A question about the TG-16 and it's CD Add-On

[ReddMcKnight]

Does the TG-16 and it's CD Add-On have any Region/Copy Protection?

[D.D.D.]

Nope~ At least on the CD side of things. Turbochips, yes.

[ReddMcKnight]

Nope~ At least on the CD side of things. Turbochips, yes.

Cool. Lame about the Turbochips though. Thanks.

[Breetai]

Actually, the Turbo-CD is only "sort of" region-free. Technically, it is 100% region free. However, in reality, the Turbo-CD usually only comes with a System 2.0 card. System 3.0 cards (aka. Super CD cards) are difficult and expensive to find in the US. The majority of the top games are Super CDs (system 3.0). They are cheap and plentiful in Japan, but of course they will not work in a stock TG-16 since HuCards (Turbochips) are not region-free.

If you get a Turbo-CD with a system 3.0 card, then you are gold. If not... they are tough to find and you cannot import one for a stock system. This is why importing PC Engine Super CD systems (like the Duo) is so popular. It is the cheapest route overall.

[ReddMcKnight]

Actually, the Turbo-CD is only "sort of" region-free. Technically, it is 100% region free. However, in reality, the Turbo-CD usually only comes with a System 2.0 card. System 3.0 cards (aka. Super CD cards) are difficult and expensive to find in the US. The majority of the top games are Super CDs (system 3.0). They are cheap and plentiful in Japan, but of course they will not work in a stock TG-16 since HuCards (Turbochips) are not region-free.

If you get a Turbo-CD with a system 3.0 card, then you are gold. If not... they are tough to find and you cannot import one for a stock system. This is why importing PC Engine Super CD systems (like the Duo) is so popular. It is the cheapest route overall.

So, what your saying is, go find a PC Engine with the CD Add-On, because it'll save me money, and I can play US CD Games in it? Is that correct?

[Breetai]

Actually, the Turbo-CD is only "sort of" region-free. Technically, it is 100% region free. However, in reality, the Turbo-CD usually only comes with a System 2.0 card. System 3.0 cards (aka. Super CD cards) are difficult and expensive to find in the US. The majority of the top games are Super CDs (system 3.0). They are cheap and plentiful in Japan, but of course they will not work in a stock TG-16 since HuCards (Turbochips) are not region-free.

If you get a Turbo-CD with a system 3.0 card, then you are gold. If not... they are tough to find and you cannot import one for a stock system. This is why importing PC Engine Super CD systems (like the Duo) is so popular. It is the cheapest route overall.

So, what your saying is, go find a PC Engine with the CD Add-On, because it'll save me money, and I can play US CD Games in it? Is that correct?

Pretty much, yes. You'd only be missing a few translated HuCard RPGs like Neutopia, but that is very minor. Most RPGs were released on CD, so you really won't have any worries about games (unless you REALLY need English to play Bonk's Adventure or understand what the people in the houses are saying in Keith Courage).

Getting one of the PC Engine Super CD systems is the cheapest way to play original PCE/TG-16 CD games.

[lisalover1]

Actually, the Turbo-CD is only "sort of" region-free. Technically, it is 100% region free. However, in reality, the Turbo-CD usually only comes with a System 2.0 card. System 3.0 cards (aka. Super CD cards) are difficult and expensive to find in the US. The majority of the top games are Super CDs (system 3.0). They are cheap and plentiful in Japan, but of course they will not work in a stock TG-16 since HuCards (Turbochips) are not region-free.

If you get a Turbo-CD with a system 3.0 card, then you are gold. If not... they are tough to find and you cannot import one for a stock system. This is why importing PC Engine Super CD systems (like the Duo) is so popular. It is the cheapest route overall.

So, what your saying is, go find a PC Engine with the CD Add-On, because it'll save me money, and I can play US CD Games in it? Is that correct?

If you're getting a PC Engine, then get the Arcade Card Pro. It is the highest level of expansion card for the system, and lets you play games like Castlevania X and Sapphire.

[D.D.D.]

Actually, the Turbo-CD is only "sort of" region-free. Technically, it is 100% region free. However, in reality, the Turbo-CD usually only comes with a System 2.0 card. System 3.0 cards (aka. Super CD cards) are difficult and expensive to find in the US. The majority of the top games are Super CDs (system 3.0). They are cheap and plentiful in Japan, but of course they will not work in a stock TG-16 since HuCards (Turbochips) are not region-free.

If you get a Turbo-CD with a system 3.0 card, then you are gold. If not... they are tough to find and you cannot import one for a stock system. This is why importing PC Engine Super CD systems (like the Duo) is so popular. It is the cheapest route overall.

So, what your saying is, go find a PC Engine with the CD Add-On, because it'll save me money, and I can play US CD Games in it? Is that correct?

If you're getting a PC Engine, then get the Arcade Card Pro. It is the highest level of expansion card for the system, and lets you play games like Castlevania X and Sapphire.

I haven't seen arcade card prices in a while but I remember them being somewhat high (around $50~100).
I know you can get a boxed PC Engine Duo (variants) for around $100~$150 in Japan. I'd just get a Duo as it'll let you play almost everything. There aren't that many great games that require the arcade card. But if you want the biggest range, yeah, arcade pro. Perhaps the best entry at the time would be the PCEDuo and consider getting the arcade card later if there's something you just gotta play.
But you don't need the arcade card for Dracula X; system card 3.0 or a Duo is okay.

[Breetai]

If you're getting a PC Engine, then get the Arcade Card Pro. It is the highest level of expansion card for the system, and lets you play games like Castlevania X and Sapphire.

Not much need for that. Any Super CD system (Super CD add-on, Duo, Ruo-R, System 3.0 card) will play Super CD games like Castlevania X. No need for extra cards unless you only have the original add-on. Sapphire needs an Arcade Card... but it costs around $300. Basically, you don't need to waste money on an Arcade Card unless you are an insane collector and want the three or so games that are "must haves" for it (two $300 shoot 'em ups and Strider). Pretty much what D.D.D. said.

[D.D.D.]

I got curious and checked Amazon... You can get Sapphire for what Breetai said but I saw this on there too.



Sapphire and two other games on PSP for $30. Not bad~ Takes away one of the pricey Arcade Card titles from the mix and get Strider2 for PS1 'cause it comes with Strider1 (and Strider2 is really fun).

Still curious Breetai, what's the other $300 shooter for the arcade card???