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PC Engine/TG Appreciation and Collecting Thread, Because who needs a 2nd controller?
- Thread starter gryz
- Start date
D.Lo
Member
Yeah it all needs context. The MSX was more like a Colecovision or Sega SG1000 in power, nowhere near the Famicom, which was a generational leap beyond it (despite coming out first). Really the MSX series only reached parity with the Famicom with the 2+, five years later, by which time the PC Engine was out.
Ultimately I think I enjoy the Famicom version of Salamander the best. I have every release (MSX games on Saturn MSX collection, Arcade on Saturn Salamander pack), and the Famicom one is the most balanced IMO. It's a version that is half Salamander, half the 'Life Force' remix (It's a different game in Japan - Salamander/Life Force has a complicated history). In Europe it was actually released as 'Life Force Salamander'!
foobarry81
Member
Salamander MSX was just called Salamander in Europe though.
And well, the graphics card in the MSX2 is actually better than what the Famicom had. The 2+ only added better built-in music (MSX-Music sound chip) in some machines.
But you're right, the MSX1 was inferior to what the Famicom was able to produce, and up until 1987-1988 many MSX games are made to be compatible with the original MSX1, so compromises had to be made.
Absolutely love that Populous manual. I may need to get the game just for the manual, lol.
Going to look through your HuCard collection later today and may end up firing away some questions about some of your games, but I gotta bolt now.
D.Lo
Member
My favourite Konami shooter on the PCE is Gradius II, by far. Parodius is good but the SNES version exists so it was always a halfway point between Fami and Super Fami. Though I have all of them!
Yep, I was talking about the NES/Fami game.Salamander MSX was just called Salamander in Europe though.
True for static graphics, and it had vertical hardware scrolling, but for horizontal scrolling it was still weaker than the NES because it was stuck with the same weak CPU, and didn't have the Famicom's dual bus design with both main and video buses on the cart slot, allowing for significant upgrades. Hence even MSX2-only game like Contra and Castlevania (and many other games) were flip-screen.
There is an arcade center in my city that once imported quite a few Parodius pcb's so I was able to play the arcade version a lot!
Don't mean to derail this thread but regarding the Parodius games. I used to have the super fami version along with the gameboy cart. but now all I own are these, I play the pc engine version the most:
Making me want to plug in one of my Parodius games right now with that picture, piggychan.
On a technical level, the Super Famicom and PC Engine ports are really good, but there's something about the Famicom version I really like, and I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's the NES chiptune version of the music or that the controls make it feel a little closer to Gradius and Stinger on the NES than the closer arcade ports of Parodius, but either way I do like popping it in an inordinate amount of time for what appears to be an inferior port.
On a technical level, the Super Famicom and PC Engine ports are really good, but there's something about the Famicom version I really like, and I can't put my finger on. Maybe it's the NES chiptune version of the music or that the controls make it feel a little closer to Gradius and Stinger on the NES than the closer arcade ports of Parodius, but either way I do like popping it in an inordinate amount of time for what appears to be an inferior port.
foobarry81
Member
Lol, the only Parodius game I got so far is the very first one. But I'll add Parodius Da! to that soon. Our collections would be totally compatible. ;-)
Anyway.....piggychan, question time about your HuCard collection!
About the "platformers with cute characters" in your collection (Son Son II, Makai Prince Dorabocchan, Genji Tsuushin Agedama, Jigoku Meguri, Legend of Hero Tonma, Momotarou Katsugeki, New Zealand Story): which ones are worth it?
Son Son II seems to be based on Journey to the West? And has weird 70s organ music.
Shmups I don't own or that weren't already on my list yet: Side Arm, Download, 1943 Kai - The Battle of Midway, Rabio Lepus, Gomola Speed, Cyber Core, Hana Taaka Daka!?, Mr Heli no Daibouken, Ordyne, Berabo Man, Aero Blasters, Xevious, Raiden. Which ones should I get?
Bloody Wolf looks a bit like a poor man's Mercs. Is it good though?
Pro Tennis World Court is supposed to be an interesting game. Your take on it?
Also Volfied: what's the purpose of the game?
The gameplay video I saw doesn't make a whole lot of sense.Lol, the only Parodius game I got so far is the very first one. But I'll add Parodius Da! to that soon. Our collections would be totally compatible. ;-)
Anyway.....piggychan, question time about your HuCard collection!
About the "platformers with cute characters" in your collection (Son Son II, Makai Prince Dorabocchan, Genji Tsuushin Agedama, Jigoku Meguri, Legend of Hero Tonma, Momotarou Katsugeki, New Zealand Story): which ones are worth it?
Son Son II seems to be based on Journey to the West? And has weird 70s organ music.
Shmups I don't own or that weren't already on my list yet: Side Arm, Download, 1943 Kai - The Battle of Midway, Rabio Lepus, Gomola Speed, Cyber Core, Hana Taaka Daka!?, Mr Heli no Daibouken, Ordyne, Berabo Man, Aero Blasters, Xevious, Raiden. Which ones should I get?
Bloody Wolf looks a bit like a poor man's Mercs. Is it good though?
Pro Tennis World Court is supposed to be an interesting game. Your take on it?
Also Volfied: what's the purpose of the game?
Son Son II - Get it when you can. licensed from Capcom's SonSon arcade game. I guess you could say it's a sequel. Both based loosely from the journey to the west aka Monkey King. I actually really do like the music in this game. Everything is cute, endearing and well executed. Playability is great too although can be tricky on the platform jumping in some areas.
Makai Prince Dorabocchan - Not too fond of this. Graphics are ok, nothing really outstanding just adequate. Game play wise I find myself switching the game off after a few level's as I find the action a little slow. Some tricky elements on platform jumping here and there. The sequel also appeared on the SNES as Spike McFang.
Genji Tsuushin Agedama - based from the anime/manga of same name. Genji a young boy can trasnform into a superhero called Agedama. This is a forced scrolling platformer with shooting elements where you collect powerups and unleash different attacks depending on how long you charge the attack up. The forced scrolling adds an element of difficulty to the gameplay as you can't pause for a moment and relax. You are constantly being pushed forward. It's a unique game. I don't know if you are going to like this I'm sort of on the fence with this game as it's slightly deceiving. The graphics are cute and it has upbeat music but I can't play and be relaxed so I find it a tad frustrating.
Jigoku Meguri. I really like this game, You play a monk called Bonze whose been ordered to clear up the 7 levels of hell and defeat Emma-0 the master of the underworld who... has gone crazy. Using your prayer beads they can be levelled to have increased power and rapid firing You have different special attacks fueled by fire (red orbs) , lightning (purple orbs) and earth (green), plus there are other power ups to collect to aid you on the way, some of these can be cycled and change when you fire at them.
The level designs are unique and interesting particularly if you like buddhist themes of the underworld although certain parts the graphics remain inconsistent and can look bland. I really love the soft japanese percussion and soundtrack in this game.
The one hit deaths might frustrate you but I certainly find this relaxing, it's certainly challenging and compelling to play. You get to know the enemy patterns but you also get some that randomly respawn breaks the monotony. There are hidden areas to unlock on one or two stages while other stages you can take different routes.
Legend of Hero Tonma. - I love this game. it's cute but also quite challenging. The one hit kills along with jigoku Meguri might frustrate you. Like most IREM games it uses the pc engine's higher screen resolution. A side scrolling platformer with shooting elements. Get it!
Momotarou Katsugeki - Great platformer and I was pleasantly surprised how good this game is but there lots of moments that require japanese language skills as you will be asked quite a lot of questions to get power ups and items, so you might not be able to get the most out of this game. Menus are also in japanese. If you can stomach the japanese text it's a must buy!
New Zealand Story - disappointing port of Taito's arcade game. The colors are drab and the music hasn't been well executed. Also the 1 hit deaths can get frustrating. Game play wise it's good as all the arcade elements are there, hidden level warps etc. Just needed a bit more love and care into the making of it to make it a must own.
Shmups I don't own or that weren't already on my list yet: Side Arm, Download, 1943 Kai - The Battle of Midway, Rabio Lepus, Gomola Speed, Cyber Core, Hana Taaka Daka!?, Mr Heli no Daibouken, Ordyne, Berabo Man, Aero Blasters, Xevious, Raiden. Which ones should I get?
Side Arms, Download, Mr Heli, Ordyne, Aero Blasters, Hana Taaka Daka (aka super long nose goblin) Raiden; should be owned!
Rabio Lepus special is nothing like the arcade. It's really tough, much tougher than the arcade! I don't think the game developers thought it through. Some of the power ups fall to edge of the screen or areas where you can't pick them up and you need all the power ups you can get in this game!
Gomola Speed is a must have. It's got some elements of shooting but its more of a puzzle game and requires quite a lot of strategy and skill.. and luck! get it while it's not too expensive!
Berabo Man aka Bravoman. is an adventure platform game. I think namco were parodying that type of game where you transform to a superhuman hero that saves the day from a dastardly villain called Dr. Bomb.. Grab it.
Cybercore I find it an average game but it's got some great music. I bought this game just for the music alone and because it's not too expensive.
1943 kai is pretty good too. the Music especially the first track is absolutely marvelous! plus there is a remixed game in there which follows as soon as you beat the game. Graphically I think it could have been better but the music certainly has been uplifted from the arcade parent.
Xevious is .. well it's xevious but there is a remixed game in there too (Fardraut saga) both I find the difficulty quite hard. I just wished Namco put a bit more to the game. It lacks that "must buy" one for the Xevious fans I guess.
I love world court tennis by namco. It's game play and the graphics are simple but colorful and playable. That's all you need! Multi-player is even greater. I think this is a must have tennis game but it has been bettered by final match tennis from Human.
Bloody Wolf is a must have game. The level designs are varied as are the bosses. Music is very good. Buy it!
Volfied is another great Taito game. Very much like Qix. the point is really to claim and cover as much surface space from the enemy. At least 80% in order to complete the level and go onto the next. You also got power ups to collect and aid you while you fend off aliens.
>__> gosh at the time...
I played the NES version via emulations and I did actually enjoy it but what they did to Miss Chichibinta was unforgivable....
from this..
to this..
and the original boss from Gradius 2.
Man I used to have the those pc engine konami games too. little did I know back then about what people would pay for some of them.... >__>
With Gradius and Detana Twin Bee did you get the sticker sheets that came with those said games?
You should grab that tokimeki Mem game. If you do managed to play through some of it you might find some short but interesting shoot em ups in there.
D.Lo
Member
Clearly just a system limitation. 8-bit nudity might not have worked so well, colour wise.
I think I have stickers in Gradius II, but not any others. I've had my copies for almost 15-20 years old though. I threw out my Dracula X spine card when I got it, had no idea back then!
Bubble Bath Babes?
D.Lo
Member
Exactly.
foobarry81
Member
Darn... that's a lot of games I'm going to have to add to my wish list, it seems.
Thanks, piggychan!
Thanks, piggychan!
Darn... that's a lot of games I'm going to have to add to my wish list, it seems.
Thanks, piggychan!
you kinda right about it being a poor mans MERCS game. Graphically it's a bit uninspiring and the sprites look like they could have been drawn better but it's a port of an arcade game with great music and I think it's been enhanced over the arcade version. Shame the 2 player option is missing but perhaps it was for the best since there is some slowdown that creeps in.
It's a 3 button game where you need to shoot, jump and the run button is for throwing bombs. The select button pauses the game. You grab power ups from crates which can be open with your knife attact. they can blown up with bombs but they get destroyed along with captives that are in the way of the explosion.
IrishNinja
Member
god, we were just roasting classics in the genesis thread, i wll not have Bloody fuckin Wolf slandered here...such a fun game
lol tis a fun game indeed XD
MOMOTARO KATSUGEKI is another fun game but the language barrier might be a problem.
A Black Falcon
Member
I really wish someone would make a FAQ or translation guide for the game, it seems good but figuring out what to do in the towns is quite frustrating at times!
Also, I got the Game Boy, NES, and Saturn versions of Parodius last year. I actually like the GB version more than the NES version. The GB version is pretty great!
Also, I got the Game Boy, NES, and Saturn versions of Parodius last year. I actually like the GB version more than the NES version. The GB version is pretty great!
IrishNinja
Member
whoah, that game does look awesome, yeah
You could always get a Ten no Koe 2 or a Memory Base 128.
These both work on easily replaceable AA batteries and are readily available for around 20usd (here in Japan).
Edit for ref.:
Here are a couple of pictures of my Ten no Koe Bank with the holder.
Lid on:
Lid off:
I think this was suppose to be the way for Populous as I remember being very excited because not just playing populous but also because it was suppose to have built in RAM to save your game and even buying a brad new copy I could never figure out how to save on the damn HuCard. Many years later after getting back into the pc engine scene I bought populous again and was having the same problem, I was still unable to save so I purchased another one just the HuCard on it's own from ebay. I opened it up and found in that space was nothing...
that reminds me.. Have you ever seen the original pc engine version of Batman before it went gold and hit japanese game stores??
I was like what the hell were sunsoft thinking when they changed it all to a maze like game?!?!
http://www.disgruntleddesigner.com/chrisc/secret/PCE_1989Q3.html#batman
Still you are right the music is just amazing and the cut scenes are really nice.
Well this went over like a lead balloon.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=162776734
The Memory Base 128 is great, by the way... and not very expensive. Here's a guide for anyone interested to use the data utility in Emerald Dragon.
http://pce.lifeabroad.org/mb128.html
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=162776734
The Memory Base 128 is great, by the way... and not very expensive. Here's a guide for anyone interested to use the data utility in Emerald Dragon.
http://pce.lifeabroad.org/mb128.html
RoryDropkick
Member
Y'know, ive seen those pics and I wonder if the game would have been quality or not. For all we know we dodged a bullet
A Black Falcon
Member
Populous doesn't have save memory and never did; this is an old myth that was dispelled several years ago. Populous has that bump-up and calls itself a ROMRAM card because it's got extra memory onboard because of the size of the game, not because it has a save battery. It does not, and wasn't supposed to.
http://img.gamefaqs.net/box/8/5/9/51859_front.jpg
The battery picture in the upper right corner of the cover tells you that the game supports saving to the system, for any system with save backup support. HuCard games with system save support usually have that battery image on the cover.
Hah...
I don't think that building would be big enough for Nintendo, though. The MB128 is definitely great, but do remember to replace those batteries every, oh, 6-9 months or so depending on what batteries you're using (those ones with testers are handy)... otherwise it's essential though, for anyone like me who wants to keep their save files.
I also use Emerald Dragon for data transfer, but it does have one issue -- that games' utility only lets you copy between the system and blocks of system-save backup data, it does not allow you to see the files for games that save directly to the MB128. You'll need one of the other games with a MB128 manager for that, not sure which but I'm sure something lets you see those files.
Also, I was disappointed when I found that Emerald Dragon does not support saving to the MB128 itself, unlike most other games with MB128 utilities... too bad. That's right, the list in that page you link is a bit inaccurate there, Emerald Dragon does NOT let you save to the MB128. It might be a bug or something, but it doesn't. Its only MB128 support is the memory manager. That list is also missing a few games, but I've posted the full MB128 list before (Sailor Moon Collection also supports it, though seriously, don't buy that terrible minigame collection).
ah ok. But it still wouldn't make sense releasing it in a different card shape than any other pc engine HuCard game because the size of game is only 4 megabits.
A Black Falcon
Member
The game apparently has an extra RAM chip: http://www.pcenginefx.com/forums/index.php?topic=14494.msg291279#msg291279 "-> The game populous used additional RAM since the internal RAM of the PCE could not handle the game by it self."
That chip must be too tall to fit in a normal HuCard, hence the bump-up card and ROMRAM label. I'm sure the 4KB ROM fits under the black part of the HuCard as usual, but not also the RAM chip.
Ban Puncher
Member
I just bought a copy of Steam Heart's.
Because the cat ears and boobs make it extra sophisticated.I just bought a copy of Steam Heart's.
well I hope ya enjoy the game and it's visuals
Just received these in the post.
Tricky is quite sun faded but still in it's shrink wrap. But oh well it was cheap and it's gonna be unwrapped.
CROSS POST FROM THE RGB THREAD.
So my PC Engine Duo R and AV Famicom came home today from Baphomet, RGB'd up.
They look FANTASTIC. The PC Engine is a substantial improvement... so crisp and clear.
The only thing I'm trying to figure out now is a good Sync setting for the PC Engine Duo R. Anyone with an RGB'd system know a good one?
So my PC Engine Duo R and AV Famicom came home today from Baphomet, RGB'd up.
They look FANTASTIC. The PC Engine is a substantial improvement... so crisp and clear.
The only thing I'm trying to figure out now is a good Sync setting for the PC Engine Duo R. Anyone with an RGB'd system know a good one?
Sidenote folks. The PC Engine Duo R is a magical device.
It was gone for over two weeks and I don't know how many times Baphomet plugged it in during testing / RGB installation, but all my saves were still on the system. I figured it'd lose them from the capacitor losing charge after like a day or two at maximum.
It was gone for over two weeks and I don't know how many times Baphomet plugged it in during testing / RGB installation, but all my saves were still on the system. I figured it'd lose them from the capacitor losing charge after like a day or two at maximum.
SCART with stereo. Works fine now, I think. My xrgb needed a reboot.
The only thing now that I'm not a fan of is the interference in the audio on bright colors. Had it with the SNES too, and a grounded shielded SCART fixed that. Otherwise, it looks amazing. I am just picky about audio and have a revealing rig.
I think im gonna need to wait and find one of those first before getting my Duo modded. Man at this rate...the only things that wont be RGB are my NES and Dreamcast lol. How much was the mod? I know he's pretty fair since I got my PSone mod chipped and 64 RGB'd from Baph, but I never knew he worked with PC engine too.
He gave me a good rate for doing my AV Famicom and PCE at once... Not sure what the PCE would be alone!
At this point only my Dreamcast is running on composite.
sixteen-bit
Member
are there any solutions out there to externally back up PCE saves?
Ten no Koe
and for all CD-Rom systems
Link I think is from Akiba seller and I have heard mixed reviews on them..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEC-Ten-No-Koe-Bank-VGC-PC-Engine-Hu-Card-JP-Jap-Japan-Import-21672-/131496539208?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_71&hash=item1e9dcdf448
I did actually back everything up on this guy:
http://www.supergaijinultragamer.org/2012/03/pc-engine-memory-base-128/
And it works fine for that. It basically makes a full copy of your internal memory, and can make a bunch of those. You also have to use special software (I use Emerald Dragon) to access it.
So, sidenote. I'm about to come into ownership of a Turbo Grafx 16 with a Neo Power PCE 128. A buddy at work's brother cleared out a bunch of retro stuff, and he had a minty system / card / controller that I snagged for under half of the actual value. I hadn't really planned on getting a TG16, but apparently it's happening and I couldn't say no to the deal. I need to do RGB on it, though... stupid RF only stock. I'm seeing a bunch of external RGB boxes; one on eBay now has the SCART permanently attached. Anyone have something similar? I don't know if I want to do any permanent mods to a TG16.
I did actually back everything up on this guy:
http://www.supergaijinultragamer.org/2012/03/pc-engine-memory-base-128/
And it works fine for that. It basically makes a full copy of your internal memory, and can make a bunch of those. You also have to use special software (I use Emerald Dragon) to access it.
I am not a huge fan of permanent RGB mods but that has been the most common way of RGB modding the pc engines during their early life here in the UK. Problem was back then even though the image was sharp they were quite dark with the colors but I don't think the amps had existed then.
I have that 128 memory too but I haven't had any use for it as I don't own any games that support it.
Since you have Magical Chase and you are very particular about the music do you also use codes to access sometimes the hidden music option screens?
Magical chase has one and I think this track below does not even appear in the game. Well not that I could find anyway. It's been discussed that perhaps an extra stage or training mode might have been left out due to last minute hiccups/space issues etc.
on the screen where you select the difficulty, press: Left, Down, Right, Up, select, select, select, left, Right, II.
Also I don't know how easy it is to source the Tg16's AV booster but perhaps those can be RGB modded the same way the pc engine's AV booster can??
I am not a huge fan of permanent RGB mods but that has been the most common way of RGB modding the pc engines during their early life here in the UK. Problem was back then even though the image was sharp they were quite dark with the colors but I don't think the amps had existed then.
I have that 128 memory too but I haven't had any use for it as I don't own any games that support it.
Since you have Magical Chase and you are very particular about the music do you also use codes to access sometimes the hidden music option screens?
Magical chase has one and I think this track below does not even appear in the game. Well not that I could find anyway. It's been discussed that perhaps an extra stage or training mode might have been left out due to last minute hiccups/space issues etc.
on the screen where you select the difficulty, press: Left, Down, Right, Up, select, select, select, left, Right, II.
Also I don't know how easy it is to source the Tg16's AV booster but perhaps those can be RGB modded the same way the pc engine's AV booster can??
I have used the music select, and I've wondered about that song too. What's interesting is that it is also present in the Magical Chase Original Soundtrack, though there is seemingly no explanation there either. I'm fairly sure that the CD was created from a direct recording of PCE hardware, because some of the system noise common in a lot of games (a metallic bagpipe emptying sound) is present. I assume they went through the whole list, recorded it, and adjusted the recording. It sounds a little better in the CD than it does on my PCE, oddly.
The track listing is "Waltz of Meditation, Part 1 (Unused)." Part 2, of course, is the brilliant 5th stage music and best song in the entire game. The Arrange version of it is beautiful on the OST.
Oh here's the RGB attachment I'm looking at:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TurboGrafx-...4-/251958300618?ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:US:1123
I'm not crazy about the SCART being connected permanently, though. It seems similar to your AV Booster thing from that store in France. I'd love to get my hands on one of those, but they're more expensive, plus shipping from France...
I think you should go for it if the money is right. unless you can find a cheaper alternative between now and the end of that auction.
The guy seems to make them custom. He also makes a bunch of controller adapters; TG16 to PCE and a reverse. I need those too (since I'll have a TG16 pad I want to use on my PCE), so I sent him a note asking if he would cut me a deal on buying multiple things from him.
Hope it goes well. I need to find someone in UK or close to it who can either RGB/component mod the original white pc engine and fix the sound as it makes quite a bit of pop sounds during playback.
have you never played the first game in japanese? you can always try emulation before buying.
He did cut me a deal; two converters for the price of one with the RGB Box. The converters are a little expensive, but they're the only ones online so I suppose that's okay.
I'll be comparing the RGB on my RGB'd PCE to the TG16 when it arrives.
I forgotten how great Mr Heli no daibouken looks but grrr some of those bosses especially the one at the end of level 2, feels like you need luck to beat it rather than skill..
Another game to check out is Download. The going can get quite tough while the game's story has some interesting parallels with the Wachowski brother's movie The Matrix.
One thing that bugs me is you have an energy bar and each time you get hit you lose a level of power up which you've been accumulating throughout each level.
some of the game over screens.
Another game to check out is Download. The going can get quite tough while the game's story has some interesting parallels with the Wachowski brother's movie The Matrix.
One thing that bugs me is you have an energy bar and each time you get hit you lose a level of power up which you've been accumulating throughout each level.
some of the game over screens.