PC-Engine CD-ROM2 and Super CD-ROM2; What's the difference?

[crux]

I'm gearing up to buy a region modded SuperGrafx to round out the gaping hole in my console library. To really round it out I'll need a CD-ROM and Arcade Pro card, but I can't for the life of me find any significant differences between the original CD-ROM2 and the Super CD-ROM2 attachment.

I know that the original needs to be tethered to the SuperGrafx with an additional piece of hardware, as the SuperGrafx is too awkwardly shaped to fit into the interface, whereas the Super CD-ROM2 attaches directly to the SuperGrafx. I also know that the Super CD-ROM2 has the 3.0 card already imbedded, but that'll be negated by my need for an Arcade card anyway.

Are there any other significan differences? Pros or cons to one over the other? Reliability, size, drive speed, etc.? Thanks for any help.

[Breetai]

I'm gearing up to buy a region modded SuperGrafx to round out the gaping hole in my console library. To really round it out I'll need a CD-ROM and Arcade Pro card, but I can't for the life of me find any significant differences between the original CD-ROM2 and the Super CD-ROM2 attachment.

I know that the original needs to be tethered to the SuperGrafx with an additional piece of hardware, as the SuperGrafx is too awkwardly shaped to fit into the interface, whereas the Super CD-ROM2 attaches directly to the SuperGrafx. I also know that the Super CD-ROM2 has the 3.0 card already imbedded, but that'll be negated by my need for an Arcade card anyway.

Are there any other significan differences? Pros or cons to one over the other? Reliability, size, drive speed, etc.? Thanks for any help.

Why do you need an Arcade Card? Honestly, unless you're a HARDCORE collector, there aren't any must have games on it. Then again, if you're collecting Supergraphx games, apparently you're pretty hardcore.

Personally, I'd say the Super CD-ROM2 is the superior one. The inclusion of a build-in System 3.0 is a plus of course, but you're getting an Arcade Card card. As for reliability, the gears on the CD-ROM2 are prone to breaking. Being made of plastic doesn't help! I've never heard of any major problems with the Super CD-ROM2. If you're asking about size, then I ask you if you even know what a Super CD-ROM2 looks like! You do know... don't you? I'm not aware of any differences in drive speed. As you know, the Supergraphx can plug directly into the Super CD-ROM2.

So, there you go. IMO, the Super CD-ROM2 is the best choice due to its inclusion of System 3.0, reliability and ease of connecting to the Supergraphx. Unless you want the "original" CD-ROM2 or like the look more, go with the Super CD-ROM2. Or, better yet, get both!


I'm not an expert on this stuff, but this is just stuff that I've learned while collecting video game stuff. Personally I just have a PCE Duo.

[marurun]

The Super CD-ROM is easier to deal with with the SuperGrafx, basically. Finding the adapter for the original CD-ROM unit isn't too hard, but the whole mess takes up a bit more space that way. The inclusion of the Super CD memory is also nice, of course. No real reason to go with whichever arrangement best fits your television/entertainment setup and your price constraints.

[shallowgamer]

I'm gearing up to buy a region modded SuperGrafx to round out the gaping hole in my console library. To really round it out I'll need a CD-ROM and Arcade Pro card, but I can't for the life of me find any significant differences between the original CD-ROM2 and the Super CD-ROM2 attachment.

I know that the original needs to be tethered to the SuperGrafx with an additional piece of hardware, as the SuperGrafx is too awkwardly shaped to fit into the interface, whereas the Super CD-ROM2 attaches directly to the SuperGrafx. I also know that the Super CD-ROM2 has the 3.0 card already imbedded, but that'll be negated by my need for an Arcade card anyway.

Are there any other significan differences? Pros or cons to one over the other? Reliability, size, drive speed, etc.? Thanks for any help.

Why do you need an Arcade Card? Honestly, unless you're a HARDCORE collector, there aren't any must have games on it. Then again, if you're collecting Supergraphx games, apparently you're pretty hardcore.

Sapphire requires the arcade card.
There are also some (inexpensive) fighters out there.

[Breetai]

]Why do you need an Arcade Card? Honestly, unless you're a HARDCORE collector, there aren't any must have games on it. Then again, if you're collecting Supergraphx games, apparently you're pretty hardcore.

Sapphire requires the arcade card.
There are also some (inexpensive) fighters out there.

Unless you're pretty damn hardcore into the PC Engine, there's no need to pick up Sapphire. It's only a must have game if you are REALLY into the PCE or shoot 'em ups. Of course, if you are hardcore and want to drop $100 or so on Sapphire or you absolutely need to play the PCE version of Strider or any of the Neo Geo port downs, then I guess you'll be needing an arcade card.

[crux]

Thanks for all the advice. I was leaning towards the Super CD-ROM2 and I guess it does make more sense. If I can find the blasted thing for a reasonable price.

I've made a pretty sizeable list of the games I'll be wanting and thus far no Arcade CD titles are on it, so I won't worry about that until I get there. I know some of the Neo Geo ports have superior sound on the PCE (and I'm not getting a Neo Geo CD, I know that much).

[Breetai]

...I'm not getting a Neo Geo CD, I know that much....

Why not? They are not very expensive machines, and a lot of the games are also quite cheap (unless it has Metal Slug on the cover... ). It's the AES (cartridge based unit), that's expensive. The Neo Geo CD is way cheaper than a PCE Super CD-Rom.