Best TG16 Hardware Investment

Post by **racketboy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:49 pm

I'm looking to expand my console collection a bit. I think I've decided that the Neo-Geo is still out of my price range by the time I buy some games for it.
So I'm thinking the TG16 would be my next good option.

After reading Marurun's great TG16 101 post, it sounds like the Turbo Duo would be the best bang for the buck if I want to experience the majority of the library.
http://www.racketboy.com/retro/turbogra ... guide.html
Is that true?

Is there anything I should look out for when shopping for a Turbo Duo?

Post by **D.D.D.** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:12 pm

Anything but the Duo wouldn't be frugal as it costs so much more to get the TG16, CD drive, and super CD card.
Just try out the Duo before buying if you can as CD drives wear out of course and there's always the loose or static-crackle AV plug.
I'd get a refurbed/modified one if you were willling to spend a little more for certainty in the quality of the system you're getting.

Oh and nice choice on getting a Duo BTW.

Post by **racketboy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:19 pm

D.D.D. wrote:Anything but the Duo wouldn't be frugal as it costs so much more to get the TG16, CD drive, and super CD card.
Just try out the Duo before buying if you can as CD drives wear out of course and there's always the loose or static-crackle AV plug.
I'd get a refurbed/modified one if you were willling to spend a little more for certainty in the quality of the system you're getting.

Oh and nice choice on getting a Duo BTW.

Do you know of any places online that specialize in refurbished ones?

Post by **D.D.D.** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:27 pm

I know there's a TG16 forum that a guy sells them through but, off hand, I can't recall right now.
I think it's this one. http://www.superpcenginegrafx.com/ and http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index. ... 0a3cd0;www
I might remember as I'm more awake though...
www.oldschoolgamer.ca also does repairs and I think sells refurbs as well.

Post by **racketboy** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 9:14 pm

I got an attacking site warning from Firefox on that last link....

Post by **gradualmeltdown** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 10:07 pm

I would agree the Turbo Duo is a fine choice. Here's a few problems I have with mine.

A/V plug connector is bad. When wiggled there is video drop out.

Hu-Card reader is kind of picky. Sometimes I have to wiggle cards around to get them to work a few times.

Post by **cloudrat7** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:01 pm

I would say it's a good investment, i still have mine with about 15 cards, I'm waiting for it to break down but it's still standing the test of time..lol. oh yeah, and i still play military madness. Awesomeness!

Post by **marurun** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:03 pm

Your cheapest option is probably to buy Japanese hardware and mod it to play US chip games. The white Duo R and Duo RX are considered more reliable than the original dark Duo (US and JPN). A different option that might save you money would be to get a PC Engine Core unit (any variety - or even a Super Grafx if you are truly mad bonkers) and either a Super CD add-on or an original CD "briefcase" unit w/Super System or Arcade Card.

If you go the Duo or Super CD add-on route you shouldn't have too much trouble trying to find an Arcade Card (Duo) to play Arcade CD games. If you go the briefcase route you'll have to find the rarer Arcade Card Pro. But really, even though some of the ACD games were really good, there are a lot of other games to play, so you can probably hold off on going the ACD route for some time. Dip your toes in the waters first.

*Notes on mods: Hardware mod is only necessary to play chip games/use system cards of the opposing region. If you want to play ACD games on any US system you need the region mod, as Arcade Cards are JPN only. There are both US and JPN System 2.0/2.1 and Super System 3.0/3.1 cards. The JPN cards are easier to get. All CD games are region agnostic. If you want to play any US chip games on a Japanese system you need to remember to cut and ground an extra pin in the JPN system when you perform the mod.

So here's a chart of your options for playing US and JPN Hucards, CDs, and Super CDs, from what I perceive to be cheaper to more expensive. I may be wrong:

PCE/Core/Core II + JPN Super CD-ROM unit
PCE/Core/Core II + CD-ROM "briefcase" + Super System Card
Duo (JPN)
Duo (US)
DuoR
DuoRX
TG-16 + CD-ROM unit + US Super System Card
SuperGrafx + Super CD-ROM unit
SuperGrafx + RAU30 adapter + CD-ROM "briefcase" + JPN Super System Card

Lemme know if you have questions. And also, a link to a site I've visited that might be able to help. Haven't bought from them, though.

http://www.japangamestock.com/buy,impor ... japan.html

Post by **NotBlaine** » Sat Jul 12, 2008 11:07 pm

Even with a Duo, you still may need to get the Arcade Card for certain games. Now, unfortunately the Arcade Card was never released stateside so you'll also need a Hu card adapter (which can be pricey as well). Remember if you get a Duo to get the Arcade Card Duo, not the Arcade Card Pro - the Pro was designed for non-duo systems and was/should be more expensive.

Bearing all that in mind, another option is to buy a Japanese Duo and perform a fairly simple mod so it'll accept US Hu cards as well.

It just becomes a question of how much you feel like crackin' open your Duo vs. paying for a Kisado adapter.

Then again... you can always steer clear of the Arcade Card games too.

Post by **peace4myheart** » Sun Jul 13, 2008 11:59 pm

I agree with PC Engine + CD because I have been through two Duo's and both laser died on me in less than a year. Mind you, it lasted this long since it was developed, but still a waste of money for me both time. Now I have one Duo laying there not able to play CD games and I am afraid to open it. I am no expert and I might make it worse. I am tempted to crack the Duo open real soon as I have bought the tool already. Just not the laser to replace it, if that is indeed the problem. Heard many great things from many people about PC Engine + CD. No laser reading problem. If the Duo works well, then I say it is a fine investment. However, given the circumstance, I will have to say "No Deal".