Retro|Spective 218: Hardware

[Yakumo]

I've had laseractive and, although the idea is dead cool, it's not a good laserdisc player, nor is it an effective way to play PC Engine or Megadrive, the composite output is pretty ropey if memory serves.

There are highlights, Triad Stone is one of the best Dragons Lair clones ever made, though its available on other formats in worsened quality.

It's still a rad system, get both packs and the 3d headset (never had this) and its quite the set up.

This is exactly what I thought. I had one with the Mega Drive pak. The video quality over composite was bloody awful. If I remember right, it also had S-video which was also crap.
Like Baseley09 said, it was also a pretty poor laser disc player due to a lack of features and again, poor video out.
Such a waste of cash and such a mammoth of a machine.

[Yakumo]

Hardware 17 - Haitai Vistar 16 PC Engine
This version of the system brings the TG-16 tour to an end and is an unofficial verison of the system which has been long rumoured to be made from unsold stock of the official machine. This region free machine is heavily based on the US version of the console and once again sold in low numbers.



Did you ever experience this version and did the makers manage to out-design the official machine?

Cool, I don't think I've ever seen one of those.
There is a true clone of the PC Engine using off the shelf parts that was sold in some Asian areas. I remember seeing it on Assembler Games when that forum was in its prime.
Apparently it worked well but had compatibility issues with a few games.

EDIT: found a site that shows two versions, both with wildly different internals.

https://nfggames.com/games/pceclones/

[wakka]

So interesting hear those first hand impressions of the LaserActive. I’ve always low key lusted after one because the concept is cool and the aesthetics are awesome.

For something which looks like such an elite piece of AV gear though (and which was so costly at the time) it sounds like they really underdelivered.

I’ve never seen that Haitai ever before. That’s v interesting too.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 18 - NEC PC Engine Turbo Duo
A HuCard and CD combining model of PC Engine, the console was an early 90's model ushering in the early days of CD-Rom based home consoles




What are/were your memories of the Duo and how does it hold up as good or bad looking console design?

[Yakumo]

The NEC PC Engine Turbo Duo was actually my first PC Engine. Bought it in 1998 when I lived in Tokyo. It died not long after due to nasty caps. Back then the cap issue wasn't as well known as it is now so it ended up getting junked 😭

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 19 - PC Engine Duo R
This revision of the Duo changed the colouring to white along with some other visual tweaks and also bolstered up the reliability of the machine as well as it no longer requiring a Super System 3.0 card



Is the system a visual and practical improvement or even the best on show so far?

[CMcK]

The Duo-R was my first PC Engine. Needed a laser replacement on arrival but really is all the PC Engine anyone needs. No faff access to all the games. IIRC it only drew 9w or something ridiculously low like that.

[Yakumo]

I had a Duo-R as well 😅. Like all NEC products of the time, it also died thanks to ****ty caps.
Its funny that the console I have now, the Interface unit with core grafix is the one that still works dispite being the oldest.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 20 - Fujitsu FM Towns Marty TC
This console was a more console designed iteration of the Towns Marty I & II which resembled PC towers. It retained some of the PC orientated elements such as a port to connect a printer and software support to connect additional hardware.




What are/were your thoughts and memories of the FM Towns Marty TC design?

[Baseley09]

Can't tell you how many Martys of bid on in the past 20 years, I think its actually for the best I've never won one nice looking system, I think these days tho there's nothing that can't be had elsewhere sans the odd variation.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 21 - PC Engine TurboExpress GT
The handheld HuCard console and the last of all PC Engine's in our journey, this chunky black handheld is a long time fan favourite.




What are/were your thoughts of the PC Engine GT's design and your memories of the device?

[CMcK]

I bought the GT just after getting my Duo-R about twenty years ago. Amazing to see the games running on a handheld but the screen technology of the era just wasn’t good enough.

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 22 - Atari C380 Woodgrain
1977 and America was bestowed with Atari's dial based console allowing arcade pinball lovers to play from the comfort of their own homes.





What are your thoughts/memories of the Atari C380's design and on using wood in console designs?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 23 - Atari 2600
Selling more than a million units, Atari continued to give gamers wood with this next design




Is this classic console a classic design?

[Neon Ignition]

Hardware 24 - Atari VCS
Released in 2019, this is one of Atari's odd attempts to launch hardware options for brand fans in the modern era



Did Atari nail the design?