Messages

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Favorite Underdog game]

Gain Ground and surprisingly Spriggan MK II.

I don't know if you were influenced by my Gain Ground propaganda over the years, but it's good to see this game getting some tenderness. Isn't the Red Book soundtrack friggin' awesome?!



Gainground is THE game that I play every time when I'm starting to discover my PCE collection once a year. It's a relaxing and not to hard game, that I enjoy playing for well over a decade. 

Wonderful games that are universally shat upon:
Timeball/Blodia = Divine. 'Nuff said.

Any tips on this game...sadly, I cannot get past the first stage.

Needless to say, I will jump at any opportunity to promote this game. Even if you are teasing me

I would suggest that you simply play around with the tiles (sliding them quickly) to see how you can re-arrange the track the ball rolls on.

In the beginning, the solutions are pretty straightforward and require a minimal number of moves.m

Later, it gets wonderfully crazy.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PC Engine Screen-shot quiz]

Nexzr?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: [For those who read French] The PC Engine Bible]

I received Vol.1 today and must say that it's amazing, even when I actually just understand a few words.
Luckily my wive speaks French, so she can translate some parts for me. I'm looking forward to Vol.2, hopefully getting released within the next 12 months. I just can encourage everyone to buy this book, even when you don't understand a word - just watching the pictures is great, too.
Good job!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: CD-Rom2 broken]

Old Rover, your hint was a complete success! Both units suffered by a stuck sled gear, also the NIB one. Thank you very very much for your assistance!
The units were "out of order" for about 1 year now. Now I'm off to play till dawn!

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: CD-Rom2 broken]

Today I opened the case of one of the CD-ROM2 units. I hadn't as much luck as Mqark. I heard that soft click sound one time after powering the unit up and press the play button with a cd inserted. The second time I press this play button this click sound isn't to be heard. I have to remove power from the unit and repeat the procedure mentioned above, then the click sound is there again.
So, what from what I understand and read in this thread, the laser could be the reason. Where can I get a replacement laser, preferred within europe?

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: CD-Rom2 broken]

I also tried to bypass the IFU unit and powered the CD-Rom2 directly, which ended with the same result – motor won't start and display started to light. I also tried to change the ac. What wonders me is that the unit I haven't used so far has the same symptom.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / CD-Rom2 broken]

I've two CD-Rom2 units which seem to be broken, when I press play, the motor doesn't start. One of the units I used for more than 15 years now, so I wasn't surprised when it stopped working. But I have another unit sitting in the original box for about 8 years, which I bought nib. This unit also seems to be broken, the motor doesn't spin up, too. I opened the old one, everything seems to look fine inside. What could happened to both units that they suffer of the fault.
Anyone an idea on how to fix it?

[PC-FX Discussion / Re: problem farland story fx]

Try this japanese page:
http://www.geocities.com/suime_s/02/pc02/fs4_index.html

Try to translate it by using http://www.ocn.ne.jp/translation/webpage.html. Maybe it'll help you. Instructions on how to use the translator can be found here: http://shoppingmalljapan.com/ocnhelp.html

As I had some time to translate the help for the 8th level, here's what I've found (very roughly translated):

The one of STAGE.8 old lay frost awaken

The person who participates
At the time of an end.   Chi fighter (level 9)

Appearance enemy
Devil force soldier Fighter (level 8)x 5
Devil force soldier night (level 7)x 4
A devil force soldier sorcerer (level 9)x 9
Devil force leader night (level 10)x 3
★.   MEDEYUSA (level 14)x 1

Reinforcement
When ending turn 4, 6 and 11, I appear.
Harpy (level 7)x 3
I hide.
A devil force soldier ninja (level 9)x 4
Acquisition item
RA flare (19:9)
Silvan Bow (31:5)
Minstrel's harp (31:17)
MEDEYUSAKIRA (11:29)
Red snapper Tania sword (31:30)

Shopping
● Village (10:6)
Silver Lance (2000GOLD)
A battle, oh, camphor tree (2400GOLD)
Heavy mace (1400GOLD)
Sprite's tear (240GOLD)
● Village (26:
ESUTOKKU (2800GOLD)
Frail (2000GOLD).
A pole, oh, camphor tree (3000GOLD)
Sprite's tear (240GOLD)
● Village (15:23)
Whiskey (700GOLD)
Bastard sword (3000GOLD)
Lightning (2000GOLD)
Sprite's tear (240GOLD)
● Village (3:29)
Whiskey (700GOLD)
Eric Sir (2000GOLD)
Paper money of a talisman (1000GOLD)
Sprite's tear (240GOLD)

Capture
An initial position is the northwest on a map.
When I go from a west bridge, it'll be a meander, so I go to the east.
4 devil force soldiers in the neighborhood are beat first, and it's to a flower of treasure.
A village is freed to the northeast just as it is, and it's to flowers of treasure.
Items equipped with equipment of a village here automatically after a class change
If it isn't done, if it's bought and it's done, the one which isn't bought will be wise.
Then the soldiers who have moved south and have come from the southwest around the bridge and war
I cross a bridge after that, but when it passes, a witch begins to move, so I intercept.
If a village is freed, I gather by the place and advance towards east and west separately.
Nishigumi frees a southwestern village and is treasure from only one tree between the village and the fort.
But, surprise of a way ninja comes, so a witch will avoid to the utmost.
If treasure is collected from a tree in the Eastern end, Higashigumi aims at a fort each other.
I'm careful not to be attacked by MEDEYUSA and beat a witch first.
MEDEYUSA is attacked after I knock down everything and am refreshed.
But, the offensive of any place but MEDEYUSAKIRA can't expect the effect so much.
When a convalescent item is bought before knocking down, the next is easy.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What is your favorite track from a PC Engnine CD game?]

Not my all time favorite, but a remarkable one: Opening song from Graduation by NEC Avenue:

web.mac .com/cwilmanns/onheavygraphicrotations/Graduation.mp3

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Gain Ground SX]

There was an interesting interview years back with the producer, he said only american arcades had the 3 player setup, which is why no home version supports more than 2 players, since all come from Japan (duh). I got the PCE version hoping it would support the three players

The interview can be found at:

wayback://classicgaming.com/japangaming/trans/gainground/index.htm
https://sega-16.com/2018/09/classic-interview-yoshiki-ooka-gain-ground-programmer/

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Madou Monogatari]

Glad to hear this. I haven't completed this game myself, but some day I propably will. For anyone who is trying to get through this game, the following faq can be helpful: http://pce.zero-city.com/pce_kouryaku11.html

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Gain Ground SX]

I love this game! I've completed it several times. I think it's the only game play through more than once. I like the CD music, sounds much better than the MD's chip tune, naturally. I was a little bit disappointed by the graphics, although they are crisper than on the Mega Drive. I think some levels are missing in the PCE version so the game is shorter. The scrolling isn't that smooth and the game flickers a lot.

But I like it anyway.

[PC-FX Discussion / Super real mahjong PV fx and Tokimeki memorial]

Tokimeki Card Paradise is quite rare. $200 is too much for it in my opinion, but it costs you at least more than $120-$150. You can even play it without knowledge of Japanese. It's a strip poker game plus some mini games when I remember it right.
SRM isn't that rare. You normally could get it for around 5.000-6.000 yen in good condition on yahoo-japan. I don't own this game myself, so I just could guess that it's a typically game of mahjong. I don't know the rules so I probably won't enjoy playing it.

[PC-FX Discussion / HELP - Looking for PC-FXGA DOS/V Driver Floppy Disk]

You're welcome!

Sometime when I'll buy an old PC to try the PCFX-GA myself, I'll propably come back to you. I'm not quite sure where to get the japanese Windows 95 Version and I don't know which type of card slot I need for the DOS-V card, ISA, VESA or...?

[PC-FX Discussion / Can I enjoy a Digital Comic/Dating Sim without Japanese?]

I doubt that you can and want to get all the way through it. I tried to play Pia Carrot with the help of a faq found at gamefaqs.com. I think it's impossible to play whole way through it, not knowing any Japanese. Often you have to be at a certain place at a certain time, and give the right answer. I was pretty bored after 30 minutes...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / White CD Rom Unit, can it be fixed..]

Keep us updated...

[PC-FX Discussion / HELP - Looking for PC-FXGA DOS/V Driver Floppy Disk]

Hi Sabre.

I finally managed to zip those two files which are located on the disc. Suprisingly they are only about 70kb large, I would have expected larger filesize. Anyway, you can download a ZIP archive here.

I hope you'll continue with your Little Red Riding Hood translation project and finish it someday, so that I can enjoy the game.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / White CD Rom Unit, can it be fixed..]

I experienced the same just some months ago. The CD doesn't spin and 'PC' ist displayed. This happened suddenly after some months not using my PC-Engine. I tried a second original never used CDROM2, same effect. Then I tried a different power adapter and it worked again, also the first CDROM2. But suddenly after 2 days it stopped working again. Since that day I've never tried it again.
So it would recommend you to try a different power adaptor and see if it's working again. Also try to clean the contacts on the IFU30's side, as Tatsujin suggests in this thread.

[PC-FX Discussion / PC-fx newbie]

Welcome aboard! I wish you'll have such a good time collecting games for your FX as I had back then.

[PC-FX Discussion / HELP - Looking for PC-FXGA DOS/V Driver Floppy Disk]

Hi Sabre,

I own the FXGA DOS/V version. I also have this disk. I'll try to get an image of it for you within the next few days. But it won't be before monday next week. I have to search a PC with an installed floppy drive first.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / connect to pal tv]

I'm using this PAL booster for connecting my PC-FX to my PAL-TV. It was the cheapest and only solution, to connect it. The picture isn't that bad, if you considering the $25 you've payed. Probably it doesn't provides the type of quality a true RGB mod will do, but it's good enough to enjoy the games.

[PC-FX Discussion / New PC-FX owner. :)]

Except for the dodgefight sequences in-between, not very gaijin friendly. Most of the game consists of a story with dating-sim elements.

[PC-FX Discussion / New PC-FX owner. :)]

For Rururi Ra Rura you don't need much knowledge of japanese. You just have to figure out what the menu means, but this shouldn't be a big problem. The is a platformer.

[PC-FX Discussion / Why FX?]

I am, or better was, attracted by this system just because it's obscurity. Not much people care about that system, that makes it worth for me. Right now I have not every game released for it, but mostly all I want to buy for it. Just 2 missing, namely AnimeFreakFX Vol.5 (to own 1-6) and Makendo Z. I even don't understand Japanese so most of the games don't make sense for me gameplay-wise. But I enjoyed playing Zeroigar, Chip-Chap Kick, Rururi Ra Rura, Farland Story FX, Dragon Knight IV and more. Last Imperial Prince is a game that I own but haven't played. So I hope to play some FX in the future. But right now, I only play Starcraft and sometimes with my PCE. The other systems I have, I don't use at all right now. I even thought about selling my Neo Geo and Virtual Boy collection. But most of the time I think it'll be a great mistake. I sold my Neo Geo back in 1995 when I wanted to buy a new Power Mac. Some time later I discovered that it was a very great mistake to sell any of my videogames. So I swore that I would never sell any videogames anymore.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Pc Enjin '94 issue6]

It's called Dynasty Warriors and yes, it belongs to the Warriors of Fate series as far as I know. It flickers very much and isn't the best version. But it has some great tunes (intro, ending). During the game you get PCB sound. I like this game very much from the time I saw the first images of it back in 94.

As for Brandish. I used to play it some years ago for some days. I think you can get through it without knowledge of japanese. It has a very uncommon style as the playfield turns 90 degrees when you turn you chararcter. That's a little bit hard to get used to. All in all I think it's an average game with a nice intro.

[PC-FX Discussion / new PC-FX owner here :)]

I used www.animechaos.com for the last 2 years and are very satisfied with their service. They are easy, fast and reliable. I also used a different one, Akibado, they were slow but reliable and offered MSN auction service.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Couple Questions]

You need the Arcade Card for playing the exclusive 20 something games released for it. And when you want to play those "hybrid" (SCD&Arcade Card) games, the loading time will be a little bit shorter.

For your Duo-RX you'll need the Arcade Card Duo, the blue one.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Video Game Den]

I did a quick scan over your site. It's absolutely great! Thanks for the effort man. When I'm back into PCE collecting, I think I'll visit your site on a daily basis.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / best driving/racing games]

Outrun is a pretty solid conversion. The graphics are colourful and vivid, the sound is solid and the gameplay is good. It's an as decent conversion like Afterburner 2. The team at NEC Avenue who did the Sega conversions during this time back then, was talented.
I always wanted to buy Chase HQ or SCI because I remember them from the C64 and SCI was a nice game back then.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Zero4Champ Guide]

Isn't the whole game about some sort of dragster races? I played ZeroForChamp2 several years ago when I originally bought it, but I just can remember that the race track is just plain straight and it was all about dragster.

[PC-FX Discussion / Hey all!]

The bosses are quite nice to watch. Considering the other FX games, they look really good. Some scaling effects.

[PC-FX Discussion / Support Q:Audio garbled/muted during FMV sequences]

The only game where I encountered similar problems was Zeroigar. This game in particular seems to be quite flaky/faulty when it comes to load and display FMV sequences. Now I have two copies of that game and both don't work 100%.
In your case I would say it's the CD-Rom drive of your FX. Try to clean the lens very carefully. Otherwise try to look into the TurboGrafx/PCEngine discussions and search similar threads concerning load problems. I think the  reason is the old hardware.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / The worst rare games]

What about Renny Blaster? Weak controls, flickering graphics, the sound I don't remember. I only put it in once when I bought it. It's probably not the worst rare game but one of the most weak ones...

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Hi TO ALL!: I'm NEW and I HAVE A TECHNICAL REQUEST for DUO-R]

Just try and visit your local electronic dealer like Conrad Electronics and ask him for an adaptor with the right specifications. I have all my consoles hooked up to normal adaptors except the PC-FX because it hat the adaptor built right into the console. My PCE and SGX for example are hooked up to "normal" standard adaptor with multiple connectors.

[PC-FX Discussion / Hey all!]

Welcome to the FX community.
Little Red Riding Hood shouldn't be that pricey, at least in Japan. I have this game but havn't played it. It is a board game and you need to know japanese to play it. I was waiting for the only FX translation of this game which was announced some years ago. But unfortunately the project isn't finished till now. It would be awesome if it would be finally released some day!

Zeroigar is the only available shooter for the FX. It's pricey and a pretty average shooter with nice bosses and well done intermissions.

As most games for the FX are some sort of dating sims, there are only some western-style games released which are mostly pricey.
The following games I had much fun playing them:

- Chip Chap Kick (good platformer Bubble Bobble style)
- Zeroigar (was my first game for the FX)
- Farland Story FX (nice and easy to understand strategy game)
- Dragon Knight IV (nice strategy game with adult oriented intermissions)
- Rururi Rarula (cheap looking Jump'n Run with nice intermissions and a lot of fun)
- Team Innocent (average adventure game with not so great graphics but some atmosphere)
- Zenki FX (great looking action Jump'n Run, pricey)
- Langrisser FX

BTW, I never get used to the play controls of Battle Heat and therefor I don't like it that much as most of the other people. But as it should be very cheap, probably you should give it a try. There is another game with the same game mechanics, with characters from Tengai Makayo.

[PC-FX Discussion / Hi all!]

Unfortunately there aren't too many action games available for the FX. Try to have a look at the language list here, in order to see which games require what level of japanese when you play them. I had the most fun with the games up to level 3.

[PC-FX Discussion / Hi all!]

Welcome to the FX community! If you have questions don't hesitate to ask, I think all here will be glad if they can help you.

BTW, try to get Chip Chap Kick and if you like strategy games get Farland Story FX, it's cheap and makes a lot of fun.

[PC-FX Discussion / Namco's Rave Racer for PowerVR cards -could've been on PC-FX]

I would rather say the FX has three slots used for certain things. But as the rear expansion slot can handle data transfer to SCSI devices via a dedicated controller, I think it could be possible to handle also larger scale expansions. BTW, I forgot what the expansion port at the bottom of the console is used for. I think it's not used. Probably this expansion port could has handled such a large scale expansion.
But on the other side, after NEC developed the FXGA with certain 3D capabilities and after they released the SCSI expansion years after they announced them for the PCE, if they had the chance to have a 3D upgrade for the FX I think they would have done it.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Save file sizes]

BUT what do I do when the batteries fail? This never occurred to me before: how do I make a more "permanent" back-up, considering that tennenoke cards will not last indefinitely?

Is the Tennokoe using batteries at all? I thought those backup games like Populous etc. and also the Tennokoe use permanent RAM which isn't getting deleted when you turn off the power.

[PC-FX Discussion / Chip Chan Kick]

This game used to be one of the more expensive ones. Lately it dropped in price, at least at YJ. I paid around $90 for mine in very good condition with spine and reg card from 16-bit. On YJ I saw some going for about $50 but you have to pay for shipping and deputy services.
As I like this game very much and think it's one of the most desireable games to own for this system, I would say it's no bargain but a fair price if it's in very good condition.

[Feedback / What would you like to see on pcengine-fx.com?]

Try www.pcecp.com, sometimes you have some luck and the game you're looking for is reviewed, but most of the time in very briefly manner.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / MANY MANY TROUBLES WITH MY NEW TURBO DUO, I NEED HELP!..]

The only system I ever bought and used is the original white japanese PC-Engine together with the CD-ROM suitcase. I bought the PCE and the CD-Rom in 1993, I can't remember the exact year. I use it since then, but lately not on regular basis, except for the CD-ROM. I use it as my audio cd player, on a very regular basis. Some years ago, 1998 or 99 I experienced some troubles loading games from the CD-ROM. But these problems disappeared without any reason like they appeared after some months.
For me the original setup is very durable and looks original... ;-)

But I must say that lately I don't use the PCE that much for gaming. I never tried to play CDRs so I can't say if they are working flawlessly.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / URGENT QUESTION: Space Fantasy Zone :REAL or BOOTLEG?]

I think it's definitely a bootleg. You can download the game for free on the internet. What this guy has done is to print a nice cover and then sell it. These copies appear on regular basis every month on Yahoo Japan. So, it depends on the price you want to pay for such a version. If you can get it for $50 I would say it's okay, but if you have to pay $300 then I would call it a rip-off.

Right now there's one up for auction on YJ: http://page4.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/d54996395. This guy want 35,000¥ and it seems that no one is willing to that much for it.

[General Gaming / Neo Geo]

I first bought a Neo Geo Homesystem together with Mutation Nation, back in 1992. But I sold the system for very little, together with all 18 games I cumulated till then, in 1995 to get a new PowerMac.
Then 3 years ago I bought a new one off Ebay together with Sengoku 3. I like this game very very much! I know most people don't like this part of the Sengoku series, but for me it was the perfect "reentrance" into NeoGeo gaming. The game's soundtrack is mostly fantastic, especially the opening.
Now I have around 20 games again and enjoy them. I'll never ever sell this machine again. It isn't worth the effort and cost too much.

And as I'm also not a huge fan of vs-fighters I can tell you that there are many games of different genres released for the NeoGeo.

[PC-FX Discussion / How many stages in Super God Trooper Zeroigar??..]

I not sure if someone already said it, but this game doesn't loop. You'll get to see a nice cinematic end sequence.

[PC-FX Discussion / PC-FX game videos on this site are not working....]

I think to remember that they should get added sometimes... ;-)

[PC-FX Discussion / Question about hooking PC-FX up to a PC-98....]

You can buy the expansion card PC-FXGA in three different versions (see also here and scroll down to the bottom), the main difference is the slot format and software, and then you have the real PC-FX hardware in your PC-98. The card itself features the same joyports as the original PC-FX hardware. The computer's HD is used as a memory card plus the software bundeled with the GA enables you to write your own FX programs. These programs can only be run on a PC-FXGA enabled computer and not on the real hardware.
So the monitor and the computer's HD is used by the PC-FXGA. I don't know if the PC's mouse is supported, I guess you need the FX mouse.
I have two PC-FXGA cards but are lacking a compatible computer, so I haven't tried them myself.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / spine cards and other extras...]

- Pretty much all CD games had spine cards.  The exception here are games that came in larger packages like 3x3Eyes + video tape, Forgotten Worlds + Ave Pad 3 set, etc.

Do you know if Forgotten Worlds was only released bundeled together with the Ave Pad 3, or was there also a "standalone" version without pad?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / PC Engine CD AC adapter]

Do you have a white PCE with the CD-ROM2 and interface unit? I have the same setup and I'm using no original ac-adapter, I use a generic one found anywhere.
My PCE is now 12 years old, got it back in 93, and is powered on the whole time since fear of losing the internal backup ram.

So, I would say as long as you the output isn't higher than stated in the unit itself, you won't break anything.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / What is your favorite game company?]

When you look at the games that were released during the last years for all the nextgen consoles, then Capcom and Sega deserves to be mentioned as the best game developers/publishers. Both companies try to produce innovative and sometimes strange games like Killer 7, I would like to die for you aka Project Rub, P.N.03, Jet Set Radio or Rez.
I think most of the games released today are more or likely the same gangsta 3D shooting, racing or war shooters. Nothing really spectacular.
That's propably one reason why I'm so commited to retro gaming.