TurboGrafx 16 questions

[VinnyT]

Recently, I've found some old buyers guides and other magazines, and i've started to be intrested in the TurboGrafx 16.

1) Is it really hard to find, or do I just have to look in the right place?
2) If I do find one, how much should it cost(with all the connections and controllers)?
3)Does anyone have a picture of what a game cart for it looks like. I think it's a card though?

THNX im advance.

[AB Positive]

1) Not exactly an easy flea market/yard sale find, but on eBay you could get an unboxed system w/ hookups and such for $20 easy.

2) er, already answered.

3) Yes, they're cards unless you have a duo or a CD attachment, where they'll be CDs to use as well. Pictures:

here's a pic off an eBay auction to give you an idea:

http://i11.ebayimg.com/01/i/00/ff/70/ca_1.JPG

-AG

[VinnyT]

Thanks(again). When I really start collecting games and systems, this is what I wanted to start with.

[girth305]

I recently got into collecting for this system recently. I agree that ebay is your best bet. If you are thinking about picking up this system I would recommend that you start looking at auctions now to get a feel for how this system sells. The system itself is easy to get, but the games can get expensive if you are not careful. What worked for me was getting several system/game bundles. I got a pretty decent library and a few systems for a reasonable amount of money. I think its more expensive if you try to buy tg16 games on their own. Also decide whether or not you are looking for jewel cases or not as this will influence bundles you purchase. That was my experience with it, but research for yourself.

Take Care All!

[Gunstarhero]

Yes, its funny about the Turbo, in that its a very common system, but its not found in the wild hardly ever. It's definitely a good choice to collect for, alot of the games are reasonably priced, and it will impress you. You will want to consider buying a TurboBooster or Turbobooster plus with your console. The Turbo Booster will allow you to use standard A/V jacks with the machine, and that is important because the Turbo outputs some good Stereo Sound that you will want to hear. The Turbo Booster Plus is the same thing, except that it has memory capablities to store saved games and high scores. The latter is pretty expensive and doesn't pop up on ebay very often at all, I would imagine it sells for upwards of $50 these days...the regular TB will cost about $20...its a wise investment.

[Gunstarhero]

Well, there's not much to it, but you can check out our Top 20 TG-16 games thread right here:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1566

It will at least give you an idea of some of the good games to grab.

[Anthony1]

I think that a Turbo costs more money than 20 bucks on Ebay. I would say that a Turbo with all the necessary hook ups, is more like 30 bucks. You can get a Turbo without a power adapter, and with the controller plug stuck inside the controller slot for 20 bucks, but if you want one to have the power adapter and the RF cable, and a decent working Turbo Pad, I think it's closer to 30 bucks, when you factor in the shipping.

Here are some other things to consider about the TurboGrafx....

1. If you can find one for cheap that is missing a power adapter, then go ahead and buy it, because you can use a Model 1 Genesis power adapter with a Turbo, and those can be found for like 2 bucks at a GameStop.

2. I agree that a TurboBooster is an absolute must. You definitely don't want to use the RF cable if you can help it. The video signal, and especially the audio, is dramatically improved.

3. It's much better to try to get the Turbo games you want in an expensive lot that includes the system and the accessories. Trying to buy Turbo games individually can be incredibly expensive. I made a big mistake by buying the cheapest turbo package I could find. Then when it came to buying the individual games, I had to pay through the nose to get them.

4. The TurboGrafx-16 in RGB is freaking incredible! But you will need a RGB monitor, like a commodore 1084S-D1, and you will also need to have your Turbo modified for RGB output. But believe me, it is worth every freaking penny. You know that level in Bonk's Adventure, when he goes into the dinosaurs mouth? Well, when you see that in RGB on a RGB monitor, you will be totally blown away.

5. The "PC Engine Factor". The Turbo had some great games released stateside, but the best games never made it over. I know a guy that will mod your Turbo for both RGB output and PC Engine capabilities with a little switch on the back, for 50 bucks!

[digitalpress]

Don't buy a TurboGrafx-16.

Buy a PC Engine, or a CoreGrafx which by default works with A/V plugs instead of RF. It works fine with US/NTSC televisions and power settings and PC Engine games are more plentiful and most of the time cheaper to buy online (which is about the only place you'll find games for either these days).

You should be able to buy either system for under $50.

I'm a long-time PC Engine/TurboGrafx player (I even have the PC Engine LT), and believe me, it never gets old. The system and it's games have a personality that set it apart from others.

[maxlords]

Don't buy a TurboGrafx-16.

Buy a PC Engine, or a CoreGrafx which by default works with A/V plugs instead of RF. It works fine with US/NTSC televisions and power settings and PC Engine games are more plentiful and most of the time cheaper to buy online (which is about the only place you'll find games for either these days).

You should be able to buy either system for under $50.

I'm a long-time PC Engine/TurboGrafx player (I even have the PC Engine LT), and believe me, it never gets old. The system and it's games have a personality that set it apart from others.

I both agree and disagree with this. A LOT of collectors decide to get the US games over the Jp versions. Most of the US games were also released in Japan, and not a lot of them really require English.

So it's cheaper to buy the Jp stuff sometimes (not always) and there's a LOT more Jp stuff (at least 800 games) but some people really like having US versions when they can.

[digitalpress]

I get that, Maxlords, but what US games would you be missing if you were a PC Engine owner?

Aero Blasters+A68 (PC Engine), Air Buster (Genesis) = Aero Blasters
Punkic Cyborg (PC Engine) = Air Zonk
Kick Boxing, The (PC Engine) = Andre Panza Kick Boxing
Gunhed (PC Engine) = Blazing Lazers
Narazumono Sentou Butai (PC Engine) = Bloody Wolf
PC Genjin 3 (PC Engine) = Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
PC Genjin (PC Engine) = Bonk's Adventure
PC Genjin 2 (PC Engine) = Bonk's Revenge
Sohko Ban World (PC Engine) = Boxyboy
Chozetsu Rinjin Bravoman (PC Engine) = Bravoman
Be Ball (PC Engine) = Chew Man-Fu
Kung Fu (PC Engine) = China Warrior
Doraemon Meikyu Daisakusen (PC Engine) = Cratermaze
Adventure Island (PC Engine) = Dragon's Curse
Drop Rock Hots Hora (PC Engine) = Drop-Off
Galaga '88 (PC Engine) = Galaga '90
Jack Nicklaus Championship Golf (PC Engine) = Jack Nicklaus Turbo Golf
Kato & Ken Chan (PC Engine) = JJ & Jeff
Majin Eiyu Wataru (PC Engine) = Keith Courage in Alpha Zones
Makyo Densetsu II (PC Engine) = Legendary Axe II, The
Makyo Densetsu (PC Engine) = Legendary Axe, The
Nectaris (PC Engine) = Military Madness
Moto-Roader 1 (PC Engine) = Moto Roader
Ninja Spirits (PC Engine) = Ninja Spirit
Paranoia (PC Engine) = Psychosis
R-Type I/II (PC Engine) = R-Type
Genpei Toramaden Volume 2 (PC Engine) = Samurai Ghost
Kaizou Ningen Shubibinman 2 (PC Engine) = Shockman
Violent Soldier (PC Engine) = Sinistron
World Beach Volley (PC Engine) = Sonic Spike Volleyball
USA Pro Basketball (PC Engine) = Takin' It to the Hoop
Tora E no Michi (PC Engine) = Tiger Road
Time Cruise 2 (PC Engine) = Time Cruise
Blodia (PC Engine) = Timeball
Tricky (PC Engine) = Tricky Kick
Power League 3 (PC Engine) = World Class Baseball
Pro Tennis World Court (PC Engine) = World Court Tennis
Power Sports (PC Engine) = World Sports Competition

It's pretty well covered :)

[maxlords]

http://members.shaw.ca/tmstarke/bunnycake.jpg

You wouldn't be able to play:

Neutopia
Neutopia 2
Dungeon Explorer
Silent Debuggers

All those require English :) I'd also say a beginner to imports wouldn't be able to play Nectaris....fairly hard if you don't know the menus by heart. But overall, it's fairly easy to go with the PC Engine even for non-Jp speakers. Only a handful of the Jp cards are more expensive than their US counterparts (like Silent Debuggers where the Jp one can go for $50+).

[Lost Monkey]

Buy a US Duo and a Kisado and thank me later... LOL