Turbo Everdrive PC Engine / Turbografx 16 Flash Card Nearing Release

[djcouchycouch]

I PM'ed the creator and asked him about how much is it gonna cost WITH shipping to the USA and he said $85 bucks!!!!! Done deal, I'm buying it!! If it works as expected, that's a very respectable pricepoint! Just hope there are no bugs/issues in the first batch. I'll probably wait though until feedback starts coming in after he starts making a first couple of sales to people, see what they say.

I'll also wait for the first batches to ship, just in case there are any issues. But I'm very happy with my Everdrive MD so I'm pretty confident he'll do a good job of it.

[NightWolve]

Ah OK, so you can vouch for his other flash carts. I was gonna ask you how the MD version works.

[SamIAm]

Is there any word on whether this fits in a Supergrafx yet?

[NightWolve]

I asked him about price from his youtube account, he responded, so doesn't hurt to ask, but can you take a screenshot of what would be the problem? I read something earlier from ccovell about switches on both sides and what not. Take a clear picture of a HuCard with the power switch turned on and I'll be happy to PM it to him and ask if it was brought to his attention, etc. It might already be too late with him only having addressed the SD card placement issue on the left side.

[SamIAm]

These two images sum up the situation well. The first photo is a SGX compared to a DUO-RX. In addition, notice how the green bit goes over the card in the 2nd photo.




If you could let him know about this, that would be great.

[Arkhan Asylum]

EVERYDRIVE.

[Duo_R]

is he taking pre-orders on this?

[NightWolve]

Ah, I got it, switches can be on the left and the right. OK, I'll PM him right now, otherwise I'll forget later.

[gameofyou]

These two images sum up the situation well. The first photo is a SGX compared to a DUO-RX. In addition, notice how the green bit goes over the card in the 2nd photo.

Just fyi, the lowcost flash HuCard will definately fit, if there are issues with Everdrive.  I have made it so that there is only a small connector in the center.
 
http://www.gamingenterprisesinc.com/Flash_HuCard/

[Joe Redifer]

You guys know you can post in the forum Krikkzz manages about the Everdrives, right?  Here's the PCE Everdrive thread (now 17 pages long)  I imagine he's there far more often than Youtube and he does respond to posts.  You'll also get very up to date information by checking here.

[Duo_R]

Is retrogate a good website to purchase these? I am thinking of getting the MD version at the same time as the PCE version.

[spenoza]

This is apparently the Year of the PC Engine. MSR, Atlantean, AbCard, Pyramid Plunder, TailChao's devcard, the basic flash HuCard, and the EverDrive. Good year to own a system, if not necessarily so great on the finances.

[Duo_R]

Good thing too since it is not so great for next Gen consoles for a while. I don't think I will get the next generation of consoles when they eventually arrive so plenty of time for Turbo.

[djcouchycouch]

Is retrogate a good website to purchase these? I am thinking of getting the MD version at the same time as the PCE version.

It's where I bought my Everdrive MD. I thought it was pretty decent. I thought retrogate was krikzz's own store, no?

[NightWolve]

SamIAm, you're good! His response:

Thanks a lot for info. I already moved SD slot to the middle of the board, USB still on old place, but usb port need only for people who want develop something, 99% of cart will be sold without usb port, since USB completely useless for gamers. So i think that USB is not a problem for most of sgx owners

[incrediblehark]

good to hear!

[Samurai Ghost]

Awesome!! So I'll probably end up buying this so I can play 1941 and a couple titles I haven't managed to find for a decent price yet. Can't wait to try it out!

[NightWolve]

Ah, that raises a question I was curious about: are the 5 SuperGrafx HuCards in existence pretty much designed the same as a PCE/TG-16 HuCard, same number of connectors, memory design and everything? That is, the HuCard, as a memory storage format, did it stay exactly the same with the SuperGrafx and only the internal hardware was improved for the system ?

I know SGX is backwards compatible and plays all existing HuCards as well, so I'm guessing that answers the question. In which case, I would assume the 5 SuperGrafx games using this HuFlashCard will work just fine with actual hardware. Myself, I don't really care because I don't own one and never will (I respect collectors and I think its design is real badass, but I'd never buy such a failed 5-game system - that was not a good sign of things to come for NEC).

[CrackTiger]

SuperGrafx roms work fine on other flashcards.

[SamIAm]

Thanks a million, NightWolve. I'm glad my pics could help.

[TR0N]

Krikzz made a video to demo it! He loads/tests "Street Fighter II:CE," Batman, R-Type, and Toilet Kids, etc.

Towards the end he'll point the camera down to his PC Engine, turn it off, take the SD card out, turn back on, etc. (I guess to show it retained the memory of the last game? Not sure.). Anyway, looks awesome!

I am so sold on it,now if i want to play a hucard titles with a fan translation i can.Not to mention expensive u.s titles such as magicial chase 

[VestCunt]

Myself, I don't really care because I don't own one and never will (I respect collectors and I think its design is real badass, but I'd never buy such a failed 5-game system - that was not a good sign of things to come for NEC).

I agree the SGX sucks if you think of it as a five-game system. I prefer to think of it as a "PC Engine Plus." If you don't already own a PC Engine, buying a hundred-dollar console that can also play Battle Ace and Ghouls n' Ghosts isn't a bad way to go. 

[GameFreak]

If this gets popular I think there is a chance it could bring the prices down on regular genuine HuCards that are sold on Ebay. Which is a good thing but I can see how some of you might think its a bad thing. Most "gamers" will go for the flash card so that will cut down on the demand for genuine HuCards. We'll see....

[Nazi NecroPhile]

If this gets popular I think there is a chance it could bring the prices down on regular genuine HuCards that are sold on Ebay. Which is a good thing but I can see how some of you might think its a bad thing. Most "gamers" will go for the flash card so that will cut down on the demand for genuine HuCards. We'll see....

There's been flashcarts available for the Turbob for years, so I don't see this one having much effect on legit game pricing.

[spenoza]

Exactly. I'll use a flash card for stuff I can't afford, but when I can afford what I want I'm gonna want to own it legitimately, in real, physical form.

[Nando]

Exactly. I'll use a flash card for stuff I can't afford, but when I can afford what I want I'm gonna want to own it legitimately, in real, physical form.

Pretty much the same for me, nothing beats a case with instruction manual and having the physical huey in yer hands. But man the flash card is sure cost effective!

[HercTNT]

I dont know about anyone else, but i have not had much luck finding flash cards of any kind on ebay. Thus they would have zero effect on HuCard prices. I doubt the general public is very well informed on flash cards and their benefits anyways. I two would prefer original games, but i agree that flash cards are irreplaceable. Some games are just to expensive, or hard to get and the only way you would get to play them is on a flash card.

[GameFreak]

^Exactly!!!

I think the most i spent on a TG game is about $55, and only a few times. I never did the emulator thing so I cant wait to get my hands on this card. I will still buy original games when I can, and when the price is right.

[Joe Redifer]

It's now available for pre-order.  Ships late July.  $79.  Board only, which is fine by me.

[Duo_R]

If i get without USB can it be easily added later?

[Joe Redifer]

No clue.  What do you need the USB for?

[MottZilla]

USB is just a connector that's soldered on. You could have someone, or yourself, solder on the connector later if needed. But I don't know for what purpose you would need it for. I'm interested in trying this card out. Can't wait to get it.

[NightWolve]

He said the USB connector is mainly for developers, minor inconvenience without it (more PC's with USB ports than SD). If your PC doesn't have an SD port (regular size will do, micro SD cards come with an adapter that allows them to be plugged into a regular sized slot), you'll need to use a device that allows for USB-to-external-SD-drive behavior like a digital camera for a example.

My PC is about 3 years old now and does have an easily accessible port in the front with USB/Firewire/SD/MMC/eSATA, etc. but if it didn't, I know I could use my camera: 1) Plug micro-SD card into SD adapter, 2) plug SD adapter into the camera, 3) find the USB cable that the camera came with, plug it into the camera's port and the USB to the PC obviously, 4) turn camera on, etc. You should now have an external drive that'll show up to copy all ROM files into it via explorer. That's what you'll have to do, and probably only ONCE since all NEC ROM files (plus variant dumps) total about 300 MB, so even a cheap 1GB card will do. Last time I needed a 4GB micro SD card (for my new phone), I paid $5 bucks for it retail at a pretty cool PC store called Microcenter.

[GameFreak]

these work good for a couple bucks... http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-SD-MMC-Card-Reader-TF-to-Micro-SD-Adapter-/130533782372?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item1e646b7364
haha it even says "video game accessories" in the url

I've had a few SD card slots die over the years

[Greg2600]

Krikzz himself has an option for the USB installed for 15 bucks on his site (retrogate.com).  Stone Age Gamer does not.

http://stoneagegamer.com/turboeverdrive_boardonly.aspx

[Deletion]

Just placed an order. Now where's a good place to get ROMs?

[GameFreak]

^ would like to know also since I never played a single rom yet

[Duo_R]

Ok anyone that recently got the Neo Flash card getting one of these?

[Mishran]

Ok anyone that recently got the Neo Flash card getting one of these?

I am. Use one on the go and one for home. Only thing I have on my Neo anyway is translations, homebrew, and magical chase.

Load the entire TG/PCE library onto the Turbo ED and take it on vacation for those long road trips. Hell, might even sell the Neo card. Haven't decided yet.

[Joe Redifer]

Do a Google search to get TEH ROMZ.  Be warned, though, it's illegal.  You WILL be arrested and you WILL get 5 years in prison for each TEH ROMZ u download.  But it's worth it. 

I'm finding a lot of ROMs that say "Sound Rip from xxxx Game.pce".  Are these legit?  They don't seem to work in any emulator.  I'd love to be able to play back all Turbo/PCE/SGX music on my real TurboGrafx-16 with a special ROM or ROM set.

[NightWolve]

these work good for a couple bucks... http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-2-0-SD-MMC-Card-Reader-TF-to-Micro-SD-Adapter-/130533782372?pt=Video_Games_Accessories&hash=item1e646b7364
haha it even says "video game accessories" in the url

I've had a few SD card slots die over the years

Oh nice, that's awesome, problem solved. Yeah, no need to pay $15 extra for a built-in USB port.

Now this, http://stoneagegamer.com/turboeverdrive_boardonly.aspx

1 Free Firmware update coupon (expires after 1 year of purchase)

??? Kinda lame. So...firmware updates are gonna be held hostage for more money after a year ?? Is that just something with this retailer or what ? Well, I sure hope the 99% compatibility claim is accurate.

Anyway, wow, he's the real deal though, I thought I would be buying it from him as an individual, but he's in a full-fledged business partnership with a bunch of online stores...

[djcouchycouch]

How is the usb port used for development? When connected to a computer, does it mount the SD card as a drive?

[Duo_R]

Any feedback from the current Everdrive carts? Also I was going to get the Everdrive MD but now thinking the Mega Everdive might be the way to go...

[djcouchycouch]

Any feedback from the current Everdrive carts? Also I was going to get the Everdrive MD but now thinking the Mega Everdive might be the way to go...

I have the regular Everdrive for Genesis and I think it's pretty great. Got the board version.

[Joe Redifer]

The regular Everdrive is awesome.  I'll probably get a Mega Everdrive eventually. No rush, though.

[NightWolve]

How is the usb port used for development? When connected to a computer, does it mount the SD card as a drive?

That's what I would think, just saves you some time, not having to move the SD card around all the time to update its contents. This was his response when I brought up the SuperGrafx issue with him:

Thanks a lot for info. I already moved SD slot to the middle of the board, USB still on old place, but usb port need only for people who want develop something, 99% of cart will be sold without usb port, since USB completely useless for gamers. So i think that USB is not a problem for most of sgx owners

[Duo_R]

We should really push for the savestate option for the Turbo Everdrive, that alone would justify the purchase of another PCE flashcard. It's currently an option for the Mega Everdrive.

Joe - if you were to purchase a Mega Drive flash cart again would the Mega Everdrive be the no brainer? Cost is pretty steep but the save state seams like it would be worth it.

The regular Everdrive is awesome.  I'll probably get a Mega Everdrive eventually. No rush, though.

[Joe Redifer]

Yeah I would.  I'll probably sell my current Everdrive at some point and get the Mega.  I just like all the new features plus the huge-ass rom size (80mb) which is great for homebrew and special audio and video recordings and other such nonsense.

The Turbo Everdrive cannot have a savestate.  He'd have to make a Mega Turbo Everdrive.

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

[MottZilla]

I own the EverDrive MD. It's excellent. No complaints. I expect the Turbo ED to be similar.

The idea of save states probably won't work on the hardware present. Since many registers aren't readable you probably need hardware spying on register writes and it also would help to have alot of extra ram which the turbo ed has no ram at all. It's just flash rom for memory to contain the OS and load games. You can still hope for cheat support if you need to cheat in games.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

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.