PC Engine questions

Why not though? It's always good to have the choice of the regions, it's why I've modified most of my recent systems. So I can import Japnese titles. Unless the modification on the PC Engine hurts the value.

 

I'd expect it to increase the value. Hucard converters are tricky to find and most US cards still won't work on PC Engine systems without a mod anyway. May as well just make the slot fully accept US games in the process.

 

I guess I'm at a loss as to what US Hu Cards you would prefer to play over their Japanese counterparts, because the CDs work fine...

 

True, beside maybe Neutopia and Dungeon Explorer that's about it. Few games with real dialog were translated.

 

I thought it would of increased the value as well. I can get a -RX for bit more with the region switch fitted.

 

That's fine. Don't pay the usual collector's premium RX carries over R.

 

What do you reckon the reasonable price of a -RX would be?

 

I have no clue. Try asking a Japanese user, they should know the language to poke around stuff like yahoo.jp auction prices.

 

Yakumo should know. I'll throw him a PM.

 

While it's true you need an adaptor for the interface system, Supergrafx slides straight into the super cdrom2 unit.

 

I didn't think of that. The super cdrom2 unit is pricey too. Hm.

 

HeXiGON - Thought I would add my opinion as I went through the same process you are going through a couple of years back, after buying a regular PCE, then realising I needed a CD player for the other great games!

Firstly, I would say the region switch is not essential... Maybe it's because it never got released in the UK (and the US support was a bit crappy), but I see the PC Engine as a Japanese-only machine! Up to you if you want to get the mod done, but most RPG are on CD anyway, and that is region free...

I looked into the regular Duo, but read the issue with caps and laser, so it put me off.

I ended up buying a Duo-R from an eBay seller who basically refurb'ed them - put a new laser in, cleaned the case to remove the yellowing, and did an RGB mod.
He did a great job cosmetically, my only grumble was he put an internal RGB colour booster, and this was over the power supply at the rear, so as it heated up the screen started to 'wobble'! I just removed the mod and wired the chips direct to the RGB port, then used the modified SCART lead I already had for my Core Grafix, since then no problems at all!

Does not look like he is around on eBay anymore, which is a shame, I think I paid about $190 for it boxed, so I was pretty happy.

Hold out for a Duo-R, or RX... You won't be sorry!

 

Thanks Cawley1 good that you mentioned that the CD is region free. Like you said it's a Japanese system. I might get a standard one, however after Lum told me that the mod would increase it's value overtime it might be worth it even if I never use it. I know a supplier that sells replacement lasers, so the laser won't be a problem for me.

I'm thinking about a Duo-RX since they're worth a lot more than the standard DUO-R and Hucard+CD2+interface unit, even though that unit it's self caught my eye as well, looks so retro

Thanks for the advice bud, I'll be doing a lot of thinking about this buy.

 

I guess... It doesn't come recommended from me. I'd put the Duo-RX price difference into games. Major enough from Duo-R as to mean one less Dracula X level hit you could buy.