I'm looking for good, English-friendly PC Engine games

[Simply Dave]

Okay, I finally got ahold of a Kisado converter and now I'm looking for good, English friendly PC Engine games to play on my TG-16. Any suggestions?

Also, if a thread like this already exists, please just point me in the right direction. Thanks!

[kupomogli]

I don't know if you also count English translated games, but anyways.

As for the PC Engine. I'd say Bloody Wolf, Devil's Crush, and Parodius are really good ones.

For PC Engine CD. Castlevania Rondo of Blood is great. I'm a huge CV fan and it's one of my least favorite level based CV games but doesn't mean the game isn't 5/5 to me.

[Simply Dave]

Thanks, I have Rondo and yeah it's f'ing awesome.

Also, I basically own a complete TG-16 set, so I'm just looking for great PC-engine games that never made it over here.

Dave

[gonzo90017]

Too bad VGDEn no longer exists. It was the best site for pc engine reviews.

[Simply Dave]

Too bad VGDEn no longer exists. It was the best site for pc engine reviews.


Damn, that sounds like just what I was looking for.

[erik]

Here are some good ones I have played:

Hu-Card
Bomberman '94
Salamander
R-Type I + II
Street Fighter II:CE
Atomic Robokid Special

CD
Dracula X
Gradius II
Spriggan

I haven't played much beyond the above mentioned games, but these are quite good indeed.

[Simply Dave]

Here are some good ones I have played:

Hu-Card
Bomberman '94
Salamander
R-Type I + II
Street Fighter II:CE
Atomic Robokid Special

CD
Dracula X
Gradius II
Spriggan

I haven't played much beyond the above mentioned games, but these are quite good indeed.

Hey, thanks for the lists. I'm going to look into those. I was just looking at Atomic Robokid here:

http://www.pcengine.co.uk/

This is a pretty interesting site.

[Cauterize]

Use the PC Engine Bible: http://www.pcengine.co.uk/
EDIT *Doh* you found it as I was writing my reply!

My recommendation is Don Doko Don :)

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=XJhvDpeJsXQ

[kupomogli]

The Legendary Axe series is another.

[CosmicMonkey]

Arcade Card Pro and one of the *ahem* reprints of Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire.

[c0ldb33r]

Second for Street Fighter II CE. If you can get your hands on a 6 button controller, it's a damn amazing conversion.

SFII CE turned out so well, I don't know why they even released the arcade card. SFII looks just as good as anything released with the arcade card.

[bust3dstr8]

I am guessing you want some Japanese only HuCards.....oh jeez where do I start.
Here are some of my favorites.

Final Soldier
Kunio Kun Dodgeball
Coryoon
Street Fighter II
Parodius
Salamander
Gradius
Jigoku Miguri
Bomberman 94
Kyukyoku Tiger
Tatsujin
Ninja Gaiden
Shinobi
Darius
Twinbee
Download
Side Arms
Valkyrie no Densetsu
Mizubaku Daibouken

[klausien]

This is (most of) what I have PCE wise, and they are all totally playable with zero knowledge of Japanese. Honestly, the only thing I would stay away from are Digital Comics, text-heavy RPGs & Simulation games, and Majhong of course (unless you are a fan). (Personal) Standouts are bolded:

Batman
Burning Angels
Download
Eternal City Toshi Tenso Kaikaku
Final Soldier
Gradius
Heavy Unit
Jimmu Densho Yakusa
Kaizou Ningen Shubibinman
Knight Rider Special
The Ninja Warriors
Override
Psycho Chaser
S.C.I. Special Criminal Investigation
Street Fighter 2 Dash
Volfied
W-Ring

I am a big shmup fan, and the Jp exclusive Hu Card Shmups, above all (for me), are recommended. All of them are good to great. Special mention must be made of Override and W-Ring. Both are underrated GEMS. The PCE Gradius is the best port (the music is ACE - better than the arcade original!) outside of the 32-Bit deluxe packs (& arcade versions).

I can't say enough about Batman. If you've played Trog or Fantasy Zone: The Maze at all, or just like Pac Man style maze games in general, you HAVE to get this one. It's EXCELLENT. There are some nice versions of the NES Batman tunes in there too!

All of these CD games are also totally playable (except for maybe the more arcane RPG elements of Flash Hiders - use a walkthrough) in my experience (Again, the bolded are personally recommended - I know, some are expensive):

Akumajo Dracula X: Chi No Rondo (SCD)
CD Denjin (SCD)
Download 2
Flash Hiders (SCD)
Garou Densetsu 2 (Fatal Fury 2) (ACD)
Garou Densetsu Special (Fatal Fury Special) (ACD)
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (ACD)
Gradius 2: Gofer no Yabou
Hellfire S
Juuouki (Altered Beast) (CDROM2 ver. 1.0)
Kabuki Ittouryodan (ACD)
Kaizou Ningen Shubibinman 3 (SCD)
Kaze Kiri (SCD)
Macross 2036 (SCD)
Martial Champion (SCD)
Mystic Formula
Nexzr
Psychic Storm
Rayxanber II
Rayxanber III (SCD)
Ryuuko no Ken (Art of Fighting) (ACD)
Seirei Senshi Spriggan
Star Parodier
Steam Hearts
Strider Hiryu (ACD)
Super Darius
Super Darius II
Valis: Legend of a Phantasm Soldier (SCD)
[b]Valis IV
World Heroes 2 (ACD)

All but the most cryptic of Action RPGs are playable on the PCE. I played through Ys IV a couple years ago with a walkthrough, and now there's even a translated version. Efera & Jiliora, the 2 Exiles (the second is actually possible, and cheaper of course, on the PCE), and the Xak games are also doable (and enjoyable) with a walkthrough.

Congrats on the Kisado BTW. I hope you didn't pay too much! I have a region modded Duo-R now, but used to have a regular US Duo before the sound died (I replaced the caps to no avail and PCM wouldn't even play. Dead chip or amp). I still have my (2nd) Kisado and can't bring myself to get rid of it again... but I digress...

PCE gaming (CD especially) is STILL where it's at (IMHO).

[tomaitheous]

As for Ninja Gaiden for the PCE, don't forget that you *can* change the language for the cinemas to English. For some reason you have to access the menu to change it via a controller input cheat code (i.e. hold down some buttons and press start sort of thing).

I have to 2nd or 3rd or 4th Parodius. I love that hucard.

They've probably already been mentioned but...

Bomberman '94
1943
Coryoon
Detana!! Twin Bee
Download
Dragon Egg
Gekisha Boy (Photo Boy)
Genji Tsushin Agedama
Hana Taka Daka!?
Jigoku Meguri
Marchen Maze
Metal Stoker
Override
Son Son 2 (it's basically a parody of Black Tiger :D )
SF2:CE
W-Ring
Youkai Douchuuki

[zektor]

You NEED a copy of the Digital Press Advance Guide. There are listings of all of the PCE titles in there and the ones that are English friendly are cleared stated. I cannot stress more how valuable this guide is for any collector of the systems contained!

Anyway, off the top of my head, great games:

Salamander
Street Fighter II CE
Twin Bee
Final Soldier
Armed F
Parodius Da!
Out Run
Afterburner II
Shinobi (many do not like this, I think while HARD it is GREAT!)
Tatsujin (Truxton)

I know many I have listed are shooters (my love, my life!) but there are MANY others that are just fantastic as well. Hundreds honestly. The system is one of the greatest to collect for in my honest opinion.

Finally, while having a converter is great (Kisado is the best adapter in my opinion) you should eventually look in to getting a real PC-Engine or equivalent down the road. I used adapters for years, and it just got so damn annoying. I also did not want the ruined authenticity of a modded console (had chances to get one of these many times) so I decided my best bet was a Supergrafx. I can play all of the PCE games on it and the small handful of SG titles created. And I don't have to fiddle with any adapter to do it. Again, to each their own, but something to think about if you are going to seriously collect and play these games on a regular basis.

[klausien]

Tatsujin (Truxton)

I know many I have listed are shooters (my love, my life!) but there are MANY others that are just fantastic as well. Hundreds honestly. The system is one of the greatest to collect for in my honest opinion.

Tatsujin (Truxton) MELTS FACES (thus the price tag). Really. The Genesis version of Truxton, though possessing a better aspect ratio and being a GREAT game in its own right, PALES in comparison to the PCE version. The PCE rev is the BEST outside of emulating (or FM Towns-ing) the original arcade game.

[zektor]

Tatsujin (Truxton) MELTS FACES (thus the price tag). Really. The Genesis version of Truxton, though possessing a better aspect ratio and being a GREAT game in its own right, PALES in comparison to the PCE version. The PCE rev is the BEST outside of emulating (or FM Towns-ing) the original arcade game.

And the sound is much better. Yes, you can get your Truxton fix rather inexpensively with a Genesis, but the PCE port is superior as far as I am concerned. It just feels faster/smoother...and that sound/music is wonderful.

[Simply Dave]

Thanks for the lists everyone! I'm making a list now of everything I want to get. Much appreciated.


Congrats on the Kisado BTW. I hope you didn't pay too much! I have a region modded Duo-R now, but used to have a regular US Duo before the sound died (I replaced the caps to no avail and PCM wouldn't even play. Dead chip or amp). I still have my (2nd) Kisado and can't bring myself to get rid of it again... but I digress...

PCE gaming (CD especially) is STILL where it's at (IMHO).

I'm not sure what too much is, but here is the one I bought:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230307960674

I'm also not sure what revision B means, but I've received the item and it seems to work okay, except for one of the games...maybe that game is just incompatible?

Dave

[Simply Dave]

You NEED a copy of the Digital Press Advance Guide. There are listings of all of the PCE titles in there and the ones that are English friendly are cleared stated. I cannot stress more how valuable this guide is for any collector of the systems contained!

Finally, while having a converter is great (Kisado is the best adapter in my opinion) you should eventually look in to getting a real PC-Engine or equivalent down the road. I used adapters for years, and it just got so damn annoying. I also did not want the ruined authenticity of a modded console (had chances to get one of these many times) so I decided my best bet was a Supergrafx. I can play all of the PCE games on it and the small handful of SG titles created. And I don't have to fiddle with any adapter to do it. Again, to each their own, but something to think about if you are going to seriously collect and play these games on a regular basis.

Yeah, I have the advanced guide, but so many of the listing are just so vague, and it doesn't really give out any information on if the game is any good or not.

Also, what is a fair price on a Supergrafx? I saw a completed one on ebay that was boxed that went for $255. Is that extreme or the norm?

Dave

[jcalder8]

If you're wondering about any game you can search for it here: LINK (http://www.pcecp.com/index.php?mode=catalog&action=normalsearch)

They will tell you if it's English friendly or not and most games have pics and reviews.

[bust3dstr8]

As for Ninja Gaiden for the PCE, don't forget that you *can* change the language for the cinemas to English. For some reason you have to access the menu to change it via a controller input cheat code (i.e. hold down some buttons and press start sort of thing).

Most people know the story from the NES game, but this has me a bit curious now. Thanks for the tip tomaitheous, I can't believe I missed this
for so long. :shameful:

[zektor]

Yeah, I have the advanced guide, but so many of the listing are just so vague, and it doesn't really give out any information on if the game is any good or not.

Also, what is a fair price on a Supergrafx? I saw a completed one on ebay that was boxed that went for $255. Is that extreme or the norm?

Dave

The $200 range is about normal nowadays. More expensive than a PC-Engine or Core Grafx, but the upside is that you are almost guaranteed to get the system in the box and virtually brand new. They never got a whole lot of playtime :)