Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release

[esteban]

Now somebody figure out a way to play HES files on real hardware please!

Charles MacDonald wrote a converter to turn HES files into PCE romz (linky).  Sadly the link to the utility is dead, but maybe someone has it sitting on their hard drive or knows of another place to find it.

I thought there were some other folks, too, who had some ideas on how to pull this off (Bonknuts, covell...)

I know a bunch of us have fantasized about playing HES files on real hardware, with or without a feature-laden software/utility.

[CrackTiger]

I have the hes to .pce converter on some of my computers. I'll look for it and post it when I have time. Might be easier to just secretly pm the sound roms though.

[Joe Redifer]

I am now awaiting secret PMs of ALL HES ROMs.

[djcouchycouch]

Just pre-ordered mine. Got the USB version because when I do Genesis development I have to keep swapping the SD card back and forth from the Everdrive MD when testing on hardware.

[NightWolve]

Is the process of development that hardware-dependent for you that doing most of or as many of your tests on an emulator first isn't sufficient enough before occasionally swapping the SD card/updating contents to see how it looks on real hardware ?

[djcouchycouch]

Is the process of development that hardware-dependent for you that doing most of or as many of your tests on an emulator first isn't sufficient enough before occasionally swapping the SD card/updating contents to see how it looks on real hardware ?

I don't have to do it all the time, but there's been a few times where I had to swap back and forth. I had several crashes on hardware that didn't occur on emulators, and some differences in music playback with the sound library I was using. After my Genesis project, I'll be looking at PC Engine development. So I don't mind paying an extra 15 bucks now for a bit less pain later on.

[esteban]

I have the hes to .pce converter on some of my computers. I'll look for it and post it when I have time. Might be easier to just secretly pm the sound roms though.

Help my feeble mind figure out how to play PSG tunes on real hardware

[CGQuarterly]

I just placed my order today.  The item is on backorder, so who knows when I'll get it, but at least I have my place in line.  I can play with my wonky NeoFlash in the mean time.

Chris

[Deletion]

Stone Age Gamer just posted a video about creating shells for the Turbo EverDrive.

Turbo EverDrive cart shell vacuu-forming experiments

[GameFreak]

would be cool if it were clear plastic or had a rectangle window on top. I like the looks of the guts.

[Nando]

Skeleton Turbo Ever drive. That would be PIMP! as if the card isn't already.

[SamIAm]

Are these going to be really limited production? Do I need to order one as soon as possible, or does Krikzz make up more cards every so often?

[esteban]

Are these going to be really limited production? Do I need to order one as soon as possible, or does Krikzz make up more cards every so often?

Have you found a source that still has them in stock?

[SamIAm]

Negative

[KnightWarrior]

Can the ROM of the System Card work on the Turbo EverDrive??

Like playing Drac X on the TG-16 with the CD Unit, But you don't have the cards

[Frank_fjs]

Unfortunately no, you can't use it as a system card.

Re ordering them, they will be in production for a while and not limited, so no rush. I don't believe anywhere has them in stock as yet, although they are being sold on a pre-order basis at Retrogate (krikzz's store) and some have even been shipped out.

[KnightWarrior]

Thanks Frank

Will Krikzz do an update for it to act like a System Card??

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Unfortunately no, you can't use it as a system card.

That's not entirely true - they can be used as system cards where the memory is already in the system, such as flashing a TG-CD BIOS for use in a TurboDuo to see SuperCD error screens.

[KnightWarrior]

So the System 3.0 Bios is already flashed in the Turbo EverDrive?

[Frank_fjs]

Yeah, but it won't actually act as a system card though.

I don't believe that Krikzz will ever release an update to allow it, but he may develop a new card with extended functionality like he's done with the Mega Drive card, but I doubt system card functionality will be included.

[MottZilla]

The Turbo EverDrive will be in production for awhile. No need to worry that you won't get one. He can only make them so fast so just keep checking for when they are available.

The Turbo EverDrive cannot act as a CD System Card such as the Super System Card 3.0. There will never be an update or upgrade to do this either. Never. The Turbo EverDrive contains a generous amount of Flash ROM memory. However it contains no RAM, which is required for the Super System Card 3.0 or Arcade Card. The System Cards below 3.0 and possible the Games Express System Card roms *may* work if they are indeed just BIOS roms and contained no RAM or extra hardware.

It is doubtful he will ever develop an equal to the Mega EverDrive for the Turbografx. The reason he may the Mega EverDrive is because that was his favorite system. For now, the Turbo ED is as good as it gets. It will be available just keep checking.

[KnightWarrior]

Thanks for the info Mott

I'm still getting one

[Nando]

Re ordering them, they will be in production for a while and not limited, so no rush.

Right on!

[Joe Redifer]

I wonder if I can use it to play Altered Beast on CD with a pretend System 1.0 card.  I don't see why I couldn't.  Or maybe some Games Express games, that is if those cards don't have RAM.

[SamIAm]

Thanks for the info. I really want to get my hands on one of these soon!

[CrackTiger]

I wonder if I can use it to play Altered Beast on CD with a pretend System 1.0 card.  I don't see why I couldn't.  Or maybe some Games Express games, that is if those cards don't have RAM.

Yes, it works with other flash cards if you are playing on a Duo or Super CD, which physically has the required ram. The rom on the card just takes over for the "bios".

[Joe Redifer]

What about the TurboGrafx-CD?  To my knowledge the System 1 and 2 cards didn't have any RAM in them.

[CrackTiger]

What about the TurboGrafx-CD?  To my knowledge the System 1 and 2 cards didn't have any RAM in them.

Nope, you're SOL. The physical card itself can be found cheap though, as can the HuCard version.

[MottZilla]

You can always give it a try and tell us if it does work. Either way the Turbo EverDrive will be a great accessory.

[SeymorOnion]

Are there any bare leads, or soldier points, on the backside of the card?

[TR0N]

Damn i miss out on buying one when they were in stock at retrogamer.I would have bought one but i was broke,oh well i'll just have to wait for krizz to make more.

By the way has any one try it out on a region modded one ?

[Duo_R]

Oh wow they are sold out of the other carts too. Will the other ones like SNES or N64 restock??

[MottZilla]

Yes they will. Currently no EverDrive has yet been discontinued. But they probably get backed up with so many different carts that must be produced and tested. And anytime a new cart comes out they are busy with that I'm sure.

[Duo_R]

A little off topic but will there ever be a NES Everdrive? I think the current NES FLASH CART is little pricey.

[MottZilla]

$135? Really? I don't think that is pricey. Considering how much you probably spent on your PCE console, or how much brand new games for modern systems cost. $135 for a NES flash cart that will play pretty much every licensed NES game is a good deal.

Anyway, KRIKzz was asked about doing a NES EverDrive and he was not terribly interested in it last time it came up. Afterall he's done, Megadrive twice, N64, SNES, now makes the SD2SNES carts too, Master System, Game Gear, and now TG16/PCE. Compared to other systems the NES is pretty involved to make a flash cart for because of all the different memory mappers. The Gameboy/Gameboy Color has a few different mappers and is requested alot too. It may become a reality. Not so sure about NES. Also bear in mind he lives in a country where the NES doesn't exist. I think just Famicom clones maybe.

[Duo_R]

when it comes to the NES I am a cheap bastard, I just bought Famicom Splatterhouse game, and that is the most I ever spent on a NES / Famicom game (like $21).

So yeah, it is for me. $80 price point would be ideal since I don't play NES as much.

Can't really compare that to what I spend on PCE because that is a whole different story. =)

$135? Really? I don't think that is pricey. Considering how much you probably spent on your PCE console, or how much brand new games for modern systems cost. $135 for a NES flash cart that will play pretty much every licensed NES game is a good deal.

Anyway, KRIKzz was asked about doing a NES EverDrive and he was not terribly interested in it last time it came up. Afterall he's done, Megadrive twice, N64, SNES, now makes the SD2SNES carts too, Master System, Game Gear, and now TG16/PCE. Compared to other systems the NES is pretty involved to make a flash cart for because of all the different memory mappers. The Gameboy/Gameboy Color has a few different mappers and is requested alot too. It may become a reality. Not so sure about NES. Also bear in mind he lives in a country where the NES doesn't exist. I think just Famicom clones maybe.

[MottZilla]

The NES / Famicom has tons of games worth playing. It's easily worth the $135. You just need to see a list of games you are interested in.

[esteban]

The NES / Famicom has tons of games worth playing. It's easily worth the $135. You just need to see a list of games you are interested in.

Absolutely. The NES/Famicom is so worth it. I love that goddamn system. 

[djcouchycouch]

Last summer I spent so much time and money on yard sales, ebay and Kijiji to fuel my collection that buying a 135$ device was the cheapest way to get everything. I realized that I didn't really want to manage a collection, I just wanted to play any game I wanted when I felt like it.

[Duo_R]

I guess I was holding out hoping that Krikzz would make one, but after you explained that the system wasn't in his country it makes sense. I was just wanting newer hardware for spending that much, but looks like the Powerpack is the way to go.

[djcouchycouch]

Got my shipping notice from retrogate this morning. Turbo Everdrive is in the mail.

[Frank_fjs]

Got my shipping notice from retrogate this morning. Turbo Everdrive is in the mail.

Good news, be sure to report back here with a review once it's in your hands.

I know a few people have received theirs already and early reports suggest that's it's very well built/solid and works in region/RGB modded Duos and Duo-R's.

[GameFreak]

I want to order one of these for sure.
As soon as anyone gets this in the mail, they should upload a nice 1080p youtube vid of it in action!
I never played any downloaded games...should I expect any lag or glitches compared to the original version game?

[Frank_fjs]

If it's like his other cards, the games should play identically to their original counterparts. The only difference will be an initial 5 second load time.

[Duo_R]

Can't wait, just got a Everdrive MD and it works great, can't wait to try the turbo version!

[bartre]

i'm never too sure about flash carts personally.
part of me wants it real bad, but another part says "hey, you can just build repros of the unreleased ones"
i dunno, maybe when i move i'll sell all my shiz and just buy some flash carts.
everything i've heard says the everdrives are great though, i was really impressed when i saw the N64 one in person.

[Drakon]

Mine finally is confirmed as shipped.  I've never been so excited about a flash device in my life.  I picked up the mega everdrive a while back and it turns out to be great which is why I have a lot of faith for this thing.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

part of me wants it real bad, but another part says "hey, you can just build repros of the unreleased ones"

So where do I send monies for a Magical Chase repro?

[Nando]

part of me wants it real bad, but another part says "hey, you can just build repros of the unreleased ones"

So where do I send monies for a Magical Chase repro?

I'll PM ya and you just wait, k?  ;)
Send ze monies to my cousin in Nigeria. He'll hook you up on some inheritance money too.

[MottZilla]

I got my Turbo Everdrive today. Works great. Only problem is the power switch, the safety blade thing that is designed to keep idiots from pulling out the HuCard with the power on, hits my Micro SD card so I have to push on it when I turn the power on. But other than that, everything I tried worked great so far. And I use a RGB Modded DUO-R system. Very happy with the Turbo ED so far.