40 replies to this topic

[nebrazca78]

I would go with the SMS or TG-16 just for the amount of excellent software both of them have. U.S. SMS has a ton of great titles but there are only 114 total. Once you expand to the worldwide library you easily double the amount of unique titles available. Plus no converter is needed, a U.S. SMS will play 95% of worldwide releases perfectly. TG-16 also has a small U.S. library, I don't remember the exact number of U.S. games bit I think it's around 125. This library is also full of great games. Not sure about the worldwide library for TG-16 but its Japanese counterpart, the PC Engine, was very popular and should easily double the game list for that system if not more. But I believe you need a converter to play PCE games on a TG-16.

[zylon]

I'd recommend SMS over TG16 but it's close. The ability to use different(Atari, SMS, Genesis) controllers on the SMS is a definite plus. As far as 5200, I like it but the A8 computers were better for the most part. I use a 600xl mostly but also own others. The C64 has perhaps even more possibilities since more software is available and cheaper for it. They're all good systems and I'm sure you'll enjoy whichever one you get.

[BydoEmpire]

Hm, tough to choose between the SMS and 5200 for me (two of my favorites), but I'd probably lean SMS because it has so many great, quirky original titles. The TG-16 is a cool system, but it's tough to collect for around here. I rarely see games for it and they're rarely cheap. Plus, lots of TG-16 games are on the Wii's Virtual Console. An 800xl or XEGS would be a great choice, too.

[ilovethevectrex]

DEFIANTLY GET THE SEGA MASTER SYSTEM!! could you tell me what consoles you own? i could suggest a few if you want

[Rex Dart]

Get the TG16. Great games, and you won't have a complete sega console collection without an SG-1000 anyways.

[Algus]

Wow, what a coincidence that you guys would necro this thread on the day I come back. I haven't been on AA in a couple months because of life lol.

I have since bought a TG-16 (actually from another AAer) and have been having a lot of fun with it, though I need to get that TurboBoost or w/e it is called so I can hook it up with better cables. I still don't have the 5200 or SMS. I have been periodically browsing for an Atari 800 over the last year or so (mainly on ePay) but never really saw an auction that struck my fancy.

I just grabbed a Sega GameGear today for like $10 so I'm actually thinking I might get the SMS next to complete my Sega collection.

[tpugmire]

Save the money and skip the Turbobooster. The TG-16 outputs composite natively, but as a cost cutting measure, was left off. Either do an AV mod (easy) or modify a composite cable (easier). Either option will save you a considerable amount of money and give you the same result as the booster.
Also, a region mod will allow you to play PC Engine games, effectively doubling the amount of games available.

[A_Locomotive]

nebrazca78, on Wed Dec 8, 2010 5:22 PM, said:

TG-16 also has a small U.S. library, I don't remember the exact number of U.S. games bit I think it's around 125. This library is also full of great games. Not sure about the worldwide library for TG-16 but its Japanese counterpart, the PC Engine, was very popular and should easily double the game list for that system if not more. But I believe you need a converter to play PCE games on a TG-16.

Another nice thing about the Japanese library is the most expensive US games can generally be had much much much cheaper then their US counterparts so provided its not a game where reading is essential(which is pretty much every game thats not an RPG) then you are good to go. Also alternatively rather then getting a converter you could get a modded system. There are a number of people over on PCengineFX that offer the service. When I bought my Duo-R I got it modded to play US Hucards by the member of the forum I bought it from, works great! Oh and if you like shooters look no further, the TG16/PCE is what you want.

[so_tough!]

A_Locomotive, on Sat Dec 17, 2011 10:02 PM, said:

nebrazca78, on Wed Dec 8, 2010 5:22 PM, said:

TG-16 also has a small U.S. library, I don't remember the exact number of U.S. games bit I think it's around 125. This library is also full of great games. Not sure about the worldwide library for TG-16 but its Japanese counterpart, the PC Engine, was very popular and should easily double the game list for that system if not more. But I believe you need a converter to play PCE games on a TG-16.

Another nice thing about the Japanese library is the most expensive US games can generally be had much much much cheaper then their US counterparts so provided its not a game where reading is essential(which is pretty much every game thats not an RPG) then you are good to go. Also alternatively rather then getting a converter you could get a modded system. There are a number of people over on PCengineFX that offer the service. When I bought my Duo-R I got it modded to play US Hucards by the member of the forum I bought it from, works great! Oh and if you like shooters look no further, the TG16/PCE is what you want.

How are you enjoying the duo? Spot on about shooters, Pc engine and Megadrive both have lots of great shootemups.

[ls650]

Speaking of Vectrex, I put in a couple of bids on Vectrex consoles in eBay yesterday. The last time I looked at the Vectrex you could get a good used one with a controller for around $80-90. The auctions I looked at yesterday closed in the $160-180 range. Ouch....

[A_Locomotive]

so_tough!, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:29 AM, said:

How are you enjoying the duo? Spot on about shooters, Pc engine and Megadrive both have lots of great shootemups.

Loving it! Most of the games are kicking my ass though as they are much tougher then a vast majority of games I've played. Several even only give you one shot at beating them, no extra lives and no continues!

[Algus]

ls650, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 10:37 AM, said:

Speaking of Vectrex, I put in a couple of bids on Vectrex consoles in eBay yesterday. The last time I looked at the Vectrex you could get a good used one with a controller for around $80-90. The auctions I looked at yesterday closed in the $160-180 range. Ouch....

eBay sellers have always asked more around Christmas time, though last year I did get a very good deal on a six-switch (which is what had prompted this topic originally). As for the Vectrex, it has been on my list for awhile but a bit out of my price range. I've had more money coming in recently though, so I've been thinking about the Vectrex again (though I don't really have space for more consoles :/)

[so_tough!]

A_Locomotive, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 12:18 PM, said:

so_tough!, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 9:29 AM, said:

How are you enjoying the duo? Spot on about shooters, Pc engine and Megadrive both have lots of great shootemups.

Loving it! Most of the games are kicking my ass though as they are much tougher then a vast majority of games I've played. Several even only give you one shot at beating them, no extra lives and no continues!

What games do you have?

[A_Locomotive]

Algus, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:49 PM, said:

(though I don't really have space for more consoles :/)

If space is an issue you should look into getting a modded PC Engine rather then a TG16, they hold the record(official Guinness one in fact) for smallest game console. I don't own one but from the pictures they appear no wider then the controller, which is only about the width of a CD case. So storage wise you could easily tuck one away with all its stuff in a rather small box or even a drawer quite easily.

so_tough!, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:04 PM, said:

What games do you have?

I have the below games plus all my US HuCards. The sheer number that I got with the system kind of over whelmed me, I'm being totally ADD about playing them, usually playing them for only a short time(usually till my first game over) then swapping the cards or CDs out for another game. lol I need to focus sit down and work on just one.

HuCard
Bomberman '93
Bomberman '94
Dochuki
Gomola Speed
Parodius Da!
PC Genjin 3
Son Son II
Valkyrie no Densetsu

CD-ROM
Cho Aniki
Psychic Storm
Winds of Thunder
Ys: Books I & II (US version)

Arcade Card
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (reproduction of course. )
Kabuki Itouryodan

I really need to get an arcade card, Sapphire looks amazing and since I got both the arcade card games for free the cost of the card will be easy to justify once the holidays are over.

Edited by A_Locomotive, Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:23 PM.

[so_tough!]

A_Locomotive, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:22 PM, said:

Algus, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 5:49 PM, said:

(though I don't really have space for more consoles :/)

If space is an issue you should look into getting a modded PC Engine rather then a TG16, they hold the record(official Guinness one in fact) for smallest game console. I don't own one but from the pictures they appear no wider then the controller, which is only about the width of a CD case. So storage wise you could easily tuck one away with all its stuff in a rather small box or even a drawer quite easily.

so_tough!, on Sun Dec 18, 2011 8:04 PM, said:

What games do you have?

I have the below games plus all my US HuCards. The sheer number that I got with the system kind of over whelmed me, I'm being totally ADD about playing them, usually playing them for only a short time(usually till my first game over) then swapping the cards or CDs out for another game. lol I need to focus sit down and work on just one.

HuCard
Bomberman '93
Bomberman '94
Dochuki
Gomola Speed
Parodius Da!
PC Genjin 3
Son Son II
Valkyrie no Densetsu

CD-ROM
Cho Aniki
Psychic Storm
Winds of Thunder
Ys: Books I & II (US version)

Arcade Card
Ginga Fukei Densetsu Sapphire (reproduction of course. )
Kabuki Itouryodan

I really need to get an arcade card, Sapphire looks amazing and since I got both the arcade card games for free the cost of the card will be easy to justify once the holidays are over.

cool and yep the white pc engine is a lovely little console, I can even put the system in my coat pocket!

disclaimer- will not fit in all coat pockets!

[Algus]

If anyone's curious, I did end up picking up a Master System today from a game shop that carries a lot of vintage stuff. Grabbed a few games with it, including Wonder Boy and Double Dragon. Only got one controller since that was all they had left though.

Initial impressions are pretty good. Don't know if I should credit the TV or the SMS but the visual output is way better on my LCD HDTV than the NES (got a scaling issue there) and the visuals seem superb. Been playing Double Dragon and given the bad things I've heard about it, I can only imagine that SMS collecting won't be nearly as gloomy as some NES fans I know have made it out to be. The thing also works great for being a good 20 years old, booted right up with no fuss.

So I guess after a year, all that's left on my list is the Atari 5200 and/or an Atari 8-bit computer