Official TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine/Duo Thread

[digitalpress]

In the Retrogaming Roundtable continuing series of classic system homage... let us discuss the system that brought video gaming back from the grave.

I'd like EVERYONE who has ever played this system to give some input here, please.

Maxlords' recent post reminded me about how fascinated with this system I've been. The compact cards, the very eastern influence of so many of the games, the Turbo-Tap thrills, and the expandability! If you really want to appreciate the system get a TurboDuo and a converter to play PC Engine games... or a PC Engine Duo (most of the really good US titles were available in Japan but not the other way around).

So. You've probably played TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine/Duo. And if so, tell me:

- What is your favorite game on this system?
- What are some of your other favorites?
- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?
- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?
- How many games do you have for it?
- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?

Go time! Have fun with this, but by all means, share your thoughts!

NOTE: to jog your memory, here's our complete list of US games (http://www.digitpress.com/lists/tg16.pdf) and here is our complete PC Engine list (http://www.digitpress.com/lists/pcengine.pdf).

... and don't forget this forum's TOP 20 GAMES (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1566)!

Discuss!

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/bomberman93.gif http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/bonksrevenge.gif http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/splatterhouse.gif http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/blazinglazers.gif

[jhd7]

I'm totally new to the system.... bought a Turbo Duo with 9 games on Monday. Back in the day, I hadn't heard of it. In fact, when reading old video game mags just last year, everything "turbo" confused me... *grafx, *duo, *chip, and so on. But thanks to DP, I became infatuated and had to have one.

The prices of the games are still a bit high for me, at least compared to NES, so I won't be avidly collecting. Hopefully, I'll make time to play each one I have, then buy a new one every month or so. Now with four systems and hundreds of games, it's tough to focus!

On a related note... the ads in those old magazines didn't do the system justice. Too much white space, too small screenshots, etc.

[maxlords]

Darn! And I wanted to make the first reply!!!! Yeah...the TG16/Duo has always been a fascination of mine...from the first time I saw Splatterhouse and Military Madness on it, and still to this day. I've been collecting TG16/Duo (hereby referred to as TG16) since about 1997, when I got my first TG16 system from a friend for $20 with Military Madness. I playd it back in the day and my friend's house and I LOVED the few games I saw for it but I never had the money for the system. When he decided to sell his system finally (with a bit of nagging!) I was all over it! Believe it or not, it was several years before I got another game cause I had never bought anything online back then and so I was ONLY looking for games in the wild for it! And we ALL know how hard THAT is! But hell, Military Madness was worth it on it's own :) That's the game I got the system for.

Fast forward to 1999, when I decided that I wanted more games for the system. I love the huCard style and the controllers and I just want more. So I start looking into the system, and lo and behold there are like 800 games for it! Course, 3/4 of them are Japanese, but it seems like a LOT of them are good, so I immediately go out and buy a Duo for a whopping $300 and Castlevania Dracula X for $200 (yes really). And I love it! I'm instantly hooked on the system and I start amassing games for it at every turn! That's how I got into TG16. It's easily one of my top favorite systems ever, with the uniqueness of it's games, and the vibrance of their colors and designs. The biggest thing is that even the lame games are FUN on that system for some reason! I don't know waht it is about hte TG16 but a LOT of the games really have that fun factor to them! It's quite the system, and I encourage everyone to try it out!

As for DP's questions:

My favorite game on the system has to be Image Fight 2. I don't know why...I just love that shooter. It's brutally hard, most people hate it, and I absolutely love it! Some of my other favorites are:

Cadash: Only console version with all 4 characters!

Sylphia: great and really rare vertical fantasy shooter

Castlevania X: Rondo of the Blood: THE best Castlevania IMO! Only available
for import Duo, and absolutely amazing. It's a clasic style platformer too,
not like SOTN at all, but it does have multiple pathways and hidden levels
all through the game!

Exile and Exile: Wicked Phenomenon: 2 great action/rpgs with a decidedly
Middle Eastern flavor! And both from Working Designs (who got their
gaming start on the TG16!)

Far East of Eden Bomberman: A limited edition Japan only promo
game...basically Bomberman '94 with all the main characters from the
Tengai Makou (Far East of Eden) RPGs! :) Imagine Bomberman with
Kabuki Den riding a kangaroo! !

Lords of Thunder and Gates of Thunder: Two AWESOME side scrooling
shmups!

Military Madness and Neo Nectaris: Two of the best hex-based strategy
games EVER!

Panic Bomberman: Japanese puzzle game that you use decapitated
Bomberman heads instead of blocks! :) So funny!

Rayxanber II and III: Quite possibly the hardest shmups EVER made! I have
yet to have EVER seen the Level 1 boss on Rayxanber II.

Soldier Blade: Amazing vertical shooter!

Tenchi Wo Kurau (Dynasty Wars): Great Capcom horseback beat em up!

Ys 1, 2, and 3: Awesome action RPG series that's better on the TG16 than
anywhere else!

Currently, I have 60 games for my TG16 including CD games, as well as a couple of TG16 decks (one boxed), a boxed Turbo Duo, a Turboexpress (how many handhelds could play the console games too?!) and a convertor to play Japanese huCards on a US system, as well as a Duotap, a Turbotap, and stacks of controllers! :) Whew! Sorry to have ranted so long but I could talk about this system for DAYS straight! Hope my enthusiasm rubs off! I agree with DP..it's a unique and amazing system with an in teresting history, especially when you learn how many variations there were on it and how well it did in Japan!

[DDCecil]

- What is your favorite game on this system?

Probably good ole' Dracula X.

- What are some of your other favorites?

The Ys games (1-4), Parasol Stars, Puzznic, Zipang (Solomon's Key with a Samurai character and has some of the same levels), the Valis games.

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?

Surprised - Parasol Stars and Ninja Gaiden (They actually made this for the PC Engine? Who knew?)
Infuriated - Rock On (The story is Zero Wing-quality, but the game has poor hit detention and makes no sense!)

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?

I was at a store back in the early 90's and saw one, but wasn't really interested in it... I do remember trying Keith Courage out that day, a very strange game...

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?

I got a Turbo Duo back in 1995 with Ys 1+2, Ys 3, Cosmic Fantasy 2, Legendary Axe. Today, I have a Japanese PC Engine and a CD-Rom player hooked up to the interface unit accessory.

- How many games do you have for it?

Besides my missing Paraol Stars (Which I lost sometime in 2000), I have 2 US CD's (Ys 1+2 and 3, of course), 7 PCE HUCards, 13 PCE CD's featuring Dracula X, Ys IV, and Bakushou Yoshimoto No Shinkigeki (The strangest platform game ever made) .

- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?

- I once owned a Japnese Street Fighter 2 Championship HuCard, and it must have had a converter hooked to it, because it worked fine in our US Turbo Grafx system...
- I've owned Dracula X 3 seperate times.
- When I played Ys 3 for the first time on the Turbo Grafx, I was thinking, it was just going to be exactly like the SNES/Genesis versioins. I put it in and the soundtrack blows me away, and officially becomes my favorite soundtrack of any game, ever.

[Ascending Wordsmith]

- What is your favorite game on this system?
It would have to be Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure (CD version). It's the only Bonk game where two players could play together. Plus the game didn't slow down when both players' Bonks grew to HUGE proportions. The game also had great music and a small versus challenge where players could compete against each other.
http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/bonk3.gif
Bonk has grown just a tad ;) A second player could join in with another Bonk and grow huge too, without the game slowing down or glitching!


- What are some of your other favorites?
The hero of River City Ransom (Riki Kunio) also has a soccer game for the system called Nekketsu Soccer. It's a neat little game where Kunio and the gang play soccer against other Japanese, and other international high schools.
http://www.vghq.de/www.pcengine.de/pixs/games/nekketsu_koko_soccer_cover.gif

Another game I enjoy is Ane-San. It's an all-female beat'em up. These girls are pretty rough looking, but they have some kick ass combination moves!
http://upce.netfirms.com/anesan/Cd_a260.gif
9 times out of 10, an ugly girl can beat the shit out of a prom queen.


- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
Strip Fighter II seriously got on my nerves due to the cheesy AI. The juggling technique is total lunacy when the machine uses it, but I eventually prevailed.
http://screenmania.retrogames.com/pce/01/pce_029_11.png
Flight of the Flaming Eagle... will be used against you 37 consecutive times.


-Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?
Bonk's Adventure was the first game I saw on the system. It was very cool to see the colorful graphics and the cartoon-like characters. Then Bonk's Revenge came out with even more characters, and even more colors!
http://www.classicgaming.com/museum/tg16/bonk.gif http://www.nemoprod.net/emu/console/pceshot/bonk2.gif
Bonk's Adventure was great, then the even more vibrant Bonk's Revenge was released. It was a great moment for me. :)


- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?
I own a Turbo Duo now, but sadly, I didn't own the Turbo Grafx-16 back when it first came out. But I'm still glad there are people out there, hanging onto their systems. It's a great tribute to a remakable console.
http://www.futuremovies.co.uk/whatconsole2/images/turbo_duo.gif


- How many games do you have for it?
Counting PC Engine games, I have about 25 games.


- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?
I've been collecting Bonk games, spanning across many systems because of the Turbo Grafx-16's ability to make them look so good. I've got every American Bonk game ever released, all of which are complete. I'm only three games short of having every Japanese Bonk (PC Genjin) game ever released. The ones I'm missing are all Japanese Gameboy games.

[furor]

- What is your favorite game on this system?
Bomberman '94 (Best Party Game Ever!!!)

- What are some of your other favorites?
Parasol Stars, Splatterhouse (PC Engine), Dracula X, Military Madness, Dungoen Explorer's 1 and 2, Galaga '90, Dragon's Curse, Final Lap Twin, Full Court Tennis, Y's 1-3 and the list goes on and on....

- What games surprised you?
Vigilante - Finished it in 45 minutes first time playing it...real disappointing.

-Infuriated you?
Deep Blue - Need I say more?

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?
Back in September of 1989 in Wooddale Illinois at my first day of work at NEC. I saw Legendary Ax and was just blown away as to how awesome it looked and sounded. I knew I was going to enjoy my new job.

- Did you own the system "back in the day"?
Since I worked there I had a system before they were even in stores.

-How about now?
Still have it today.

- How many games do you have for it?
Around 100+

- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?
I worked at the Turbografx helpline and it was always a pleasure talking to all of the pissed off parents who were wondering why our helpline phone number was on their phone bill.

[ghsqb]

As far as my experiences, I never had a TG16 "back in the day".
I picked one up about 6 months ago, as part of my collecting hobby, and I can honestly say that the system has really impressed me.

Understanding the era in which the system was released, it surely was quite the system in its day.

Two games that surprised me, was Splatterhouse, for its graphics and gameplay, and TV Sports Basketball, because of the surprising depth of the gameplay, substitutions, stats etc.

That game really strikes me as revolutionary for its time.

I only have a few games for this system but the ones I do have I really enjoy.

I intend on picking up a Turbo Express and a Duo in time.

If you haven't tried a TG16....do so, its a great classic system

[Asylum Seeker]

Well I don't have one - I used to have a Turbo Express but that went up in smoke and only had the chance to play Dungeon Explorer a few times, a game that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Now I have been trying to get a TG16 or Duo but don't really want to pay Ebay prices and despite my better efforts in the Buying and Selling forum my search has proved fruitless.

Can anyone please help????????????

[digitalpress]

My turn!

- What is your favorite game on this system?

This is ALWAYS the hardest question for me, so I always default to "which game do I still play the most on this system", and the answer to that is BLAZING LAZERS (Gunhed on PC Engine), which I think is not only my favorite game on the system, but my favorite SHMUP of all time. Just right for me in terms of diffibulty, the graphics are dazzling, and the power-ups are so... POWERFUL! I love this game.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/blazinglazers.gif

- What are some of your other favorites?

I love the penguins-turned-Bombermen in TRAVEL EPURU, the flying Bonk in AIR ZONK, and the Gauntlet-gone-RPG DUNGEON EXPLORER, but there are so many other favorites, lots of terrific shooters and surprising RPG games on HUcards! The TSR gold box-style game ORDER OF THE GRIFFON is incredible in what it achieves on that tiny credit card chip!

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/airzonk.gif

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
The aforementioned ORDER OF THE GRIFFON, being a fan of the gold box series and AD&D in general. Also the multi-player capabilities of the TurboTap, especially BOMBERMAN (where I was introduced to the series), the TV SPORTS and MOTO ROADER games.... mmm. Must. Kill. Friends.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/orderofthegriffon.gif

There were a few duds, I was particularly infuriated with DEEP BLUE. A game with so much potential and stunning graphics (a shooter with mechanical fish! Finally!) gone terribly wrong. That Bravoman game was pretty stinky too.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/deepblue.gif

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?

It was KEITH COURAGE, on display at a Toys 'R Us. I was trying to make a decision between Genesis and TurboGrafx-16. Genesis won (I never DID like Keith Courage), but very shortly afterwards, I went back and got the TurboGrafx-16.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/keithcourage.gif

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?

Sure did. I didn't own a Duo or the CD-ROM expansion when THEY came out, however. But I started collecting TG-16 early which is a good thing, I don't think I would have been able to complete my US collection otherwise.

- How many games do you have for it?

All of the US games, complete even! I got the final piece of the collection, the cardboard box for Magical Chase, from our admin "retrogmr" in 2000. I've also got several hundred PC Engine games. I haven't counted them or even played them all yet, I just snag them whenever someone's got them to snag.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/magicalchase.gif

- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?

My friend John and I got a lot of mileage from TV SPORTS FOOTBALL. We got so good at the game that we figured out all of the "can't miss" patterns, and got to the point where we'd play against the computer and win by insane scores like 191-0. It was fun getting there but I haven't gone back to play since.

http://www.digitpress.com/dpsightz/turbografx/tvsportsfootball.gif

[Nature Boy]

Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?

Well, back when it was new I was 18. Being the typical poor student I didn't own *any* consoles, let alone one as new and expensive as TG16.

But one of my buddies did. He was blown away by the graphics and he always had money so he picked it up. So even though I didn't own one I got to play it quite a bit.


What is your favorite game on this system?

Well, my fondest memories are of playing Moto Roader. The guy who owned the TG16 had two brothers, so the 3 of them, plus me, plus another guy got together quite often and played this sucker to death. There's nothing like a good 5 player game. Plus I was pretty damn good at it so that helped :)

What are some of your other favorites?

My buddy also had R-Type, Bonk, and Dungeon Explorer which I thought were cool. Especially Dungeon Explorer - being a Gauntlet fan it was the closest I'd come to playing a decent facsimile of it.

How many games do you have for it?

One. I'm dying to find others but they're impossible to come by cheaply (I'm not quite ready to order them online yet). I'll cave at some point though - and I'll probably get the four listed above first :)

[Captain Wrong]

I don't really have a lot too add, I guess. I like the system, a lot. Being cheap has really limited the number of games I own, however.

I didn't have one back in the day, but I remember seeing it at Babbages and Video Concepts. About that time, I was starting to get bored with the NES. Of course, a little while later, I was introduced to Altered Beast and the Genny port, and quickly forgot about the TG-16. (Can anyone tell me why this game was so cool, back in the day? Playing it now, it just seems boring!)

When I finally got one, I have to say I was impressed by the quality of the graphics. They just have a look to them. I can't describe it, you have to see them, but in my mind, I'll take the TG-16 over the Genny and SNES in the graphics department.

As for number of games and whatnot, I'm at 8, and have been for a looong time. I can't bring myself to eBay prices and rarely do people have anything other than a Keith Courage their willing to trade. Some day tho...

Fave games? Well, I've played a lot through emulation and I really love the Pinball games. I've always had a soft spot for video pinball, back to the 2600, and they really did it well on the TG-16. I also love the large variety of Puzzle type games. Man, I can't even think of the names, but almost everyone has been a winner.

It might suprise those of you who know my gaming interests, but I'm not too enamoured of the shmups on here. Not that they're not quality, but just my fave style of shump (top down manic) wasn't really popular at the time the TG-16 was kicking. That being said, Spriggan is impressive. That's the one that's really impressed me. The rest I can play, but they aren't really my speed.

Hmm...for not having much to say, guess I did after all. LOL I really enjoy what I have of this system and would love to get more, if I had the funds. :(

[hamburgler]

When did you decide that you wanted to get the system
After playing Bonk adventure's and Legendary axe at my friends house,I decided that i really wanted one.

What was you favorite games for the system.
Bonk's adventure
Bonk's revenge
Bonk 3:bonk's big adventure
Neutopia
Neutopia 2
Legendary axe
Time cruise
Alien crush
Devil's crush
Y's 1 and 2
Tv sports hockey
Tv sports basketball
Splatterhouse
Air zonk
Y's 3
It came from the desert
J.B Harold murder club
Riot zone
China warrior
Ninja sprit
Final lap twin
Bomberman
Bomberman 93
World sports competition
Power golf
Aero blaster
Soldier blade
Dungeon Explorer
Klax
Blazing lazers

[Goblin]

- What is your favorite game on this system?
Sadly since the only games I own are Sinsitron and Keith Courage, I vote Sinistron.

- What are some of your other favorites?
I love Raiden on every other system, so I see no reason I wouldn't like it here.

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?
My friend Brian had the CD system, and the only game I remember seeing at his house was Sherlock Holmes. While I wasn't impressed with the game itself, I think it was the first game I ever saw with video incorporated in it. So that was very cool.

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now? I own one now, but didn't back in the day. I was always intrigued by the Hu-cards. I mean who wants to deal with a cartridge when you can get a cool card. I dreamed about ditching my gameboy and upgrading to a turbo express. I never did get one, but I'm looking for one now (so PM me!). I tend to get more play out of portable systems.

- How many games do you have for it?
Only 2. Doh!

[Bratwurst]

- What is your favorite game on this system?

That I own? Bonk's Revenge, easily.

- What are some of your other favorites?

Keith's Courage (Yeah, I actually like this one, :D ), Dragon Spirit, Magical Chase. Magical Chase would probably actually be my primary choice, but it's so beyond my financial range right now, I doubt I'll ever own it even if I could afford it.

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?

Sinistron because it gets impossible right at the third level.

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?

My grandmother borrowed the TG-16 + CD add-on unit and some RPG from one of her 20-something gamer contacts back in the early 90's. Had humanoid felines in it, could probably look up the name for it but don't care to, really. All I remember at the time is that I was blown away by the use of animation/video in a game and how large their mouths got when they talked.

Later on I also spotted the unit running Air Zonk in a Toys R Us and played it for a bit.

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?

No, in my area it was just about an impossibility. Now? Heck yeah. Love that thing.

- How many games do you have for it?

Four, all acquired from the 'net. Hope to increase the library over the coming year.

- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?

When I was younger I had a boxed copy of Order of the Griffon but no TG-16. Thinking I would never be able to get ahold of the system I simply gave it away, since this was before the internet and certainly before Ebay. Alas, it would have made great trade bait, eh?

[le geek]

Let's see...

I didn't own one until a few years ago (I traded a Japanese pink hello kiity dreamcast for a duo, express and about ten games) which was my first experience with the system.

I have:

Alien Crush (M)
Ballistix (M)
Bloody Wolf (M)
Bonks Revenge (M)
Boxyboy
Chase HQ (M)
China Warrior (M)
Dungeon Explorer (M)
Fantasy Zone
Galaga 90 [4]
JJ and Jeff (M)
Keith Courage (M)
Ninja Spirit (M)
Pac Land
Parasol Stars (M)
Raiden [4]
Side Arms (M)
Splatterhouse
Super Volleyball
Time Cruise
Veigues Tactical Gladiator (M)
Victory Run (M)
Vigilante
World Class Baseball (M)

Y’s Book 1+2 (M) [4]
R-Type Complete (M)

Of what I have my favorites would be Alien Crush, Ninja Spirit, and Splatterhouse.

I hope to review some turbo games for my website someday, but I don't have enough experience with the system yet to be critical.

tops on my want list are Dracula X, Devil's Crush, and a PC-engine converter.

Cheers,
le geek

[retrogmr]

Well, I would post a long, rambling comment in this thread... but rather than do that.

<shameless plug>
Read my intro to the TG-16 section of DP 7!!
</shameless plug>

And if you don't have one, send Joe an e-mail and pick up a copy. GREAT covereage on Turbo stuff :D

[Gamereviewgod]

- What is your favorite game on this system?
CD-Dracula X, no question. Godzilla is a close second. As for the Hu-card, I love Blazing Lazers and Bloody Wolf.

- What are some of your other favorites?
Legendary Axe 1 & 2 were both classics and still are. You can't forget Splatterhouse!

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
Deep Blue. I'm actually blaming Joe for this one. In the guide, he put down that it was a shooter. I love shooters so I bought it off of E-bay using BIN for $14.99. Granted it's a shooter, but there should be more warning. This is one of the WORST 16-bit games ever released. That little negative sign doesn't say enough.

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action?
What game was it? What was your reaction?
No I don't. I probably had seen it at some point when I was younger, but I don't remember. When I bought the console, Bloody Wolf was #1.

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?
Never got it until about a year ago and have since upgraded to a Duo.
- How many games do you have for it?
15 or so CD, 20 or so Hu-cards.

- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?
See above for the "Deep Blue" incident. Nuff said.

[Zaxxon]

I was wondering if emulators like Magic Engine have lessened you TG-16 collectors desires to keep collecting any? I notice how unusually high TG game prices seem compared to other older classic systems. Why the heck has NEC been just sitting on their asses all this time with the rights to all these ROMS and the systems when they could have been releasing emulated game packs, ala the Arcades Greatest Hits series, for years now?

[digitalpress]

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
Deep Blue. I'm actually blaming Joe for this one. In the guide, he put down that it was a shooter. I love shooters so I bought it off of E-bay using BIN for $14.99. Granted it's a shooter, but there should be more warning. This is one of the WORST 16-bit games ever released. That little negative sign doesn't say enough.

Dude, in the description of that game, specifically "Santulli Slant" it states QUITE clearly that this is one of the worst games ever made. No way you can blame ME of all people for buying it, I'm one of the people telling everyone NOT to (unless you're collecting, specifically).

So there. :P

[geelw]

great topic you have here- i actually dropped what i was doing, grabbed my crate o' pc-e/tg-16 games and spread the all over the floor to count and consider:

- What is your favorite game on this system?
it's a tough call, but for now, i'll have to go with gotzendiener or dracula x,

- What are some of your other favorites?
double dungeons, bonk's revenge, dungeon explorer II, flash hiders, cosmic fantasy 2-4, exile/exile 2, linda cube, vasteel, neutopia, cadash, download 2, dead of the brain, volfiev (qix), louga, hellfire s, dynastic hero, macross 2036, space cruiser yamato, blood gear, lord of wars, psychic storm, star parodia, travel epule, all the far east of eden games, snatcher, and i'll stop here or else, i'll end up goin' on forever...

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
the big "shocks" were exile (seeing the more "adult" enhanced story over the genesis version, which i played numerous times- i still like the genny's main title arrangement better!) and how much i hated y's I & II- not that they're bad at all- i just expected a lot more based on what folks were telling me about them, lol) also, gotzendiener is amazing for an import game, as you don't need a lick of english to play and enjoy it (it's too short in the end, but it's worth the ride- in a way it reminds me of ico...) also, keith courage had a really bad rap back in the day with too many folks- i avoided it myself, but one day i just shut up and played it- it's quite the cool little game!

games that made me NUTS: riot zone (ugh), fighting street (so incredibly...),
deep blue (sold it the same day i bought it), rock on (yeesh), and a couple of
areas in efera and jiloria (attack a townsperson by mistake, and see what happens). not to mention the jumping in exile II (boss fights..painful), strip fighter II (ouch), golden axe, and forgotten worlds, among others...

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?
oh yeah. i bought a used duo, exile, cosmic fantasy 2, vasteel, and magical chase in one shot. i popped in exile as soon as i got home, and played the game from start to finish in one looong sitting (about 12 or so hours, including an unplanned nap, lol)

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?
wayyyyy back in 1993 or 94, i actually saw a stack of tg-16's (marked down to $50) in a kaybee and passed on buying (and the stack of turbo expresses behind the counter) because i was a sega snob at the time (and i wanted a jaguar, lol). my duo was the 8th system i got, and it appealed to me once i found out that it would play most import cd games without any modification (it's a 3.0 model). i later picked up a pc-engine core grafx and a turbo express to take care of my import/on the road needs (but i've never taken my express outside, lol). all i need now is a pc-engine cd attachment for the small amount of arcade card games i have (got the card already)...

- How many games do you have for it?
about 180- (135 import, 45 u.s.)

- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?
hmmmm....see above, lol...actually- i find that a LOT of titles appeared on this system BEFORE they became popular here on the genesis/md and snes/super famicom, and i wonder what would have happened if NEC had brought over more of those games and had enough bucks to actually promote them?

[jaydubnb]

I love the TG16/PC Engine family of games/consoles! I have more games for the PC engine than for any other system primarily because the PCE/TG16 is THE home for shooters.

- What is your favorite game on this system?
This is gonna be a hard one, BUT I'm thinking Winds of Thunder. Awesome music, awesome graphical style, awesome powerup system. Gates usually got more press, but i think Winds is a better overall title.

- What are some of your other favorites?
Ourun, Devils Crash, Bonks Revenge, Gates of Thunder, Ys Books I + II, Dracula X, Gunhed, SF2, the Far East of Eden fighting game, Super Star Soldier, Star Parodia, and Download 2.


- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?
I was actually surprised that Download 2 was such a good shooter and that Dracula X and Devils Crash actually lived up to the hype! Bonk's Big Adventure was a disappointment though, because it was wayyyyy to easy and wasnt as big a jump over Bonks Revenge, as Revenge was over Bonks Adventure.


- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?
The first time I saw a TG16 in action outside of a coimmercial was on a tech show here in NYC which was doing a holiday preview...and they were touting the power of the system and playing Legendary Axe , i believe.

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?
Owned a TG16 back in the day but sold it to purchase a SNES. But now I own a sexy lil PC Engine Duo-R unit :)

- How many games do you have for it?
Around 15-20, mostly imports. I have a few cdrs of expensive titles like Sapphire, which i dont count as "games owned".


- Any stories surrounding the system that you can share with us?
Yeh, It rocks. Nuff said :)
http://www.geocities.com/jaydubnb/pce.html has some of my fave games and a breif history of the pce.

[geelw]

I was wondering if emulators like Magic Engine have lessened you TG-16 collectors desires to keep collecting any? I notice how unusually high TG game prices seem compared to other older classic systems...(snip)

the answer, for me is NO. part of the joy of collecting is seeing the awesome artwork and extras that come with some pc-e games. magic engine? feh! i saw it in action once, and was impressed not a whit. also, prices have actually gone DOWN lately for most stuff. the biggest game always seems to be dracula-x, with the occasional rare store demo cart fetching premium prices.

another thing to consider is that this system had the first cd-rom based add-on for a home platform (in terms of console gaming), and it later became a combined system, beating sega by what, 2 years? so some of those prices make sense, from a historical standpoint (whatever the hell that means, lol)... :D

[maxlords]

- What is your favorite game on this system?
This is gonna be a hard one, BUT I'm thinking Winds of Thunder. Awesome music, awesome graphical style, awesome powerup system. Gates usually got more press, but i think Winds is a better overall title.

Isn't Winds of Thunder just the Japanese version of Gates of Thunder?

[BenT]

Close. JPN Winds of Thunder == US Lords of Thunder.

[maxlords]

Oh...duh :) Brain fart. Sad thing is I knew that........

I'd agree tho...I like Lords better than Gates. Something about those awesome armor designs maybe....

[BenT]

I didn't like either one much at first, but really got into Gates after I started playing it for score. I like its TF3-ripoff gameplay much more than Lords's health meter / money collecting weirdness.

[maxlords]

LOL! When I read "score" I thought musical score and was thinking how much I agreed! Go figure. I actually liked both games so much I made a shooter compilation CD from the music....burned my favorite songs from Gates of Thunder and Lords of Thunder all onto one CD. Conveniently, if you pop a TG16 CD into a CD player, ALL the music tracks are playable on any CD player, cause they're done just like CD music tracks. Just don't play track 2 (or was it 3?) cause that's where all the data is. I've also burned the music from Image Fight 2, Nexzr, Download 2, Exile, and Exile: Wicked Phenomenon to CD :) Yay!

[AB Positive]

Well, I've been jonesing for some TG-16 Klax and Bomberman '93 action lately so I thought I might make this discussion. If there's a thread like this already (I couldn't find one) I apologize and feel free to delete this one.

However I absolutly loved my TG-16. I got it for $15 new at TRU with Bomberman and Yo 'Bro, of course getting Keith Courage for free. Let me tell you, I think KC:AZ is a very very underrated game, as I absolutly love it. Also, the first Bomberman was one of my favorites. My friend James and I would play it (remember, we were 10 at this point) and always chant whenever we bombed an enemy that could walk through walls...

*cough*

"The ghosty with the mosty has just turned into toasty"

yeah. we were dorks. But the seed of bomberman love was planted right there.

I'd love to see if anyone else had a great TG-16 story.

-AdamG

[maxlords]

My first experience with the TG16 was good old Military Madness. That's what my buddy had for it when I came over to play, and we'd always sit down for a round or two of two player MM. Killer game....singlehandedly made me love strategy games :) Later on, I ended up buying a Duo online, and now I have stacks of TG16 and Duo games lying around! Yay!

[zektor]

I purchased a Turbografx the day it was released. I was the first kid in my town to have it :) I remember looking at a few magazines speaking about the PC Engine and how awesome it was. I remember one issue of EGM (I think?) that had the PC Engine on the front cover and had a complete layout of the system and games, with screenshots of a few like Victory Run. Then they said it was going to make it's way to the states! I was more than excited. I hung onto that issue, reading it every day, wondering if and when NEC would bring it here. And that day finally came! I was absolutely amazed at the size of the games (card format), the crisp colors, and that amazing sound! The sounds of the TG16 still amaze me till this day. I eventually got more and more games. Some of my favorite titles from the SMS era like Space Harrier and Fantasy Zone. Both updated and looking great! I also absolutely loved Splatterhouse. My friend and I were (and still are) all into the Jason/Horror stuff, and this was just too cool. Actually, my first Commodore 64 BBS was entitled "Splatterhouse BBS"! Eventually I got even more stuff like the Cd-Rom unit and was even more amazed at the Cd sound going along with games (a first at the time) and the cool ability to play CD+G. I sold and/or traded all of my childhood TG16 stuff a few years later, and always regretted it. Now I am collecting the system once again, and not doing too bad. Up to 30 or so US titles including all the favs I loved when I was younger, and a Core Grafx unit and some PCEngine games that I never got to play because they didn't hit our shores like Outrun, Thunderblade, Columns, Afterburner, Parodius and more! Great systems to collect for, but even better systems just to PLAY! Even if you only have ONE good game! :)

[NE146]

I'll tell you my experience and it aint pretty. As a matter of fact it was dumb as shit. There I was... fresh in the NES days and what do I read in EGM but the PCengine is being released as the Turbografx-16! It looks so great w/ games like Blazing Lazers and Legendary Axe. A month later I'm going back to college when classes start and what else comes out.. the new Sega Genesis!! Oh the torture! WHICH one do I get?? They were both around $200 if I remember correctly. So I bought the Genesis (purely arbitrary) and it was great. But I longed for more.. So I did this... I went to the mall and walked into Ross Dress for Less. I got the largest bag from behind the cashier(who didn't say anything), walked right into the large Dept. Store which will remain un-named, plopped a TG-16 box into my bag, and walked right out. Yes I shoplifted it. Probably the dumbest thing I've ever done.. but hey, I was still young and drunk. Anyway, I came back a week or two later, and this time all their videogame stuff was behind cases.. and there they remain to this day.

My girlfriend at the time was so disgusted, her solution? To go back and buy a TG-16. So I ended up with two :embarrassed:

First two game I remember getting were Legendary Axe and Blazing Lazers (of course). And Blazing Lazers absolutely BLEW us away. 8-)

[AB Positive]

Another memory I had was a year or so later, I was given a birthday present of $300. (We were actually pretty poor but my mom always got huge tax returns when I was young, in the 2-3 grand range. Since these checks almost always came right before my birthday I'd get a decent cut) I was agonizing over my decision at 12 to get a new system. My options, grab a Sega CD for my genesis... replace my TG-16 with a DUO... or get one of the new brand spankin' new systems. I did eventually go for one of the new systems (PSX) but I actually had those three bills in a savings account at a bank for months because I couldn't decide.

Until the day before I spent it though, my mind was made up to order a Duo. I had a TZD (I think) catalog showing all the Duo games that I carried EVERYWHERE for those three months. I'd show people the system and be all like "Man, this is what I'm going to be doing ALL summer!" For some reason the day I went to order I got cold feet and went to the mall and got a PSX. I can't say I regretted the PSX decision completely, but I wonder where I'd be in my collection now if I hadn't changed my mind.

I need to get a Duo now again myself, heh.

-AG

[chadtower]

in 1994 I was a student of Computer Science at Northeastern. I hadn't done any real console gaming in quite some time though I had once been a total addict and this was in fact why I was studying computer science to being with. My roommate's gf's brother was over, he was like 15, and we started to talk about games. I mentioned that i'd always wanted to play the TG but never knew anyone with one. "Oh, I have one I haven't used in years, you can have it." He gave it to me no questions asked, I took it back to my dorm and immediately fell in love with it. I was heavy on the net at that point and found the Turbolist which is like TG heaven. I bought more games... more than I could afford. LOL Then someone on the list mentioned that they were clearing out TurboDuo's (cue the holy music here) for $100 at EB. I called around and the only place I could find with one was in NH and I had no way to get there. I called my best friend, always there when I need him, who was back home in Salem and had a car. I took the train to Salem, he drove me up to NH, we got the Duo... and man, oh man was that thing the sweetest thing ever. We played Ys for hours that weekend. I called around to every software store I could find for more CD games. I only found one, way the hell outside of boston but on the subway system, that had any. I took the train out there, walked another 4 miles in the rain, got my games... walked 4 miles back in the rain, played them until I nearly failed half my classes that quarter. Man were those some good times! Over the years I discovered PCE games, Dracula X, YS IV, Vasteel... the TG has a completely unique gaming vibe that cannot be duplicated in any way. It's an experience any real classic gamer needs to have at some point and absolutely my favorite system.

[AB Positive]

There were Duo's at one time for a $100 in my own state? DAMN! Argh, if only I knew... if only I knew.

-AG

[chadtower]

Yeah, but that was nearly ten years ago...

[jaydubnb]

I purchased a Turbografx the day it was released. I was the first kid in my town to have it :) I remember looking at a few magazines speaking about the PC Engine and how awesome it was. I remember one issue of EGM (I think?) that had the PC Engine on the front cover and had a complete layout of the system and games, with screenshots of a few like Victory Run. Then they said it was going to make it's way to the states!


Ah, I remember that issue! It was the very first EGM I had ever seen (and purchased). It had a nice spread on the PC Engine games and the mag was really hyping the systems version R-Type to be extraoridnary. The article tickled my fancies and then a few months later I saw the actual TG16 in motion for the first time on a local electronics show program. I recall being absolutely blown away by the colors....so vibrant :) I got a Tg16 for Xmas..I think in 89 or 90, and amassed a small collection of mediocre games which I sold like for a SNES :( Well, fast forward about 10 years later and thanks to the magic of the internet I've been able to snag a PC Engine Duo-R and tons of great games for the system. But alas, I still need to land a copy of Soldier Blade for my collection to be complete *shakes envious fist @ Maxlords* ;)

[zektor]

I purchased a Turbografx the day it was released. I was the first kid in my town to have it :) I remember looking at a few magazines speaking about the PC Engine and how awesome it was. I remember one issue of EGM (I think?) that had the PC Engine on the front cover and had a complete layout of the system and games, with screenshots of a few like Victory Run. Then they said it was going to make it's way to the states!


Ah, I remember that issue! It was the very first EGM I had ever seen (and purchased). It had a nice spread on the PC Engine games and the mag was really hyping the systems version R-Type to be extraoridnary. The article tickled my fancies and then a few months later I saw the actual TG16 in motion for the first time on a local electronics show program. I recall being absolutely blown away by the colors....so vibrant :) I got a Tg16 for Xmas..I think in 89 or 90, and amassed a small collection of mediocre games which I sold like for a SNES :( Well, fast forward about 10 years later and thanks to the magic of the internet I've been able to snag a PC Engine Duo-R and tons of great games for the system. But alas, I still need to land a copy of Soldier Blade for my collection to be complete *shakes envious fist @ Maxlords* ;)


Does anybody happen to have this issue of EGM we are talking about? I would love to either get the mag or at least some scans of it!

[NE146]

Does anybody happen to have this issue of EGM we are talking about? I would love to either get the mag or at least some scans of it!

I'm pretty sure I do. However, I only have about 20% of my EGM's and the rest are all at home. Still though there's a good chance I do have it as I brought out all the earliest issues. I seem to remember it had Ironsword (w/ Fabio)on the cover but I could be mistaken. I'll take a look and see if I have it here.

[AB Positive]

I'm pretty sure I do. However, I only have about 20% of my EGM's and the rest are all at home. Still though there's a good chance I do have it as I brought out all the earliest issues. I seem to remember it had Ironsword (w/ Fabio)on the cover but I could be mistaken. I'll take a look and see if I have it here.

...Fabio. *shudders* There's only two things with fabio in it I like, Ironsword and the "I Kissed A Girl" video by Jill Sobule.

Veering back however, perhaps someone can answer me this, I notice that people like to get a hucard adapter to play the PC-Engine card games... but on a Duo can't you play japanese CD games on there with no problem. I remember having a Duo for maybe a week before selling it, and I think I had the Ranma and Tenchi games for the CD. I also remember that I lost most of my japanese reading comprehension and proceeded to get absolutly nowhere fast in them. Heh.

-AG+

[chadtower]

Yep, you can play PCE CDs but you can't place PCE HUs without an adaptor.

[rbudrick]

Ahem,

I got my Duo for $2 at a flea market.

Yep that was a brag.

Mmmmm.....2 dollar Duo arrggggdrool

-Rob

[chadtower]

Wow. I officially HATE YOU now.

[rbudrick]

Well to be fair, I did have to buy an AC adapter and and RF converter box, so I probably spent 50 bucks there. Also, I think 9 bucks for a converter cable to use my tg16Turbotap.

And I got it in Londonderry NH, at that.

-Rob

[AB Positive]

Londonderry? again, what's up with the cheap Duo's in my state? THAT's it, I'm going to the brentwood flea market tomorrow. End of story.

-AG

[maxlords]

Well, fast forward about 10 years later and thanks to the magic of the internet I've been able to snag a PC Engine Duo-R and tons of great games for the system. But alas, I still need to land a copy of Soldier Blade for my collection to be complete *shakes envious fist @ Maxlords* ;)

Bwhahahahaha! Well man, if you come up next month (June 21) you're welcome to drool all over my copy for a while :D Hope you can make it!

[AB Positive]

Ahhh, the TG-16. I first saw it probably a month after it came out. When I was around 10 or so, and was deep into my love of the NES. One of my friends (most of my friends when I was younger were in their 20s) had just come from the store with theirs. We all watched as he played Keith Courage, and I was done. I wanted one very badly but I knew my family didn't have the money for it.

I actually got one at TRU when the system was on it's last legs. I got it new for $15 with Bomberman. To this day Bomberman, Bomberman '93 (which I borrowed from one of my schoolfriends) and Keith Courage are my favorites. Also, Klax on the TG-16 is still my favorite version of it, and who can argue Devil's Crush? Best. Pinball Game. Ever.

I don't have a Duo/TG-16 at current, but I'm looking and willing to trade for one. I'm SERIOUSLY jonesing for one, heh.

-AG

[Anthony1]

Here is how my journey to Turbo land happened.


I'm 19 years old, and I moved to San Diego to go to college. I had my old NES, and all my old NES games. At the time, all I really played were sports games against my friends. We used to have our own leagues and tournaments and stuff. So anyways, I had no concept whatsoever of a Turbo Grafx or even a Sega Genesis, but I happened to be in a book store and saw a magazine about Video Games. I had never seen a magazine about video games up until that point. I believe the year was like 1989/1990.

I decided to buy the magazine, just to look at it and see if there were any new SPORTS games coming to the NES. While looking at the magazine, I saw a feature where they were talking about two new systems coming down the pipe. The Turbo Grafx 16 and the Sega Genesis. Well I had no opinion of either system at the time, but I saw a preview for a new line of sports games coming to the Turbo Grafx called the TV Sports line of of sports games. TV Sports Football, Basketball, Hockey, etc. The screenshots looked really good.

But I also saw some previews of Tommy Lasorda Baseball and Pat Riley Basketball for the Sega Genesis. The magazine had indicated that it thought that the Sega Genesis would be the more powerfull system of the two.

Well, all I knew was that I was broke, but I wanted to get one of these new systems. At the time I had a Montgomery Wards credit card. So I went to Montgomery Wards. Turns out, the one that I went to had the Turbo Grafx, but no Genesis.

So I ended up buying a Turbo Grafx. I also ended up getting a Turbo Booster and a Turbo Tap and some extra controllers. Besides getting Keith Courage in the box, I also bought World Class Baseball and Legendary Axe. Not long after that, I got Splatterhouse and Bonk's Adventure. Boy, those were the good old days. I still think that World Class Baseball is one of the best baseball games to ever come out.

Oh, I almost forgot. The reason that I bought the system was really for TV Sports Football. I was a football video game nut. The game kept getting delayed, and delayed. Then finally it came out. It was absolutely awesome for it's time. But then a week or so after I got it, a little game called John Madden Football for the Sega Genesis came out. Of course that blew TV Sports Football out the water, but it was really unfortunate, because TV Sports never really got the publicity it deserved because it got overshadowed by Madden.

About a year after getting the Turbo I got one of those converter cards to play Japanesse games, and I can tell you that one of the best baseball games of all time was Power League Baseball. I'm not sure if it was Power League 3 or Power League 4, but it was absolutely incredible. The graphics were amazing at the time and 5 players could play at the same time too.

Like a dummy, I sold all my Turbo stuff to finance the purchase of a Super Nintendo and a bunch of Super Nintendo games and accesssories. The Turbo was a dyeing system at the time, but little did I know that it had such a great library of games in Japan. I really only knew about Power League.

And now, 12 or 13 years later, I'm trying to get my hands on a Turbo again.

[mrhaboobi]

My Turn :)

- What is your favorite game on this system?

Super Star Soldier, R-type

- What are some of your other favorites?

Dracula X ( jap ), Soldier Blade, Gunhed, Legendary Axe, Darius Series.

- What games surprised you? Infuriated you?

Super Star Soldier Special Card.. My god not only was i surprised that the Japanese made time limited versions of the games, but the scores they manage to get, still i cant manage to get some of the scores i found listed on the web, even today there are people learning new patterns and tricks to score the hidden bonus points... Also the turbo grafx itself, living in a country where the system wasnt released i was surprised to find an english version of the Pc Engine.. The day i found that out was a happy day!.

- Do you remember the first time you saw the system in action? What game was it? What was your reaction?

My first time was actually with a PC Engine, my japanese friend in high school went back for a holiday, previous to the holiday we were playing famicom, mario 3 and Dragon Quest ( id play, he'd translate ). Then he came back with this core grafx system, how cool , one controller though! strange i thought.. So we sat down and he pulled out super star soldier, legendary Axe and Darius, bomberman ( he got a stack of games ) needless to say every weekend for the next couple of months involved that PC Engine..

- Did you own the system "back in the day"? How about now?

Nope i didnt own one then.. But now i have the following

Pc engine
Core Grafx
Core Grafx 2
Duo - r
Turbo Duo
Turbo Grafx
Turbo Express

All boxed mint + various other loose bits and hardware here and there.

- How many games do you have for it?

100+ US , 50 or so Jap ( including Sapphire, Dracula X, R-type Complete, Coryoon, Cotton etc ). Getting close to completing a US collection, like Joe im going for Complete/Mint. Most everything i have right now is boxed and in mint condition. Im always looking to upgrade the not so mint gear i have, and still need a few games, boxes, manuals and odd sods. Ive just started to enjoy getting the Turbo Mags aswell, seing as i never got the read them in the day its really very cool to look through them and see what was going on way back then.. Ive got quite a bit for trade aswell. Seeing as the stuff was never released locally, my only options are trades or Ebay.

[ManekiNeko]

I never got to spend much time with this CD-based system from the creators of the Turbografx-16. However, what little I've played (on both the actual system and Magic Engine) has really impressed me. Dracula X is a strong entry into the Castlevania series, and games like Gate of Thunder and the peculiarly named Alzadick are both excellent shooters. Are all the other games on the system this good? What were your favorites? Which games should I avoid?

JR

[vision89]

I really like Y's, and Cosmic Fantasy 2. Try to avoid Shadow of the Beast at all costs.

[wisekrak]

Being a fan of RPG's, I loved playing such classics as...
Y's 1-3
Cosmic Fantsy 2
Dragon Slayer Legend of Heroes
Vasteel (Early Working Designs Port Turn based strategy) 8-)

I really would love to get my hands on Drcula X... anyone got a copy for trade???

[le geek]

I'm really enjoying Puyo Puyo CD. The Japanese voice acting for the strange characters is hilarious. Feeesh!

Shadow of the Beast is actually pretty cool if you're a fan of the Amiga version. The graphics aren't quite as pretty as the Amiga version, but it looks like you could actually finish the game...

Cheers,
Ben

[spooie]

My brother had both the TG16 and the Turbo Duo. I ended up picking up the TG16 at TRU about a month after it was officially dead, at $50. I, personally, enjoyed the Bonk series. 1 and 2 moreso than 3. If you like Zelda, you'll probably dig Neutopia 1 and 2. Then there is the original Splatterhouse, and Blazing Lazers. If you like Bubble Bobble, there is always Parasol Stars.

:-P

One game I own, but never really liked, was Bravoman. About a guy who's limbs can stretch across the screen. At least... I hope those where limbs.

x_x

[sabre2922]

yeah TURBODUO wow I would give my left arm for a mint duo and all its great games since I already would give my right arm for a NEO-GEO avs and all U.S. releases :(

[vision89]

I'll admit Shadow of the Beat had a good soundtrack, but I just couldn't get into the game. Never played the Amiga version, though I imagine just about anything would be better. Some more good duo games are Exile, and Cadash. I've been trying to get a copy of Dragon Slayer for the l,ongest time. If you gave your' left and right arms for a neo geo and a turbo duo, how would you play em? Hmm, maybe I shouldn't ask that.

[Gamereviewgod]

I just got Star Parodious and it's just awesome. It's got one of those great early CD soundtracks and the gaemplay and graphics are just spot on. Where else can you play as a PC-Engine and collect Hu-cards for power-ups?

[christianscott27]

one for the bad books- avoid that Aadams Family game, it was the first duo title i got, nearly made me think the system was a waste of time! my other main duo gripe is that NEC did not use the same controllers for the TG-16 and Duo, seems like an obvious mistake from a consumer point of view. upgrading to a Duo meant giving up my arcade stick and additonal controllers.

[jaydubnb]

I just got Star Parodious and it's just awesome. It's got one of those great early CD soundtracks and the gaemplay and graphics are just spot on. Where else can you play as a PC-Engine and collect Hu-cards for power-ups?

Most under-rated Duo shootie, ever. Yeah, its easy, but the gameplay and atmosphere are excellent. It truly was a pleasant surprise.

I would also recommend Lords of Thunder (I find it superior to Gates in every way), Ys Books I + II, Download II, Panic Bomberman, Double Dragon II....

[Dire 51]

Here's some of my picks:

Gradius II: Gofer no Yabou - Beautiful port of the classic arcade game, complete with new animated intro and exclusive new stage!

Kaze Kiri - Sweet "ninja action" game that plays like Kung Fu Master on crack. You do more than just punch and kick, of course, plus it has a great soundtrack. Not easy to find.

Fausette Amour - Fun Ghosts 'N Goblins/Bionic Commando hybrid with a heavy anime theme. Also very hard to find.

Valis I, II, III, and IV - all great games, but Valis I and IV are import only. If you aren't familiar with the Valis games, think Castlevania with blue haired anime girls. III & IV are the best of the series.

[Ed Oscuro]

Words about four titles that were only released in Japan (to my knowledge...maybe Space Harrier was released here as well).

Eternal City...damn, the title screen makes me crack up, every time.

It's the system's equivalent of Metroid, I'd say. Mecha Metroid, with the pink haired pilot named "Minty Geile." It can be somewhat hard (especially if you don't know the odd menu system), and shooting things (jump + shoot, instead of aim up/down like Cybernator) is clunky, but it's about as good as the system's processor will allow. It's not that bad...give it a shot in Magic Engine. It's also got one of the better covers in the whole library.

Shinobi -- this is the best contemporary port of the arcade classic that I've run across, although the second mission, some types of enemy (zombie samurai comes to mind) and the shooting stages have been cut out. However, the music is almost arcade perfect. This is not a very expensive title. DO GET IT!

Similar words apply to Space Harrier -- very good graphics and music, much like the arcade original. Probably the best version to be had outside of the x68000 port (which I haven't played) and probably a better bet for the long run. Very playable.

Ninja Gaiden -- the background scrolling in the first level is awful, but I decided to play further and I must say the graphics are very nicely done in this remake of the original NES game. Check this one out, and consider buying it if you're a PC-E collector.

[GaijinPunch]

I second the vote for Kaze Kiri. A very good ninja game.
Spriggan i a shooter I've always liked, and Shubibinman 3 is a platformer I've always liked (way better than it's two predecessors, and perhaps the best platformer for the system).

Magical Chase (released in extremely small numbers in the states) and Coryoon are fantastic Hucard shooters.

[maxlords]

I'll admit Shadow of the Beat had a good soundtrack, but I just couldn't get into the game. Never played the Amiga version, though I imagine just about anything would be better.

Never assume. I have both the Duo and the Amiga versions of Shadow of the Beast...and the Amiga one is better :D Remember...the Duo one is a port!

As for recommendations....Kaze Kiri and Fausette Amour are awesome, but expect them to set you back $100 EACH. Sylphia is a great shooter, but lately, it costs as much or more than the other two above. Here are some of my recommendations for the really good CD games....this is my favorite system after all. If it says (US) next to it...it means I recommend the US version if you can get/afford it:

Download 2 - great horiz shooter...very weird
Dungeon Explorer 2 (US) - like Gauntlet meets Zelda kinda - US one is rare and $100ish
Exile (US) - great action game with RPG sections
Exile: Wicked Phenomenon (US) - rarer sequel...obscenely hard!
Image Fight 2 - super hard vertical shooter
Lords of Thunder (US) - excellent horiz shooter!
Sidearms Special - excellent horiz shooter with 2 versions on one disc
Nexzr Summer Carnival - good vertical shooter with great music
Tenchi Wo Kurau (Dynasty Wars) - Great Capcom beat em up on horseback

There are more too...just depends on your tastes...I rather like shooters and beat em ups.

[Ed Oscuro]

WHOA...Tenchi Wo Kurau is the ancestor of Dynasty Warriors 4?

...it all seems to make sense now! o_O

[brykasch]

Well while we are discussing the Duo. I want one, knwo what do I need to play american carts on it. And how much will 6 button controller costs me? I know you need system card 3.0 and arcade card to run all games? Inform me people or point me in the right place

[maxlords]

WHOA...Tenchi Wo Kurau is the ancestor of Dynasty Warriors 4?

...it all seems to make sense now! o_O

Uh....no. They're both based on the same historical period. However, they're produced by two entirely separate companies (Koei for the Dynasty Warriors and Dynasty Tactics series), and Capcom for the Dynasty Wars series (Dynasty Wars, Warriors of Fate). Totally separate.

[AB Positive]

Well while we are discussing the Duo. I want one, knwo what do I need to play american carts on it. And how much will 6 button controller costs me? I know you need system card 3.0 and arcade card to run all games? Inform me people or point me in the right place


There's a US Duo, it's the Turbo Duo. The japanese version is the PC Engine Duo.

6 button controllers need to be modded to work on a US system if you get a convertor or mod to play japanese cards on a US system. CD games require no modification to work on any system.

the Duo has the 3.0 card built in, you only need one if you have the TG-16/CD combo as opposed to the all in one system. Arcade cards (which are all japanese and need the ability to play jp cards to use) are only for certain CD games (most notably Neo Geo ports like the tasty "Art of Fighting")


-AG

[gamergary]

right arm for a NEO-GEO avs and all U.S. releases :(
Its aes by the way not avs. On topic all the games I have for the turbo are good games. The bonk games and Vigilante are good for anybody who likes side scrollers. Neutopia for people for like rpgs and Victory Run for anybody who likes driving games.

[NEOFREAK9189]

Im really enjoying my pc engine r games I play all the time

[Sotenga]

Okay, I've wanted to own a TurboDuo/PC Engine/Turbografx-16/Turbo PC Grafx 20x6 for a long time, but I'm not sure which one to get... if I want to play both HuCard and CD games (but CD games are a higher priority), and I want it to be compatible with Japanese games, and if that's even possible, which system is recommended? I THINK what I want is a PC Engine Duo, but I doubt it could play American games... does every game released for the American Duo have a Japanese counterpart? Sorry for these questions, but I'm not leaving this blasted mortal coil until I have experienced Akumajo Dracula X: Chi No Rondo and Kaze Kiri.

Anyway, I do know of the PC Engine's greatness through the Magic Engine emulator, so here's what I can recommend:

Splatterhouse
Air Zonk
Blazing Lazers
R-Type
Gradius
Ninja Spirit
Bloody Wolf
Batman
Legendary Axe
Parodius
Salamander
Shinobi
Space Harrier
Download (An obscure japanese title with SNKgrish and gratuitious profanities!)
Star Soldier
Psychosis

The lion's share of those are arcade ports, which are very close to the original, proving the capabilities of this machine.

[Dire 51]

Okay, I've wanted to own a TurboDuo/PC Engine/Turbografx-16/Turbo PC Grafx 20x6 for a long time, but I'm not sure which one to get... if I want to play both HuCard and CD games (but CD games are a higher priority), and I want it to be compatible with Japanese games, and if that's even possible, which system is recommended? I THINK what I want is a PC Engine Duo, but I doubt it could play American games... does every game released for the American Duo have a Japanese counterpart? Sorry for these questions, but I'm not leaving this blasted mortal coil until I have experienced Akumajo Dracula X: Chi No Rondo and Kaze Kiri.

Of course you know you'll have no problems playing US CDs on a Japanese Duo, but if you want to play Japanese HuCards and don't want to track down a converter, a Japanese Duo's the way to go - and the US cards that don't have Japanese counterparts (and I'm pretty sure there are several) aren't really worth getting. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[maxlords]

You're not wrong...if you want to play CD games and Jp huCards, a PC Engine Duo is the way to go. If you want to play CD games and US huCards, a Turbo Duo is the way to go. There are a lot more good Jp huCards than US ones....the only stuff you'd miss out on with a PC Engine Duo are games like Dungeon Explorer and the Neutopias.

[Kid Fenris]

I'm getting here late, so I'll add my votes for Ninja Spirit, R-Type, Blazing Lazers, Ys Book I and II, and Exile.

I have a soft spot for The Legendary Axe II. It has nothing to do with the first game (NEC pulled a Super Mario Bros. 2, or so the theory goes), but it's a decent, fast-moving action/platformer with a surprise ending that I still don't get.

On the import side, Spriggan is an excellent Compile shooter, very much in the MUSHA/Aleste vein. The sequel's not bad either, though it's a side-scroller instead of an overhead shmup.

And if you're willing to tackle Japanese RPGs, try Emerald Dragon, a fun title with lots of animated cinemas and a unique, if limited, battle system. Fang of Alnam, from the same developer, is also worth a shot.

[le geek]

my other main duo gripe is that NEC did not use the same controllers for the TG-16 and Duo, seems like an obvious mistake from a consumer point of view. upgrading to a Duo meant giving up my arcade stick and additonal controllers.

Just FYI,
Turbozone Direct has the Duo to T16 controller adapter new for $10. I just picked up up for my Arcade Stick :) :) (along with an Express AC Adapter)

Cheers,
Ben

[LazingBlazers]

Diamonds... AND RUST! BLEEEARGH!!!

I have been mostly devoid of the internet for probably a week, and I miss the prime of a great discussion like this! Damn shame.

Anyway, I recommend (or should I say 3rd, 4th, and/or 5th) Download 2. You don't need a Duo to play it, just a CD add-on system, but you get to kill Hitler fetus'. That is cool! Very cool! LOL Mastering the game is not too hard at all, but it is still awesome to beat again and again. Download 2 is the epitome of a video game to me.

[D-Lite]

I know what you mean, haven't checked in in a week and look at the topic!

First off, a 6-button controller does not need to be modded to play on a US system. They are pin compatible so ANY PC Engine controller will work on a US Duo.

Ah, the games.

Must haves:
Bonk's Adventure and Revenge
Blazing Lazers
Neutopia and Neutopia II
Ys I&II
Cosmic Fantasy 2 (my favorite RPG!)

I really like Dead Moon as I prefer side-scrolling shooters. Also, I highly recommend having the ability to play Japanese HuCards as nearly 1000 games were released in Japan and only about 140 in the US (and by the way, I believe every US release had a Japanese counterpart). So either buy a PC Engine Duo or a US system with the converter or the region mod (hmmm, wonder who offers that..... :P )