From: pearl@gandalf.rutgers.edu (Starbuck)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime
Subject: Re: TurboDuo?
Date: 11 Nov 92 21:58:41 GMT
Organization: the Worlds Welfare Work Association, Rutgers Anime division

For those who are inerested in the TurboDuo, (THE absolute BEST system
for anime games), here is the turbo FAQ:

Subject: Turbo-Grafx 16 Frequently Asked Questions
Newsgroups: rec.games.video,news.answers
Keywords: monthly informative posting
Followup-To: rec.games.video


Archive-name: turbo-grafx/faq


			======================
			TurboGrafx 16 FAQ List
		        ======================
			Edited by Steve Pearl
			Last modified 92.10.13

This is a monthly posting for owners (and would be owners) of the
TurboGrafx16 video game system.

Changes/Additions since the previous posting:
- Updated upcoming releases
- Updated Manga-Chan information

Information needed:
	- Will the Macintosh/CD interface work with the vanilla CD
	   Player or just the Duo.
	- Are there any Hardware capability improvements in the Duo vs
	   an expanded TG16?
	- 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)
	1-900-FUN-TG16 (Game Tips)


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.

- 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?
	Plenty!  At the recent Summer '92 CES they had several major
	announcements:

	They announced the Duo. For $299 you got a Duo (Tg16 + built-in CD
	Player) plus Ys I&II plus a disc with Bonks Adventure & Bonk's
	Revenge, Gates of Thunder on CD and a Ninja Spirit Hu-Card as well
	as a coupon book worth $50 for 10 games.  (And you didn't even need to
	wait for a Law Suit like Nintendo owners!  :-) They also announced the
	Super System Card for the regular TG16 CD System.  For $95, you get
	the Super System card, as well as the Bonk/Gates CD and coupon book
	that come with the Duo!  An inexpensive way to upgrade your TG16 CD
	system to the power of a Duo!

	Several Price cuts were announced as well:

		TG16 Console	$69
		CD Player	$149
		Turbo Express	$199

	Perhaps the most exciting news for us Computer users was the
	announcement that Turbo Technologies will be making an interface card
	to allow a Macintosh (and other computers, presumably) to use the
	TG16-CD as a CD Rom unit.  (But not surprising when you consider that
	NEC produces most of the industry's CD Rom units anyway!


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)
	|----------+----------+ (TG16 only)
	|ScreenSize|     2.6" | (Turbo Express Only)
	|_____________________+


o Hardware/Game release schedule
	[Can anyone help with this??]
   Hardware:
	10/92	TurboGrafx Duo
	11/92  	Super System Card


   Games:
	Upcoming Releases: (From the Club Turbo mailing)

	New Adv Island	 Sep	1P  Action	HuCard
	Order/Griffon	 Sep	1P  RPG		HuCard
	Soldier Blade	 Sep	1P  Shooter	HuCard
	Dead Moon	 Oct	1P  Shooter	HuCard
	Air Zonk	 Oct	1P  Action	HuCard
	Ghost Manor	 Oct	1P  Action	HuCard
	Shape Shifter    Oct	1P  Adv		Super CD-ROM
	Prince of Persia Oct    1P  Action   	"
	Shadow of Beast  Nov    1P  Action      Super CD-ROM	
	Dragon Slayer    Nov    1P  RPG         "
	Loom		 Nov	1P  RPG		"
	Forgotten Worlds Nov	1P  Shooter	"
	Hit the Ice	 Nov	4P  Sports	HuCard
	Chase H.Q.	 Nov	1P  		HuCard
	Exile		 Dec	1P  RPG		CD-Rom
	Somer Assault	 Dec	1P  		HuCard
	Time Cruise	 Dec	1P  Pinball	HuCard
	Shockman	 Dec	2P  Shooter	HuCard
	Samurai Ghost	 Dec	1P  Action	HuCard
	Darkwing Duck	 Dec	1P  		HuCard
	Buster Bros	 Jan	2P  Action	CD-ROM
	Camp California	 Jan	1P  Action	Super CD-Rom
	Magical Chase	 Jan	1P  Shooter	HuCard
	Lords Of Thunder Feb	1P  Shooter	Super CD-Rom
	Legend of Tonma  Feb	2P  Action	HuCard
	Dungeon Explorer2  Mar  5P  RPG		Super CD-Rom
	Riot City	 Mar	1P  Action	Super CD-Rom
	World Sports	 Mar	5P  Sports	HuCard
	Bomberman '93	 Mar	5P  Action	HuCard


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 TurboPlay 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. 


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 three monthly magazines devoted to the PC Engine in
	Japan.  They are:
		1) Marukashi (Win!) PC Engine
		2) PC Engine Fan
		3) Gekkan (Monthly) PC Engine (Subtitled: Monthly magazine for
		   Game Freaks)
	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.

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Newsgroups: rec.arts.anime