From: pearl@remus.rutgers.edu (Starbuck)
Newsgroups: rec.games.video
Subject: Re: A Tale of Three CDs
Date: 15 Apr 92 14:48:36 GMT
Organization: the Worlds Welfare Work Association, Rutgers Anime division

In article <1992Apr10.042011.3855@sfu.ca> rauser@fraser.sfu.ca (Richard John Rauser) writes:

 >    Not too long ago, a friend and I rented the Turbo CD unit along with
 > Valis II, Ys Book I and II, and Monster Lair. After playing with the thing
 > for about ten hours straight (especially Valis II) I realized that I had 
 > experienced the ultimate in gaming. 
 > 
 >    Now, as the Turbografx 16 is not exactly a dynamic system I decided that
 > the best course of action to take would be to wait for the Genesis CD to be
 > released in the U.S.
 > 
 >    This was before I discovered that the Turbo CD has been slashed in price
 > AND the Genesis CD is going to retail for $350.00 U.S.!! Translate that to about
 > $450 Canadian and I may as well buy a Neo-Geo for the price. 
 > 
 >    Just to add to the fun, Nintendo has declared their CD unit will list for
 > about $200.00 U.S. If they stick with this price they will snatch away any 
 > remaining Genesis loyalists (such as myself) who haven't already been stolen
 > by Street Fighter II.
 > 
 >    The Turbografx Duo just adds further intrigue, especially considering that
 > Japanese CDs will play no problemo in the North American unit...Sega stupidly
 > decided to lock out Japanese CDs in the Genesis CD, and Nintendo may (MAY...no
 > flames here) do the same.
 > 
 >    At $350.00 U.S. with NO Japanese compatibility, Sega has lost me as a
 > potential CD customer. What remains to be seen is (a) the price of the Duo
 > and (b) the price of the Nintendo CD Rom. The software problem experienced by
 > the Turbografx since its inception isn't a problem with the CD unit, since 
 > the wealth of PC Engine CD games will work with no problem on the North Americanunit. With the Super System card 3.0, the Super CD games will play on the
 > Turbo CD.
 > 
 >    CD gaming must be experienced to be believed and to any of you who have not
 > yet played a CD game (a really good one, not Fighting Streets on the Turbo :-))
 > I urge you to do so.
 > 
 >    For those of you who have decided to get in on the CD craze (at least, the
 > future CD craze) I'd be really interested in knowing what route you plan to
 > take. 
 > 
 >    Genesis CD? ($350.00? Sorry) Nintendo CD (IF $200.00, why not??) or TG-16
 > Duo (IF reasonably priced, pretty attractive considering Japanese software...)

I have given a lot of thought to this.  I own the TG16 and although I
do not own a CD Player yet, I am giving alot of thought as to the
route to take based on information which I have heard:  (I am trying
to contact Turbo Technologies to confirm the information)

Basically, NEC/TT have slashed the price of the basic CDROM unit to
$150.  This does not include Super CD capability.

The Duo, which is planned for September 1992, does have Super CD
capability built in and will retail for (I've heard) around $250.
This is about the cost of a TG16 & CD player but it will contain the
equivalent of the Super CD Card and include a CD game.

The Super CD Card will retail seperately for about $50-$80.

What to do... What to do...

I will probably pick up the CDROM unit seperately for the following
reasons:

1) Already own a TG16 so I could put the additional $100 saved
towards a super system card.

2) By keeping the peripherals seperate, I have a semi-portable CD
player I can use away from the game system and if I want to transport
the base unit without the CD player, I can do so.  (Why risk equipment
I don't have to)

3) By allowing me to purchase the CD player now and the Super System
Card later, I don't have to spend as much at once.  (I don't have that
kind of money just kicking about anyway.

If I didn't own a TG16 yet, I would definately go for the Duo.  But
only on the basis of the Japanese games and the promise from Hudson
Soft of a veritable explosion of games.  (I hope this happens,
otherwirse it is over for the TG16 in America)


As for why the TG16+CDROM as opposed to the other systems?  The system
is reasonably priced and the wealth of Japanese games is astonishing.
If I had to make the decision based solely on American game
availability, I might've gone with a Genesis or SNES, but just taking
a look at some of the Japanese PC Engine magazines (They have THREE
monthly magazines) and the games coming out make my mouth water...

Steve
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