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1993-11-04
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Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!gatech!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!uunet!dziuxsolim.rutgers.edu!igor.rutgers.edu!remus.rutgers.edu!pearl
From: pearl@remus.rutgers.edu (Starbuck)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video.misc,news.answers,rec.answers
Subject: Turbo-Grafx 16 Frequently Asked Questions
Keywords: monthly informative posting
Message-ID: <Nov.3.08.32.53.1993.25258@remus.rutgers.edu>
Date: 3 Nov 93 13:32:53 GMT
Followup-To: rec.games.video.misc
Organization: the Worlds Welfare Work Association, Rutgers Anime division
Lines: 338
Approved: news-answers-request@mit.edu
Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu rec.games.video.misc:6200 news.answers:14259 rec.answers:2836
Archive-name: games/turbo-grafx/faq
======================
TurboGrafx 16 FAQ List
======================
Edited by Steve Pearl
Last modified 93.08.12
This is a monthly posting for owners (and would be owners) of the
TurboGrafx16 video game system.
Changes/Additions since the previous posting:
Information needed:
- How does one become a developer?
Please send all additions/corrections/comments to:
Internet: pearl@remus.rutgers.edu or Steve Pearl
CI$: >internet: pearl@remus.rutgers.edu 359 Lloyd Rd
GEnie: S.PEARL6 Aberdeen, NJ 07747-1826
o What is Turbo Technologies and what happened to NEC?
NEC joined forces with Hudson-Soft (perhaps the largest game producer
in the world!) to form a new company called Turbo Technologies. This
new company will be responsible for marketing all of NEC's hardware
and software. Turbo Technologies has already started to make changes
in the way they are marketing the TG-16, including significantly
lowering the prices on all the major hardware and announcing new and
exciting new products.
o What is Turbo Technologies address & phone number?
21330 Superior Street
Chatsworth, CA 91311-4334
1-708-860-7952 (Information about the TG16 Hardware or Product Service)
o Why a TG16? Aren't the other game systems (SNES, Genesis) better?
-CD games available now.
As most gamers who use other systems will soon find out, a
CD-Rom unit is *the* item to get. It allows greater speed & graphics
capability, more memory, and much better and more detailed games.
Most cartridge games are measured in MegaBits (2 or 3 Megabit games).
CD Games are measured in Megabytes. 650 Megabytes! This is
equivalent to over 4000 Megabits! CD quality sound is included as
well as fully animated intermission sequences. And the TG16
has it NOW! Along with a huge library of games! The CD Rom player is
detachable (acts just like a portable CD player), plays regular CDs
*AND* CD+G, and will be able to be used as a CD-ROM drive for other
computers (Macs, PCs) in the future. The Sega CD is also out,
but costs as much as just a DUO.
- Inexpensive games
Many of the games for the TG16 are retailing for around $20.
A far cry from the $60+ that games for other systems seem to hover at.
- Up to 5 players
The TG16, with the addition of an inexpensive Turbo-tap,
allows up to 5 people to play some of the games. You
haven't had real fun until you've played 5 person Bomberman!
- Compatability with Turbo Express
The handheld game system with the best graphics (Turbo Express) is
also 100% compatible with the regular TG16 cartridges. And a
PC Engine adapter gets you access to 100's more games!
- Plenty of Japanese Games
The PC Engine (The Japanese version of the TG16) has more
games available for it then any other system. How does this
effect you? Easy! You can play the Japanese Hu-Card with the
use of an adapter and the Japanese CD games don't even require that!
- Into Japanese Animation?
The PC Engine has the most Japanese Animation related games
available for ANY system. Three "Ranma 1/2" CD games, a Macross CD
game with original art by Haruhiko Mikimoto, Gunbuster!, Silent
Mobius, Nadia, Yamato (Star Blazers), even Lodoss Wars!
Believe me, I maintain the Anime related Videogame list and it
was for those anime games that I bought my TG16. (See the Electronic
Resources section)
o So what does Turbo Technologies have planned for us?
(Need information)
o Hardware capabilities
(Adapted from the regular rec.games.video FAQ edited by Ken Arromdee
with corrections from other netters)
_______________________
| | TG-16 |
|----------------------
|Bits (CPU)| 8 + 8 |
|Bits (Gx) | 16 |
|CPU | Hu6280 |
|APU (Aud) | |
|MHz | 3.6 3.6|
|Graphics | 256 x 216|
| -2nd mode|512 x 262*|
|Colors | 482/512*|
|Sprites | 64 |
| - size |3 different
| |sizes with|
| |1 size |_
| |programmable)
|Audio | 6-lyr |-
|RAM | 8K+64Kgx|
|----------+----------+
|CD CPU/MHz|no CD=64K | (TG16 only)
|CD RAM | SCD=256K | (TG16 only)
| | NEC | (TG16 only)
|----------+----------+
|ScreenSize| 2.6" | (Turbo Express Only)
|_____________________+
o Hardware/Game release schedule
[Can anyone help with this??]
Hardware:
Games:
Upcoming Releases: (From the Club Turbo mailing)
o Which American Gaming magazines provide the best coverage of the
TG16 gaming scene?
Most of the major gaming magazines provide lack-luster coverage
for the TG16, mainly because not much has been happening as of late.
However, in light of the recent announcements from Turbo Technologies
made at the Summer '92 CES, there will probably be much better
coverage in the future. Until more happens in the TG16 arena,
it is difficult to say which magazine provides the best
coverage. You may wish to check out the magazines on a month-by-month
basis. Popular gaming magazines include "Videogame & Computer
Entertainment", "Electronic Gaming Monthly", and "Game Pro".
o Are there any Turbo only magazines available?
Yes. There are two magazines currently available. The first
is called DuoWorl and is published Bi-Monthly by
L.F.P. Inc. Single issues are $1.95 and a one year (6 issue)
subscription is $9. A coupon for a free sample issue is
published in Video Games & Computer Entertainment magazine. (Same
publisher!)
Their address is:
L.F.P. Inc
9171 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 300
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (Ack! I know the Zip Code for
Beverly Hills by heart! :-)
A second magazine which has just been started is called Turbo Force
and is going to focus on Multimedia & CD games.
(Need Address and subscription information)
o Are there multi-game cartridges/CDs available for the TG16?
Aside from the Turbo Duo pack-in game containing Bonks I, II,
and Gates Of Thunder there is a multi-game sports CD available in Japan.
o What is the access time and transfer rate on the SCSI Turbo Duo CDROM?
[Waiting for TTI to send me the data]
o Sources for games:
According to a recent ad by Turbo Technologies, the following places
sell the TG16: Toys R Us, Babbages, Electronic's Boutique, The Good
Guys, McDuffs, Software /etc, Video Concepts, Walden Software, and
through the Sears Catalog. Other known retailers include Chips &
Bits, and Totally Turbo [P.O. Box 2335 Libertyville, Ilinois 60198
Phone: 1-800-368-0054]
o What is the Super CD?
The Super CD is the CD player with a Super CD System card.
This card has a revised BIOS (Operating system) and more memory, thus
allowing faster and better games. Some games from Japan are Super CD
only. Others take advantage of the extra memory with more levels and
intermissions.
o Would the Duo be Super CD Rom compatible?
Yes
o Will NEC/TT release a Super System Card upgrade like they did in Japan?
Yes. It will retail for $95 and contain the Super System card as well
as the same multi-game CD that will be packaged with the Duo.
It will be also available without the CD for $65.
o Can a Japanese Super System Card be used with an American TG16 & CD-Rom if a PCE- >TG16 adaptor is used?
Yes, but I have heard that some of the cards are "touchy"
about the adapters and may not work all the time.
o What is a PC Engine? (edited from the regular rec.games.video FAQ)
PC ENGINE/COREGRAFX: Alhough they look different, they are
essentially the same as Turbografx-16. Cartridge games are not
compatible, but you can buy adapters for $20-30 through many mail
order places (get a game magazine and check the ads). In theory there
can be an adapter in the other direction, but I've never heard of any.
CD-ROM games (and, according to rumor, Super CD-ROM games) are
compatible without adapters; the Super CD-ROM expansion (3.0 card plus
256K memory) will also work in a TG-16 with adapter (in case you can't
wait for the US version). Buying an adapter may well be worthwhile
since the PC Engine is very popular in Japan, and many games released
for it never reach the US. (So far. This may change.)
Note: The CD-ROM2 is the counterpart of the CD, not the super-CD.
SUPERGRAFX: No US counterpart. (The Supergrafx is an enhanced
PC Engine and can play PC Engine games without modification, though
of course these are hard to get in the US.)
o PC Engine Magazines:
There are four monthly magazines devoted to the PC Engine in
Japan. They are:
1) Marukassu (Win!) PC Engine
2) PC Engine Fan
3) Gekkan (Monthly) PC Engine (Subtitled: Monthly magazine for
Game Freaks)
4) DENGEKI (Thunder light) PC Engine
These magazines contain mostly Japanese text (although there
is a surprising amount of English) and contain reviews, previews, full
colour pictures on glossy paper. They can be purchased at most
Japanese bookstores for about $7-$8 each. Some mail order Game
businesses sell them for about $12-15 each.
o How popular is the TG16/PCE in Japan?
It seems to be very popular. The PC Engine has always been
technologically innovative and has a huge library of game software.
The fact that there are THREE monthly magazines devoted to this game
system should say something. I would say that it is at least
the second most popular system if not the first.
o Where can I purchase Japanese games for the TG16?
Just remember that you need an adapter for Hu Card games...
(A more complete list is available in the Japanese Videogame Sources
list. See the Electronic Resources section for more info)
Die Hard
--------
19640 Ventura Blvd.
Tarzana, CA 91356
Orders: 818-774-2000
Information/Customer Service: 818-774-2005
Gametronix
----------
1606 Quarter Path
Richmond, TX 77469
Orders: 713-341-6868
Game Dude
---------
PO Box 8325EG
Van Nuys, CA 91409
Orders: 818-764-2442
Game Express
------------
11390 Ventura Blvd., Suite 1
North Hollywood, CA 91604
Orders: 818-760-4263
Marketing International
-----------------------
19 Milliken Blvd.
Scarborough, Ontario Canada M1V 4A2
Orders: 416-321-6516
Manga-chan/Video Addict-chan
-----------------
1750 30th St. #312
Boulder CO 80301
[Manga-chan is a new mail-order shopping service that
will export just about anything from Japan. They
specialize in manga, anime, and TV games, but are
willing to buy everything from the newest electronics
to antique kimono. For more information, please
contact (manga@oldcolo.com) or write to the above
address. International orders are welcome.]
o Can American games be played on a Japanese PC Engine?
No. Although it would seem as if only an adapter to switch the
pinouts is needed, there is a built in "protection" that
prevents TG16 games from being played on a PCE. But since the
price of the TG16 has come down to $70 retail (including 2 games and a
turbopad), perhaps the answer is to purchase a TG16 for playing
Turbochip (Hu-Card) games on. Not the best solution but certainly a
workable one.
o What about the Super CD-ROM and Duo for the TG-16?
The Duo is currently available in the US. The Super System
Card upgrade will be out in November/December.
o Electronic Resources:
Digital Games Review Digest: To subscribe, send mail to digital-games@
digital-games.intuitive.com. To obtain back issues, send mail to
info@limbo.intuitive.com containing the lines "help" and "listall
Digital.Games".
Clarence Din's Review list: Clarence Din (din@grad1.cis.upenn.edu)
maintains a collection of game reviews for TG16. They are usually
posted every Friday but you can always email him for the current
articles.
Japanese mail order sources: Maintained by Steve Pearl
(pearl@remus.rutgers.edu) Posted monthly. Available by
email upon request.
Anime related Video games: A list of Video games based on
Japanese animated shows. Maintained by Steve Pearl
(pearl@remus.rutgers.edu) Posted monthly. Available by
email upon request.
PC Engine Game Directory: A listing of all known PC Engine games with
as much information on them as possible. Maintained by Steve Pearl
(pearl@remus.rutgers.edu) Posted monthly. Available by email upon
request.
TG16 Cheats list: A listing of Cheats/Passwords/Hints for the TG16 and
PC Engine. Maintained by Steve Pearl (pearl@remus.rutgers.edu)
Posted monthly. Available by email upon request. [NOT FINISHED YET]
TG16 Product/Price list: A listing of all current TG16 games and a
survey of prices from various retail sources. Maintained by
Steve Pearl (pearl@remus.rutgers.edu) Posted monthly. Available by
email upon request.
<>