Which US Turbochip Games are better than the Japanese Hu Card counterparts?

[phipscube]

I've tried searching on here for some kind of guide as to which Games are worth buying in US format over the Japanese counterpart. I couldn't seem to find anything so opened this thread.

I understand that R-Type is probably better on Turbochip as its the full game on one card, and also I read somewhere that its got slight enhancements to make flickering a little less obvious.

But what other games are better to buy in US format?

Sorry for my lack of knowledge, I'm new to the PC Engine (well in a "I haven't owned one for nearly 20 years" kinda new)   

[henrycsc]

Better is always relative, but certainly if you are an English only beast, all of the text heavy games are easier to use.

[JoshTurboTrollX]

Magical Chase has a bit of graphical overhaul with some added backgrounds and dolled up effects.

Not a 'chip' game, but Exile:WP has that 16-bit looking parallax scrolling as opposed to the PCE version.

Air Zonk has an intro that shows Bonk on top of a building, and when he puts on the 'ZONK' glasses, he quickly transforms into Air Zonk and flies up to fight evil!!  I prefer that over the PCE version that just shows Zonk blasting through the PC genjin title screen.

that's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Try this thread and this thread for discussions on regional differences. 

[ccovell]

Air Zonk has an intro that shows Bonk on top of a building, and when he puts on the 'ZONK' glasses, he quickly transforms into Air Zonk and flies up to fight evil!!  I prefer that over the PCE version that just shows Zonk blasting through the PC genjin title screen.

Noo.... they only moved it from the end of that 2-minute intro with lyrics and a character introduction of the PCE version to the start of the Turbo version... and cut out same 2-minute intro!

PCE version is much better.

[PunkCryborg]

cool avatar phips

[phipscube]

Thanks for the great info guys

Necromancer, Great links! That's what I was trying to find Just using wrong keywords. I can see that there are 4 or so Turbochip exclusives as well!

I've got a PC Engine GT that i've just put a switchless mod into (Cheers BlueBMW) and at the moment I don't have any US games. I've already decided to buy the US version of R-Type and wanted to see a few more US games I could go for over their Japanese counterparts. I will primarily be collecting Japanese PC Engine games and only getting the US versions when they have something better to offer. It seems that mostly the US versions have things taken out, but its definitely better to get US versions when reading text is needed as henrycsc said

At some point soon i'd like a PC Engine Duo so I will be interested in CD games too.

Cheers elabit! Its my favourite game Well its more nostalgia I think.... way back when (around 1992), I had an original PC Engine (white model) with Tiger Heli, Fantasy Zone and Heavy Unit. I loved those games but especially Tiger Heli. The PC Engine was RGB modded and I had it hooked up to an old Amstrad CPC Colour monitor (with a scart to 6 pin din adapter I made). The picture was AWESOME! And many a happy hour I had playing with those games. Suffice to say the first set of games I bought again were those three, I also just got Gunhed and when I bought The GT the other month it came with Don Doko Don. So at the moment my collection is pretty lame, but i'm enjoying them!

[Arkhan Asylum]

Order of the Griffon is better than the PCE one

BECAUSE THERE AINT A PCE ONE.  BITCH.

[SignOfZeta]

Aside from exclusive US titles, you have R Type (which is better, the R Type Complete CD or the US HuCard?) Magical Chase, and the text heavy stiff which is...Neutopia 1 and 2.

That's about it, I think.

[SuperDeadite]

Most people probably prefer R-Type on HuCard.  The Complete CD has some story cutscenes with butt-ugly people, but they are kinda pointless really.  The Complete CD also has an arranged soundtrack.  A lot of people hate it.  Personally I really like it, the original R-Type music is superior for sure, but the arranged music is lovely 80's cheese to the max. "R R R R R R R R R-Type!"

Cotton (not a HuCard, but meh) is an interesting one.  The USA version removes all the spoken dialog and replaces it with that "typing sound effect."  So if you find high-pitched squealing Japanese voices annoying you might prefer the English version.  The Japanese version does have an English text option, so it's just a matter of if you want the voices or not.

[Chuplayer]

Cotton... The Japanese version does have an English text option, so it's just a matter of if you want the voices or not.

Say what?

Now I wish I didn't burn a CD of the US version last week. I didn't like it that much, but, eh. I'd probably still buy the Japanese version. It's still rather affordable.

[Otaking]

Personally I prefer the PC Engine version of Magical Chase 

[Arkhan Asylum]

Personally I prefer the PC Engine version of Magical Chase 

me too!  It doesn't cost 59020$

[OldRover]

You need more monies.

[Arkhan Asylum]

If I had 59 thousand money the last thing I'd buy would be Magical Chase US.

I'd buy every China Warrior/Kung Fu card I can find, and make a suit of armor out of them.

[allyourblood]

Personally I prefer the PC Engine version of Magical Chase 

me too!  It doesn't cost 59020$

Eh, give it a couple more months.

[phipscube]

Ok, for a guy or gal wanting to primarily collect JP Hu-Card games, but also play all exclusives to US, play the text heavy games in English, and have Enhanced US versions over JP, it seems the list is something like this: -

Cadash (minor text maybe missed in JP version)
Darkwing Duck (US Only)
Falcon (US Only)
Gunboat (US Only)
Magical Chase ("Improvements" over JP version, although cost might outweigh it)
Military Madness (Nectaris in JP, Not playable due to text)
Neutopia (Not playable due to text)
Neutopia II (Not playable due to text)
Order of the Griffon (US Only)
R-Type (on one card and minor improvements to flickering, although slight resolution drop)
Tailspin (US Only)

Does this look about right?

[Otaking]

Magical Chase ("Improvements" over JP version, although cost might outweigh it)

Does this look about right?

As said I think the visuals in the US Magical Chase were altered for the worse in my opinion.  


Due to the US Magical Chase having a (relitive) low print run, it became an elusive game most TurboGrafx 16 collectors needed/need to complete their collection.
This is the only reason the price has gone up on the US version.
The graphics have slight alterations but whether which is better is only to taste, the US is not a superior or improved version to the JP PC Engine, but in the current climate it'll just cost you more.

To summarize if you want to go for a complete US Turbo Grafx collection then get a US MC, in all other circumstances the JP version is the way to go.
Saying that maybe it's easier for me as (other than Ys I&II) I own no US TurboGrafx games and have no intention of buying any in the future.

[phipscube]

Thanks for the advice

I do tend to prefer the Japanese styles more so I may well agree. I'll put both on an emulator and see what I prefer. I think realistically i'll just end up going for the Japanese version on the cost alone. Even then its a tad high. I'll be buying many more cheaper games before that anyway, hopefully at some point the "craze" for this game will die down.... or someone will find an "Undiscovered" warehouse full of NOS Magical Chase games and bring the price right down

[MotherGunner]

Does the JP Magical Chase have Japanese Text?  (Like in the stores, etc)?

[BigT]

Does the JP Magical Chase have Japanese Text?  (Like in the stores, etc)?

Yeah, the pumpkin headed shop-keeper sequences included Japanese text.

Overall, I think that the visual style of the US version is a slight improvement... to compare, look here:
http://www.superpcenginegrafx.net/dare_to_compare_mc.html