Which PC Engine?

[Polygon]

I really want to get Castlevania Dracula X. The SNES version is pretty expensive and I hear it falls short to the PC Engine version that came out in Japan. I looked on eBay and any systems I could find were insanely expensive.

To be honest, I'm not even sure which system I can use to play this in the U.S. Can anyone help me out? Otherwise I'll just resort to the SNES version.

[Nescollector]

I bought a duo-r from this guy. RGB modded.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/doujindance/m.html?hash=item2eba5c1634&item=200695092788&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_trksid=p4340.l2562

It will play all US and Japan CD's ( the system is not region locked with CD'S )

This one is the better one to get, it's even HuCARD modded to except TG-16 games.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEC-PC-Engine-DUO-R-RGB-TG16-model-New-Lens-/200695092788?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eba5c1634

[Aussie2B]

You should check out this recent topic:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158966

On the subject of Rondo of Blood, it's actually a long perpetuated myth that the SNES game is some sort of inferior port of the PC Engine game. In reality, it's almost an entirely different game. It shares the same general plot and some other features, but this should be familiar territory to any Castlevania fan. Suggesting that the SNES game is the same game as Rondo of Blood would be like thinking the first Castlevania, the X68000 Castlevania, and Castlevania IV are all the same game, just because they're basically the same story being retold.

[Dire 51]

Thanks for helping to stamp that myth out of existence, Aussie. I've been doing my best to dispel it since I first got online, back in the late '90s - and still, it persists.

[Aussie2B]

Heh, yeah, some gaming myths just refuse to go away.

Oh, and in terms of playing Rondo of Blood alone, there are cheaper options. There's the PSP release of Dracula X Chronicles, which has both a (lame, in my opinion) 3D remake and the original. It's not quite as cool as playing it on PC Engine, but it's a good alternative. And if I'm not mistaken, I think Rondo of Blood is also available on the Wii Virtual Console.

[Gameguy]

As for playing Dracula X Rondo of Blood, there's no region lockout on the CD games so you can play them on any system including US ones. It's a Super CD-ROM game so you'll either need a Super System Card 3.0 to play it with a standard Turbografx CD-ROM drive or you can use a Turbo Duo which won't need any further add ons.

[c0ldb33r]

There's the PSP release of Dracula X Chronicles, which has both a (lame, in my opinion) 3D remake and the original. It's not quite as cool as playing it on PC Engine, but it's a good alternative.
With a PSP 3000, you could hook it up to a TV and use a ps3 controller, so this would be pretty badass :)


And if I'm not mistaken, I think Rondo of Blood is also available on the Wii Virtual Console.
Correct

[j_factor]

With a PSP 3000, you could hook it up to a TV and use a ps3 controller, so this would be pretty badass :)

You can't use a PS3 controller with the 3000, only the Go.

[Parodius Duh!]

I jock the PSP version. The 3d remake is a nice change of pace and pretty cool, also the original and Symphony of the night (With Maria as a playable character!) are unlockable and badass all around!

[XYXZYZ]

As I've said elsewhere, to get into Turbo/PCE CD gaming, you'll drop about $300 for the system. And Rondo of Blood generally goes for $120-ish.

420 is a magic number, so this is a sign from God for you to buy this stuff.:puppydogeyes:

[theclaw]

Indeed cheapskates get what they deserve on PCE. The entry level is RF only and no CD. Double whammy.

[Leo_A]

With a PSP 3000, you could hook it up to a TV and use a ps3 controller, so this would be pretty badass :)
You can't use a PS3 controller with the 3000, only the Go.

Except for Resistance PSP. You can output that to a television on a PSP2000/3000 while utilizing a PS3 controller. The PSP outputs video to the television while recieving control inputs from a PS3 via WiFi that is communicating with the PS3 controller via BlueTooth.

Too bad Sony never released an app that allowed similar functionality in other games. It worked extremely well with this game and it would've saved me from buying a Go and rebuying games as downloads (Controller support when using tv/out is the only thing the Go was good for).

[Kiddo]

As I've said elsewhere, to get into Turbo/PCE CD gaming, you'll drop about $300 for the system. And Rondo of Blood generally goes for $120-ish.

420 is a magic number, so this is a sign from God for you to buy this stuff.:puppydogeyes:

As I'm one who generally finds anything over $150 to be completely out of my league, I've been unable to get any Turbo/PC-Engine console variant for pretty much this reason. Even getting a working 2-slot NeoGeo MVS, a PC-FX and one of it's rarer games, or a next-gen console is more viable for me than getting a Duo. And I had $420 I'd probably end up saving it for a 64DD or a rare Satellaview game.

The Wii Virtual Console version is the way to go if you want the most accurate-to-the-original option; the PSP port needs to be unlocked within the remake, and by default is localized with translations and dubs. Which I prefer, mind you, just that it seemed like you were trying to go for the original experience if you were seeking out a Duo.

[j_factor]

Except for Resistance PSP. You can output that to a television on a PSP2000/3000 while utilizing a PS3 controller. The PSP outputs video to the television while recieving control inputs from a PS3 via WiFi that is communicating with the PS3 controller via BlueTooth.

Doesn't that require Resistance 2 for PS3?

[Tron 2.0]

Go for a,duor-r or rx best setup you can get since it has the 3.0 scdr card bulit in.Prices do very for dracula-x $100.00+ or more but by no means is it a rare game.

Still if you're put off by ebay prices try here polygon.
http://www.pcenginefx.com

People in the selling section do offer fair prices.

[Leo_A]

Doesn't that require Resistance 2 for PS3?

It may, it has been a few years since I played through it on my PSP3000.

Either way, it's just an interesting exception that doesn't change the main point that you were making.

[Kiddo]

Go for a,duor-r or rx best setup you can get since it has the 3.0 scdr card bulit in.Prices do very for dracula-x $100.00+ or more but by no means is it a rare game.

Still if you're put off by ebay prices try here polygon.
http://www.pcenginefx.com

People in the selling section do offer fair prices.

I've actually tried registering to their forums a couple days ago and I'm still pending. Do they think I'm a bot? Can anyone here help? My account is likely KiddoCabbusses there.

I kinda wanted to try getting a good deal on some PC-FX titles, if not getting a Duo..

[tpugmire]

I've actually tried registering to their forums a couple days ago and I'm still pending. Do they think I'm a bot? Can anyone here help? My account is likely KiddoCabbusses there.

I kinda wanted to try getting a good deal on some PC-FX titles, if not getting a Duo..

They take forever to approve accounts. I waited for months.

[Polygon]

Wow!

A lot of great information. Thanks for the reminder, I keep forgetting that they really aren't the same game. It does seem that this is going to get me about $450 in the end for just one game. I really like that second system that Nescollector posted up. New CAPs, lens, and complete in the box. However, I just don't know if there are a lot of other games that I would want on it. That's a lot of money to buy systems that I know I want or games for systems I already have.

I'm thinking it might be a better idea to get it on the virtual console. Does anyone know how close it is to the original? Is good port? If so, I think that might be the way to go.

[c0ldb33r]

It's probably perfect. I've not played it, but I'd be surprised if it wasn't exactly the same.

It probably doesn't make any sense getting a PCE/Duo unless you'd want the rest of the games on the system. I've got a few different PCE systems myself, but I love the game library (Bonk fo' life).

Are you a fan of shooters? If so, you may want to get a PCE regardless. It's got an astounding selection of great shooters.

[j_factor]

It does seem that this is going to get me about $450 in the end for just one game.

I really suggest you take another look at the Turbografx/PC Engine library. I think you'll find that there are a lot more games that are worth your while.

On the other hand, games for it are pretty pricey on average...

[Kiddo]

I'm thinking it might be a better idea to get it on the virtual console. Does anyone know how close it is to the original? Is good port? If so, I think that might be the way to go.

Virtual Console games are emulated, and import games left untranslated. Rondo of Blood on VC therefore would look identical to it's original release. From what I've read up on it, the emulation is perfect (Supposedly better than the PSP Chronicles release or earlier VC Turbografx-16 releases) so it should be a very good option for those want to play but can't afford the original hardware.

[theclaw]

Wow!

A lot of great information. Thanks for the reminder, I keep forgetting that they really aren't the same game. It does seem that this is going to get me about $450 in the end for just one game. I really like that second system that Nescollector posted up. New CAPs, lens, and complete in the box. However, I just don't know if there are a lot of other games that I would want on it. That's a lot of money to buy systems that I know I want or games for systems I already have.

I'm thinking it might be a better idea to get it on the virtual console. Does anyone know how close it is to the original? Is good port? If so, I think that might be the way to go.

You can easily get an RGB and USA card modded Japanese Duo under $250. Here's a recent sold example.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190621874903#ht_6228wt_1396

[Polygon]

Yep, that one is in the second post and if I were to get one is the one I would get. For me, the shipping was about $90. Then you pay about $120 plus shipping for the game. So, it would be just under $400 all said and done.

It's not that I can't afford it. It's just a large investment for one game. I'm going to get it on the virtual console for now. However, I've got a lot of information to help me because I do love shooters. That's one of the reasons I want a Saturn as well.

So, I'm going to put it on my list of systems I want and research the games. If I find enough games I want on it, I will buy it. And then I will buy the Rondo of Blood for it as well.

Thanks everyone for the help.