Compatibility question

seagull · 10/28/2011, 10:04 AM

Hi, etc.
I have a UK TurboGrafx coming in the post. I've ordered an arcade card pro for it. (I still need to find an adaptor and a CD player.)
Once I have everything there set up, will I be able to play UK/US games with my arcade card or will I need a US system card as well?

Thanks;
seagull

BigT · 10/28/2011, 10:22 AM

CDs are not region locked, so an Arcade card would play both Japanese and US games... but, as you said, you need to get an adapter because I think that the euro turbografx pinout is the same as the US turbografx-16.

seagull · 10/28/2011, 10:27 AM

Noice.
Anyone know of somewhere that won't charge me upwards of £40 for one?

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/28/2011, 10:54 AM

Keep the Turbob for US hueys and buy a Duo-R for disc games; it'll be more reliable and likely cheaper than buying a dock, cd, and converter for the TG. If you absolutely must have a TG-CD, go with a cheap, reliable region mod and avoid the finicky, overpriced converters like the plague.

machomadness · 10/28/2011, 01:03 PM

Quote from: seagull on 10/28/2011, 10:04 AMHi, etc.
I have a UK TurboGrafx coming in the post. I've ordered an arcade card pro for it. (I still need to find an adaptor and a CD player.)
Once I have everything there set up, will I be able to play UK/US games with my arcade card or will I need a US system card as well?

Thanks;
seagull

I assume you got the one like this:

If that's the case, then it's basically a US Turbografx 16 with extra chips to output to PAL. It supports all US Turbo Chips, but plays them slower. As for the Arcade Card, you'd need the Arcade Card Pro(which I see you already have), but for that, you'll need a Japanese to US HuCard converter. CD games are NOT region locked, but your Turbo will ONLY play US Turbo Chips without a converter. That's why it's just best to avoid the headache and get a Duo-R if you can find one. But, if you go that route, you'll need the Arcade Card Duo. The Pro will NOT work on a Duo. There's quite a few videos on YouTube with people from the UK buying one from Japan pre-modded for RGB and cleaned up.

Watch this one for your Turbo:

and these for the Duo-R:

Hope these help!

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/28/2011, 01:13 PM

Quote from: machomadness on 10/28/2011, 01:03 PMThe Pro will NOT work on a Duo.

Wrong. Both the Pro and the Duo Arcade Cards will work on a Duo, SuperCD add-on, or LA.

Mishran · 10/28/2011, 01:17 PM

Quote from: machomadness on 10/28/2011, 01:03 PMThe Pro will NOT work on a Duo.

To my knowledge, the two Arcade cards are the same except for the Pro having the CD reader software built in. The Pro should still work on a Duo, only the BIOS on the card will take effect instead of that built in to the Duo. I'm sure someone else on here can confirm as many here have far more knowledge of the inner workings of the system, than I do.

Mishran · 10/28/2011, 01:19 PM

Oops... NecroPhile beat me to it. Guess I need to stop triple checking everything I type on here from now on...

SignOfZeta · 10/28/2011, 01:19 PM

I second the idea of just buying a Duo. A working TG-16CD add-on costs about as much as a Duo, and breaks 10x as easy.

What you want is a Duo R.

As has been said, there is no region lock-out on CDs.

machomadness · 10/28/2011, 02:56 PM

Quote from: guest on 10/28/2011, 01:13 PM
Quote from: machomadness on 10/28/2011, 01:03 PMThe Pro will NOT work on a Duo.
Wrong. Both the Pro and the Duo Arcade Cards will work on a Duo, SuperCD add-on, or LA.

Hmm...I was always told otherwise. Good to know. That's why I'm here! lol

seagull · 10/28/2011, 05:45 PM

It's good advice, guys, but I've already bought the TurboGrafx. I don't want to have to buy something else as well.
Besides, the TurboGrafx I found was £35. I can't imagine Duo-Rs go for that sort of price.

allyourblood · 10/28/2011, 05:50 PM

Quote from: machomadness on 10/28/2011, 02:56 PM
Quote from: guest on 10/28/2011, 01:13 PM
Quote from: machomadness on 10/28/2011, 01:03 PMThe Pro will NOT work on a Duo.
Wrong. Both the Pro and the Duo Arcade Cards will work on a Duo, SuperCD add-on, or LA.
Hmm...I was always told otherwise. Good to know. That's why I'm here! lol

I think you were just thinking of the other way around: the Arcade Card Duo won't work on a CD attachment setup; it must be used in a Duo system. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Nazi NecroPhile · 10/28/2011, 05:52 PM

Quote from: seagull on 10/28/2011, 05:45 PMBesides, the TurboGrafx I found was £35. I can't imagine Duo-Rs go for that sort of price.

Nope, but neither do TG-CDs and docks. The point being that it'll cost just as much (if not more) to add CD capabilities to your TG as it will to just buy a more reliable Duo.

jperryss · 10/28/2011, 05:56 PM

Quote from: allyourblood on 10/28/2011, 05:50 PMI think you were just thinking of the other way around: the Arcade Card Duo won't work on a CD attachment setup; it must be used in a Duo system. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Right. The Pro card will work on either, but with the Duo you can use the Duo card, which is usually a little cheaper.