FieryReign
10-26-2015, 01:29 AM
Is there a site that has a list of PC Engine games that are easily accessible for English readers? I've bought random cheap Japanese games and it hasn't turned out well.
Since you asked. The Brothers Duomozov is the place for anything pcengine/turbo related, period. Not sure if they have a list of those specifics, but they've pretty much reviewed every pcengine game in existence. They let you know what is accessible for non japanspeakers and whatnot. I think they even have a few guides for import rpgs. But I'm sure someone else mentioned them somewhere here.
celerystalker
10-26-2015, 02:15 AM
The best pce sites are www.thebrothersduomazov.com, www.videogameden.com, and www.pcengine.co.uk.
Retronick
10-26-2015, 05:48 PM
Hey Bozle
I just recently went through what you're contemplating doing, so I thought I would share my experience.
First off, the reason I have a PC Engine is because of the Wii! I'll always laugh thinking about that. Last Christmas I was looking to mod a Wii to make it region free. You can do that, but it's actually part of a process that also allows for playing back-up disc's and roms/wads of games from the Wii's Virtual Console. Which coincidentally, has 59 titles available from the TurboGrafx-16 library.
I enjoy collecting complete video games for a hobby and have never played a back-up or a ROM in my life. I've also never paid for a digital game. But I remember giving this Wii mod a lot of thought and how tempting it was to have a free set of TurboGrafx-16 games. For testing purposes, you know. LOL
It was that temptation that made me realize how much I really wanted to "own" a PC Engine library and even though I knew next to nothing about it and heard it was crazy expensive, I set my mind to doing it.
Among collectors, I think getting a TurboGrafx-16 library would a damn site more impressive due to the cost and difficulty of acquiring games. But the reliability issues of US hardware was a real turn off. Does anyone recall a board member showing a complete TG16 collection? It must have been done, but I don't recall seeing it.
I decided to go for a Japanese PC Engine library instead. There were more games, they were cheaper and the hardware seemed a bit more reliable.
I started at GameFAQs and reviewed every single title and came away with a list of 250 PCE and TG16 games would make up my collection. It would include every shooting game, which I think best defines the consoles library.
Then I bought myself a boxed PC Engine console that had been modded to play both PCE and TG16 HuCards. I've seen these frequently on Ebay. CD games are region free and I thought I would prefer the Duo-R controller, so I started with a Duo-R console for CD games. Later I bought the Duo-X as a back-up system because it came out after the Duo-R and I hoped it might have less hours on it. Then awhile later still, a board member here sold me another Duo-R, so I think I'm good to go on thou's. I don't intend to recap anything until I actually have a problem. I'm not really expecting one.
You mentioned first game you planned on getting is Ys Book 1 and 2. The game I wanted first was Steam Hearts! I had the Sega Saturn version and very much wanted to see the original uncensored version. Speaking of censored versions, please take a look at having some of those Shiawase games!
I also picked up Ys Book 1 and 2 too and Y's 4. Very inexpensive.
I also grabbed both The Legend of Xanadu games, Xak I&II and be sure to check out Fray CD Xak Gaiden too.
The Tower of Druaga and the 4 Valis titles are also quite cheap and worth a play.
So let's talk cost :)
The PC Engine was popular in Japan, meaning the games and consoles are plentiful. There wasn't a single game on my list that I couldn't find several listings for and competition is good for price.
The Duo consoles weren't cheap, but they were all less that the cost of a new console - say a Wii-U. So I was reasonably comfortable with the cost of those.
I keep records of what I pay for games including shipping and I think you'll be happy to hear that many of my games were in the under $20.00 range shipped. And there were also quite a few that were $40.00 shipped.
Of the 241 games I've purchased, all but 28 titles were less than the cost of a new $60.00 game.
I've heard that Magical Chase for the TG16 can cost well into the thousands of dollars. The Japanese version I purchased was well under $300.00
And the most expensive game was Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire which was closer to $400. I saw several listings for clearly identified pirated copy's selling for nearly $200. Perhaps collectors want them for their notoriety and as a novelty item?
Where to buy>>>
I use a buying service to purchase Gameboy, Famicom and Super Famicom games on Yahoo Japan fairly frequently and am very comfortable using it. Yet strangely, not once was I able to beat Ebay prices after my fees for PC Engine games. Ebay was the cheapest, offered the best Buyer Protection and as an added bonus, gives a percentage of your purchase back as Ebay Bucks. I used my Ebay Bucks to purchase that Duo-X for next to nothing. Always use a world wide search because the PC Engine was popular in Europe too and I found some great deals with European sellers.
I go to work carrying a lunch pail, wearing blue jeans and steel toed boots. So I think you can imagine where I'm at financially. I paid for my collection by working weekends and working late and I'll be finished with my original goal within the year. This is very do-able!
I love real games. I always have. Examining the artwork on the box's and thumbing through the manuals is an incredible feeling and it gives me a great amount of satisfaction.
If you enjoy that too, you won't regret having a PC engine collection.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y231/spartacus34669/PCE%20Collection.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/spartacus34669/media/PCE%20Collection.jpg.html)
best of luck!
I might have just fallen in love with you ;P. Very well put, and well executed.
I personally have 2 TG-16s (one with the CD), a Turbo Express, and a Duo-R. The only issues I've had with U.S. hardware are the audio and video caps on the Express going (SURPRISE!), and that stupid gear that always goes bad on the CD which I have yet to replace. All in all, the U.S. hardware has been pretty reliable for the past 26 years.
Anyway, I agree with everything you've posted here and totally commend you getting that collection put together in this day and age!