Got a TurboGrafx-16...what now?

[Tupin]

Got a TG16 with Keith Courage and an RF connector. It's a pretty fun game, but I obviously want to get better AV output and more games. I also think the CD add-on would be a good idea since it can play Japanese games and has an AV out, but it's pretty expensive and hard to find working, plus you need a CD card which is like $30 by itself. Any good games that aren't too hard to find?

[davepesc]

I got a TG-16 recently and just scoured ebay for good lots of games. I got 2 lots totaling 25 games including R-Type, Blazing Lazers, Galaga '90, Fantasy Zone, Dungeon Explorer, and Legendary Axe 2. All are must-haves, as is Military Madness.

Other good ones I got include Vigilante, Final Lap Twin (Play the quest mode", Bonk's Revenge, Bloody Wolf, Sidearms, and Raiden.

I'd like to find a CD attachment someday, even if just for ys, but I love the little thing just for what it is.

[tomaitheous]

Tupin: You're kinda taking the longer, more expensive route. Keep the TG16 as is, but don't go for the CD addon. Just get a Japanese Duo (to play CD games and Japanese hucards). The Japanese Duo with also play US CD games.

[Ace]

Stay as far away from the TurboGrafx CD as possible. I have never seen anything so unreliable. Trust me, I have a TurboGrafx CD, and every time I want to use my TurboGrafx CD, there's a gear that gets stuck. Said gear is well known for causing A TON of problems on the TurboGrafx CD as not only does it get stuck, but it also SHATTERS. If that gear shatters, your TurboGrafx CD is toast, as there is no replacement gear available. The only alternative would be to put in a completely different drive and cut away at the plastic inside the TurboGrafx CD's case. It's a major pain.

You should also be careful of the black PC Engine Duo. That one's notorious for leaky capacitors, and it's very likely that if you buy a black PC Engine Duo, a capcitor or a whole bunch of capacitors have leaked already, causing numerous audio, video and electrical problems. Plus, the laser has a tendency to run off its tracks and get stuck. If you get a Duo unit, get a PC Engine Duo-R or PC Engine Duo-RX. Those are more reliable.

[Arkhan]

Got a TG16 with Keith Courage and an RF connector. It's a pretty fun game, but I obviously want to get better AV output and more games. I also think the CD add-on would be a good idea since it can play Japanese games and has an AV out, but it's pretty expensive and hard to find working, plus you need a CD card which is like $30 by itself. Any good games that aren't too hard to find?


My suggestions: Get a turbo booster for your TG16. Then you get nice AV out, and stereo quality sound. Then, you are done with your US TG-16. The CD unit is hard to find in a good condition, and is pricey..... and that system card is rarely 30$. it's more like, 100+. So for the price you spend to get the US CD setup, you could just import a higher quality Japanese Duo-R

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEC-TURBO-GRAFX-16-TURBO-BOOSTER_W0QQitemZ120550762291QQcmdZViewItemQQptZVi deo_Games?hash=item1c1162a733#ht_500wt_975

You might be able to find one from a forum member cheaper...

Next, for CD games, you really, honest to God, are much better off importing the nice, sleek Duo-R or RX (RX is a bit pricier, same usefulness overall, just a different color than the R and sometimes comes with a nice 6 button controller). It will play Japanese HuCards, has that expensive system card built in, and will then play ANY cd or super CD game.

So you will be able to, between both systems, be able to play every Hucard, and every CD game. Your US TG-16 will basically serve as your US HuCard player.

The only thing left to do after that, and it is entirely optional, is to get an arcade card duo (only works on a Duo), or pro (works in any system), and play the few arcade CD games (Sapphire).

[Tupin]

Hm, I'll have to review my options. I'll definitely have to get some sort of booster, and I think I'll region mod it for Japanese HuCards as well. Then I'll look into the CD part of the equation.

[Emperor Megas]

Congratulations on getting one of the greatest consoles of all time. Perhaps I'm biased and extreme in my Turbo love, but if I were you I'd invest in a Duo model instead of a Turbo CD add-on. It's a better quality system and has the added convenience of an all in one console. It'll cost you a lot more, but it's definitely worth it, IMO.

[Arkhan]

Congratulations on getting one of the greatest consoles of all time. Perhaps I'm biased and extreme in my Turbo love, but if I were you I'd invest in a Duo model instead of a Turbo CD add-on. It's a better quality system and has the added convenience of an all in one console. It'll cost you a lot more, but it's definitely worth it, IMO.

not really going to cost that much more..... TG CD + Sys3 is like 200+$ usually!


duo-r's can be had for about 120$ + shipping.!!!

[Emperor Megas]

I didn't realize that the Turbo Grafx CD add-on and system card were that expensive. If that's the case then there's really no reason to bother with a TG16 CD unit, unless you want it just for the sake of collecting.

[UnpluggedClone]

Google 4 Gaga

[starsoldier1]

I definitely recommend getting a Turbo Duo. You have both the regular CD and Super CD support plus AV outlets too.

If you are looking for some good games I suggest ones like:
Air Zonk
Bomberman 93
Chew Man Fu
Devil's Crush
Dragon's Curse
Dungeon Explorer
Jackie Chan
Legendary Axe
Lords of Thunder
Ninja Spirit
Parasol Stars
Splatterhouse
Super Star Soldier
Y's Book I & II CD

Most of these games were fairly popular so they shouldn't be that expensive either. I also recommend Terraforming, Magical Chase, and Beyond Shadowgate but there prices are insane.

[Icarus Moonsight]

Until you land a Turbo Booster...

You can get A/V off the rear pin-out port. Just hack one end off a set of cheap RCA A/Vs and connect the wires from that to LED sockets and put the LED sockets on the proper pins in the back of the TG16. You can also tie a knot in the cable (so the knot will stop it from pulling on the connections) and run it through the AC cord slit in the back cover to make it look neater.

There is a thread here about it... Has better information. That's where I got it from, it was a while ago though. Check the Tech/Restore sub.

[Arkhan]

All you need is the TG16 the cd add on is awful as everyone else has said. But the TG16 is a very fun underrated system. And overall the games are not to expensive.

the CD addon for the TG is awful, but the CD library is definitely not. It is the best cd based game library EVER! :D


duo-r ftw! Get one.

[Arcade_Ness]

This is helpful for me as well, since I have a few TG-16 games, and I need to add more titles to my collection. I own a black Turbo Duo, which I had to replace the laser lens, clean the inside, get a replacement AC Adaptor, and a Mega Drive component video cable. All that just to get to play anything. Expensive system to get into indeed.

[pseudonym]

I've owned four Duo units over the years and none of them have failed yet. You should be alright with a regular Duo as long as you get one that was taken care of and/or refurbished, if you ever decide to go that route. Like the others said, avoid the stand-alone CD unit.

With imports, you'd be better off with the Duo R/RX units I think. Plus you can find the harder to find/pricier US titles cheaper on the whole with that method. A few like Dynastic Hero and Magical Chase are far cheaper in JP than the US versions of those games.

[UnpluggedClone]

Google 4 Gaga

[M1Savage]

I have my original CD add on unit that I bought brand new. It literally has thousands of hours on it and still works great. Back when I was selling used units, I had way more troubles with defective Duos then I did with the cd add ons. Just my observations, your mileage may vary.

[ConsoleAddict]

They say the Turbo CD is "easy to break and hard to fix" so I'm with these guys, don't even bother trying to find one. Either search for a Turbo Duo or, if you really want to play some of the Turbo CD games right away, just buy a Wii and download them from the Virtual Console store.

[tomaitheous]

Hm, I'll have to review my options. I'll definitely have to get some sort of booster, and I think I'll region mod it for Japanese HuCards as well. Then I'll look into the CD part of the equation.

If you're looking for a Booster Plus, then I'm not sure how much you'll pay for something like that. But if it's only plain Booster that you want, you don't even need on. You can make your own stereo and composite cables without hacking/opening/or modding your TG16. A simple CD pin connector for the old PC CD days will do (or USB block cables or other type of pin block connectors). If you're interested, let me know and I'll post some pics of how to do it.

[Tupin]

Anyone have any experience with multimods.com? I think I'm going to get the PCB region converter to make the inside less of a mess.

[Tupin]

If you're looking for a Booster Plus, then I'm not sure how much you'll pay for something like that. But if it's only plain Booster that you want, you don't even need on. You can make your own stereo and composite cables without hacking/opening/or modding your TG16. A simple CD pin connector for the old PC CD days will do (or USB block cables or other type of pin block connectors). If you're interested, let me know and I'll post some pics of how to do it.
Yeah, I would be interested.

[stargate]

I would just get your system modded for composite.

I have dealt with this guy, Dean, on a couple of occasions and he is good guy:

http://www.multimods.com/

As far as the CD and/or Turbo Duo, I agree that they are overpriced and prone to failure. Mine just crapped out on me.

[Tupin]

I'm doing the region mod myself and getting the PCB from him.

[tomaitheous]

I would just get your system modded for composite.

I have dealt with this guy, Dean, on a couple of occasions and he is good guy:

http://www.multimods.com/

As far as the CD and/or Turbo Duo, I agree that they are overpriced and prone to failure. Mine just crapped out on me.

Why get it modded for composite when it already has composite out on the back pins?

[Tupin]

Why get it modded for composite when it already has composite out on the back pins?
Exactly why I want to see how to make it.

I'm good with wiring and soldering, not so much on cutting holes in consoles...That's how my Jaguar got messed up. I probably should borrow/invest in a Dremel. Maybe if I get the Booster/an AV cable, I can just use the hole the RF switch is currently in, or even use the current switch.

[Tupin]

Is this it?:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119413

[Arkhan]

Exactly why I want to see how to make it.

I'm good with wiring and soldering, not so much on cutting holes in consoles...That's how my Jaguar got messed up. I probably should borrow/invest in a Dremel. Maybe if I get the Booster/an AV cable, I can just use the hole the RF switch is currently in, or even use the current switch.

You wont be doing much as far as cutting the console if you modify it yourself. The back of the TG where all those pins are, is where you can tap the composite out from.....

I prefer the booster as it looks nicer (matches and clicks on nicely), and the power adapter ends up back there too. which works out better for me shelf-wise....... but yeah, you CAN just diy it if you are tidy about it...by routing the wires so that it looks nice... or if you are untidy, as long as you don't mind having wires every which way.

Though for the trouble I'd rather spend the 10-20$ on the booster, myself!

oh, and yes thats the right thread. :)

[Tupin]

Oh, I'm going to get some form of booster. I was talking about doing a region mod. I want to get a booster first, then I can take the RF switch out and use the hole where it is as a region switcher rather than a Channel 3/4 switch.

[tomaitheous]

Is this it?:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=119413

Haven't seen that thread before, but sure.

And here's a better pin out -> http://www.gamesx.com/misctech/pcebp.php


Oh, I'm going to get some form of booster. I was talking about doing a region mod. I want to get a booster first, then I can take the RF switch out and use the hole where it is as a region switcher rather than a Channel 3/4 switch.

Remember, the Booster Plus (vs the regular Booster) gives you more than just stereo audio and composite out, it gives you backup (BRAM) for hucards to same game data on.

[Arkhan]

also don't forget the booster plus is harder to find and usually costs more. Thats money you could be investing towards a duo-r instead!

[Tupin]

Oh, I just want any sort of booster.

[Arkhan]

Oh, I just want any sort of booster.

go with the regular one then . Easy to find and cheaper.

[tomaitheous]

Oh, I just want any sort of booster.

then ...


Oh, I'm going to get some form of booster. I was talking about doing a region mod. I want to get a booster first, then I can take the RF switch out and use the hole where it is as a region switcher rather than a Channel 3/4 switch.

I'm not sure I understand your logic. If you're going to mod your system that much, why even get a booster then? Do you have the back cover to the original TG16? It looks the same as the booster. If you don't care about the save abilities of the Booster Plus, then I wouldn't even bother getting a booster at all, since you plan on modding it anyway (i.e. two opposing mentalities in thinking) . Unless... it's for collector value or something. Oh well, it's your money :)

[vintagegamecrazy]

A US Duo is fine too, I got a broken one and had oldschoolgamer.com repair it and region mod it. Well worth the money. Works pretty great, the only down side is that I had a Turbo Tap and four controllers and just now after like three years but it's well worth it. I don't know why NEC had to use different port sizes for the US original Turbo Grafx 16.

[Tupin]

Just found this:

http://www.gamesx.com/rgbadd/duorgb.php

I would much rather alter a booster than the system itself. With that page plus the diagram of the EXP port, I can add standard RCA jacks to a Tennokoe 2, which is easy enough to find. After that, a region mod.

[Arkhan]

A US Duo is fine too, I got a broken one and had oldschoolgamer.com repair it and region mod it. Well worth the money. Works pretty great, the only down side is that I had a Turbo Tap and four controllers and just now after like three years but it's well worth it.

Yeah but the thing is, if hes already got a way to play US Hueys, he can get an import for nearly the same kind of pricing, and be able to play Japanese hueys, and all the CD games. :D.



I don't know why NEC had to use different port sizes for the US original Turbo Grafx 16.

Cause in 'merica, BIGGER IS BETTER!


hey: OP:, I just realized, I have a spare booster if you maybe want to trade something? or somethin' like that.

You could slap that puppy on, get to playin , and not even worry about any mods to the TG-16.... and hold off for a duo-r :D

[tomaitheous]

Just found this:

http://www.gamesx.com/rgbadd/duorgb.php

I would much rather alter a booster than the system itself. With that page plus the diagram of the EXP port, I can add standard RCA jacks to a Tennokoe 2, which is easy enough to find. After that, a region mod.

You know the Tennokoe 2 is for the PCE, right? Even if you hack it fit the TG16, it's not going look like a complete/normal TG16 (which is what the US boosters do - they keep that look from the original+shell).

Also, do you realize what it takes to do a region mode on a TG16 to play PCE hucards? Go through all that work, but skip to a booster for the rest? Maybe it's just me, but that's a bit odd. Or are you missing the shell for the back of the TG16 and want a booster to make it look complete, like I asked a few posts back?

[Tupin]

No, I have a shell. Just want a booster, to keep the TG-16 as original as possible, I don't want to mod it.

[tpugmire]

also don't forget the booster plus is harder to find and usually costs more. Thats money you could be investing towards a duo-r instead!

Nevermind, found my answer...

[Tupin]

Arkhan: I sent you a PM about the Booster.