I don't know whow hard it is to obtain a full set but a lot are very cheap, the ones that are expensive seem to be shooters mostly but they're not prohibitively expensive from what I've seen.
To me games play much like the NES/Famicom games but with better graphics, give it a try, you might like it, it feels like it's in between 8-bit and 16-bit generations.
Darius Alpha is pretty rare and expensive. I don't know what it actually sells for, but people are asking $1000 loose for it on Ebay. Lots of shooters like 1941, Magical Chase, etc. are up there in the $100s too. You're cutting out half the library without the CDs, but I think a Hu card set would be fun to go for. There's a bunch of shooters and platformers which are my favorite genres.
There's something awesome about popping in a credit-card sized Street Fighter 2 on an 8-bit console and having it look that good. I know it's not a fair comparison, but just look at the Mortal Kombat SMS games that came out years later. Lots of games have giant sprites or fancy effects beyond what you'd see on NES. What turns you off about the 16-bit consoles?
The CD games are where most of the big money is. I'd imagine the set is still rather difficult to complete, there's always at least a few really rare or expensive titles right? I do have some loose tg16 cards in a binder, it's nice how little space they take up.
As for the games, I'd say it's more an in between of 8bit and 16bit. So if you don't like SNES or Genesis, there's a chance you'd like PCE still. The controller is more reminiscent of an NES controller as well. A lot of really good shooters on the system if you're into that. The Bonks series is great if you like platformers
While everyone is talking about value, yes the pc engine is very fun to play. You can often get much cheaper versions of awesome tg16 games, with tons of other fun shooters/ side scrollers
While everyone is talking about value, yes the pc engine is very fun to play.
Well, he asked about how both how expensive and fun it would be to collect 'em.
He kind of asked both.
Originally posted by: fcgamer
Is the PC Engine a machine worth playing, or does it have little to offer, especially for someone who is not a large fan of the 16 bit era?
It's the premier 16bit shooter console. PC Engine card collecting IMO is cheaper than Turbografx-16, but not a "I GOTZ EIGHT GAMES FOR FIFTY CENTS!" type of collecting.
I love my PC Engine. If you are going for an all HuCard collection and stick to loose cards it's obtainable, but a few of them are very expensive. Anything popular is going to be moderately expensive even loose. Example being Splatterhouse and Bonk 1 and 2 all go for anywhere from $30-80 loose. By avoiding the CD games you save a bunch of money since those are extremely pricey, even for crap games.
Depending on what type of games you like it may or may not be the system for you. If you like shmups, it's definitely for you. If you like platformers, there are a few good ones. If you are into RPG's there are those as well. Also if you stick with just HuCards, you can get a standard PC Engine and mod it for RGB, S-Video, Composite, or Component and not need anything else. Or you can go for the CoreGrafx. If you want to get into CD games, a PC-Engine Duo is the cheapest route. The Duo R is a good alternative, but a bit more expensive, however it won't have capacitors that are leaking. Alternatively, you can get a briefcase unit which looks awesome and has both CD and HuCard.
I will share my experience with it... Your mileage may vary
After going back and forth in my head I decided to get a pc engine and eventually bought a flash cart. I then got some 250 roms to play on my flash cart which was fun.
I found some games that I liked and started looking them up on ebay. Most of the games worth having are relatively fair prices between $30-60 USD.
But some of the more ridiculous 'hidden gem' type games get very expensive quickly. There are some games that are mediocre are harder to find and super expensive.
It is a great shmup machine with the star soldier series, psychosis, hana taka daka, magical chase, toliet kids etc.
For me I feel the same as you, I have no connection to the system at all and couldn't justify paying $100 or so for a working system and controller, extra controllers being $30-40 and needing the multitap. In playing all of those roms I'd really only want to own maybe 15 or so games that are anywhere from $30-200 or so.
That all being said I had a PCE with flashcart for some months and had fun playing games. After a while I realized I'd only need maybe 20 or so games on my flash cart and I would spend most of my time on maybe 3 games.
I wasn't using it as much so I sold my PCE. I missed having it so I bought a broken one just to display because I do love the look of the console.
My favorite game and favorite shmup of all time is Final Soldier. I played it on a flash cart on the system and emulated it on a psp and ouya. I have to be honest I can't tell the difference between emulation and the actual console. I am able to almost max out the score on the 2 min game and I don't have any problems doing that depending on emulation or actual hardware. I ended up buying a CIB copy and its the only PCE game I have right now and I always emulate it.
Now for your questions!
So is it worth playing? Yes I think so, It is an interesting system with some amazing shmups, platformers, strategy, arcade, and adventure games.
I think that the PCE has my favorite sound chip of any retro console. I love the simplicity of the Gameboy (my first system) but the PCE has much more to offer and thanks to most of the games being first party there is a huge library of AMAZING music from the system (even if some of the games are not so memorable)
Would it be worth going for a complete hu card set?
Absolutely not IMO: as stated above there are a handful of extremely expensive games and games that are exceedingly difficult to find from what I understand. I would say that maybe 35%-50% of the library is actually enjoyable and the rest are not so well made or too esoteric for my taste.
that all being said I have never understood completionist collecting so take some of that with salt.
As I said I love the system but I don't see any reason not to emulate. Between modding the console for AV or RGB and the expensive controllers, it was better for me to emulate. Also the stuff is all hard to find so for me EVERYTHING PCE related I would buy online or through mail. I've never seen PCE stuff in the US for sale in person at all.
PC Engine is totally worth it. There are some great games and who knows the next system to see a price hike could be it! I know my window for 3DO is closing. LOL
Comments
To me games play much like the NES/Famicom games but with better graphics, give it a try, you might like it, it feels like it's in between 8-bit and 16-bit generations.
There's something awesome about popping in a credit-card sized Street Fighter 2 on an 8-bit console and having it look that good. I know it's not a fair comparison, but just look at the Mortal Kombat SMS games that came out years later. Lots of games have giant sprites or fancy effects beyond what you'd see on NES. What turns you off about the 16-bit consoles?
As for the games, I'd say it's more an in between of 8bit and 16bit. So if you don't like SNES or Genesis, there's a chance you'd like PCE still. The controller is more reminiscent of an NES controller as well. A lot of really good shooters on the system if you're into that. The Bonks series is great if you like platformers
While everyone is talking about value, yes the pc engine is very fun to play.
Well, he asked about how both how expensive and fun it would be to collect 'em.
While everyone is talking about value, yes the pc engine is very fun to play.
Well, he asked about how both how expensive and fun it would be to collect 'em.
He kind of asked both.
Is the PC Engine a machine worth playing, or does it have little to offer, especially for someone who is not a large fan of the 16 bit era?
It's the premier 16bit shooter console. PC Engine card collecting IMO is cheaper than Turbografx-16, but not a "I GOTZ EIGHT GAMES FOR FIFTY CENTS!" type of collecting.
Depending on what type of games you like it may or may not be the system for you. If you like shmups, it's definitely for you. If you like platformers, there are a few good ones. If you are into RPG's there are those as well. Also if you stick with just HuCards, you can get a standard PC Engine and mod it for RGB, S-Video, Composite, or Component and not need anything else. Or you can go for the CoreGrafx. If you want to get into CD games, a PC-Engine Duo is the cheapest route. The Duo R is a good alternative, but a bit more expensive, however it won't have capacitors that are leaking. Alternatively, you can get a briefcase unit which looks awesome and has both CD and HuCard.
Lots of options.
After going back and forth in my head I decided to get a pc engine and eventually bought a flash cart. I then got some 250 roms to play on my flash cart which was fun.
I found some games that I liked and started looking them up on ebay. Most of the games worth having are relatively fair prices between $30-60 USD.
But some of the more ridiculous 'hidden gem' type games get very expensive quickly. There are some games that are mediocre are harder to find and super expensive.
It is a great shmup machine with the star soldier series, psychosis, hana taka daka, magical chase, toliet kids etc.
For me I feel the same as you, I have no connection to the system at all and couldn't justify paying $100 or so for a working system and controller, extra controllers being $30-40 and needing the multitap. In playing all of those roms I'd really only want to own maybe 15 or so games that are anywhere from $30-200 or so.
That all being said I had a PCE with flashcart for some months and had fun playing games. After a while I realized I'd only need maybe 20 or so games on my flash cart and I would spend most of my time on maybe 3 games.
I wasn't using it as much so I sold my PCE. I missed having it so I bought a broken one just to display because I do love the look of the console.
My favorite game and favorite shmup of all time is Final Soldier. I played it on a flash cart on the system and emulated it on a psp and ouya. I have to be honest I can't tell the difference between emulation and the actual console. I am able to almost max out the score on the 2 min game and I don't have any problems doing that depending on emulation or actual hardware. I ended up buying a CIB copy and its the only PCE game I have right now and I always emulate it.
Now for your questions!
So is it worth playing? Yes I think so, It is an interesting system with some amazing shmups, platformers, strategy, arcade, and adventure games.
I think that the PCE has my favorite sound chip of any retro console. I love the simplicity of the Gameboy (my first system) but the PCE has much more to offer and thanks to most of the games being first party there is a huge library of AMAZING music from the system (even if some of the games are not so memorable)
Would it be worth going for a complete hu card set?
Absolutely not IMO: as stated above there are a handful of extremely expensive games and games that are exceedingly difficult to find from what I understand. I would say that maybe 35%-50% of the library is actually enjoyable and the rest are not so well made or too esoteric for my taste.
that all being said I have never understood completionist collecting so take some of that with salt.
As I said I love the system but I don't see any reason not to emulate. Between modding the console for AV or RGB and the expensive controllers, it was better for me to emulate. Also the stuff is all hard to find so for me EVERYTHING PCE related I would buy online or through mail. I've never seen PCE stuff in the US for sale in person at all.
PCEFX would love to answer some of these questions for you
Please enter me in this raffle.
PCEFX would love to answer some of these questions for you
Please enter me in this raffle.
Cjameslv just tearing the house down!