which is more reliable?

[duodreamer]

I am new to the pce and am going to buy a supergrafx or pc engine duo in the next couple of months and was wondering which of the two are more reliable and had less problems?

[termis]

Well, the SuperGrafx doesn't play the CD media games so it won't have any worn out laser-eye issues like the Duo.  And some Duos also have sound fading issues.  Both of these common problems on the Duos are rather easily fixed, though.

[SignOfZeta]

You probably don't want a Supergrafx. I've been collecting PCE since the system was in its prime, and I still don't have one (even though I own multiple PCEs). They don't play CDs unless you buy an add-on CD, and the only feature they have over a standard HuCard-only PC Engine is that they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO. Its more of a collectors thing, really.

If you want a reliable system, your probably want a PC Engine Duo R, or Duo RX. Conventional wisdom says that original PC Engine Duos are less reliable, but I'm not sure how true that is. They are all year or three newer though, that much is known, so that might work for you.

[Turbo D]

 I'd advise you to buy the pc-engine duo

[D-Lite]

Over the past 5 or so years I've opened up and tested at least 100 different CD based NEC Duo/R/RX systems and I can easily say that the original black Duo is the worst in terms of reliability.  I have rarely found an R/RX with any of the typical sound fade problems, but I'd say 25-30% of black Duos have been faulty.  Probably something to do with the use of newer caps in the later years of manufacturing, who knows.  Also I still believe a lot of it has to do with where the heat sinks are.  Realize that the heat sinks in the original Duo are right next to the audio circuits/capacitors.  Excessive heat from long gaming sessions could have more easily damaged/dried those caps over the years.  The R/RX are laid out completely differently internally.

[CrackTiger]

Even if the SuperGafx was indestructible, its not worth the trade-offs.

Just buy a Duo R/RX.

[spenoza]

No love for a Core + CD-ROM?
Probably a cheaper combo....

I found a site that'll sell me a core, cd-rom, and Super System Card for like $150

[WoodyXP]

Like the fellas said, get a Dou R or RX... I even recommend a Briefcase if you can find one in good
condition.  They're very solid too.

[elnino]

they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO.

C'mon, three of them are among the best games for the PCE and really worth to buy the SGFX system!

[Tatsujin]

right there, inufun!!

[lbblue]

No love for a Core + CD-ROM?
Probably a cheaper combo....

I found a site that'll sell me a core, cd-rom, and Super System Card for like $150

What site?  :

[SignOfZeta]

they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO.

C'mon, three of them are among the best games for the PCE and really worth to buy the SGFX system!

Um...what? I've played all the SGX games (I think), and I can barely even remember what they even were. Makaimura seemed to best to me, but if I actually felt like playing that one I'd just buy the Genesis one for $10.

The best format PCE-wise is clearly Super CD, and to a lesser extent HuCard. The really great shit like Kaze Kiri, and Tengai II, and LoT, and Drac X, and all that far outweighs the SGX. I know I never played a SGX game better than Star Parodia, or even Super Star Solider.

[SignOfZeta]

No love for a Core + CD-ROM?
Probably a cheaper combo....

I found a site that'll sell me a core, cd-rom, and Super System Card for like $150

I have great love for the Core+CD-ROM combo, its my favorite version of the PCE, but in my experience is not as cheap as a Duo R. They are also mostly yellow and gross looking nowadays. On top of that if you want the AC, you have to get the Pro, which costs twice as much as the Duo.

[cho_aniki]

   It's true that the bulk of the really good games are probably on Super CD format, however I still think the Supergrafx is worth getting.

   Aldynes is a personal favourite, and Daimakaimura and 1941 are nice games as well.  The Supergrafx attaches nicely to the Super Cd rom attachment

   and, although a bit bulky, I think it's nice to have a setup that allows you to play absolutely anything in the Pc-engine library.

[CrackTiger]

The SuperGrafx is not worth getting unless you're a hardcore PC Engine fan who already has a good complete setup to play any other PCE games and you already own most of the PCE titles you're interested in.

[elnino]

they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO.

C'mon, three of them are among the best games for the PCE and really worth to buy the SGFX system!

Um...what? I've played all the SGX games (I think), and I can barely even remember what they even were. Makaimura seemed to best to me, but if I actually felt like playing that one I'd just buy the Genesis one for $10.

Rofl, I wonder HOW you've played them. Eyes open? Aldynes is a top grade PCE exclusive shooter, a little hard but very fun to play. 1941 and Daimakaimura are good ports from the widely known arcade games. If you've really played Daimakaimura for both the MD and the SGFX you'd agree that the SGFX version is by far superior.

[termis]

Whatever you buy, I don't think anyone would really disagree that the ability to play CD-ROM games is crucial for a proper PCE experience.

So, it should be either
1) SuperGrafx PLUS Super CD-ROM2 system
2) One of the Duo models.

The question should be really whether you're willing to pay a little extra for the ability to play those extra SuperGrafx HuCards.  I have both setups, but I keep the SuperGrafx stored away just because setup 1) is so damn monstrous.

[CrackTiger]

Whatever you buy, I don't think anyone would really disagree that the ability to play CD-ROM games is crucial for a proper PCE experience.

So, it should be either
1) SuperGrafx PLUS Super CD-ROM2 system
2) One of the Duo models.

The question should be really whether you're willing to pay a little extra for the ability to play those extra SuperGrafx HuCards.  I have both setups, but I keep the SuperGrafx stored away just because setup 1) is so damn monstrous.

Trying to run a console setup the size of a Masters of the Universe playset should also be taken into consideration.

they can play Supergrafx HuCards, of which there are only a half dozen, and none are impressive, IMO.

C'mon, three of them are among the best games for the PCE and really worth to buy the SGFX system!

Um...what? I've played all the SGX games (I think), and I can barely even remember what they even were. Makaimura seemed to best to me, but if I actually felt like playing that one I'd just buy the Genesis one for $10.

Rofl, I wonder HOW you've played them. Eyes open? Aldynes is a top grade PCE exclusive shooter, a little hard but very fun to play. 1941 and Daimakaimura are good ports from the widely known arcade games. If you've really played Daimakaimura for both the MD and the SGFX you'd agree that the SGFX version is by far superior.

I can see how some people might find the SuperGrafx Daimakaimura to be better over all than the MegaDrive version, but I think its far from 'far superior'. Both ports aren't so hot.

Aldynes is supposed to be good and I like 1941, but not only do these games go for up to $100 or more, you still have to tack on the price of the SuperGrafx hardware. Where as there are dozens(hundreds?) of great PCE games as good as or better than the SuperGrafx titles that can be had for as little as $1 - $5 each.

Not everyone is a fan of Granzort and I've never heard anyone say they like Battle Ace. So the SuperGrafx is really only good for playing 3 games that the PCE can't.

If Virtua Fighter and Virtua Racing on 32X went for $100 today and Doom for $50, I don't think that many people would insist or even recommend that new Genesis players rush out to buy 32X.

[Tatsujin]

I can see how some people might find the SuperGrafx Daimakaimura to be better over all than the MegaDrive version, but I think its far from 'far superior'. Both ports aren't so hot.

the SGFX one may be not arcade-perfect, how it should, compared to the enormous strong CPS hardware at that time. but compared to the MD version it is superior and was long time the best port for everyones home (except the x86). and hot it is still today, for sure.
the only slight merit of the MD port is the slightly better sound here and there.

[CrackTiger]

I can see how some people might find the SuperGrafx Daimakaimura to be better over all than the MegaDrive version, but I think its far from 'far superior'. Both ports aren't so hot.

the SGFX one may be not arcade-perfect, how it should, compared to the enormous strong CPS hardware at that time. but compared to the MD version it is superior and was long time the best port for everyones home (except the x86). and hot it is still today, for sure.
the only slight merit of the MD port is the slightly better sound here and there.

It may hold up okay to the MD port, but I don't think the MD version has better sound overall, unless you think that it tops even the SuperGrafx-sounding arcade version. However, the graphics don't look so good/polished compared to Forgotten Worlds, Chiki Chiki Boys, 'Dynasty Warriors', 'Capcom World', 1941 CA, and SFIICE on PC Engine. Or even other non-CPS arcade ports like Darius II or Side Arms.

The actual graphics (not counting scrolling, flicker, etc) look more like Strider ACD, only not as nice. Arguably, its the second worst CPS port on PC Engine. Its still a fun game with decent graphics overall, its just not such a great port or overly impressive looking by PC Engine standards.

Certainy not enough to justify spending $200 that could buy 20 better PCE games.

[Turbo D]

I bought the supergrafx only after owning the turbo for many years. I think that 1941 and daimaikamura alone justify what I paid for it. I actually got it from some dude on this forum, haha. that bastard never left me feedback 

[SignOfZeta]

Well the money saved by not buying a SGX and its three supposedly great games will buy you Spriggen 1+2, Kaze Kiri, Star Parodia, Lords of Thunder, Bomberman '94, Gate of Thunder, and a bootleg of Sapphire, all of which a far better than any SGX game. I think that a lot of people would agree with me when I say that none of the SGX games even crack the top 20 of PCE soft.

I think that if you have infinite cash (and space) the SGX+CD is great, but for the more practically minded it isn't even worth the space it wastes. This goes double for people just starting out like this guy is. Like I said, I fully intend to buy a SGX someday because I like NEC stuff, but I fully realize that there is no point in it. The most useful feature of a SGX is its ability to play non-SGX HuCards.

[Tatsujin]

The most useful feature of a SGX is its ability to play non-SGX HuCards.

more precise, it is the useful feature of its ability to play SGX as well as non-SGX HuCards.

[elnino]

I think that if you have infinite cash (and space) the SGX+CD is great, but for the more practically minded it isn't even worth the space it wastes. This goes double for people just starting out like this guy is.

I've never meant to recommend buying a SGFX to someone who just got started with PCE stuff. But even if you think the SGFX sucks atm, you will sooner or later come to a point where you got most of the finest (Super) HuCard / (Super) CD-Rom(²) stuff. By then (the latest) you will consider buying a SGFX to play three very good games. If you like these games you will certainly get this design award winning console much sooner!

I fully intend to buy a SGX someday because I like NEC stuff

That's teh spirit

[spenoza]

ibblue, sorry, wasn't ignoring you. I just read back. The site I could get a cheap PCE rig from is now out of stock, and I imagine will not be back in stock... And I constantly lose it in my bookmarks list, anyway.