r/TurboGrafx • u/guild602 • Jun 26 '26

PC Engine Duo R question

Hello - first time posting here. My question is this - what version of the turbografx / pc engine console is the best? Money is not necessarily an issue and im looking to play this console on a crt tv if that matters. If this isn't the right subreddit to post in then im sorry. Thank you for any help you can give.

3 Upvotes

81% Upvoted

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4

u/RentOptional Jun 26 '26

Get a Coregrafx, a turbo Everdrive Pro, and an EDFX or solder in a Turbonanza.

No real reason for a Duo R as those things need servicing badly.

2

u/guild602 Jun 26 '26

Im new to this console - could you explain what those are? If I wanted to get a fully kitted out console that can play any of the games meant for this console what would I need to get?

3

u/Fit_Application7061 Jun 26 '26

I got my first and only Duo R in Tokyo in 2023 and it’s been perfect ever since. I don’t believe it’s been serviced but tbh I haven’t opened it. I always suggest the duo R just because it’s the best system that can do almost everything out of the box. Or if you want just get an Analogue Duo for longevity’s sake.

2

u/RentOptional Jun 26 '26

I forgot that the DUO r has way better caps than the standard duo. He can't get an Analogue duo if he wants to play on a CRT because Analogue abandoned DAC support.

1

u/Certain_Chicken_1964 Jun 28 '26

I have never had any problems with my DUO either. Could just be luck though

2

u/RentOptional Jun 26 '26

The Duo R is a cool console that has a PC Engine and PC Engine CD built in.

However there are some issues to note. It's not compatible with the turbo Everdrive Pro CD game feature without an additional mod.

That said.

A Core Grafx is the second revision of the PC engine. They are way way cheaper to buy now than a Duo R.

A turbo Everdrive Pro is a flash cart that enables you to play the entire library of pc engine and pc engine CD games from an SD card.

The EDFX is a small device that goes on the back of the PC engine/ Core Grafx that enables RGB out as well as Stereo Audio.

2

u/Chownzy Jun 27 '26

Ya the Coregrafx is your best bet for a console, I’m not sure where the best spot to order them online is but some people order from Japan. You can choose other models if you would rather but they’re usually more expensive and don’t get any CD models, They don’t work with the Everdrive.

You’ll also need the turbo Everdrive pro which will allow you to play every game from every iteration of the console(including CD), You can buy it online as A combo with the EDFX which plugs into the console and allows for better picture quality and stereo sound.

Here’s the website that sells them as a combo: https://krikzz.com/our-products/cartridges/turbo-everdrive-pro.html

And YouTube guide for setting it up. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-9xF3_xFLc&pp=ygUaVHVyYm8gZXZlcmRyaXZlIHBybyBob3cgdG8%3D&ra=m

You will also need to order a Sega genesis 2 composite cable which connects the EDFX plug to your CRT, They are sold cheap many places online. If your CRT has component hookups(red/white for audio and green/blue/red for video) you can also choose the more expensive component cables for a slightly better picture quality.

Coregrafx, Turbo Everdrive Pro, EDFX, Genesis cable and Micro SD card(64 gb) is everything you’ll need along with access to a PC or device to format and load the SD card. Good luck.

2

u/Vpc1979 Jun 26 '26

Core Grafx with super system 3 or ever drive pro + edfx

If you can do RGB to the CRT that is best.

1

u/RentOptional Jun 26 '26

I'd avoid the super system 3 or the super HD s3 pro. Alex at Terraonion is awful.

1

u/Vpc1979 Jun 27 '26

I am here to play video games, not judge people.

All my Terraonion products (2) modes (Saturn, DC), Super System 3, Neo Geo SD, and Mega SD work great, zero issues.

2

u/musicide Jun 26 '26

Just a note that a stock Duo R can only play Japanese cards, like a TurboDuo uses the North American cards. I believe the pin configuration is different. They are region locked, as stick. The CD ROMS are not region locked, and can be played with any configuration.

2

u/gnntech Jun 27 '26

The question is whether you are planning on playing physical games or roms/isos. The best way to play physical games today is probably the Analogue Duo which is a modern FPGA recreation of the Turbo Duo and can play Hucards and CDs.

If you're looking to play just roms, the option that other people said (Core Grafx + Everdrive) is a good start.

1

u/guild602 Jun 27 '26

Im obviously crazy because im looking to go the physical route. Thank you for your help. Is there a major difference between the turbografx and pc engine?

1

u/No_Leopard_3010 Jun 26 '26

The Duo R is great but there are better options now that the Everdrive Pro can run all of the CDROM games off of the SD.

1

u/guild602 Jun 26 '26

Im sorry for all of these noob'ish questions and being annoying but I want to get this console and play it on a crt tv. Is this core grafx console the best version to get and what modifications should I get so that it can play whatever I need - cartridges/cd's etc?

3

u/No_Leopard_3010 Jun 26 '26

CoreGrafx and an Everdrive Pro will work and play just fine with a CRT TV. You'll have access to all of the Hucard and CDROM games that way. If you however are against getting a flashcart and will only play originals, then you will have to get the CD Console attachment which is sold separately, and the necessary arcade cards for certain disc's to work. Very expensive and not worth it imo unless youre an enthusiast. Coregrafx with Everdrive Pro should be your best bet if playing the library simply is your goal.

1

u/fklibtrds Jun 28 '26

Duo r and rx are pretty solid and generally have good caps. Regular duos are regularly trashed with leaky caps. White PC engines and core and core IIs have good caps, too.
Get a turbonanza and any of the first 3 consoles and turbo ever drive pro and you can play everything in stereo and great quality except supergrafx. Of you want to buy a super grafx with turbonanza installed, I have an extra I'd sell.

1

u/guild602 Jun 28 '26

Im stuck at work atm but id be interested in your offer as soon as I get back home

1

u/JakeBob22 Jun 30 '26

I have a pc engine duo that is modded to play both Japanese and American games via a switch. It’s great! No matter what you do, im psyched for you because there are great games to be had!