Turbo Graphics 16 sucks?

[nebrazca78]

I just got my first TG-16 today. I've always wanted one but not enough to hunt one down or pay much for it. Anyway I finally got one cheap and once I hunt down the cables I'll try it out. But I did notice a couple things.

First and foremost, ONE CONTROLLER PORT. What the hell is this? Aside from the obvious problems it causes gamers, what executive thought this would be a good idea? Basically almost everyone would have to buy a Turbo Tap just to use the system. Nobody I know plays games solely by themselves.

Second, the controller cord can't be more than 4 ft. long. I guess they knew you'd be buying the Turbo Tap which extends the cord length. Sega also made some controllers with short cords but most of the Sega controllers I come across have long cords.

Third, the controller only has two real buttons. Suck.

Fourth, it just seems cheaply made compared to a Genesis or SNES (non-yellowed SNES that is). The plastic reminds me of crap from the '70s.

There are a couple things I like about it. The standard controller has built-in turbo. And if you read the back of a HuCard it politely asks you to put the card back in its case when you're done using it. That's nice.

We'll see how the games are, I have the Magic Engine so I know there are some great titles out there. It came with the game Tiger Road which I have never heard of but it's made by Capcom so I have high hopes.

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

The TG16 is a great system... although you make a few fair complaints. I also thought the one controller port was lousy, but now it's just an eccentricity of the console. I had a few friends that had TG16's, and I think I was the only one of us who had a TurboTap. I think multiplayer games were a lot less of a priority then. Did you get one with a Turbo Booster?

Half the fun of having a TG16 is the TurboCD. Love that thing, I still have mine set up. Cosmic Fantasy 2, Exile, Lords of the Rising Sun, Lords of Thunder, Gate of Thunder, Y's... so many awesome games.

I bought the import SFII Championship Edition on HuCard... for like $150 right when it was released hehe. I think my bill for that purchase was over $250 for the game + 2 6 button controllers! I think it's really cheap now though. It's got great packaging too, and it's just a nice one to have in the library.

[GillianSeed]

Third, the controller only has two real buttons. Suck.


If the amount of buttons determined the quality of games, then Pimp My Ride would be a better game than Military Madness. Fortunately it doesn't, and it isn't.

[Sweater Fish Deluxe]

First and foremost, ONE CONTROLLER PORT. What the hell is this? Aside from the obvious problems it causes gamers, what executive thought this would be a good idea? Basically almost everyone would have to buy a Turbo Tap just to use the system. Nobody I know plays games solely by themselves.

Second, the controller cord can't be more than 4 ft. long. I guess they knew you'd be buying the Turbo Tap which extends the cord length. Sega also made some controllers with short cords but most of the Sega controllers I come across have long cords.
Yeah, those are two really lame things about the TurboGrafx. I guess they're remnants of the system's Japanese origin, but they changed enough other stuff between the PC ENgine and TurboGrafx, they really should have made the cord longer and put a second controller port on the unit.


Third, the controller only has two real buttons. Suck.
I never really thought it needed more.


Fourth, it just seems cheaply made compared to a Genesis or SNES (non-yellowed SNES that is). The plastic reminds me of crap from the '70s.
The TurboGrafx feels far more well-made to me than the Genesis. The Genny is made out of that thin and really brittle plastic so it always feels real light and prone to cracking like an egg. The Turbo is solid and heavy. The design is horrible, though. That ridiculous clip thing on the back especially. Even if they couldn't have kept the PC Engine's excellent design, I don't understand why they couldn't have come up with osmething better than the TurboGrafx design.


We'll see how the games are, I have the Magic Engine so I know there are some great titles out there. It came with the game Tiger Road which I have never heard of but it's made by Capcom so I have high hopes.
Some really good games for sure, though quite a lot of uninspired me-too stuff. You have to keep in mind that most of the games for the system actually came from the period 1987 to 1990, which is quite a different era of gaming from the Genesis and SNES classic 16-bit era.


...word is bondage...

[nebrazca78]

Did you get one with a Turbo Booster?

Half the fun of having a TG16 is the TurboCD. Love that thing, I still have mine set up. Plus if you don't have the Cosmic Fantasy 2, Exile, Lords of the Rising Sun, Lords of Thunder, Gate of Thunder, Y's... so many awesome games.


No, what's a Turbo Booster? Sounds like a BS memory upgrade a la N64. I'm not ready for an investment in a Turbo CD just yet. You're making me want one and those games sound great. One question, are Exile, Lords Of Thunder and Y's the same as the Sega versions (which I have)? I'm sure the Genesis versions have lesser sound, but other than that? What great games can't be experienced on other systems I already have?


If the amount of buttons determined the quality of games, then Pimp My Ride would be a better game than Military Madness. Fortunately it doesn't, and it isn't.

The number of buttons on the controller is not the only determining factor of a good game of course. But for the system as a whole it's limiting. If it wasn't, newer systems would still have two action buttons. No major console system I know of since Genesis has had less than three action buttons. All the systems now have at least eight.

[nebrazca78]

Yeah, those are two really lame things about the TurboGrafx. I guess they're remnants of the system's Japanese origin, but they changed enough other stuff between the PC ENgine and TurboGrafx, they really should have made the cord longer and put a second controller port on the unit.

I never really thought it needed more.



Maybe for the type of games it has it doesn't need more buttons. Although SMS & NES both could've used another button on many games (especially SMS). But if I heard correctly, there ARE 6-button controllers for the Turbo.



The TurboGrafx feels far more well-made to me than the Genesis. The Genny is made out of that thin and really brittle plastic so it always feels real light and prone to cracking like an egg. The Turbo is solid and heavy.


The Genesis (model 1) is heavier (in lbs.) that the Turbo. The TG-16 weighs 1 lb. 11.5 oz. and the Genesis model 1 weighs 2 lbs. 1.8 oz. As for the "cracking" factor I tend to agree but I don't prefer the plastic's aesthetics on the TG-16. Something tells me I'm going to like this system overall though.

[PSerge]

Well, I have to agree with you on the controller cord length and the lack of a second controller port, I must say I LOVE MY TURBOGRAfX, it's been the best $15 I ever spend on an Overstock.com auction.

While, I don't get to play it as much as I would like, I wouldn't trade or sell it for the world.. I always wanted one as a kid, but couldn't afford it...

Any system has it's flaws... Do yourself a favor, if you a shoot em up fan, get Blazing Lazers, and get it soon... It's one of the best games ever made..

[nebrazca78]

Well, I have to agree with you on the controller cord length and the lack of a second controller port, I must say I LOVE MY TURBOGRAfX, it's been the best $15 I ever spend on an Overstock.com auction...Do yourself a favor, if you a shoot em up fan, get Blazing Lazers, and get it soon... It's one of the best games ever made..

I checked it out on eBay, looks like a popular and relatively expensive game (I'm cheap). If I can get it for under $10 shipped I'll definitely grab it. No one has expressed anything but love for the TG-16, it must have some great games! Count me in.

[NE146]

Ever feel like you're re-living a debate you heard 17 years ago?... X_x

[Trebuken]

The CD games are must owns, they surpass their counterparts on other systems; primarily for the sound. The CD sound is a huge difference, espeacially Lords of Thunder.

The Turbo Booster allows you to use compsite cables with your TG-16 rather than an RF connection.

Your first 'expensive' game purchase should be Military Madness if you haven't played it elsewhere...

[nebrazca78]

The CD games are must owns, they surpass their counterparts on other systems; primarily for the sound. The CD sound is a huge difference, espeacially Lords of Thunder.


Really? Even though both are on CD?



The Turbo Booster allows you to use compsite cables with your TG-16 rather than an RF connection.

That is totally useful and necessary for IMO. But I can't help but think it should have been a built-in capability like every other system ever made post-NES (not counting SMS II).




Your first 'expensive' game purchase should be Military Madness if you haven't played it elsewhere...

I haven't and I will track it down as well as Blazing Lazers.

So anyway the TG-16 I acquired had no RF unit. But that was Ok because the only piece of TG-16 stuff I had was an RF adapter. I knew it would come in handy someday. So I got it all hooked up, flicked the switch, and...nothing. I suspected it was broken but after looking at the power supply I found that was the problem. The PS was not for TG-16 and the specs weren't really even close. But luckily a Genesis PS does the trick. Success!

http://home.comcast.net/~nebrazca78/tg16-1.jpg

Ok, time to start playing. So I press the "run" button over and over...nothing. Well, I guessed maybe there was dust in the controller connection, so I disconnected the controller and...

http://home.comcast.net/~nebrazca78/tg16-2.jpg

Oh crap. That's it, they'll be no TG-16 playing today. And that sucks because the music for Tiger Road is pretty good and I really want to play it. Now I have to hunt down an eBay lot that has a controller(s), Military Madness and Blazing Lazers. Until then I guess I just need to find a spot for this machine.

[DarthKur]

....Nobody I know plays games solely by themselves.
.

I would be one of those odd entities. :|
I still need to get a TG16. I was just playing Bonk via the Magic Engine emu earlier today. Really want a Turbo Duo actually. Why do they have to be so expensive? :(

[ShenmueFan]

I always liked the TG-16. I was never lucky enough to get one way back when but I always thought it'd be neat to check out. In Japan the thing was pretty successful so I don't think it's too sucky.

I remember a kids in my 5th grade class had the Turbo Express. After that I knew that TG was always for the rich kids who could afford a SNES, NES, Genesis AND another system. Outta my class but not anymore! :)

[7th lutz]

As an owner of a tg-16, the games are great, but I have to agree that some the stuff you need do, once you buy a tg-16 is lame. I found that out last year, when I bought the system. I don't see having 2 buttons a problem for most of the games the tg-16 has except for sports, and head to head fighting games. There is 3 or 6 button controller for it, but that appears to be released in Japan only.

You forgot one thing that is lame about the tg-16, you need a turbo booster plus to save games if you don't have a turbo cd or a turbo duo. Otherwise you have to use a password system like for the games that I own: Devil's Crush, and Neutopia.

The other thing you didn't mention is the only way to restart a game is by pressing the select and run button at the same time.

[scooterb23]

Third, the controller only has two real buttons. Suck.


Never buy an Atari 2600 then. Your brain may melt with games that only have 1 button...

[Fighter17]

Never buy an Atari 2600 then. Your brain may melt with games that only have 1 button...

Yeah, one button man.

Then again, a real gamer don't give a fuck about buttons. You should know a real old-school gamer only gives a damn about gameplay.

That's why I have no problem playing Wizard of Wor on the VCS.

[Trebuken]

Lords Of Thunder

http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/lordsofthunder/lordsofthunder.htm

Yeah I worded that poorly, but meant that the TG-16 versions always sound better...

I think RF was still the most common form of connection when the Turbo came out. I think it is akin to the PS3 not coming with HDMI cables.

[Steve W]

A lot of people play games by themselves. Probably more so back then when the PC Engine came out. Kids weren't so socially screwed up like they are today, and they could actually do stuff by themselves. (I work with a kid that won't do anything by himself, he's such a mindless sheep. He probably wouldn't go to the mailbox without someone going with him.)

I think another reason why the Turbo only has one controller port is because of the original PC Engine design. The PC Engine was a tiny little thing, and it really didn't have any more room for a second port. Plus, there's the nickel-and-dime factor involved, getting you to buy extra accessories for component video, memory saves, and multiplayer taps.

I have a bunch of games for the TurboGrafx-16, and I never found too many of them to be all that fun. A lot of them tend to be very generic. Things like Alien Crush, Splatterhouse, the Bonk games, and Exile are all fun, but most of the others are kinda bland.

[bangtango]

Ever feel like you're re-living a debate you heard 17 years ago?... X_x

Yes, one that was featured in just about every gaming magazine back in the day. I remember at least 3 different magazines doing a comparison of Genesis vs TG16, only to say the Genesis was "better in every way." Then when the Super NES came out, the same magazines ran the same stories again, except the TG16 always finished third in these articles instead of "second place" in a two-system race.

[The-Bavis]

I am looking forward to find out how I feel about the system as well. I was browsing ebay one day and found the old "TurnoGrafx 16" up for auction and figured I'd get a decent price.

It's waiting for me at the post office now!

I agree with all of your disappointments in system features, but I have been curious to try the system out since buying GamePro #1 at the toy store. I've never known anyone that owned one, so this is my first chance outside of R-Type I bought on the Wii...

Oh, and I tried to find some sort of 3rd party RF "demodulator" and nobody makes one. I can run the thing through my VCR, but I'd rather run it through my system selector if I like it. The only Turbo Booster I've seen on eBay went for more than my console, so that's not too appealing, although I didn't know you could save games with it! Very interesting!

[Tron 2.0]

I'll keep it simple had a (TG16+Turbo CD) enjoy it beside playing the hell out of it then traded it away.

Ture the design for TG16 was weak compare to the PCE.... but the system ran great and you didn't have to 'worry about it breaking either.

As for the controller issue i've seen enough debates, about that at pcenginefx.com all ready.

Some think it was to cut down on manufacture cost others think that the design was on purpose.

Still these days i don't care any more.

I can agree that it's selection in games was small compare to the pce still i think it was decent.

Beside it gave ya gems like Lords of Thunder,Ninja Spirit,Ys 1&2,Devil Crush and of corse Bonks Adventure.

Funny becuse in the end i miss the little 8bit console that could.

So a couple years back i'd pickup a (Duo-R) starting collecting games for it again.

Beside there so many great imports.... that i wanted to try that i miss out on back then.

[staxx]

If you can I would import a Duo RX or get a Core Grafx I or II. Most of the better games were out in Japan on the PC Engine. There are numerous CD2, SCD and ACD games out in Japan that are really worth playing. An alternative to importing is to get a Hucard converter for the TG16 (kinda pricey) and import the Arcade System Hucard, then your TG16 can play all the imported CD games.

[MegaDrive20XX]

I'm gonna pretend this thread doesn't exist...because my 16-bit heart won't hear it...*tear*...

[Gentlegamer]

I know there are some great titles out there.Isn't that all that really matters?

[staxx]

PC Engine Games that I recommend:

Hucard
Street Fighter 2
Ninja Spirits
Darius Plus
1943
Dragon Spirit
Dragon Saber
Parodius
Gradius
Salamander
Super Star Soldier
Gunhed
Soldier Blade
Final Soldier
Motoroader 2
PC Genjin 1,2,3
Vigilante
Splatterhouse
Bomberman Original, 92, 93
Outrun
Afterburner II
Dead Moon
Terra Cresta 2
Devils Crush
Alien Crush
RType I,II
Twinbee
Image Fight
Raiden
Sidearms

CD games
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire
Fatal Fury 2
World Heroes 2
Art of Fighting
Fatal Fury Special
Darius Plus
Darius 2
Gradius 2
Spriggan
Spriggan 2
Kaze Kiri
Star Parodia
Hellfire
Winds of Thunder
Gates of Thunder
RayXamber 3
RType Complete
Stryder
Wonderboy in Monsterlair
Macross 2036
Forgotten Worlds
Image Fight 2
Super Raiden
Sidearms Complete

[wallydawg]

What they should have done with the controller ports is what 3DO did, and daisy chain them up for 2+ players.

My TG16 is in the mail as well, getting Keith Courage and Veigus: Tactical Gladiator. :)

[7th lutz]

I do recommend these following games:
Neutopia-zelda clone with great gameplay
Alien Crush-good pinball game
Legendary Axe-graphics hasn't age well, but plays great
Devil's Crush-best Pinball game I've played
Blazing Lasers-great shooter

That is 5 of the 6 games I own.

[7th lutz]

I am looking forward to find out how I feel about the system as well. I was browsing ebay one day and found the old "TurnoGrafx 16" up for auction and figured I'd get a decent price.

It's waiting for me at the post office now!

I agree with all of your disappointments in system features, but I have been curious to try the system out since buying GamePro #1 at the toy store. I've never known anyone that owned one, so this is my first chance outside of R-Type I bought on the Wii...

Oh, and I tried to find some sort of 3rd party RF "demodulator" and nobody makes one. I can run the thing through my VCR, but I'd rather run it through my system selector if I like it. The only Turbo Booster I've seen on eBay went for more than my console, so that's not too appealing, although I didn't know you could save games with it! Very interesting!

Remember, for saving games, you want turbo booster plus, not turbo booster. Turbo blus plus is like turbo booster except you can save games.

[exit]

I have a TG-16 laying around, we got it at Toys R Us on clearance I think, along with Keith Courage (packed in), Tale Spin and some space shooter game.

I enjoyed playing the 3 games I've ever had for it and later was able to play more of them via emulation, but I've always felt that the controls were unbalanced. I guess they felt a little over responsive in some games, but maybe it was just me.

[Ed Oscuro]

Somebody forgot (or didn't know) that the TG-16's original design was released in Japan in 1987, when games using more than two buttons were still quite rare.

They eventually moved to a six-button pad. Not all that many games use it, but enough do.

[nebrazca78]

Never buy an Atari 2600 then. Your brain may melt with games that only have 1 button...

I have an Atari 7800 with 30 or so 7800 and 2600 games. It was my first console and I have a couple faves. But the controller does suck. That's why I moved on, not because of the games. But really that was because of the inaccurate D-stick, not the lack of buttons. I moved on to the SMS which only had two buttons. Since the '16 is really an 80's machine anyway I think NEC is absolved of any wrongdoing concerning button amounts.


Lords Of Thunder

http://hg101.classicgaming.gamespy.com/lordsofthunder/lordsofthunder.htm

Yeah I worded that poorly, but meant that the TG-16 versions always sound better...

I think RF was still the most common form of connection when the Turbo came out. I think it is akin to the PS3 not coming with HDMI cables.

While NES was the only system of it's time to ship with AV cables (that I know of), for all the other systems you just had to buy a cable, not a module. Big deal? Not back then for most.

I checked that link and it seems the audio of both the Duo and Sega CD versions have their strengths. The Sega CD version also has some content that was left out of the Duo version (sexy shopkeeper, mmmm).


If you can I would import a Duo RX or get a Core Grafx I or II. Most of the better games were out in Japan on the PC Engine. There are numerous CD2, SCD and ACD games out in Japan that are really worth playing. An alternative to importing is to get a Hucard converter for the TG16 (kinda pricey) and import the Arcade System Hucard, then your TG16 can play all the imported CD games.

Where have you been Staxx? Wow, that sounds rather complex. I don't have the resources to buy all (or any) of those things right now but I will make a note.

I really have to say thanks to everyone who replied to this thread, there is enough info to keep me playing TG-16 games for years. Thanks for the recommendations and the question has been answered, TG-16 does not suck. But of course the fist order of business is finding an emm effen controller!

And also I leaned how to spell Turbo Grafx correctly.

[Gentlegamer]

If you can, you ought to change the title of this thread to "How I learned to love the TG-16!" :)

[Ed Oscuro]

For import playing, all you need is one of the Duos, and I think an Arcade Card 3. It's not really that complex. You don't need the Core Grafx I/II; those were just incremental upgrades really (think something along the lines of the black Xbox that was just announced).

[nebrazca78]

If you can, you ought to change the title of this thread to "How I learned to love the TG-16!" :)

I would if I could!


For import playing, all you need is one of the Duos, and I think an Arcade Card 3. It's not really that complex. You don't need the Core Grafx I/II; those were just incremental upgrades really (think something along the lines of the black Xbox that was just announced).

Maybe the fact that I have no money to spend on it makes it seem more complicated. So if I have a Duo and the Arcade Card 3 I can play every game released for the system, all regions?

[staxx]

Hey Nebrazca78, long time no see!!!! Glad to see that you are into the TG16/PC Engine scene. Well if you keep yout TG16 and buy a imported PC Engine Duo and an System 3 Arcade Card then you can play all the games (the CD games are region free).

[Trebuken]

Keith Courage rules!!!

[Gentlegamer]

To play all games (including the CDs), you'll need the ability to play Japanese HuCards. While the CDs themselves are not region locked, some of the Japanese CD games require Japanese only HuCards to play, such as the Arcade Card.

[stargate]

IMO, I would not get all that excited about the TG-16. I bought my first back in the day when it was first released and I was quite disappointed. Things haven't gotten much better.

The main problem is the lack of good games. I can count the good games on this system on 2 hands. After that it is a pretty steep slope. The TG-16 doesn't have many OK games. They are pretty much great or terrible. Unfortunately, there are much more of the latter.

Having said that, you will note that the system gets a lot of love on this forum. I also have to say that it's one of my favorites.

For me, the good games are just really amazing. The TG-16 also has sort of what I call "glowing graphics". The graphics just seem so vivid and brilliant. They really stand out and look beautiful. And maybe there is something to the fact that the TG-16 is somewhat unknown and was a failure in the states that makes it all the more cool to have.

And of course when you add the CD aspect, it certainly gets better.

Don't expect too much and you will be pleasently surprised, but if you are expecting a SNES or something, you will be disappointed in the lack of good games.

[The-Bavis]

Well, I picked up my "TurnoGrafx 16" at the post office today, despite the best efforts of the postal workers. The one I got is in decent shape. The clips that latch the "cover" on the back are broken, so that doesn't really work, but kinda does. The only other problem is the RF cord doesn't really latch on. I'm not sure if it's the cord or the socket. Hopefully the cord. It works, but if you bump the box, it can come off.

Well, my first impressions of the system are not great, but I am going to blame the games I got with it. I got the ubiquitous Keith Courage, Boxy Boy, and China Warrior. I think Keith Courage seems like the best of the three, although Boxy Boy would be ok if it was on gameboy or at least didn't look like it was. China Warrior made me laugh the entire time. It's just NES Kung-Fu, but your character is ridiculously huge! It seems OK, but I don't know how much I'll play it...

Guess I need to pony up the dough for a well-loved game. I'm looking at Blazing Lazers or Neutopia, both or which are a little pricey, but not too bad.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know my first impressions of my "new" system. Oh, and the controller cord length is a joke. I do like the material it is made out of as it has no "memory" and isn't a wrinkled mess after all of these years <*glares at XBOX cords*>.

[stargate]

Well, I picked up my "TurnoGrafx 16" at the post office today, despite the best efforts of the postal workers. The one I got is in decent shape. The clips that latch the "cover" on the back are broken, so that doesn't really work, but kinda does. The only other problem is the RF cord doesn't really latch on. I'm not sure if it's the cord or the socket. Hopefully the cord. It works, but if you bump the box, it can come off.

Well, my first impressions of the system are not great, but I am going to blame the games I got with it. I got the ubiquitous Keith Courage, Boxy Boy, and China Warrior. I think Keith Courage seems like the best of the three, although Boxy Boy would be ok if it was on gameboy or at least didn't look like it was. China Warrior made me laugh the entire time. It's just NES Kung-Fu, but your character is ridiculously huge! It seems OK, but I don't know how much I'll play it...

Guess I need to pony up the dough for a well-loved game. I'm looking at Blazing Lazers or Neutopia, both or which are a little pricey, but not too bad.

Anyway, just thought I'd let you know my first impressions of my "new" system. Oh, and the controller cord length is a joke. I do like the material it is made out of as it has no "memory" and isn't a wrinkled mess after all of these years <*glares at XBOX cords*>.

Yeah, the games you got can basically be thrown away.

I really didn't like Neutopia, but some do.

Usually, you get can loose Hucards much cheaper than boxed. Blazing Lazers would be a good one to pick up. I would also suggest Devil's Crush, Legendary Axe, and Splatterhouse. All good starter games that will give you an idea of what the system is all about.

[bangtango]

The main problem is the lack of good games. I can count the good games on this system on 2 hands. After that it is a pretty steep slope. The TG-16 doesn't have many OK games. They are pretty much great or terrible. Unfortunately, there are much more of the latter.

Thus ends the great NEC/TTI fanboy mystery of why the system didn't take off in the US :)

[staxx]

If you guys can, get a PC Engine and it will open the doors to a lot of great games that never made it to the States....sigh what was NEC of America thinking

[Anthony1]

IMO, I would not get all that excited about the TG-16. I bought my first back in the day when it was first released and I was quite disappointed. Things haven't gotten much better.

The main problem is the lack of good games. I can count the good games on this system on 2 hands. After that it is a pretty steep slope. The TG-16 doesn't have many OK games. They are pretty much great or terrible. Unfortunately, there are much more of the latter.


Yeah, if you are looking at the USA lineup for the TG-16, I would have to agree with you. I have a special place in my heart for the TG-16, but if I'm really honest about it, it really doesn't have that many great games, and it does have alot of crap games. PC Engine and CD games make it a different story of course



Having said that, you will note that the system gets a lot of love on this forum. I also have to say that it's one of my favorites.


This is a common thread among people that have experienced what I call "Turbo Love". The Turbo is such an underdog, that you can't help but love it.



For me, the good games are just really amazing. The TG-16 also has sort of what I call "glowing graphics". The graphics just seem so vivid and brilliant. They really stand out and look beautiful. And maybe there is something to the fact that the TG-16 is somewhat unknown and was a failure in the states that makes it all the more cool to have.


Most people forget that the TG-16 could put alot of color on screen. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, it could put the same number of colors on screen simultaneously as the SNES. The SNES had a larger palette of colors to choose from, but the TG-16 could put an equal number of colors onscreen. Games like Legendary Axe and Bonk's Adventure (especially the early level in which you go into that Dinosaurs mouth and are swimming around in his stomach. Talk about freaking color!) were extremely colorful.



And of course when you add the CD aspect, it certainly gets better.


Word Skippy.




Don't expect too much and you will be pleasently surprised, but if you are expecting a SNES or something, you will be disappointed in the lack of good games.

Yep, and I'm not so sure that people who have never ever played the TG-16 before,....back in the day.... will really have the same feeling for it that most of us "Turbo Lovers" have for it. It's like me and the Sega Master System. I never originally owned the Master System. After going retro, I decided to try it, but it just never really did anything for me. I think the main reason for that, is that I never had one back in the day. So I didn't have any kind of nostalgic feeling to fall back on. So for the folks that never owned a TG-16 originally, it's going to be somewhat difficult to develop the kind of love affair with it that that some of us have developed. I will always have a special place in my heart when it comes to the TG-16. The TG-16 wasn't my first gaming system, but it was the system that started me on the path of becoming a hardcore gamer. I'll never forget the time I spent with it originally in 1989 and 1990 and 1991.

[wcmiker]

Ever since I got a Turbo Grafx 3 or 4 years ago I have enjoyed it immensely. It's just plain cool. Nowadays I have a sweet Turbo Duo setup and 50+ games. Also, the fact that I like shooters really helps too.

[Anthony1]

Ever since I got a Turbo Grafx 3 or 4 years ago I have enjoyed it immensely. It's just plain cool. Nowadays I have a sweet Turbo Duo setup and 50+ games. Also, the fact that I like shooters really helps too.


Yeah, if you can't stand shmups, then the TG-16 and Duo might not be the best idea. Kinda like if you can't stand FPS or racing games but you're getting a Xbox 360.

[djsquarewave]

If you guys can, get a PC Engine and it will open the doors to a lot of great games that never made it to the States....sigh what was NEC of America thinking
I suspect something akin to "Curse Nintendo's anti-competitive practices making us unable to release games from anyone besides Hudson Soft!"

Also, Cratermaze is awesome. I think that one's probably cheap?

Heck, the only time I ever played a Turbo before last year was about five minutes of Bonk on a TurboExpress, and I still love the system. I think it's probably the unique look and sound that so many of the games have compared to other systems of the time...it's very much a bridge between the 8-bit and 16-bit, and not simply in hardware...

[BydoEmpire]

One semester in college the local Babbages dropped the TG16 to $69, so I sold all my books and bought one. I only had a few games, and sadly sold it less than a year later. I sold a lot of gaming stuff then, unfortunately. While I can't remember the physical quality of the system, the games were quirky and fun. While I spent more gaming time w/ the Genny & SNES, the TG16 certainly had a place, and I don't think its sucks at all. The one controller port is annoying, but you can just pick up a TurboTap.

Most of the stuff I've bought for the Wii's VC has been Turbo games (since I no longer have the system). For the most part the games hold up well - Alien Crush, Bonk's Adventure and Splatterhouse have all been a blast.

[Humongous Forum Troll]

I just got my first TG-16 today. I've always wanted one but not enough to hunt one down or pay much for it. Anyway I finally got one cheap and once I hunt down the cables I'll try it out. But I did notice a couple things.

First and foremost, ONE CONTROLLER PORT. What the hell is this? Aside from the obvious problems it causes gamers, what executive thought this would be a good idea? Basically almost everyone would have to buy a Turbo Tap just to use the system. Nobody I know plays games solely by themselves.

Second, the controller cord can't be more than 4 ft. long. I guess they knew you'd be buying the Turbo Tap which extends the cord length. Sega also made some controllers with short cords but most of the Sega controllers I come across have long cords.

Third, the controller only has two real buttons. Suck.

Fourth, it just seems cheaply made compared to a Genesis or SNES (non-yellowed SNES that is). The plastic reminds me of crap from the '70s.

There are a couple things I like about it. The standard controller has built-in turbo. And if you read the back of a HuCard it politely asks you to put the card back in its case when you're done using it. That's nice.

We'll see how the games are, I have the Magic Engine so I know there are some great titles out there. It came with the game Tiger Road which I have never heard of but it's made by Capcom so I have high hopes.

I disagree with you; and think you suck.

[Mr. Yeah]

yeah.

[nebrazca78]

Yeah, if you can't stand shmups, then the TG-16 and Duo might not be the best idea. Kinda like if you can't stand FPS or racing games but you're getting a Xbox 360.

Love shmups. Have all of the Genesis shooters.


I disagree with you; and think you suck.

That is so insightful and helpful, thanks! Rarely have I seen a moniker as accurate as yours.


yeah.

And your favorite band must be the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, right?

[Humongous Forum Troll]

That is so insightful and helpful, thanks! Rarely have I seen a moniker as accurate as yours.

You are a goon.

[Lil_John]

yeah.

YEEAAHYA!

[Mr. Yeah]

YEEAAHYA!

yeah.

[nebrazca78]

You are a goon.

You remind me of this guy I heard about on T.V. He broke his back sucking his own dick and now he types from a wheelchair. I hope you don't end up like that.

[Nitwig]

Hey, I registered for this forum just to get in on this thread. I just bought a TurboGrafx 16 and one of my controllers broke in exactly the same way. It appears that when the controller was manufactured they press the pin connector into the pin holes on the end of the cable just after putting a bit of molten plastic on the end of cable. After so many years the bond can just sort of give out. I decided to repair mine and it worked well. I got some two part epoxy and mixed up a small batch. I then loaded some into the end of the controller cable and pressed the pin connector back in place. Then i wiped off the excess epoxy (important step) and plugged the controller back into the TG16. I turned on the unit and played a game. I wiggled the connector until all the buttons worked. I then carefully put the controller down, turned off the unit and walked away. When I came back 10 hours later, the epoxy dried and my controller was repaired. I have the turbo tap and I plugged the controller into that for the repair. The controller was sort of stuck into the Turbo tap when I came back even though i had wiped off the excess epoxy, but there was so little that leaked out that I was able to get the controller loose. I would imagine that this is a very common problem with these controllers since it seems to be a design flaw. Maybe you could try this fix. Epoxy is extremely strong and once cured allows for no wiggling of the connection. That is why the test is so important when the glue is wet since this repair can only be attempted once. I hope that this can be useful for you or anyone else reading this thread. I would say the most dangerous part of this operation would be the chance that you could damage something by glueing the controller to the TG16, but if you make sure to squeeze out the excess epoxy and wipe it off before you push the connector in and test you should be ok.

[nebrazca78]

Hey, I registered for this forum just to get in on this thread. I just bought a TurboGrafx 16 and one of my controllers broke in exactly the same way. It appears that when the controller was manufactured they press the pin connector into the pin holes on the end of the cable just after putting a bit of molten plastic on the end of cable. After so many years the bond can just sort of give out. I decided to repair mine and it worked well. I got some two part epoxy and mixed up a small batch. I then loaded some into the end of the controller cable and pressed the pin connector back in place. Then i wiped off the excess epoxy (important step) and plugged the controller back into the TG16. I turned on the unit and played a game. I wiggled the connector until all the buttons worked. I then carefully put the controller down, turned off the unit and walked away. When I came back 10 hours later, the epoxy dried and my controller was repaired. I have the turbo tap and I plugged the controller into that for the repair. The controller was sort of stuck into the Turbo tap when I came back even though i had wiped off the excess epoxy, but there was so little that leaked out that I was able to get the controller loose. I would imagine that this is a very common problem with these controllers since it seems to be a design flaw. Maybe you could try this fix. Epoxy is extremely strong and once cured allows for no wiggling of the connection. That is why the test is so important when the glue is wet since this repair can only be attempted once. I hope that this can be useful for you or anyone else reading this thread. I would say the most dangerous part of this operation would be the chance that you could damage something by glueing the controller to the TG16, but if you make sure to squeeze out the excess epoxy and wipe it off before you push the connector in and test you should be ok.

That's an excellent idea and I did think of repairing mine too. The problem I had was that not only did the connector come apart but one of the pins broke. My video game repair skills are rather feeble (I can unscrew and screw things back in, that's about it, no soldering) so I will be hunting down a new controller. The broken one I have is missing the select button too so I think it's a lost cause.

[stargate]

REPLACEMENT TURBOGRAFX PARTS AND ACCESSORIES:

(for any TG-16 newbies)

http://www.tzd.com/forsale.cgi

WORD !!

[The-Bavis]

REPLACEMENT TURBOGRAFX PARTS AND ACCESSORIES:

(for any TG-16 newbies)

http://www.tzd.com/forsale.cgi

WORD !!

This site even sells replacement cords for the controller due to the breaking pins as discussed above. Might be able to fix your controller for half the cost of a new one (which they also sell).

[Tron 2.0]

Hmm surpise no body link this site if they need there TG16 fix.

http://www.oldschoolgamer.ca

[nebrazca78]

This site even sells replacement cords for the controller due to the breaking pins as discussed above. Might be able to fix your controller for half the cost of a new one (which they also sell).

If my controller wasn't also missing the select button this would be perfect.

[Nitwig]

Thanks for the website. I just ordered a replacement cable some extensions and a new controller.

[The-Bavis]

Not that anybody cares, but my RF instability appears to have all been in the cable and not the system. Using my NES or SNES RF switch and it works fine. Now to buy some decent games...