Play PC Engine Games on a TurboGrafx 16: Region-Free Mod Installation

In this episode, I walk you through the steps I took to install a region free mod kit into my Turbografx 16.
Hello, my name is Gary, and I cannot leave a retro console un-modded. Whew, that's a weight off of my shoulders. It is true, most of my retro video game systems have some sort of modification installed. I've installed RGB mod kits into Nintendo 64s and Super NES Jrs, I've HDMI modded my NES, and my Model 2 Genesis has a mod installed in it as well. It was only a matter of time that I turned my attention to my Turbografx 16.
The Turbografx 16 uses the same size and shape HuCards as its cousin, the PC engine. The nice thing about Japanese and American systems is the fact that they are both NTSC and can use each other's games, theoretically. The TG16 has a region lockout at a system level, but thankfully Jason at Game-Tech.US has a super simple and budget friendly board you can install to bypass this. For about $25, you received a small PCB, a length of three conductor wire, and a switch. I have ordered other kits from Jason in the past, and always been very happy with the overall fit, finish, and design.
While getting into the system only requires a 4.3 mm security bit, there are two RF Shields you must remove. There's a few ways you can do this, you can use an Xacto knife and try to pop them off the board, you can take a Dremel tool and try to cut them off the board, or you can take a soldering iron and desolder them from the board. I opted for the third option here, and after about 5 minutes of desoldering, I had both RF Shields removed.
Jason designed the board so that it lays perfectly over the pins you'll need to solder to. One step you will want to make sure that you take, and unfortunately my SD card was corrupted during the capture of this footage, is to take a small pin, needle, or leg off of a resistor to drive the solder through the holes on the board to make contact with the pads down below. I thought I had done this efficiently the first time, but when I tested it out I was not getting any signal. I went through and hit it a second time, and it worked without a problem.
The most agonizing part of this mod for me was cutting the traces on the bottom of the board. See, Jason's board bypasses and changes how the signal works coming out of the system. To do this you have to interrupt the circuits that was originally on the board. I was worried about damaging my system and screwing it up thankfully that was not the case.
The final step was installing the slide switch into the case itself. I wanted to mount it permanently and did not want to use hot glue. Dubro RC makes 2/56 Allen had screws and nuts that I was able to utilize to hold the switch into the case. I do wish that I had a button head screw instead, but I may go back and update that later on.
Getting the system back together and turning it on, I was thrilled that it worked perfectly. Japanese PC Engine games can be significantly less expensive than their American TG16 counterparts. This copy of Pacland here, for example, I scored for about 20 bucks complete in box. The US version ranges from $30 to $50. Plus, there are games they got in Japan that we never saw here in the US, which makes me even more excited for future potential.
Again, huge props to Jason at game tech us for creating an amazing kit that is simple to install and simply works. And for $25? Get out of town! Also, thanks to Voultar for pointing me in Jason's direction for a solution that is easy and effective to install. Now, I need to go get some PC Engine games!
#TurboGrafx16 #PCEngine #RegionMod #PacLand #BonksAdventure
The footage used in this review are used under the Fair Use laws, referenced below:
www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/17/107
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include-
(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.
(Pub. L. 94-553, title I, § 101, Oct. 19, 1976, 90 Stat. 2546; Pub. L. 101-650, title VI, § 607, Dec. 1, 1990, 104 Stat. 5132; Pub. L. 102-492, Oct. 24, 1992, 106 Stat. 3145.)

[@RoXolid]

Order the TurboGrafx 16 Region Mod from Game-Tech.US at www.game-tech.us/product/tg-16-region-mod/ Join this channel to get access to perks: kzbin.info/door/znAOWQLsiCAMNRq9fzQJpwjoin Follow Us on Social Media! Instagram - @RoXolidProductionsGK Twitter - @RoXolidStudios Facebook - facebook.com/RoXolidProductions/ Get early access to our videos and support RoXolid Productions for as low as a dollar a month through our Patreon page, www.patreon.com/RoXolid Looking for some RoXolid Merch? Check out our T-Spring store for shirts and swag at teespring.com/roxolid-productions-official-s Would you like to have your products featured on RoXolid Productions? Do you have Questions? Comments? Email us at [e-mail]!! Do you want to send products, donations or gifts for us to feature on the channel? Send all items to: RoXolid Productions 411 E Water Street Farmer City, IL 61842

[@moandaindesigns]

So happy to have another person joining the TG16 family.

[@RoXolid]

1 year in and I love the system

[@TheAltern8r]

Man, my heart almosted stopped watching you drill towards your fingers. Glad it didn't get ya and great video!

[@RoXolid]

I feel you. I've gotten bit a couple times, but nothing serious

[@haukke]

this system was and has been my favorite system.

[@RoXolid]

I love my TG16

[@mtshark7]

Nicely done Gary!

[@RoXolid]

Thanks!

[@user-cy2lp4tf6x]

Great Video, I realize this is an older video, but does this drop in mod work on the PC Engine and or Core Grafx as well?

[@RoXolid]

I don't believe so, I believe it is ONLY for the TG16. This one here is more universal though, also from Jason at GameTech-US: www.game-tech.us/product/turbo-duo-pc-engine-region-mod-kit/

[@playmooregames371]

Nice soldering, very clean! What brand of solder do you recommend?

[@RoXolid]

I use Kester Solder. You can check out most of what I use on my Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/roxolidproductions

[@playmooregames371]

@@RoXolid Thank you.

[@RoXolid]

You're very welcome!

[@gamerman276]

5:23 im glad you decided to unsolder, some folk will just tear that metal shield off and destroy the mounts for it

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

3:40 when you put a console back together, do you screw back the security bits or do you replace them with an equivalent of a more conventional Philips head?

[@RoXolid]

I use security bits, since I have the tools they don't bother me

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

I never even seen a TG-16 in person, let alone owned one. I haven't even gotten around to getting the Mini Edition :(

[@RoXolid]

The Mini is awesome. Get one!

[@NeonPizza80s]

Thinking about getting a PC Engine, PC Engine CD + the Interface Unit. And while it's cool that the PC Engine CD is region free, the HuCards are not. Are there any Mods for PC Engine that can also get NA HuCards to work? Ideally, I'd rather just buy actual JPN PC Engine cards, since they are usually cheaper and have better Hucard box art(NA ones usually have logo sticker art only) & CD's if i could get English text for every JPN game I play, if that's even possible somehow. :P

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

I actually never seen _Repossessed_ but I'm looking to acquire and (re-) watch as many Leslie Nielsen movies as I can. So far, I bought the DVD for The Naked Gun trilogy and _Wrongfully Accused_

[@RoXolid]

It's pretty good

[@jeff97ish]

Sorry I missed this live Gary. I am still sick.

[@RoXolid]

It's all good, take care of yourself, we'll be here even you're 100%

[@orlandoturbo6431]

Can you mod a Turbografx 16 controller port to a usb or Sega genesis controller port.

[@RoXolid]

Not that I am aware of

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

6:25 DankPods: *_SOMEONE'S BEEN IN 'ERE!_*

[@RoXolid]

?

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

@@RoXolid Just another youtuber I happen to see videos of in my feed. A common catchphrase when he opens something up (particularly iPods) and finds signs that it already has been modified or upgraded or at least attempted to

[@RoXolid]

Ah ok

[@jrapocalypse]

cool lol i have had a switched core grafx model 1 ntsc-j for some time now althouth the switch has recently worn out i have a spare just got to replace. I also have had a modded saturn model 2 ntsc-u and switched for some time as well among others. Building up another dreamcast with ssd right now.

[@RoXolid]

Very cool!

[@anthonyaviles8665]

Should pulled the rf input out and put the switch where the old rf switch out and replace with his a little superglue and there it

[@RoXolid]

I looked at pulling the RF Modulator out but I didn't want to go that route. And no superglue. No, no, no, no, no

[@jorgeverduzco5849]

Isn't it cheaper and easier to get a pc engine everdrive?

[@RoXolid]

As I mentioned in the Premiere (Thanks for coming BTW!) I'm not a fan of Everdrives as they promote piracy.

[@ecmyersvids]

"Moo installation"? Holy cow!

[@RoXolid]

Wait, what? Did I screw something up?

[@ecmyersvids]

@@RoXolid No, the font in the thumbnail makes "MOD" look like "MOO" :-P

[@RoXolid]

Whew, I thought I messed something up!

[@dewder74]

Great mod; but I don't agree with the idea of calling it "region-free". More like "multi-region".

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

9:11 "nice package" 10:27 "if the tip is in, it counts for a great ride" i know (T)here's a (W)itty re(S)pon(S)e to those little quips but i just can't think of what it is

[@RoXolid]

Twss?

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

@@RoXolid TWSS? Isn't that the homebrew software for the Nintendo Gamecube? I cannot possibly think of what TWSS could stand for

[@RoXolid]

@@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct SWISS

[@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct]

@@RoXolid maybe it's the sound effect of the cymbal or a high hat when playing a drum kit

[@RoXolid]

@@IanNewYashaTheFinalAct no idea

[@ShipmanM89]

Do you legit think anyone has subscribed to a channel because a KZbinr has told them to do so? Also no one clicks the bell.

[@RoXolid]

I never tell anyone to, I invite them to. No one is being forced to.

[@ShipmanM89]

@@RoXolid same thing. Anyone who wants to subscribe will do so. Constantly repeating the same tired “begging” gets very old and drives more people away than brings others in.

[@RoXolid]

You are welcome to run your channel as you see fit and I will run mine as I see fit.

[@smog-097]

Seems easier to just buy a $100 PCE from Japan.

[@chowmein0941]

I want to play American TurboGrafx 16 games on a Japanese PC engine. Why? The TurboGrafx 16 is way too expensive!!! 20,000 DOLLARS!!! But the Japanese version??? Heheheh... 80 DOLLARS!!!

[@RoXolid]

The TG16 isn't $20K.