The best Turbo system

exile · 07/20/2009, 02:13 AM

Hey fella's
Recently my system decided it did not want to be modded and died a horrible painful death. I was wondering what was the best system to buy as a replacement?

SignOfZeta · 07/20/2009, 03:19 AM

Overall the best system to have is a modded Duo R with Arcade Card.

The most capable would be the Supergraphx+SuperCDROM2+Arcade Card, but that's a lot of bread to gain compatibility with six games that aren't even that great.

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2009, 08:45 AM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 07/20/2009, 03:19 AMOverall the best system to have is a modded Duo R with Arcade Card.

The most capable would be the Supergraphx+SuperCDROM2+Arcade Card, but that's a lot of bread to gain compatibility with six games that aren't even that great.

theyre all great!

guyjin · 07/20/2009, 09:15 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2009, 08:45 AMtheyre all great!

Umm, not really. I got to play 2 at the Midwest Gaming Classic, Aldynes and Madou granzort. The latter was an interesting concept, but not very fun to play.

exile · 07/20/2009, 01:17 PM

Thanks for the advice fellas are they hard to find boxed complete? Also what's the difference between the R and the RX is one more expensive than the other?

jperryss · 07/20/2009, 01:29 PM

Quote from: exile on 07/20/2009, 01:17 PMThanks for the advice fellas are they hard to find boxed complete? Also what's the difference between the R and the RX is one more expensive than the other?

The RX is a new version or the R. Functionally they are identical, but the RX costs a bit more, especially if it comes with the original 6-button pad that came with the RX.

blueraven · 07/20/2009, 01:45 PM

I personally like the Black PC Engine Duo; I have an Arcade Card Duo, and 2 Avenue 6 controllers. I dumpster dove for the 30" CRT I play it on. As a result have no use for an RGB mod atm.

The original PCE Duo's more often than not need a soundfix; I have performed this repair on 60% of the units I have owned.

I've never been a fan of the R or RX despite their better capacitors and relocated power supply.

but just IMHO. The RX controller is really second-rate and sticky compared to the Avenue Pad 6 .

If you want reliability, collectability, and cool-looking go for a boxed Duo-R and get yourself an arcade card, a tap, and a few Avenue 6 pad for the fighting games.

Don't pay more than $175-200 for the base boxed unit before shipping though. Some folks are selling RGB modded units on eBay for around that price.

termis · 07/20/2009, 08:06 PM

Taking looks aside, Duo-R probably would be the safest bet.

As far as looks go, that's up to you -- I personally like the first (black) duo and the original white PCE/CD-ROM2 setup. The only problem with the white units are that they can yellow over time, but there seems to be few tricks here which supposedly remedies that problem.

Sinistron · 07/20/2009, 10:38 PM

Everyone swears by duo-rs but I've never had any problems with a TG-CD- never had to get it fixed- never had a laser crap out, nothing- meanwhile a good number of people that I know who had or have duos have had to get them fixed at least once. I have a TG-CD with an ugly-ass diving board converter and it's a warhorse. Strong like bull.

Joe Redifer · 07/20/2009, 10:56 PM

My Turbo system is best. That's right, mine specifically. But it is a TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment Supersystem combined with a TurboGrafx-CD-ROM system. I haves me a purple card converter so I can play the stuff from Nippon and that includes the Arcade Card. I can still hear all of the audio on MY Turbo system!!!

CrackTiger · 07/20/2009, 11:30 PM

One of the reasons that the Duo R/RX is best is that in the unlikely case that you do need to replace the lens, which in theory should eventually happen to any CD-ROM, it's at least the easiest to obtain a lens for and replace.

TR0N · 07/21/2009, 12:14 AM

My stance still hasn't changed at all a (duo-r or rx) if you want it all in one.No worry's for the sound issue and it will play any game that is on cd.Unless you,want to play any game that is on arcade-cdrom then no problem there.Since the arcade card is easy to obtain.Also while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality. It's gears in the cd-rom can break and then you are stuck with a damn paper weight

Sinistron · 07/21/2009, 10:29 AM

Quote from: TR0N on 07/21/2009, 12:14 AMAlso while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality.

I must be living in a fantasy world then.

exile · 07/21/2009, 12:23 PM

I think the Duo -r is inferior to the visual style the Duo had, but at this point in my collecting life I need a system that will be reliable. My heart was broken when my system died. Worst part of all it was a boxed complete system. If anyone wants to buy a relatively clean box with all the inserts, one might be available real soon

I'm still bummed about my american system dying. Do you guys offer support group services?

esteban · 07/21/2009, 12:33 PM

Quote from: Sinistron on 07/21/2009, 10:29 AM
Quote from: TR0N on 07/21/2009, 12:14 AMAlso while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality.
I must be living in a fantasy world then.

As am I.

CrackTiger · 07/21/2009, 07:58 PM

I also have a flawed Turbo-CD drive, I just haven't mentioned it because it came with a work around and I don't plan on fixing it.

nat · 07/21/2009, 10:01 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/21/2009, 07:58 PMI also have a flawed Turbo-CD drive, I just haven't mentioned it because it came with a work around and I don't plan on fixing it.

Haha, that thing is still trucking along, is it?

CrackTiger · 07/21/2009, 10:05 PM

Quote from: nat on 07/21/2009, 10:01 PM
Quote from: CrackTiger on 07/21/2009, 07:58 PMI also have a flawed Turbo-CD drive, I just haven't mentioned it because it came with a work around and I don't plan on fixing it.
Haha, that thing is still trucking along, is it?

Other than playing it for the novelty, I also use it to output video for my PAL TurboGrafx.

TR0N · 07/21/2009, 11:51 PM

Quote from: Sinistron on 07/21/2009, 10:29 AM
Quote from: TR0N on 07/21/2009, 12:14 AMAlso while some have claimed the turbo-cd to be reliable not so much in reality.
I must be living in a fantasy world then.

Yup you sure are i'm still debateing if i should keep mine still...

M1Savage · 07/22/2009, 09:52 AM

I still have my original US turbo cd add on that I bought new. It has many hundreds (thousands?) of hours on it and many of those hours were spent testing cdrs back in the iso sharing days. Though a bit noisy at times, still works like a champ today. When I was selling used systems, I had less "dead" cd add on systems then I did Duos for whatever that's worth. If we're including the Japanese systems too, then the original white PC Engine is the best simply because it's just so damn cool.

esteban · 07/22/2009, 11:34 AM

Quote from: m1savage on 07/22/2009, 09:52 AM... then the original white PC Engine is the best simply because it's just so damn cool.

Yup, I have to clean mine up, but it is kool. Plus, I use it with a SuperCD, so there's no fuss about RF.

Unfortunately, you don't get to appreciate the full glory of the white PCE when it is docked, but there's something to admire about the (awkward) SuperCD + PCE combination.

Ichibanrei · 07/22/2009, 11:45 AM

My favorite has always been the Core Grafx 2 joined with the Super CDrom2. It just looks like it can take off and fly. My TG-CD drive is a mess as well, but I think with some time I'll get it back up and running.

esteban · 07/22/2009, 11:58 AM

Quote from: Ichibanrei on 07/22/2009, 11:45 AMMy favorite has always been the Core Grafx 2 joined with the Super CDrom2. It just looks like it can take off and fly.

Indeed, it does.

I swap out the white PCE for the CoreGrafx 2 sometimes, but since the Coregrafx 2 has composite video, I usually use it as a standalone, especially to bring over to folks' homes.

exile · 07/22/2009, 12:22 PM

If I buy the Duo-r will the reverse turbo tap work on it or do I need to buy a duo tap? What other compatibility issues do I need to consider?

blueraven · 07/22/2009, 01:07 PM

You need to get a duo tap.

It's going to run PC Engine controllers instead of TurboGrafx 16 controllers. I recommend the blue CG controllers and the avenue 6 instead of the Duo-RX controller, once again.

Some of the users here have modded theirs successfully to be cross compatible.

CrackTiger · 07/22/2009, 03:16 PM

Duo/PCE Taps are <$10, so it's no big deal.

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/22/2009, 03:34 PM

Screw getting a Duo Tap; get a wireless pad setup instead. Cords are for suckers!

CrackTiger · 07/22/2009, 07:50 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 07/22/2009, 03:34 PMScrew getting a Duo Tap; get a wireless pad setup instead. Cords are for suckers!

I like wireless pads for RPGs, but they're not the best for action intensive games since they have to be perfectly lined up to the receiver. Plus I don't think that they are any 6-button wireless pads out there.

Joe Redifer · 07/22/2009, 08:01 PM

I LOVE wired pads. No batteries to replace, ever. Always a perfect response as well.

exile · 07/23/2009, 02:17 PM

I wouldn't mind having a wireless pad are they difficult to attain? i have a modded duo tap but regular TG 16 controllers plug into it. Will that work on a Duo R? or as stated by another member I need to buy a Japanese Duo tap?

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/23/2009, 03:44 PM

Quote from: exile on 07/23/2009, 02:17 PMI wouldn't mind having a wireless pad are they difficult to attain?

I was being a bit facetious with my pro-wireless rant; I may like 'em, but I know they have drawbacks and ain't for everyone. That said, though a bit pricey, they're not hard to find. Rising Stuff has receiver/pad sets for $75 boxed ($65 loose) and $15 for each additional pad (only one receiver is required).

Fatality · 07/29/2009, 12:25 AM

Hey everybody I'm new here and I have some very very NOOOOOOOOB questions to ask so please don't kill me

I rarely know anything about NEC, but I do have a US TurboGrafx-16 that I love to death. I am about to purchase a PC Engine Duo-R and I just wan't to clarify on some things. The PC Engine Duo-R plays both American and Japanese CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 games right? Does it only play Japanese HuCards? Sorry for these Noob questions I was orginally going to buy a US Turboduo, but I read on a lot of game forums that the Turboduo has a tendency to lose its sound and that the PC-Engine Duo-R are more reliable is this correct? And I am also going to purchase Street Fighter II for it will it work with this system since the game is an import I believe so I don't need a converter card or anything like that. Thanks for the help and I really apologize for the Noob questions, but I had to ask because you guys are NEC Geniuses. Peace

TR0N · 07/29/2009, 12:39 AM

Quote from: Fatality on 07/29/2009, 12:25 AMHey everybody I'm new here and I have some very very NOOOOOOOOB questions to ask so please don't kill me I rarely know anything about NEC, but I do have a US TurboGrafx-16 that I love to death. I am about to purchase a PC Engine Duo-R and I just wan't to clarify on some things. The PC Engine Duo-R plays both American and Japanese CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 games right? Does it only play Japanese HuCards?

Games on cd region free while hucards are not unless a region switch is put in.

esteban · 07/29/2009, 02:31 AM

Quote from: Fatality on 07/29/2009, 12:25 AMHey everybody I'm new here and I have some very very NOOOOOOOOB questions to ask so please don't kill me I rarely know anything about NEC, but I do have a US TurboGrafx-16 that I love to death. I am about to purchase a PC Engine Duo-R and I just wan't to clarify on some things. The PC Engine Duo-R plays both American and Japanese CD-Rom2 and Super CD-Rom2 games right? Does it only play Japanese HuCards? Sorry for these Noob questions I was orginally going to buy a US Turboduo, but I read on a lot of game forums that the Turboduo has a tendency to lose its sound and that the PC-Engine Duo-R are more reliable is this correct? And I am also going to purchase Street Fighter II for it will it work with this system since the game is an import I believe so I don't need a converter card or anything like that. Thanks for the help and I really apologize for the Noob questions, but I had to ask because you guys are NEC Geniuses. Peace

First, welcome.

Second, you're in great shape.

Since you have TG-16 already, you should definitely purchase a Japanese Duo (-R / -RX might be most reliable) because then you will be able to play:

North American HuCards (TG-16 console)
Japanese HuCards (DUO)
All CD/SCD games (plus, you can purchase an Arcade System Card if you want to play ACD's)

QuoteArcade CD's:
               Battlefield '94 In Super Battle Dream
         Fire Pro Female Wrestling (WOWOW vs. JWP...
         Garou Densetsu 2
         Garou Densetsu Special
         Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire
         Jong Shin Densetsu
         Kabuki Itouryodan
         Mad Stalker Full Metal Force
         Madou Monogatari I Honou no Sotsuenji
         Ryuuko No Ken
         Strider Hiryuu
         World Heroes 2

Street Fighter II' is a Japanese HuCard, which you can play on your Japanese DUO. You probably will want at least 2 six-button controllers for Street Fighter II'.

Your plan is sensible: you'll have an excellent set-up for enjoying all the games, regardless of region. Go for it.

Don't hesitate to ask more questions.

Fatality · 07/29/2009, 03:01 AM

Thanks for the help TRON and esteban, greatly appreciate the your responses

Arkhan Asylum · 07/29/2009, 06:47 AM

You are also going to want to buy Insanity

dont forget that.

Don't fret the lack of 6 button controllers atm. You will get by fine without breaking your wallet trying to find an RX 6 buttoner. The Dpads on em are stiff anyways. What you want is the Avenue 6 pad!

Avenue 6 pads are cheaper and boy are the d-pads nice, but... in all honesty, you will barely get a use out of it unless you want to play fighters, and even then its not going to kill you if you don't have it. Some fighters only use 2 buttons !

You should be more worried about getting a nice, shiney Duo-R or RX!

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/29/2009, 10:46 AM

Welcome aboard, Fatality. Contrary to Arkhan's lunatic ravings, you'll definitely want to pick up a pair of 6 button pads and a tap; considering how cheap they are, there's no reason to play SFII without 'em (except on a GT). Besides, you'll need a couple of extra controllers for multi-player bouts in Bomberman and Dungeon Explorer.

Fatality · 07/29/2009, 12:06 PM

Yeah, it seems on ebay that the PC-Engine Duo-R's seem to go a lot cheaper that the Turboduos. My Price Range for the PC Engine Duo-R is around $250 and I see a bunch of them around that price. The Turboduo I see go for more than $400 on ebay. So I'm glad the PC Engine Duo-R is going more cheaper and it is known to be more reliable

Thanks for the response everyone, this is a great forum with a bunch of cool people.

Arkhan Asylum · 07/29/2009, 06:21 PM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 07/29/2009, 10:46 AMWelcome aboard, Fatality. Contrary to Arkhan's lunatic ravings, you'll definitely want to pick up a pair of 6 button pads and a tap; considering how cheap they are, there's no reason to play SFII without 'em (except on a GT). Besides, you'll need a couple of extra controllers for multi-player bouts in Bomberman and Dungeon Explorer.

Multiplayer? Whats that.

I guess you need friends for that!

exile · 07/29/2009, 09:05 PM

Damn Arkan, do you need a friend? I'll gladly be one so you wont face those enemied in solo play of D.E

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The best Turbo system