PC engine disscussion + game recommendations

[Opa Opa]

I'm considering selling my Turbografx and stepping up to a PC Engine. I really want the larger library selection but I don't know what system to choose.

I think I just want to stick with playing games on HuCards at the moment but I'd also like the ability to step up to playing CD games...

Is there anyone here familiar with the PC Engine? I want to get into collecting for that system the most cost-effective way possible. Any help is appreciated.

[Stark]

You can get a Core Grafx or a Core Grafx II, those seem to go for relatively cheap and you can get a couple of different types of CD-ROM units to upgrade it later.

[crux]

Don't aim for a SuperGrafx or outer boxes, I'll tell you that much.

I can't tell you from experience (I went the pricey modded SuperGrafx, Super-CD-Rom², and outer box direction), but most would recommend the TurboDuo if you're going down the CD-Rom road, which I do advise. I strongly recommend modding the system to play imports if you're a fan of shooters, which is the PC Engine's strongest genre by far. Note that the CD games are region free, should you choose to buy an import system. The RPGs are mostly on the CD-Rom, so you can mostly get away with an import system and import Hucard games if that would save you money and you don't want to mod.

As for games, obviously the boxes drive the prices up a lot, particularly with the outer box. The TurboGrafx (not PC Engine) had a second cardboard box over the jewel case, and not too many of the outer boxes survived over the years. The jewel cases aren't even necessary unless you like the look on the shelf, like I do.

[Opa Opa]

You can get a Core Grafx or a Core Grafx II, those seem to go for relatively cheap and you can get a couple of different types of CD-ROM units to upgrade it later.

Hmm... Core Grafx looks interesting...
Any word on the reliability of the CD add-on units?

[swiftzx]

Where's Breetai when you need him?

[fastbilly1]

Mod the TG16 you already have. If not, Coregrafx (the grey one). A PCEngine (the white one) is rf out only, while the Coregrafx is composite. They pop up on ebay for under $100, but if you wait you can get one for $50ish shipped. Breetai bought me my first one in Japan (came in the box), but the second one I bought was through ebay and I paid $53ish with shipping from a US seller.

[Opa Opa]

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.

[Korpi]

I got unboxed Duo-R and even though it's costly imported I'm glad I chose it. No technical problems and no need to buy any addon or sell anything. If you have TurboGrafx already, you have already experience playing some of the HuCard games, and the CD-ROM library is fundamental part of PC Engine. Duo-R(X) is very well designed as well, getting the CD-ROM part as addon would be less practical and aesthetically pleasing, though I must say the CD-ROM addon looks fun and may have collector appeal.

It is said the CD-ROM addon with interface unit is prone to technical problems (as is the black Duo or TurboDuo unit), and the second version is bit on the rare side, and would end up costing probably more than Duo-R(X) unit. I guess the good thing with the second version is that you can combine it with SuperGrafx, but that would be costly and might not be worth it if you don't want to play SuperGrafx games.

It's a hassle if you try to find cheaper path and it might just end up costing more. I thought about it for a good while, and came to the conclusion Duo-R(X) is the way to go, unless you really don't feel any need to play CD-ROM games at this point or want to play those few SuperGrafx games in near future.

[Opa Opa]

It's a hassle if you try to find cheaper path and it might just end up costing more. I thought about it for a good while, and came to the conclusion Duo-R(X) is the way to go, unless you really don't feel any need to play CD-ROM games at this point or want to play those few SuperGrafx games in near future.

Playing CD-Roms is kinda up in the air right now. To be brutally honest, the amount of quality games on HuCards is sufficient for my needs.

As far as CD games go I don't know if it's really worth the investment of added peripherals. Let's take Ys for example. I can get Ys I & II on PSP for around $30. I already have the system so that's less money I'd have to spend. Same with Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. I can get it (and I already own it!) on PSP for about $11. There are so many options nowadays with re-releases and compilations. Now there may be, and probably are, some great games that never made it past the PC Engine CD-Rom drive, but unless I see some "omg I can't live without playing this" titles I probably won't invest in one. Although, I still am kinda curious about my options.

[Stark]

It's a hassle if you try to find cheaper path and it might just end up costing more. I thought about it for a good while, and came to the conclusion Duo-R(X) is the way to go, unless you really don't feel any need to play CD-ROM games at this point or want to play those few SuperGrafx games in near future.

Playing CD-Roms is kinda up in the air right now. To be brutally honest, the amount of quality games on HuCards is sufficient for my needs.

As far as CD games go I don't know if it's really worth the investment of added peripherals. Let's take Ys for example. I can get Ys I & II on PSP for around $30. I already have the system so that's less money I'd have to spend. Same with Castlevania: Rondo of Blood. I can get it (and I already own it!) on PSP for about $11. There are so many options nowadays with re-releases and compilations. Now there may be, and probably are, some great games that never made it past the PC Engine CD-Rom drive, but unless I see some "omg I can't live without playing this" titles I probably won't invest in one. Although, I still am kinda curious about my options.

Well I'm sure there are some HuCard games that would be fun to play that would be cheaper on PCE, like Magical Chase.