TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM (EXTRA 2 - overview of the original CD-ROM peripheral)

www.turboviews.com
#turbografx #turboduo #retrogaming
Turbo Views Extra 2: a closer look at the TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM peripheral including the add-on itself, what was "inside-the-box" and early games and items (including my first game and pack-in CD+G Disc).

[@starsoldier1]

Hearing the CD music and seeing the real video for the first time was just jaw dropping back in the early 90's. Cool vid.

[@Bigdog302V8]

Playing Ys books 1 and 2 was a jaw dropper too. I was blown away when I played that on my Turbo CD back in 1990.

[@Grooveraider]

Oh the memories of this model of TG-16 w/ CD. In 1991, I sold about 30 NES games to come up with half of the money for the CD peripheral w/ a copy of Ys Book l & ll and Final Zone II. I've never witnessed such a MASSIVE package in my life. But when I got this baby at home there was many sleepless nights. The sound, actual voice actors, and cinema scenes felt like I was playing the best role-playing game (Ys) ever made since Zelda! All this lead me to the introduction of importing PC Engine CDs.

[@spida1a]

Wow, thanks so much. You're way too kind! :) Thanks for watching!

[@farmhousemedia3000]

Thanks for the memories. I remember you could play audio CD's in the CD-Rom while playing regular Turbografx games. I used to play TV Sports Hockey and play the most up-beat CD I had in the CD-Rom to get me all pumped up.

[@spida1a]

@Bylga Hey, thanks my friend. I"M glad you enjoyed it!

[@Folklorigin]

Anytime dude! Since i'm outta school for summer, i have all day to watch ur vids(i like the darkwing duck review in particular) and as long as u reign supreme as gameroom master, i'll be there 2 watch.

[@spida1a]

Ah yes, that was a great feature. Definitely helped pump-up the sound of some of the old TurboChip games. :) Thanks for watching!!!

[@spida1a]

Yeah, it was so great to have them built-in. :) Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

Tubo Duo is a combination TurboGrafx and CD-ROM with installed Super System Card. It was the next incarnation of the Turbo that came out a little before being discontinued in America.

[@spida1a]

@ChicoEdge Thank you for watching all the vids. Great to hear from you!

[@dcfix]

I just want to clarify on your excellent question. I had the same issues when I bought my CD unit. The CD-ROM unit and TG-16 as a whole unit requires its own AC adapter. However if you wanted to detach the CD unit and use it as a stand alone player, the manual says to use the TG-16 AC adapter.

[@spida1a]

Same here........way too many memories to count. Sigh, I feel so old. Ha ha! :) Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@spida1a]

@Lachlant1984 Just one adapter. The Turbo Booster snapped onto the back of the base-unit and acted as a composite "out" (the TB Plus had a battery backup). Thanks for watching!

[@AdamsBrew78]

Had a TG16 back in the day but never the CD add on. Been discovering the CD games for the first time with Mister FPGA, which plays like the real hardware, minus loading times. Good stuff!

[@spida1a]

Great stuff, great memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@Marc_Araujo]

When I was a kid, I was with my uncle when he bought the TG-16 for himself when it launched. I remember him not only being annoyed at having to buy the TurboTap AND the extra controller (the older NES came with 2 controllers and a Zapper) but he was really pisst when they told him it just had an RF out and that he had to get a TurboBooster if he wanted to get Composite A/V. He ended up getting the TurboBooster Plus cuz they told him he'd also be able to save his games with it...but then later learned that barely any games actually used it and the few that did, you had to power the console on at least once in every 5-7 days in order to keep them lol. I enjoyed the crap out of the TG-16!

[@spida1a]

Ha. Well that's cool. I personally think the system as a whole looks great. Especially for its time (the NES was a huge gray box for goodness sakes, LOL!). :) Yes, the Duo does look better though. thanks for watching!

[@zeroxdogma]

13 years later this video help me know better the console 🙏

[@spida1a]

Thanks a million ST! You're awesome! Let me know when it's up and I'll "favorite" it. Hee hee! Right. Great point Kairaa.

[@spida1a]

All American TurboGrafx games worked with the TurboGrafx CD-ROM system. You either had the original System Card (which I talk about in this video) or the Super System Card (which was incorporated into the Turbo Duo and sold a couple years into the lifecycle in America). But, every game would play in the original system if you had the correct card. :)

[@spida1a]

@Lachlant1984 Nope...unfortunately that is the Japanese only release. In the U.S. we only had the option of the CD-ROM plugged into the back. The only thing we got "close to that" in the U.S. was the combo Turbo Duo. You know? :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@bongo870 I totally agree. I really thought it should have come with SOMETHING for the money they wanted. Sigh. :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

Yes, I hear that the European Turbo is very tough to find. I have a friend (Larry from Screw Attack Europe) who said he might do a special video for the next DVD release on it for me. :) Thanks for watching!!!

[@syphic]

The Turbo Grafx Cd system was my first Cd player. I loved it. got it for Christmas when the price was down to $149.99 at Toys R Us. I had hinted to my parents for months that I wanted this. My Dad had to hide the box in his truck because there was no hiding this under a tree. Only sad thing was that Mine didnt come with a game nor CD+G disc. So for about a month the system just sat there till I picked up my first game....Fighting Street!!

[@VinnieBlackLodge]

yeah the audio video out is pretty sweet. after my cd died i put the rarely used "turbo booster" on. i was surprized with how much of an upgrade the booster was. way better sound( sidearms has the biggest stereo improvement i ever heard in a game.) clearer explosions, ability to save certain games. if you want to improve your games or have better sound video and cant find a duo or cd, get the booster, you wont be upset for long.(since its 80+ bucks).

[@Folklorigin]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! Thank you Chris! You answered my prayers! This topped off a perfect day. A Bucci vid, and 80 degree weather= GOD status in my eyes. U rock man!

[@flexor212000]

I pulled this out and after all these years it still runs perfectly fine.

[@DlNKYDANA]

Nice overview. Just picked myself up one of these!

[@spida1a]

Thanks. :) That was game #21 and it needed work. So, I brought it upstairs. Never got to it. LOL!

[@spida1a]

I'm hoping Turbo Views "Extra" #3 to come out sometime in the next few months. That will be on the Super System Card. Then #4 will be on the Turbo Duo. Right now I'm in the process of moving so........it'll be a while yet. But, it's on the way eventually. :) Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

Yeah, you can. It played regular CDs. It wasn't my first player though....I got a CD player sometime in the mid-80s. I had a segment I cut from this where I talked about "if this was your first CD player, it probably was nice to be able to hook speakers up or use it alone in the corner of your room." Hee hee.

[@spida1a]

Thanks for watching, as always my friend! :)

[@spida1a]

While I cannot confirm as I have never tried to use it myself, I do not believe you can use the base-unit's adapter to run the CD-ROM. The CD-ROM came with its own adapter in order to power them both. So I believe it has a slightly different set of values. If you're picking up a CD-ROM unit, I would make sure it comes with the correct adapter. Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@donjuanzx9 Great! Thank you for the support and watching the vids! :)

[@RicVee1]

I remember wanting it so bad, and it was $400 bucks and was way out of reach. But i finally got it, i forgot how, and loved it. I ordered so many PC Engine games too, Rayxanber 2 being one of my favs. Music was insane!

[@123doomdoom]

Man your quite the collector...you even have pictures and dates of your first TG game purchases, nice.

[@spida1a]

@80sMTV The CDROM acts as the power for both the Turbo AND the CD system. So it only uses ONE plug. Which is awesome (compared to, like, Sega....etc, you know?).

[@spida1a]

@Riddler95 No, it ran off only one adapter (when the Turbo was attached, you used the CDROM adaptor). Thanks for watching.

[@SplatterTrigger]

Another Awesome review spida1a! Like it or not I have a vid(already filmed) were I mention your channel. I have another vid to put out first, so look for it in about 10 days or so. BTW favorited! I need to grab a TurboDuo though. Lost out twice on ebay in the last 2 weeks. Might snag a PC Engine Duo instead.

[@spida1a]

LOL! So you were lucky up until now then. Hee hee! :) Thanks for watching! PS: I did another on-camera one about the TurboGrafx a ways back......

[@martinbishop9042]

I used to listen to Nirvana every night as i went to bed on this thing, it was literally my diskman before diskman's were a big thing. such memories.

[@spida1a]

@IvoryGecko1993 Yes, that will be the next Turbo Views: Extra segment sometime this summer. :)

[@paulspydar]

PS , also an interesting note is that the PAL version has a different number & arrangement of PINs on the AV out lead & also they end in composite R/W/Y there's no RF out , That`s a very useful & appreciated addition over the US version, I don`t know why they did not include the same configuration for the U.S too?

[@HalfBlindGamer]

Awesome stuff man, great overview of the system. Never owned one but would sure like to get my hands on one! Will you do a review on Last Alert soon? Isn't that the game with that 'great' voice acting?

[@spida1a]

@syphic Ugh! Ha ha. That wait! THE WAIT! Ha ha! I do wish that the system DID come with a game, though. For the money and such it really should have. You know? :) Thanks for watching!

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

It does seem a bit odd they made the unit detachable, but not add a battery compartment, even more so NEC, TT or any third parties made a battery adaptor for it, as I bet a lot of kids were sold on having a portable CD player and a add-on to their console. Oh, can you use the CD add on via the TG's RF port?

[@jboypacman]

I remember having that CD+G disc that came with my Turbo-16 CD system and i was amazed by it and i think my first CD i got for it was Valis II i think.... ah the great memories.

[@spida1a]

@vacationboyvideos Thanks my friend. Will keep trying to make stuff when I can. :)

[@spida1a]

@Dusk2600 I am sorry to hear you had so much trouble. Most of my friends still have their CD system and they still work (as does mine from back in 1991, and I beat the hell out of it). Oh well, what can you do...it's early technology? I know just as many people with Broken Duo's, most of those people of whom would say it "is junk, buy the Japanese version instead." Take care. Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

Yeah, the CD system didn't seem to last as long as the regular TurboGrafx. My Disc doesn't always spin on my original console (that I showed in the video). But, I beat the hell out of it so.......I guess I got the money's worth. Ha ha :) Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@Riddler95 Yeah, definitely. They made the right choice there. In fact, when you asked me that question....I was thinking about my Sega CD and those two FAT plugs. The TurboGrafx adapter also has a box with a smaller plug on the end. Hee hee. Thanks!

[@spida1a]

@Itchylon77 How do you check out what games you have saved? You hit select and it shows you which games are saved (so you can delete individual ones or see what you have in there). It's very primitive though. Ha ha. :)

[@spida1a]

@donjuanzx9 All in due time my friend. It is the next Turbo Views Extra segment....planned for sometime in May or early June. :) :) :)

[@spida1a]

@Stevespeeze I never got that Arcade Pro (since it was never released here in the US). So.....I never really enjoyed that until much later when I picked it up. Ya' know? Not really sure what those are, no.

[@ChicoEdge]

I was primarily an SNES kid but I did love a lot of the Turbo-CD games. I had the TurboDuo though - what a great system! Mine came with Ninja Spirit. I passionately disagree with people who criticize the cd games of the time by saying the technology wasn't there yet. While it's true that Sega was futzing around with really bad FMV games, we Turbo players had some really great games. A pity that so many of the really great titles didn't make it to North America. Thanks for your videos!

[@spida1a]

@munherpes Ha ha. Well, thanks for watching! If you are interested, there is a TON of info on games and the system itself on my channel. Thanks again!

[@ElegyForTheMasses]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the original system CD System Card (2.0 in the U.S.) didn't add ram but instead was a bios mod that told the system to go into CD mode. I believe it wasn't until the Super System Card 3.0 that ram was actually added. I was able to emulate the 2.0 card on a flashcard and run CD games on the console I received recently, but cannot do the same with the Super CD games and the 3.0 rom.

[@HanMono]

Another awesome video mate! Greetings from Germany.

[@spida1a]

@russell56443 I can't believe how expensive these things are going for. Blech! :) Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

LOL! I swear......it was such a COOL and NEW thing to me back then. :)

[@ScrewAttackEurope]

Out of curiosity, can you not play CD games via RF if there's ports on the back. Also was it the first CD player you owned? (must admit I never had anything to play CD's until I bought a Mega CD for my 13th birthday) Also, I know that waiting torture, same pain whenever you bought a game on vacation and waited all week to get home to play it. :D

[@spida1a]

@vivalastupidity LOL! That's awesome. I never would have thought of that but....yeah...that Splash Lake music really sounds like a mosq. Ha ha!!

[@spida1a]

I know....it's pretty cool! The damn thing was so expensive, it better have come with something. You know? Ha ha! :0) Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@flexor212000 Thanks great! A LOT of them are busted up quite a bit. Thanks for watching.

[@spida1a]

@vacationboyvideos Ha ha. I know, right? Yes...I am straight. But, it has been a long time since I got a compliment like that. So, thanks for making me smile.

[@spida1a]

Excellent!!!

[@Lachlant1984]

KZbin users such a MN12BIRD and Lukemorse1 have shown the PC Engine with the CD-ROM and interface unit that allows you to connect both side by side as opposed to the interface unit you have which has the CD-ROM unit 'punched' on top of the Turbografx, to be honest I prefer the PC Engine interface unit side by side arrangement, was there another interface unit that allows you to have the TG-16 and CD-ROM unit side by side? I think the side by side arrangement looks more attractive and neater.

[@Silencebound]

I have to watch this video because I have still owning a USA version Turbografx 16 console here in Australia. Since it's ending about 15 years ago, although, most of the old gamers still keepin' it and continuing to treasure it. Well, I have original Japanese version console called ' P.C. Engine ' with ALL collection of PC-Engine Hu-Cards and CDs right in my storage cupboard as I dare NOT to sell 'em and staying in my locker until one day I die . . .

[@avenuePad]

Great review as always Chris! :D Sorry to hear that your CD unit is running on fumes. :( Hopefully it's something that can be fixed. It's sad to think about TGCDs finding a new home in the garbage dump.

[@spida1a]

@elKrunchy Thanks a lot for watching!!

[@Vikturus22]

Long time Without a review man! awesome too see you back! I got my PS3 Today Check out the unboxing with the Crappy Editing Software XD

[@spida1a]

@KEWLSTEWIEGUY Oh DUDE...only WISH I was Adam! Ha ha. I would love to have a hosting gig like that. Ya' know? Ha ha. Thanks for watching!

[@spida1a]

@Lachlant1984 Yeah. Unlike Sega CD, they didn't really "focus on that aspect" (I think being the first...they were just trying to figure the whole CD-Console-Combo thing out, ha ha). But, there were the Sherlock Holmes series and It Came From The Desert where they tried to incorporate these ideas. Not the greatest but unique at the time.

[@Chantumon]

Sweet video Spida. Do you recommend that people purchase a Turbo Grafx Cd-Addon, or the turbo duo? The CD Addon generally sells for about $130-150 while the Duo sells for $220+.

[@MaximumRD]

Excellent job!

[@spida1a]

Woo! Sweet! Hmm, guess not everyone agrees. I just noticed my DWD review was knocked down a 1/2 star. Sniff. Hee hee! Thanks again!

[@spida1a]

@Silencebound Thanks for watching!

[@Bylga]

Another great review!

[@ElegyForTheMasses]

Thanks for the vid! Very informative! Btw, karaoke CDs still come in CD-G format. I think the Sega Saturn also reads CD-G format, if I recall correctly. Picked up a tg16+CD/dock on ebay recently, but unfortunately it didn't come with a system card. :(

[@TheSocialGamer]

I watch this specific video a few times a year...I cry every time..! I just can't afford a TurboCD add-on for my lonely TurboGrafx-16 console. I hope that I can get one of these before I die. One day someone will sell a working unit to me for under $100? My original CD Rom unit was stolen from me wayyyy back in the day along with my Y's Book 1&2. One day...!? At least I have this video to relive my love for the original CD Rom TurboDUO I want to use my old Turbo! ;)

[@nlafavore]

@spida1a Well, that explains why it's upstairs, but how long has it been there? I notice that it is turned on. Is it the same story with Banzai Run? Because I didn't see that in your game room either.

[@spida1a]

@InAnimateGamer Thanks for watching!

[@Sinn0100]

I know this is super old, the Turbo CD originally came with Y's books 1 and 2.

[@squirm13]

The turbo grafix, never came out here in england, so i had to get mine on import, i still love it, and recently bought a new one, to replace a faulty one.

[@Lachlant1984]

As I understand it the Turbografx was released in Europe as the Turbografx, but I understand it never made it to Australia where I live, I think this is a pitty, so my first exposure to really being able to play TG16 games was on my brother's Wii, and I believe TG CD titles are available? Do you need 2 AC Adaptors to use the TG16 and the CD player as you do with the Sega Mega Drive? What exactly was the Turbo Booster?

[@spida1a]

Wohoo! Excellent! ;)

[@InAnimateGamer]

The Turbo CD looks pretty spiffy. Too bad I never got a chance to see or play one back in the day (I feel I missed out on a lot). Probably what I'm most interested in knowing is the saving function with the system(s), like the Turbo CD and the TurboBooster Plus.

[@The_Laser_Channel]

OMG....my cousin had one of these and he didn't realize it was for TurboGrafx!! He was using it on trips as a portable CD player with a car adaptor!! He upgraded to a "True" portable and tried to sell me this one for $10 but I didn't know it was for TurboGrafx either! i just thought it was odd that it was a portable CD player that didn't use batteries....

[@spida1a]

Definitely comes in handy when you bought stuff as it was released. Saved me a few bucks. Though it was pretty expensive then...you know? Hee hee.

[@spida1a]

Thanks a lot! :)

[@spida1a]

Thanks!

[@DanVanDam]

i never your face before wow, awesome stuff man!

[@spida1a]

Ha ha. Well.....it was $149.99 when I got it. But, I hear you!! Thanks for watching. :)

[@StevoSupremo]

I know this is old but I hope maybe you can help haha! I just got a TurboGrafx-16 with the CD ROM attachment, but it didn't come with an AC Adapter. Can you share what type of adapter I need to purchase. Thanks!

[@johneymute]

This is typecall stuff from the 80's,they tryed to make those things more handy then what they were like the detougheble turbo cd rom to make it semi portible, that's insane because you still need an adaptor haha lol.

[@Superdimensional]

I recall most games being in the $49.99 to $59.99 range, some titles (R-Type for example) being $69.99 at Montgomery wards. Older titles later in the systems life would be similar to todays pricing of "greatest hits" titles like Jack Nicklaus turbo golf, TV sports football, china warrior, devils crush, neutopia, deep blue etc.

[@Lachlant1984]

I know one BIG criticism of the Mega CD for the SEGA Mega Drive was that game developers overused the full motion digital video features of the Mega CD to the point where games were just mostly digital video sequences which absolutely nobody liked at all. Does the CD-ROM system for the TG-16 support full motion digital video and did many games use it?

[@0M9H4X_Neckbeard]

nice review, but it confused me that traack number 6 on the ppromo-cd is called "purple haze". I guess it must have two meanings.

[@chrisz31974]

Dude, your reviews are frickin AWESOME!!!! SERIOUSLY you should get paid.

[@spida1a]

Hey, thanks a lot! :)