If you love Shmups I would have to say that a CD add on would be worth it, although both Gates of Thunder and Winds/Lords of Thunder are pretty expensive at around $40-50.
And I might be wrong, but I'm fairly sure every variation of PCE can connect with any version of the CD add on. Only the PC Engine Shuttle cannot connect to a CD module.
At any rate, if you want to keep it cheap, a stock PCE will provide you with enough games for a while. By the way have you looked up Aero Blasters? There's a genesis port, but some people (myself included) find it to be inferior. I prefer the graphics and sounds the PCE version uses. Actually, do you have a full list of games your looking for?
abeaver wrote:At any rate, if you want to keep it cheap, a stock PCE will provide you with enough games for a while. By the way have you looked up Aero Blasters? There's a genesis port, but some people (myself included) find it to be inferior. I prefer the graphics and sounds the PCE version uses. Actually, do you have a full list of games your looking for?
A list, eh? Alright. I needed to put one together anyway.
Here's a rough list of shmups
Tensei Ryuu: Saint Dragon
Super Star Soldier
Soldier Blade
Parodius Da!
Salamander
Magical Chase (Hey, a man can dream, alright?)
Fantasy Zone
I'm aware that some of these already have an American release and there are a lot unlisted that I still need to try out.
Non-shmups
OutRun
Space Harrier (well... not a true shmup)
Parasol Stars
Splatterhouse (Not as censored as the North American version)
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As you can see I've mainly been focused on finding shmups so far. I need to go through the library and see what other non-shooters the system has to offer.
I think its awesome. I was the only kid I knew who had a TG16 back in the day, though sadly it was right before it died altogether. So finding games for it was hard as hell (pre-internetz, remember?). Air Zonk was one of those games I always wanted, but never got to try until many years later. It's really an impressive game.