PC engine disscussion + game recommendations

[Opa Opa]

I've got a boxed Core Grafx I'll sell you cheaper than fleabay prices, Opa. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

You'll get a pm here in a minute.

[ApolloBoy]

I'd be careful about both of the CD-ROM2 add-ons. The original white unit has reliability issues (it's due to a plastic gear that can disintegrate over time) while the Super CD-ROM2 is starting to have capacitor issues pop up like with the TurboDuo. Personally I'd just save up for a Duo-R. The Duo-R is the most reliable of the bunch, you can play the vast majority of the PC Engine library right out of the box, and it takes up less space too.

[Opa Opa]

Hey guys/gals. Can you recommend any other games on HuCards worth checking out?
Here's the list of games I've tried and liked so far.

• Tensei Ryuu: Saint Dragon
  Coryoon - Child of Dragon (maybe?)
  Dead Moon
  Download
  Gunhed
  Super Star Soldier
  Soldier Blade
  Parodius Da!
  Bomberman '94
  Liquid Kids
  Fantasy Zone
  Space Harrier
  Parasol Stars
  Splatterhouse

[abeaver]

Bloody Wolf is great fun. You get to steal enemies' motorcycles and run people over with them. How awesome is that? If you enjoy pinball, Alien Crash and Devil's Crash are some of the best video pinball games ever. I wasn't even all that into pinball, but I love both these games.

[Opa Opa]

Bloody Wolf is great fun. You get to steal enemies' motorcycles and run people over with them. How awesome is that? If you enjoy pinball, Alien Crash and Devil's Crash are some of the best video pinball games ever. I wasn't even all that into pinball, but I love both these games.

I always meant to play Bloody Wolf.

Tensei Ryuu: Saint Dragon
Coryoon - Child of Dragon (maybe?)
Dead Moon
Download
Gunhed
Super Star Soldier
Soldier Blade
Parodius Da!
Bomberman '94
Liquid Kids
Fantasy Zone
Space Harrier
Parasol Stars
Splatterhouse

I've really got to start looking up game prices.
Coryoon is through the freaking roof! And it's really just a mediocre shooter.

[baphomet_irl]

PC Engine is such a great console for shmups - just incredible

[Breetai]

Where's Breetai when you need him?

The Canadian wilderness is very demanding. He's probably out strangling moose with his bare hands or punching a grizzly right in the jaw.

I haven't read through pages 2 and 3, so I might be repeating things.

The most cost effective way to obey PC Engine is to get a PCE Duo. The original Duo has issues with leaking capacitors sometimes. They can be replaced and fixed. The Duo-R or Duo-RX (same thing, really) are more reliable and are not nearly as likely to need that sort of repair (but it is still possible they would need that repair, just less likely).

You COULD just get an original PCE, Core Grafx I or II or Supergrafx (a lot more expensive just for the ability to play 5 extra games) and get one of the two CD-ROM add-ons, but, to be honest, this is more expensive in the long run. The CD-ROM library really is incredible. Do not miss out on it!!! Unlike the Sega/Mega CD, the majority of PCE games were released on CD.

Get a Duo.

This site: http://www.multimods.com/, sells modded Duos. OP, since you already have a TG-16, this might be a good option since you can play your TG games on it. The cheapest is an original Duo with the capacitors replaced for $240 shipped. That would allow you to play the games you already own and you would not have to worry about the common repair problem I mentioned above (as it has already been fixed). You could easily sell your TG-16 for $50 and keep your games, which brings the price down to $190. You would also save money by not having to re-buy your games.

There is also the option of upgrading to an Arcade Card. To be honest, while a few of the games (especially Sapphire) are incredible, it might not be worth the extra money to get an arcade card just for one great shoot 'em up, a few high quality Neo Geo ports and a few other games. Like the Supergrafx, most people would not feel the need for this unless you want to get everything PCE.

So, get a Duo. You will have access to about 95% of the library.

If you are a fool and really do not want to play the awesome CD library, then there are 5 main options.

PC Engine (RF only)
PC Engine Core Grafx (composite out)
PC Engine Core Grafx II (same as Core Grafx with a different colour scheme)
PC Engine Shuttle (composite out, but no expansion port. You CANNOT add CD-ROM!!! Expensive)
PC Engine Supergrafx (5 extra games are playable, two PCE games have slightly better grafx. Expensive)

The two CD-ROM add-ons are:

1. CD-ROM2 with Interface Unit (IFU). The PCE, CGI and GCII all fit into here. The Supergrafx needs an additional attachment. You would also need a system card. Get either a Super System Card (System 3.0) or an Arcade Card Pro (plays Super CD games AND Arcade CD games). The colour scheme goes well with either the original PCE or CGI. There is a common issue that need repairing on it. There are three plastic gears inside. The centre one is made of cheap plastic and can break. There is a fix, but it is very annoying.

2. Super CD-ROM2. This has the Super System Card (System 3.0) built in. No need for any cards unless you want Arcade CD games). The colour scheme goes with the CGII, but of course the PCE and CGI work with it. I have never heard of an issue with this. Of course it is always possible that capacitors could go on it, but I haven't really heard of this happening much at all. It is fixable if you can do basic soldering.

A PCE Engine, CG or CGII should cost between $50-100, give or take. A Duo will run $100-200. A Duo-R/RX slightly more than a Duo. Region modded Duos start at $240. Since you already have a TG and shipping from Japan costs extra money, a modded Duo shipped from the US might actually be your best option. Sell your TG for $50, and the Duo is effectively $190. Consider that you save AT LEAST $50 on shipping (that is by sea), and it is $140. Then, consider that you will not have to re-buy your TG games. That would be at least $40 if not way more. So, effectively, you could buy a modded PCE Duo for $100 shipped.

I have never bought from that site I gave you a link to. That seller has sold to many people I know of in the past. He has, at times, been slow to respond due to, if I remember right, a marriage issue that distracted him. That was years ago. I suspect that he would be good to buy from. Personally, I would go for it.

As for getting PCE games, I do not know a really cost effective place other than asking Racketboy/other forum members, who live in Japan, for help. Other than that, there is Ebay and the usual import sites.

[Breetai]

I've got a boxed Core Grafx I'll sell you cheaper than fleabay prices, Opa. Shoot me a PM if you're interested.

Did you buy that from me?

Tensei Ryuu: Saint Dragon
Coryoon - Child of Dragon (maybe?)
Dead Moon
Download
Gunhed
Super Star Soldier
Soldier Blade
Parodius Da!
Bomberman '94
Liquid Kids
Fantasy Zone
Space Harrier
Parasol Stars
Splatterhouse

I bolded the must-buys.

Parodius Da! is better on the Super Famicom, and best on the Saturn or PS1. It is affordable on both the SFC and Saturn. If you do get Parodius, why not Gradius, Salamander and Twin Bee as well? All are great on the PCE.... just, they are better on the Saturn (and still affordable).

Definitely get a Bomberman game. '94 is great, but to be honest, you'd do fine with '93 if you already have the TG version. Both are wonderful.

Coryoon is fun, but too expensive for what you get out of it. Fantasy Zone and Space Harrier are cheap and awesome, but... Saturn versions are better (arcade perfect, basically). If you want Sega games, why not also get Outrun, After Burner II (better than the Genesis version), Altered Beast, Columns and Thunder Blade?

Gunhed and the three "Soldier" games are INCREDIBLE. Why did you leave off Final Soldier? It is my personal favourite (although many prefer Gunhed/Blazing Lazers and Solder Blade) and it is CHEAP ($5-20).

Other games you need:

R-Type Part I & II
PC Genjin I & II (Bonk's Adventure and Revenge) III is also affordable on PCE
PC Denjin (Air Zonk) GET THIS!!!!
Alien Crush
Devil's Crash (Devil's Crush)
Bloody Wolf
Doraemon: Maikyu Daisakusen (Crater Maze)
Dragon Spirit & Dragon Saber (both are fun shmups and CHEAP)
Galaga '88
Jackie Chan (same as NES, but better grafx. It is FUN)
Ninja Spirit
Raiden (poops all over the SNES and Genesis versions)
Street Fighter II': CE (DUH!!!! It is cheap. Of course, totally unnecessary if you have other versions)

So, there are a few other games that would be good to get. Of course there are more, but those are tops IMO.

Do NOT forget that there are WAY more excellent CD games. Some of the highlights are Castlevania: Rondo of Blood (should be under $100 now!), Gate of Thunder (perhaps the best shoot 'em up EVER MADE), Winds of Thunder (aka. Lords of Thunder) and Spriggan.

GET A DUO (or Super CD-ROM2 if you buy that Core Grafx from S1mplehumar. They are probably $100-150 plus shipping from Japan. Go by sea and save money!). Seriously.

[Opa Opa]

Hmm... Interesting...
I need to think about this.

[Breetai]

Hmm... Interesting...
I need to think about this.

Well, the Core Grafx does look pretty sweet! It goes well with the original CD-ROM/IFU. Just... make sure you know how to fix the gear if it breaks.