PC Engine Duo-R: RETRO Buyer's Guide Episode 41

[@herohunter81]

Awesome I just bought mine for under $300 with 2 games, Avenue pad 6, regular controller. Plus it's modded to play all Japanese and American games! I'm having serious fun with the games. I missed out on this. When I was a kid I had a Genesis and NES. Nobody had anything like this. Fantastic experience here. Do not miss.

[@RockumanX]

Hello! Actually, the AV output connector on the back of your Duo-R is not original. On all Japanese PC Engine systems (with AV output, NOT counting the original white PC Engine with RF output) the AV connector is a 5 pin DIN. The 8 pin DIN is often used to modify the console to output RGB video because the dimensions fit in the exact same position as the existing connector, with minor modification to the extra three pins. Cheers! :)

[@RETROGameGuide80]

You are absolutely right!!! I had no idea it had already been modded for RGB. I bought it from a seller online, but he never mentioned it was modded. Just hooked it up and the picture is amazing. Thank you SO MUCH for pointing this out!

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Great choice on the PC-Engine Duo-R Mike. I wish more people would be interested on this unit. So many great games on it! Anthony...

[@RETROGameGuide80]

+Charlie Cat Totally underrated (and really expensive) console. But yeah. I love the thing.

[@Charlie-Cat.]

Awesome bro!

[@SkyScourgeGod]

I recently got my hands on a black PC Engine Duo in excellent condition. I was already aware of the capacitor problems that the black PC Engine Duo and Turbo Duo consoles tend to have so I knew I needed to have that taken care of asap. Luckily the seller also offered mod services for any console I bought so I had mine fully recapped and RGB modded before it even hit my doorstep. I'm really happy I did that because not only will it improve the reliability of the machine for the foreseeable future but I specifically wanted the black Duo for it's 3.5mm stereo audio jack on the side which is something the Duo R and RX don't have. I also prefer the look and color of the black Duo, white tends to get dirty or yellowed a lot easier and the sharp corners looks more aggressive than the smooth curves of the R and RX. All personal preference of course, the R and RX are still very fine consoles. Regardless of which model I have, the games are incredibly fun and I've been having a blast collecting for this thing. I'm happy to be a part of the PC Engine/TurboGrafx community.

[@nintenjoel]

Great channel! This was the first episode I decided to watch, but I'll check more out... Keep up the great work!

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Thanks, Nintenjoel! I subbed your channel. I really like what you're doing, too!

[@nintenjoel]

I appreciate you checking out my channel, sir! I'm finally putting out a new video here in a couple days (hopefully)!

[@Gunzee]

Nintenjoel me to, I so desperately want to play that castlevania, wish it was subbed. I remember in the ps1 days I really wanted to learn Japanese just for the games. Didn't stop me going to my pirate dealer who'd have strange RPGs and platformers we never got here (UK) or even US games thanks to the EU and language (s). really bad move as the UK made over 90% of the video game market. Doing straight us ports would have made economic sense, of course the EU loved to impose their rules on us. the sooner that changes the better.

[@absoluteclownworld]

Love my PC engine duo R. I got mine modded for s-video. I have a everdrive so no need for hu card games, but I have a pretty large cd/super cd/arcade collection. I love the reproductions pceworks does. Nice video.

[@Bargadiel]

How do you do Game Saves with it? I have the same system, modded!

[@Kane-B]

Subscribed! First video and looking forward to watching more.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Thanks for subbing! I appreciate the support.

[@JQM78]

Where did you get that beautiful little clear case for your everdrive? I want one like that, that would fit over mine with the shell on it. I can't find anything case-wise. Even the one on Stone Age Gamer is only for sale if you buy the whole "deluxe" version.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Search "PCMCIA media card case" on eBay. They just happen to be the same size as a Turbo Everdrive and will also hold Hu Cards. I bought a five pack for under $10.

[@johngarth2511]

Great video sir, very informative

[@1030eev]

Fantastic review!

[@RETROGameGuide80]

+E Villanueva Hey, thanks E!

[@SegaCDUniverse]

Cool stuff buddy, thanks for showing it off.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

+SegaCDUniverse No problem, Mike. Thanks for watching. And congrats on winning that KZbinr of the Month contest. You really did deserve it. One of the friendliest KZbinrs out there (and also one of the first to like my channel).

[@SegaCDUniverse]

+RETRO Buyer's Guide ;) thanks bro

[@iliariano3126]

Hello, thx a lot, great video! Question: do you use an upscaler to connect the Duo-R with the TV? Or is the shown picture quality displayed with a RGB cable?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

It's modified with RGB output. I'm using a SCART cable into an OSSC upscaler.

[@iliariano3126]

@@RETROGameGuide80 thx a lot for all your informations!

[@Sinn0100]

What about the Arcade Card? Further, you can most assuredly play American Turbo Chips in your Duo R. You need a pass through or you could also add a mod chip. The Turbo PC Henshen is a very good option. Great video! Subscribed!

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Good point! And welcome!

[@tuxedo_mask23]

Just got a regular PCE Duo. What's the best advice to look for accessories?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Honestly, eBay is about it. I would pick up a controller extension cord. They are pretty cheap and the controllers have short cords. Skip the wireless ones, they suck. You can also get a multi-tap that will allow you to play multiplayer.

[@Lookwhatthesandsdonedidtome]

I want to get one of these consoles soon. Is there an HDMI converter cable for modern TVs? I can't seem to find one online.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Sorry for the delay in responding. It’s been a busy work week. The short answer is no, but you can mod it or buy one that has been modded with an RGB SCART output that you can feed into an upscale like the OSSC or Framemeister to be converted into an HDMI signal for your TV.

[@Lookwhatthesandsdonedidtome]

Thanks for the info. Another option is that Retrotink but I also cannot seem to confirm that it would work with this console but likely will. It's just converting the old school to HDMI.

[@Jack-eu5vu]

rondo of blood is available on wii virtual console; but the wii store won't allow you to add funds past march 26 at 1 PM.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Good tip, Jack. That is currently the only legal way to purchase that game. Jump on it if you want it. Time is running out.

[@weiliyin909]

I got mine for $200 years ago, but I lost my game pad and the av cable and ac adapter.,Can’t find them anywhere . Anybody know where I can find them cheap?

[@VSigma725]

The AV cables are dirt cheap on Yahoo Japan auctions. As for the power supply, I think a Genesis one works?

[@DamienNightmarish]

Can I play Ghouls 'n Ghosts on DUO using Everdrive? Can I play CD games using everdrive with the rom?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

If you mean the enhanced SuperGrafx port, you can only play that on an actual SuperGrafx console with the Turbo Everdrive. The Duo-R will not play any CD games with the Everdrive Pro due to the way it's set up. The only way to play CD games with the Everdrive Pro is to use a regular Turbografx, PC Engine, or Core Grafx.

[@DamienNightmarish]

@@RETROGameGuide80 Thank you!

[@KarLKoX]

Just bought mine from doujindance : fully recapped, rgb modded, hucard region free, lpf switch, csync 75 scart :) I ve coded my own PC Engine/TurboGrafx/SuperGrafx emulator and i wanted to test it's accuracy.

[@OGPimpin]

I heard doujindance is the best in the business. I might look to pick one up myself in the near future

[@tareg234]

I want to bay one from doujindance it can run everdrive? and how overall quality?

[@KarLKoX]

@@tareg234 Hi ! No problem running hucard from an everdrive. I bought mine from Aliexpress for really cheap. The overall quality is excellent : connected on my Philips 29" CRT@100hz, the image quality is astonishing. The colour of the console has remained intact and is not yellowed. (no retrobright needed) All my ripped cd games worked without issues (still now) Remember that doujindance make his own PCB and filters 😉

[@TheWretchedWorld]

I know this is an old video and late comment, be very careful of running the power and ground wires for the rgb amp, keep them away from left side of the board and away from the rgb wires coming off the vias. It injects a weird jailbar effect which moves from one side of the screen to the other.

[@chackokhan]

I just acquired a PC Engine Duo R from an Asian seller. Do I need to use a power converter to play it here in the US?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

No. You can plug it into a power strip and it will power up just fine. I read that over time that may be bad for the system, but I've had mine plugged in that way for six years with no problems.

[@tomasdelizia3695]

Which is hands down the best model: this one or the Duo RX?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

They are both good quality. I would avoid the U.S. Duo at all costs because of the low quality capacitors in them that will eventually need to be replaced. The Duo R/RX are pretty much identical in features. Both had the headphone jack removed. The RX came bundled with a 6-button arcade pad. That's pretty much it. Either would be fine. I would go with whichever one you can find cheapest.

[@tomasdelizia3695]

RETRO Buyer's Guide great then, thanks. I would buy one just to play Castlevania and the Ys series.

[@sidekickx81]

Nice Review!

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Thanks!

[@sidekickx81]

+RETRO Buyer's Guide Just Dome weeks ago i bought my first core grafx II, now i'm buying Hucards like insane in Japan 😆 i'm thinking about upgrading to a Duo, mhhh cost over 300€.... greetings from germany ✌🏻️

[@RETROGameGuide80]

That's awesome! I have a few Hu Cards, but I opted for the Turbo Everdrive as some games are prohibitively expensive here. I would love to go to Japan and pick up games without importing them.

[@sidekickx81]

+RETRO Buyer's Guide actual i am building a special cabinet for my retro consoles (i'm a little DIY fanatic 😉) next week i will get a Sony PVM *yeah*

[@RETROGameGuide80]

+sidekickx81 Nice! That PVM is going to be awesome! Would love to add one to my collection. Congrats!

[@MenfisRetroSpace]

You still need arcade pro or system card to to play some games, right?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

If you have the Turbo Everdrive, it will emulate all the system cards except the Arcade card. This means you wouldn't be able to play the following games without it: Battlefield '94 In Super Battle Dream Fire Pro Female Wrestling (WOWOW vs. JWP) Garou Densetsu 2 Garou Densetsu Special Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire Jong Shin Densetsu Kabuki Itouryodan Mad Stalker Full Metal Force Madou Monogatari I Honou no Sotsuenji Ryuuko No Ken Strider Hiryuu World Heroes 2 Note that most of them are Japan imports. Luckily, these CD games are region free.

[@wilkiedriver]

I was under the assumption that CD did not emulate on the Everdrive, thus grey market copies was the only way to go.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Everdrive will play roms for TG16 and PCE games. Turbo CD and PC Engine CDs can be burned onto a CD-R and played as there is no region or copy protection.

[@wilkiedriver]

So it's a matter of finding someone willing to sell you a copy for a "decent" price. Ok then.

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Exactly. :)

[@mtoad]

Where did you get the case for your Everdrive?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Search "PCMCIA media card case" on eBay. They just happen to be the same size as a Turbo Everdrive and will also hold Hu Cards. I bought a five pack for under $10.

[@Kain5th]

How many actual games do you currently have for this?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Well, I have an Everdrive for the Turbografx and the CD games have no copy protection and are region free. I can play any game technically. But as far as physical copies of games, I only have a couple of Turbo CD games and a single Hu Card of Detana Twinbee.

[@Southpoint2019]

I only want one boxed

[@joseluki]

Castlevania Rondo of Blood was not ported to SNES, they reused sprites and things from that game to make a new inferior one Vampire X, that suffer for so many slowdowns on SNES is nearly unplayable at some points.

[@GadgetUK164]

Subbed =D

[@blake6615]

Are there any PC engine games the Duo-R cannot play?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

Not to my knowledge.

[@zacharymccoy2418]

Do you have a gameroom tour. If not please do one!!!!!! Please thank you

[@RETROGameGuide80]

I have some really old ones on here from a few year ago. It's probably time I make a new one. I've gotten so much stuff since then.

[@zacharymccoy2418]

RETRO Buyer's Guide new new new new new. Great channel love ur vids

[@SevenDeMagnus]

PC Engine is cool. I wish the unit and games were not expensive.

[@phillipmoagi883]

Are you gonna get the new Analogue Duo? Or u just wana stick to original hardware?

[@RETROGameGuide80]

I usually just stick to original hardware, but I really like what Analogue is doing.

[@Supa.Nintendope]

😍

[@MrChosenone10]

who repairs them mine is not playing games

[@RETROGameGuide80]

I know there are people on eBay who offer repair services for Turbo Duos. You ship them your console and they repair and/or mod it and send it back. I would try searching there.

[@8wealthyone8]

sexy!

[@JQM78]

Where did you get that beautiful little clear case for your everdrive? I want one like that, that would fit over mine with the shell on it. I can't find anything case-wise. Even the one on Stone Age Gamer is only for sale if you buy the whole "deluxe" version.