles. I know it's kind of lame, but owning the original copies of these games has meaning to me. I grew up with these games and I always wanted to play as many of them as possible. Sure there are some clunkers, but there are some fantastic games as well. I just wish some of the games I never played didn't cost so much. Seriously, Beyond Shadowgate is over $300? Super Air Zonk costs how much? I've got the Japanese version, it isn't that cool. I haven't even seen Cotton for sale for a while and don't get me started on Magical Chase. So, uh, yeah, I guess that's my story.

Sadler · 03/24/2011, 09:56 PM

Yikes! Sorry, that was a massive wall of text! I *may* have had a few beers.

SaturdayMorningRobots · 03/25/2011, 12:18 AM

Don't be sorry I can relate. I gave away my TG 16 to my half sister who god knows probably didn't appreciate it.

I sold my first Duo and a bunch of freakin working designs games, the only one of those I've gotten back is Cosmic Fantasy 2, though I do have the Japanese version of Vasteel and consiidering how sloppy the english was I think I am better off (Vulcans transliterated as Balkans? C'mon guys)

I also had a lot of cool anime games Like Ranma 1/2 and Macross 2036 which I sold for half what they were worth, luckily I at least got them all back plus more

In My case I sold them for the dying saturn (which I bought premodded) so at least I got a good system. It was still a bad trade IMO.

Mathius · 03/25/2011, 12:35 AM

Yeah guys don't feel bad about doing the 'dumbass shuffle.' I had to re-buy almost my entire game collection. NES, Genesis, Sega CD etc. Got rid of my Jaguar and 3DO too! The only thing that has stayed with me through it all is my Super Nintendo and games. The SNES is just barely in my top spot for favorite system, so I guess my young ADD mind spared it.

I got wiser during the PS1 and N64 era. I still have it all including the system boxes.

Dusk85Z28 · 03/25/2011, 06:35 AM

I started on and off about 8 years ago since then i have owned:

Pc engine
Super grafx
a few turbo grafx and a few turbo grafx cd's

I now own a US duo, have around 35 games...

majors · 03/25/2011, 01:33 PM

89-90? Someone in my area had won a contest (won a TG-16, booster, stick, tap and 5 games) and did not want it so he brought it into Babbages. At the time, they did not do trades, so since I was a regular they offered it all to me for $150 (50% off retail at the time). I snag'd it right up, and started saving for the CD-ROM. I picked one up when they offered the GD-G demo freebie. Y's made it worth the $200 (or was it 300?) price tag, never looked back. Imported Spriggan in '91, started hitting the ole TG listserv for trades. When the bottom fell on our beloved Turbo, I hit the clearances and flea markets. Got the Super system card with the 3-in-1 and LoT tee, picked up a ACD w/ Saphire along the way.

The CD gave out on me, but Magic Engine pulled me through. I picked up a PCE Duo (with box!) plus Duo ACD and some games and a 32m flash card (good for stuff I never got like Magical Chase). Not being able to play US games on it is not too much, I do have an Express.

Best system EVAH.

machomadness · 05/14/2011, 10:55 AM

I saw my first game play on it when I was two and that's because one of my aunts had a PC Engine. But, I didn't start playing it until Bonk's Revenge came out. So, my summer '90 was Mario 3, Bonk, and Wrestlemania Challenge. Great stuff......

Mathius · 05/14/2011, 11:32 AM

Quote from: JohnnyBlaze on 05/14/2011, 10:55 AMI saw my first game play on it when I was two and that's because one of my aunts had a PC Engine. But, I didn't start playing it until Bonk's Revenge came out. So, my summer '90 was Mario 3, Bonk, and Wrestlemania Challenge. Great stuff......

This must have been some cool aunt!

machomadness · 05/14/2011, 01:33 PM

Yep. My mother had quite a few friends....before she pissed them all away....

themegaman · 05/15/2011, 08:58 PM

1994 with the TG-16
1995 with the Turbo Duo

Ceti Alpha · 05/16/2011, 01:12 AM

I got my first TG-16 on Christmas Day, 1989. Been my console of choice ever since. I did part with it in the mid '90s and didn't get back into it until August of '07. All those years in between the TG was like a long lost girlfriend that you pine over. I'm just glad we were able to get back together again. lol

blueraven · 05/17/2011, 12:37 AM

I think I mentioned this a few pages back; 1990 on the TG at Software Etc, bought a Duo from teh turbo list in 1999, sold my Duo in 2001 to make rent. Got back in '07 with no intentions of quitting...

Hahahah Mathius: "The Dumbass Shuffle"

pixeljunkie · 06/29/2011, 09:34 AM

This is a fun thread!

I got a TG16 off a friend with some games in early '90 [he was getting into Genesis at the time and was over his TG16 already]. Saved up and got the CD add-on very shortly thereafter.

Preordered a Sys 3.0 card and Gate of Thunder....sold my hardware to Retrogames back in the day...bought a Duo.

Never looked back. Never stopped playing it. It's crazy when I think about it. I have most of the games I bought back in '90 too. Some got traded away long ago [pre-internet...video game trading forums on Prodigy. hahah]

Good times...

Sleepy Gnome · 06/29/2011, 05:48 PM

2011 for me. Im only a few decades late.

Dyna138 · 06/29/2011, 08:33 PM

I don't have exact dates only fuzzy memories, but I got my TG16 around 1990, about a year after it had been on the market. I was 10 years old at the time and I remember getting the Keith Courage pack-in and the promotion where you can send away for 2 free games. I remember the day I got Bonk's Adventure and Vigilante in the mail I was so excited. I didn't have the system for too long and I may have had between 6-10 games by the time I sold it to buy a SNES, but the system made an impression on me and I always had fond memories of it.

About 10 years ago I decided to pick it up once again and discovered TZD. I got a new Duo along with a bunch of chip and CD games which TZD still had available and I filled out some of the rest on Ebay bitd before it went to hell. I put the Duo away for awhile as life issues sucked pretty much all of my spare time, but I've recently dusted off my Duo and have started devoting some time to it. I'm currently working towards a complete US collection and am about halfway there.

sheath · 06/29/2011, 08:48 PM

1990 when I saved up enough lawn mowing money to buy one along with Bonk's Adventure. It came with Keith Courage and I played the hell out of it, and I picked up Ninja Spirit and Legendary Axe soon after that. Bonk's Adventure and Pac-Land rounded up my library back then, though I played a bunch of other Turbo Chips and CDs at a friend's house, including Splatterhouse, Shadow of the Beast, Bomberman, Fighting Street and a bunch of others.

I was Turbo-less from late 1992 until 2006 when I picked up a PCE Duo, which promptly had the laser die after I tried a Dracula X CDR in it. I shipped it back to Japan for roughly $50 and got a replacement, which also worked with production games. After the limited warranty period was up I tried another Dracula X CDR and it died immediately. At which point I shipped my broken DUO (after extensive testing to see if I could repair it) to a fellow who traded it for parts for my region modded DUO/R. Total cost for getting back into Turbo/PCE/DUO gaming, $400 for hardware alone. Oh yeah.

JapanTokei · 07/03/2011, 11:43 AM

damn, i never had the laser puke out on me like what you went through... sounds terrible. I barely have time to lie back and enjoy my PCE/TG in 2011 due to work, but my fondest memory was my mom totally spoiling me with the TG-16 CD add on (for freaking $399 or was it $499?? before they dropped the price?) I got Sherlock Holmes just to show off to my friends the real time video. then picked up Magicoal Dinosaur tour, Valis 2 and Ys 1&2. Then I discovered the CD wasn't region locked and I had my mom bring back some games when she went back to visit family in Taiwan. She brought back from a few differnet trips the following: Ranma 1/2 #2 (the bride comic), a sangokushi (based on Japan's shogun history of 直田信长), followed by Gate of Thunder, Ranma 1/2 #3, Sangokushi (based on the Chinese history). I played the hell out of each & beat each multiple times. 20 years later, I still play the chinese-history based Shin Sangokushi in my game room/man cave to relax and get away from it all.
The 1990s rock and TG /PCE was a primary reason for it !!

Quote from: sheath on 06/29/2011, 08:48 PM1990 when I saved up enough lawn mowing money to buy one along with Bonk's Adventure. It came with Keith Courage and I played the hell out of it, and I picked up Ninja Spirit and Legendary Axe soon after that. Bonk's Adventure and Pac-Land rounded up my library back then, though I played a bunch of other Turbo Chips and CDs at a friend's house, including Splatterhouse, Shadow of the Beast, Bomberman, Fighting Street and a bunch of others.

I was Turbo-less from late 1992 until 2006 when I picked up a PCE Duo, which promptly had the laser die after I tried a Dracula X CDR in it. I shipped it back to Japan for roughly $50 and got a replacement, which also worked with production games. After the limited warranty period was up I tried another Dracula X CDR and it died immediately. At which point I shipped my broken DUO (after extensive testing to see if I could repair it) to a fellow who traded it for parts for my region modded DUO/R. Total cost for getting back into Turbo/PCE/DUO gaming, $400 for hardware alone. Oh yeah.

sheath · 07/03/2011, 06:45 PM

Yeah, apparently I'm just extremely unlucky (or Hit Japan was selling flaky DUOs). I agree, the 90s were the best decade for gaming for me and the Turbo/PCE/DUO is a significant reason for that. I will be collecting games for it that I want to play for quite some time.