PC Engine GT: to screen mod or not to mod?

ltpitt · 07/17/2016, 06:34 AM

Gentlemen!

My beloved Pc Engine GT is now in a clinic, ready to be fixed / modded for new adventures together.

Between all services I also have the possibility to request a new LCD mod (2.5").

Question is: what would you do?

I am very happy to get the little thing a new screen but...
Will it be a good idea? Will it lose or gain value (I am talking about both the economical and user experience point of view)?

I am more or less convinced to put the new screen but I was very curious about your ideas on the topic.

All the best

thesteve · 07/17/2016, 01:56 PM

well the 2.5" doesn't really improve the dot pitch, slightly improves contrast and loses tuner compatibility
the 3.5 doesn't look stock, but the screen improvement is significant (also loses tuner)

Keith Courage · 07/17/2016, 05:36 PM

it's a personal preference and really depends on how much you think you will be in the need of a portable gaming system. I preferred to do most of my gaming on my TV. With that in mind I don't see a reason to bother with the screen modification even though I've performed for others.

however, if you feel that this is something you are going to use a lot then I would definitely go with the 3.5 inch screen upgrade.

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/18/2016, 11:56 AM

3.5" upgrade is for peeps that want real hardware, plan on playing it alot, and give zero fucks about resale value and keeping it looking original.

2.5" replacement is for the same types of people except they'd like to keep it looking stock (at least when it's off).

Doing nothing is for collectards (like me) that would rather keep it all original and ain't gonna be gaming on it much anyway.

An emulator on your phone or cfw psp is for people that just want to game on the go with better image quality, cd support, and for minimal cost.

esteban · 07/18/2016, 03:34 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/18/2016, 11:56 AM3.5" upgrade is for peeps that want real hardware, plan on playing it alot, and give zero fucks about resale value and keeping it looking original.

2.5" replacement is for the same types of people except they'd like to keep it looking stock (at least when it's off).

Doing nothing is for collectards (like me) that would rather keep it all original and ain't gonna be gaming on it much anyway.

An emulator on your phone or cfw psp is for people that just want to game on the go with better image quality, cd support, and for minimal cost.

Keeping it stock is not just for collectards—I enjoy playing all my consoles and handhelds "stock"...it helps me appreciate what the actual hardware was capable of and what the experience was like.

Now, I understand *why* folks upgrade screens and make other modifications...and I will eventually mod a spare TurboExpress for fun.

But, I can't explain how much more fun it is for me to *know* that *this* is what the screen really looked like (I love comparing different platforms and comparing the different experiences).

I think that other handhelds (not the Express), that lacked back/side-lighting, for example, would be prioritized on my list of "desirable mods" since natural/artificial lighting doesn't always allow for an ideal situation. I think Gameboy Advance is really, really lame. I think Nintendo was LAME for not shipping the original GBA with side/back-lighting.

That said, I still enjoy playing my original GB for many, many games...so, I really think it depends on how much of the game I feel I am "missing" or how "needlessly frustrating" certain parts of a game are (platforming, for example)...

The only mod that I have no problem with would be BATTERIES! I don't think that modifying a handheld for better/more convenient battery life betrays my desire for "playing" the games "stock"...

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/18/2016, 03:50 PM

Quote from: esteban on 07/18/2016, 03:34 PMKeeping it stock is not just for collectards—I enjoy playing all my consoles and handhelds "stock"...it helps me appreciate what the actual hardware was capable of and what the experience was like.

Okay, amend it to Doing nothing is for collectards (like me) that would rather keep it all original and ain't gonna be gaming on it much anyway or for purists that like to keep it real.

( a.k.a. - crazy hipster fuckers )

esteban · 07/18/2016, 09:44 PM

Njsjajjajajjjajjajjajajhhahahha. Yup

Killjoyy027 · 07/19/2016, 09:10 PM

I recently had my Turbo Express Modded with the 3.5 LCD.

I use the system all of the time this was a great upgrade for me.

If you are going to use the system regularly I would heavily recommend doing this upgrade it will make it 1000 times easier to look at.

esteban · 07/20/2016, 12:45 AM

Quote from: Killjoyy027 on 07/19/2016, 09:10 PMI recently had my Turbo Express Modded with the 3.5 LCD.

I use the system all of the time this was a great upgrade for me.

If you are going to use the system regularly I would heavily recommend doing this upgrade it will make it 1000 times easier to look at.

No thank you.
Maybe a few years from now.

ltpitt · 07/20/2016, 03:59 AM

I am sad to read that your feeling about it are as divided as mine are :/

A strange question: have you guys ever seen a modded unit sold on ebay?

I never saw one.

Probably because the modder will never sell it, even in cause of life threat (that would be probably me).

ginoscope · 07/20/2016, 11:26 AM

Quote from: ltpitt on 07/20/2016, 03:59 AMI am sad to read that your feeling about it are as divided as mine are :/

A strange question: have you guys ever seen a modded unit sold on ebay?

I never saw one.

Probably because the modder will never sell it, even in cause of life threat (that would be probably me).

Yeah I had Keith mod mine to the 3.5" screen and I love it. I can't ever imagine selling it because with an everdrive it has access to pretty much all TG and PCE games on the road. I can understand the idea of keeping it stock but it's so hard to read anything with it.

I do prefer to game on a TV but when I travel the TE is so awesome to have handy.

ltpitt · 07/27/2016, 07:41 AM

I AM AN HORRIBLE PERSON!

I KEPT IT STOCK <3

Main problem was also related to temporary lack of good screens.

I accept it as destiny

tbone3969 · 07/29/2016, 07:56 AM

Quote from: esteban on 07/20/2016, 12:45 AM
Quote from: Killjoyy027 on 07/19/2016, 09:10 PMI recently had my Turbo Express Modded with the 3.5 LCD.

I use the system all of the time this was a great upgrade for me.

If you are going to use the system regularly I would heavily recommend doing this upgrade it will make it 1000 times easier to look at.
No thank you.
Maybe a few years from now.

I wish I could find someone willing to do the screen mod.