Messages

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Vertical screen rolling on some games]

Before messing with sync strippers or amping the sync line, try and increase the resistor to around 1k ohms. If that doesn't work you'll probably have to try a sync stripper circuit or possibly amp the sync line.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Vertical screen rolling on some games]

That is to open the rgb mode and enable auto switching if you were running it on a TV. That needs to be there. Sync is pin 20 on euro scart cables. Try the resistor on there first and see if that helps.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Vertical screen rolling on some games]

Looks like a sync issue. Try a resistor on the sync line first. Around 220ohms. If not it may need a sync stripper or even to be amped.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Vertical screen rolling on some games]

Does this only happen on bright screens like when the Konami screen turns white?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Current price of Dracula X?]

Personally, I think they're cool additions to the games (although the few I have end up inside the case/manual). I don't collect them and I certainly wouldn't pay more for a game just because it has the spine card...or the reg card for that matter.

On topic: I think I paid around $105 for mine posted around 3/4 months ago.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Current price of Dracula X?]

It's pretty common as far as I know, just a lot of people want it because of it's reputation (one it's earned, to be fair).

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: PALGrafx - dumb questions, restore to NTSC?]

110, 220V or dual voltage? This is important.

Surely the actual machines will be 9v as always, but the PSU that comes with the console should be 220v input, 9v output.

I've not seen the internals of a TG-16 but I would assume it would be as easy as changing the crystal if you're using RGB. Maybe more complicated and involved if you wanted to use composite or RF, but with RGB it should be easy, shouldn't it? Or are there additional problems I'm overlooking.

Edit:

Reading your last thread about it, it seems like it wouldn't be as simple as that. It seems that the VDC has no native 50hz mode and needed additional ICs to adapte the 60hz down to 50hz. It won't be as simple as just changing over the crystal it seems.

[General Gaming / Re: What game deserves a sequel?]

Three of my choices have already been mentioned (Phantasy Star 5, Shining Force 4, Lunar sequel) and one sequel has been announced recently (Langrisser), in addition to those I would add:

Tengai Makyo
Samurai Shodown RPG
Cosmic Fantasy
Soleil (Crusaders of Centy)
Breath of Fire
Skies of Arcadia...

...and probably loads of others.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo: Please Set Disc]

I had this before when I got my Duo-R (it was also sold as unreliable but would play originals about 50% of the time). Adjusted the pots and this made it work most of the time but occasionally it would stop working again. I re-flowed the solder on the joints of the pot on the actual lens unit and haven't had a problem since.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Turbografx 16 controller functions messed up]

I've had two controller ports that had cold solder joints. I would check them over and reflow them if necessary.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Tennokoe Bank / longer term solutions to save games on Turbo Duo]

The Ten no Koe 2 is an add-on that connects to the EXT port of the original PC Engine HuCard models. The Ten no Koe bank is the HuCard that you'd be looking for. As long as you can play Japanese HuCards on your system it'll work fine. If not, it'll need to be modded (or you need a region adapter).

[General Gaming / Re: Sonic Xtreme]

I don't know. I've always wished I could play it. It'll be interesting to give it a go.

[Off-Topic / Re: Gamester81: 10 under rated consoles video]

Fire Emblem on the Gamecube is one of my favourite Fire Emblems, and Sunshine gets a lot of flack it doesn't deserve. Tales of Symphonia was only available in English on the Gamecube, Baten Kaitos was awesome, Pikmin 1 & 2, Luigi's Mansion, Doshin the Giant.

Some decent exclusives, some better versions of games ported to other consoles, some decent conversions of games from other consoles (mainly DC games).

N64 has the weakest library of games out of any Nintendo console, there, I said it

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Neutopia 1 vs 2?]

If you're going to play just one, play 2. If you're going to play both, start with 1. There isn't much in it, but 2 is better than 1.

[Off-Topic / Re: Gamester81: 10 under rated consoles video]

To be honest, excepting a few exceptional games, the N64 library is completely awful. The Gamecube library is much better than the N64's.

[Off-Topic / Re: Gamester81: 10 under rated consoles video]

I'm glad the Master System got a mention I don't think the AES is an under-rated console, it was just out of the reach of a lot of people back in the day and now.

I love how he mentions Prehistoric Isle 2 as a great game on the AES when it was only released on the MVS system. Someone must have sold him a conversion cart and told him it was a prototype

[General Gaming / Re: What games deserve a remake?]

The Phantasy Star Quadriliogy needs a remake really, especially Phantasy Star 4.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TG16: Shorted wires at the voltage regulator]

Yeah, first thing to do then is replace that 7805 and see if that remedies the situation. I'm surprised you're getting any life out of it with only 0.4v on the output.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: TG16: Shorted wires at the voltage regulator]

First thing to do is take the RGB amp out of the equation and see if you get a stable picture without it.

When you say you swapped the +5v and GND lines, you mean the lines going to the RGB amp, not physically switching the 7805 around so I'd say most of the damage is probably isolated to the RGB amp. Bit strange to have distorted audio though, which points to another fault as well.

The 7805 is working otherwise the console wouldn't come on at all, whether it's outputting a stable voltage is a different matter. Get a meter on the output and test it.

Edit:

It's possible you could have screwed the HuC6260 or some other components if you had the RGB lines hooked up to the EXT port. Was it a regular PC Engine or a Duo of some sort? I'm guessing a Duo.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What Turbo game are you currently playing?]

Currently playing Parodius Da on PCE. This is much harder than the PCE version of Gradius.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Duo-RX rarity and price]

On the original Duo's have headphone jacks. It was removed on the Duo-R and Duo-RX.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Who is your favourite Cadash character?]

Ninja for me, just because I have a strange attraction to all things ninja.

[Off-Topic / Re: Favorite Horror Movie?]

It's pretty hard to name just three...but:

The Shining
Exorcist (1 & 3, especially)
Hellraiser

[General Gaming / Re: Movie/TV Licensed Games]

I waiting for someone to mention C.O.W Boys of Moo Mesa...awesome game

[Off-Topic / Re: Ugh]

I don't think I've ever seen that much snow in the UK. I'd love to have that if only for one winter. I can see how it would get tiresome every year though.

[PC/Console/Mobile Ports / Re: Langrisser 3DS]

Losing Satoshi Urushihara is a bit of a blow but as long as they keep the gameplay and systems the same as classic Langrisser I'll be happy. Langrisser could never be just another strategy game as long they keep the classic gameplay and not the Millenium rubbish they had on the Dreamcast.

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

Afterburner II?

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

Legendary Axe 2?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: My thoughts on Strider]

Well it isn't so much a knock-off as an indirect sequel. The director of Strider moved to Mitchell Corp and made Osman which is why it's so similar. So, let's term it an 'official' knock-off

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: My thoughts on Strider]

Screw Strider, someone should port OSMAN to the PCE!

Arcade Longplay [402] Osman

That's a game I would like to see (since Strider is already there, not an optimal port but at least it exists).

Osman is a little strange, but quite awesome at the same time. Much better, IMO, than Strider Hiryu 2. If anyone ever did a port of that to the PCE I'd be very happy.

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

The re-release of Tengai Makyou?

Ziria, whatever.

I never played too much of the first one.

I thought this when the clue was first mentioned, but the ostrich looks too...big to fit in with the rest of the game and art style.

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

Art style looks a little like Gulliver Boy, but I can't remember there being an ostrich...so my guess is Princess Minerva

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: What can one expect to pay for a DUO-R?]

As a guide I paid £100GBP for my Duo-R (unboxed) before Christmas but it wasn't RGB modded, it also had a slight problem with drive not reading discs 100% of the time. For a fully working machine with no problems about £180-£200GBP seems about right (around $270-$300), maybe a little less (maybe a little more if it has been RGB modded and has had a new laser).

The last one I saw on here was sold for $250, which I think is a really good price.

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=16927.0

[General Gaming / Re: PSIO: Device allows running of backup games from SD on actual PS1 hardware.]

Cool...but when I saw this bumped I thought it had been released Hopefully not too long to wait now

[General Gaming / Re: Ok, I'm building a consolized MVS...]

The +24 volt are just for the coin counter which isn't necessary to get the PCB up & running.

Cool. So a simple adapter should get your DK running on your supergun no probs.

[General Gaming / Re: Ok, I'm building a consolized MVS...]

Donkey Kong (unfortunately it is the two bored version so I don't know how to get it up with my super gun)

You'll probably need to make an adapter for it. This is a link to the pinout of Donkey Kong (not sure if the 2-layer PCB is different from any other version). http://www.crazykong.com/pins/Donkeykong.pin.txt The only real problem I see is that the board requires +24v.

[General Gaming / Re: Ok, I'm building a consolized MVS...]

You haven't got a cMVS setup there...you have something much better. A Supergun setup Like others have said, you can connect any JAMMA pcb up to that Supergun now. Watch out though, PCBs can be expensive and addictive .

[Off-Topic / Re: Other than obeying (or other gaming), what are your hobbies?]

My hobbies are really rather limited outside of gaming/computer related stuff. Reading is about it. I read more than I game normally. Haruki Murakami is a favourite, Stephen King, Graham Greene, Frank Herbert, Jack Kerouac - quite a varied bunch really.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: The worst port ever!]

I knew this would be about Golden Axe...


The Mega CD has a few decent, exclusive titles (Shining Force CD, Snatcher (English), Vay, Dark Wizard, Robo Aleste, Sonic CD), but not a great deal.

I didn't realise the Mega CD version of Golden Axe had a sound upgrade, might have to find a cheap copy of the Arcade classic disc now.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R cap confirmation]

Just as an update to this. I replaced the caps mentioned above with the values that were there and working (C305 - 100uf, 50v; C325 - 10uf, 50v; C102 - 2.2uf, 50v; C117 - 2.2uf, 50v) and as expected it works fine.

The other issue I had with the drive not reading discs all the time has been resolved as well, but not in the way I expected. It was working intermittently, no matter much I tweaked and adjusted the pots (even with a DMM and a 'scope). Then I noticed something while trying to tweak it with the lid off.

While it was trying to access the disc I applied pressure to the pot on the lens unit as a last ditch attempt to try and get it working and the unit sprang into life, sliding down the rails. Removing the screwdriver made the lens stop in its tracks. I reflowed the joints on the pot and now it works rock solidly all the time, even with backups (which the guy originally said would never work for him).

So now all issues are solved and I'm very happy

[Off-Topic / Re: Sony]

But, really, FBI? WTF do they know about anything anyway?   I blame Canada.

For once I feel a little sorry for Sony though, they didn't really have any choice but to pull the film. No theatres were going to show it anyway because of the threats, but its Sony that get the blame and everyone's rage...Oh well, give it a week and you'll be able to download it anyway...you may still have it for Christmas

[Off-Topic / Re: Sony]

Really, did anybody know this film was coming out before this attack? Did anybody have any expectations that this film was going to be anything more than mediocre?

There hasn't been any hard evidence to say North Korea were involved except the FBI saying they were, there's more evidence to say it was someone else (prime suspects being China or Russia). With the way things are going in Russia with sanctions and the Rouble crashing and them almost blaming the West, I would say that's the place to start looking.

But really, are we missing out not seeing the film? I suspect not.

[General Gaming / Re: What was your first emulation experience?]

I remember using a few MS-Dos programs on PCTask on the Amiga around 1994, but the first console I ever emulated was the Nes with the venerable Nesticle around 1998 or so.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Can software dictate the refresh rate?]

the scan is hardware locked, however some images (generally bright near top or bottom) can disrupt some sync circuits

I'd say this is more than likely the culprit. Does it happen on bright screens or is it exactly after 20 seconds each time?

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: Community interest in (Neo) Nectaris custom map editor?]

This a cool idea. Nice and user friendly for less technical people as well being able to save to ISO's directly.

[PCE/TG-16|CD/SGX Discussion / Re: From loose to complete and beyond. What's your practice?]

Generally when I get a game I'd prefer it to be with a case and manual. The cardboard outer sleeves are a nice addition, but not something I'd seek out to be honest. Everything else is the same, even the crap with cardboard only outer boxes (I'm looking at you Nintendo consoles).

I do have some loose games, but these have all (as far as I remember) come from job lots and bundles.

[General Gaming / Re: How difficult is Darius Gaiden?]

Harder than average? Yeah, probably. Harder than the average awesome hard one? Not quite, imo. I find it easier than Gradius, for example.

See, I find Gradius easier than most Darius games...probably because I've put more (a lot more) time into Gradius than any Darius game.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R cap confirmation]

Yea... I would re-do that mess.  By soldering onto the old caps, he wired the new ones in parallel with the old ones.  That doubles the capacitance of the component.  I have no idea if that would affect functionality, but I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
And plus, you've still got old caps leaking chemicals onto your board, potentially damaging vias and traces.

This is why I'm questioning the original values of the caps. It's a very confusing hack job. The thing is, a Duo-R doesn't historically have major problems with caps like a  Duo does so that makes it even more confusing.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Re: Duo-R cap confirmation]

Yeah exactly. Functionally, it works but that doesn't really excuse it. It looks ugly as hell and really shoddy, so while I'm doing the RGB mod I'd like to get this sorted as well.

[Console Repair/Mod Center / Duo-R cap confirmation]

Hi all,

I bought a Duo-R recently from a guy in England, which was supposed to be fully working, which it is except for a temperamental cd laser . Most of the time it works flawlessly, other times it just comes up with the 'Disc not set' error. This is not the reason for this thread though.

I opened the unit to RGB mod it and for some reason the previous owner has decided a full cap kit was in order. Most was done okay-ish, but some, instead of being done correctly, were soldered onto the legs of old caps. Now, the sound works perfect but I don't like having the unit left like that. So really I'm looking for a confirmation on the value of some caps.

C305 - 100uf 50v?
C325 - 10uf 50v?
C102 - 2.2uf 50v?
C117 - 2.2uf 50v?

Any help would be appreciated in trying sort this mess of a cap replacement out.