Just got my first TurboGrafx-16!

Tupin · 04/03/2010, 08:18 PM

Got it for $35 with RF, one controller, and Keith Courage. I'm looking to add a TurboBooster to it, and maybe get a Tototek flash cart. Can the latter play Japanese games as well as American ones? Does it need to be constantly plugged into a USB port? Anyone buy one?

Not much in the way of TG-16 stuff around here, and eBay auctions of more than one TG-16 game is pretty rare.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/03/2010, 09:30 PM

hey! got your pm on dp, but dp is broke atm!!

pm me here about it!

Tupin · 04/03/2010, 09:57 PM

PM Sent.

Any ideas on the Tototek cart?

Arkhan Asylum · 04/03/2010, 10:12 PM

the tototek is pretty good stuff. I would go with the high end neoflash card as it holds more games, and has a save-feature too.

They have a switch where you can pick what region you are playing, so it works in either system.

Tupin · 04/03/2010, 10:37 PM

I'm talking about putting a Japanese game like Kato-chan and Ken-chan on the device, putting it in my American TG-16, and playing it with no further modifications. Would that work?

nat · 04/03/2010, 11:08 PM

Yes.

Tupin · 04/03/2010, 11:17 PM

Good. I saw a review that said it didn't, but I guess I know now.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/04/2010, 01:10 AM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/03/2010, 11:17 PMGood. I saw a review that said it didn't, but I guess I know now.

dont trust anyone that doesnt post here.

rag-time4 · 04/04/2010, 01:27 AM

Quote from: guest on 04/04/2010, 01:10 AM
Quote from: Tupin on 04/03/2010, 11:17 PMGood. I saw a review that said it didn't, but I guess I know now.
dont trust anyone that doesnt post here.

Except for Keranu!

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 01:54 AM

Yeah, this is the place where I got that information:

http://blog.thewombat.org/2009/12/tototek-pce-pro-32m-pc-engine.html

Thanks for setting the record straight. I'll order it soon, and get a booster. I will have to get a switchbox cable and a gender changer along with that USB cable, though.

nat · 04/04/2010, 02:13 AM

He's half right. US games (ROMs) contain region detection code that prevent their execution on stock Japanese consoles. So if you have a Japanese system and load up the flash cart with US ROMs, they won't work. Japanese games, on the other hand, don't have this region detection code and will run just fine on a US console. Since you're in the latter category, it'll work just fine running both US and Japanese ROMs.

TheClash603 · 04/04/2010, 09:59 AM

Roms... it isn't the same.

esteban · 04/04/2010, 10:52 AM

Quote from: nat on 04/04/2010, 02:13 AMHe's half right. US games (ROMs) contain region detection code that prevent their execution on stock Japanese consoles. So if you have a Japanese system and load up the flash cart with US ROMs, they won't work. Japanese games, on the other hand, don't have this region detection code and will run just fine on a US console. Since you're in the latter category, it'll work just fine running both US and Japanese ROMs.

We should savor this moment... where TG-16 hardware has a benefit over its PCE counterpart.

Tatsujin · 04/04/2010, 11:14 AM

how much cost you the additional RF?

esteban · 04/04/2010, 11:29 AM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/03/2010, 08:18 PMGot it for $35 with RF, one controller, and Keith Courage.

Oh, where are my manners.

A belated "Welcome!" from all of us here at pcefx

Quote from: Tatsujin on 04/04/2010, 11:14 AMhow much cost you the additional RF?

Tats, real retro = RF and mono!

Also, that's why he's looking for a sexy TurboBooster.

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 01:49 PM

Well, I'm getting a TurboBooster pretty soon. Then I will get the PCE Pro, I think I have the cables necessary already. I have a serial to USB cable plus a DB-9 male to DB-25 male converter.

Those who have the PCE Pro, are you satisfied with your purchase?

Of course, it won't hurt to get some common US games even after I get the PCE Pro.

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 03:31 PM

After looking around a bit, I found out that the adapter I'm using thinks that I have a serial port, would it still work? It could connect physically to the card. Oh, and about the USB, does it need to be plugged in to a computer for it to function or is it like a charger?

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 05:12 PM

More questions:

1. It says to install Dreamwriter 1.4 and then update to 1.5. How exactly am I supposed to do this?

2. I can get a list of games, the American games are the only ones where it says how big they are. The Japanese games just show up as 0k.

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 05:55 PM

Never mind, figured both out. I'm guessing I can use the "US Region" box to make all games, including Japanese ones, run as normal on an American system?

Oh, and 1.5 gives me an error that says "NT Port Driver could not start. Something wrong!!!!", but 1.4 doesn't. Anyone have any experience with getting one of these things to run that can shed some light on the subject in general?

Tatsujin · 04/04/2010, 08:12 PM

PCE pro is for little girls.

;)

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 10:00 PM

I don't exactly have a very deep wallet, so I figured it be good for me.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/04/2010, 11:18 PM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/04/2010, 10:00 PMI don't exactly have a very deep wallet, so I figured it be good for me.

hes only kiddin'

Tupin · 04/04/2010, 11:51 PM

Aware.

I'll get to you on that TurboBooster soon.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/05/2010, 12:50 AM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/04/2010, 11:51 PMAware.

I'll get to you on that TurboBooster soon.

word

Tupin · 04/05/2010, 06:32 PM

Okay, so could I use a cable with a USB connector on one end and a DB-25 male connector on the other end? The cable is actually a male DB-9 to USB with a male DB-9 to male DB-25 converter on the end. Would this work? Dreamwriter has an option to use 2F8, which equates to COM2, which is what my cable is recognized as.

Would this work?

nat · 04/05/2010, 08:16 PM

IIRC the cart you're trying to use needs a parallel port connection to load ROMs. The USB converter you have is USB->serial and as such won't work. Serial and parallel are two extremely different protocols that are incompatible. This is not always understood by some folks as both standards use DB-25 connections that are identical in appearance. If your computer doesn't have a native parallel port you're SOL unless you buy some sort of expansion card that adds a parallel port, if they even make such hardware anymore (~~doubtful~~).

EDIT: I stand corrected. A quick Google search indicates that there actually ARE USB->parallel converters out there. As for whether or not this would work for the Tototek cart in place of a real parallel port..... Your guess is as good as mine.

Tupin · 04/05/2010, 09:07 PM

Ah, so one like this+ a "switchbox" cable?

http://www.amazon.com/Parallel-IEEE-Female-Converter-Cable/dp/B0034XB7E8/ref=sr_1_38?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270515795&sr=1-38

Both are on Amazon, and both are cheap. Almost time to purchase the card...

nat · 04/05/2010, 09:13 PM

Now you've got the idea!

EDIT: Not to be a buzzkill, but reading this page indicates that an integrated parallel port on the motherboard is required. This is because apparently you need to be able to set the port to EPP mode via your computer's BIOS. This implies that a USB->parallel converter does not have this option. I don't have any first-hand experience with the Tototek flash cart so I can't confirm or deny any of this, but this would seem to back up what I've heard in the past (that an integrated parallel port is necessary).

Tatsujin · 04/05/2010, 09:30 PM

why did they designed the tototeks flash cards data transfer so difficult and with required hardware, just a monority owns nowadays? why not a simple USB port?

we're not in the 80s anymore, where IEEE & co were the ne plus ultra!

Tupin · 04/05/2010, 09:48 PM

Looks like I'll have to get an old PC out...

At least I can use any USB port to power it, but what sense does that make? If it can power it, it can receive data from it. I think that was one of the points of USB!

Arkhan Asylum · 04/05/2010, 11:33 PM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/05/2010, 09:48 PMLooks like I'll have to get an old PC out...

At least I can use any USB port to power it, but what sense does that make? If it can power it, it can receive data from it. I think that was one of the points of USB!

The PCE Pro doesn't require the same annoying requirements as the tototek, I dont think.

Tupin · 04/05/2010, 11:54 PM

The PCE Pro and the Tototek are the same thing.

I just have to install a driver for my flash drive so I can get the required files to my Windows 98 PC with built-in parallel port.

Tupin · 04/06/2010, 12:03 AM

Getting away from the PCE Pro, are the Japanese CD expansions any better? I've seen one that attaches to the back and one that attaches to the side, would either work in an American system?

Arkhan Asylum · 04/06/2010, 01:29 AM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/06/2010, 12:03 AMGetting away from the PCE Pro,

Whoops brainfart. I meant the Neoflash PCE, has better connectivity IIRC.

Quoteare the Japanese CD expansions any better? I've seen one that attaches to the back and one that attaches to the side, would either work in an American system?

theyre of the same hardware basically. The CDROM unit will mostly suffer the same annoying problems as the US ones, and I honesty am not sure , but would guess that they are compatible if you get the interface unit for it.

theres no point in getting the japanese CD unit though. If youre goin overseas for stuff you may as well get a duo-r. Hell, it might even be cheaper in the end to do that!

I got a duo-r for 65$ + shipping (bout 120$ to ship ... EMS !), and a cdrom unit + interface will probably cost the same amount shipping wise if you do EMS.... so you see there is not a whole lot of merit to doing it

Nazi NecroPhile · 04/06/2010, 10:49 AM

Is saving all of $30 really worth having to haul out an old computer, diddle around with archaic hardware settings, and/or buy converter cables that may or may not even work? Just save your pennies for another week or two and get a Neoflash instead; they're better in every way - less bulky, hold at least twice as much data, look better, and use plain old USB.

Tupin · 04/06/2010, 06:51 PM

Just realized that I have a PC with a parallel port in the next room. I'll use that, and I'll be fine.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/06/2010, 08:38 PM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/06/2010, 06:51 PMJust realized that I have a PC with a parallel port in the next room. I'll use that, and I'll be fine.

dont bet on it . Parallel + XP is more like, ParaLOL, because it only works if the stars are aligned right, you say a magic spell, sprinkle magic powder on the machine, and time it just right.

But, Good luck!

Tupin · 04/07/2010, 10:34 PM

Got a Windows 98 PC set up with the Dreamwriter program. Now I'm ready to buy the card and cable soon.

But what is the switch pictured here for?:

BlackandBlue · 04/08/2010, 12:26 AM

Quote from: guest on 04/06/2010, 08:38 PMdont bet on it . Parallel + XP is more like, ParaLOL, because it only works if the stars are aligned right, you say a magic spell, sprinkle magic powder on the machine, and time it just right.

But, Good luck!

LOL. I just had to deal with that reading the NAND off my 'experimental' xbox360. Apparently only likes the SPP setting in the BIOS.

Tupin · 04/08/2010, 09:10 PM

Aaaaand they just sold out. Looks like I might wait a while, or just jump to the Neo.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/08/2010, 11:13 PM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/08/2010, 09:10 PMor just jump to the Neo.

doooooo itttttttt

TurboXray · 04/08/2010, 11:58 PM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/07/2010, 10:34 PMGot a Windows 98 PC set up with the Dreamwriter program. Now I'm ready to buy the card and cable soon.

But what is the switch pictured here for?:

It's for cheats. You put cheats codes on the card and can turn them on and off at any time. It's kinda funny because if it's a "ram" hack, it does it in a hack-ash way (inserts its own interrupt call to its own code and has the cpu change that ram value). Annoyingly though, it can slow down games. Neutopia 2, it slows down the game when you have the cheat code on and a couple of enemies onscreen. But, it has no choice. It can't access ram directly on the system, so it has no control over the ram values otherwise.

chany60126 · 04/13/2010, 11:32 AM

This is probably the wrong thread to post in, but I was wondering if Vasteel and Might and Magic 3 each came with one disk, or 2 disks. I saw these at someone's house when I was purchasing some turbo merchandise via Craigslist. For both games, there was only a disc in the last cd compartment. The first cd compartment was empty except for the manual.

Nazi NecroPhile · 04/13/2010, 11:47 AM

Quote from: chany60126 on 04/13/2010, 11:32 AMI was wondering if Vasteel and Might and Magic 3 each came with one disk, or 2 disks.

There's only one disc; the big case was to allow room for thick manuals and posters and to make you think the game is extra awesome. The only title that I can think of that actually came with two discs is the second printing of Galaxy Fraulein Yuna, which came with a extra disc containing artwork and a short video (the game itself was still on a single disc).

RoyVegas · 04/13/2010, 11:49 AM

Necro is correct, you can see complete ones here.

Vasteel

Might and Magic III

chany60126 · 04/13/2010, 06:12 PM

You guys are awesome. Thanks a mil!!

Tupin · 04/22/2010, 11:37 PM

Probably going to order the PCE Pro some time this weekend. Can't wait to play PC Engine game ROMs on my TG-16!

Arkhan Asylum · 04/23/2010, 12:45 AM

Quote from: Tupin on 04/22/2010, 11:37 PMProbably going to order the PCE Pro some time this weekend. Can't wait to play PC Engine game ROMs on my TG-16!

get the neoflash!!!

Tupin · 04/23/2010, 05:54 PM

It'll be fine for what I need.

Arkhan Asylum · 04/23/2010, 09:23 PM

yea but just sayin for an extra 30$ you can have 2x the storage space and easier use?

http://www.ic2005.com/shop/home.php?cat=2

12/06/2023: Localization News - Tengai Makyou/Far East of Eden: Ziria!!!

Just got my first TurboGrafx-16!