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The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => General Castlevania Discussion => Topic started by: CVfan13 on May 22, 2008, 08:20:33 PM

Title: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 22, 2008, 08:20:33 PM
Well, even though I have the Dracula X Chronicles, I would still like to own the original PC Engine Rondo of Blood, just for collecting's sake. But I am a bit confused. What on Earth is a PC Engine? Does that just mean a regualr PC, as in Computer? Or is some sort of console? And if so, do I need a Japanese import version of this console?

On a different note, I also want to buy the Japanese Sega Saturn version of SotN, Nocturne in the Moonlight, again, for collection's sake. I know that I also have to have a Japanese region coded Sega Saturn console. But what I don't know is if Sega Saturn requires a memory card to save games. And if I do need a memory card for this, does it also have to be Japan import?
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: A n t r a x x on May 22, 2008, 08:37:42 PM
In Reply To #1

NEC's PC Engine was actually the third contender in the 16-bit wars, and the ironic thing was it was the first to come out. Techincally it only sported an 8-bit processor, but it had a 16-bit gfx chip. It never made it's identity truly noticeable against the Sega Genesis or the Super Nintendo abroad, but it sold nicely in Japan. It featured little HU-CARDs as cartridges (literally just little cards), and later it would of course include a full-function CD-ROM reader, and this is when the games for the system started getting some truly awesome soundtracks, due to the high quality the CD system allowed.

more info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TurboGrafx-16#Limitations_in_the_16-bit_era

The Saturn just needs a special ram card in order to play/save imports.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 22, 2008, 09:34:47 PM
In Reply To #2

So I need a Japanese import TurboGrafx-16 to play Rondo, If I can even find that? And if I do find both, will I need anything else to run/save the game?

And about the Saturn, do you mean that I don't need a Japan import to run NitM? If I have some special ram card, I can still play it on a US version? And does this ram card also save the game data, or does the system itself do that? And is this special ram card easy to put in, meaning is it really something I'm supposed to be tinkering with? And what exactly is this ram card, meaning what special type is it? Would it just be easier to buy a Japan import? And if I do that, will I still need something to save data to, or does it just save to the system?
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 22, 2008, 09:59:24 PM
As for original rondo of blood, you can use an emulator like magic engine, which if I not mistaken, the current version runs the game perfectly.

As for NITM, all you need is a converter to play imports.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 22, 2008, 10:07:26 PM
In Reply To #2


And about the Saturn, do you mean that I don't need a Japan import to run NitM? If I have some special ram card, I can still play it on a US version? And does this ram card also save the game data, or does the system itself do that? And is this special ram card easy to put in, meaning is it really something I'm supposed to be tinkering with? And what exactly is this ram card, meaning what special type is it? Would it just be easier to buy a Japan import? And if I do that, will I still need something to save data to, or does it just save to the system?

Wow, you have a lot of questions!  As for the special ram cart, it is extra ram fo rht esystem.  It allowz games like marvel super heroes vs street fighter and SFA3 to be indentical to the arcade version whereas all the features and frames are kept in. 

With that said, this cart is required even if you decide to get a japanese saturn.  Probably be easier to get an american version and a pro action replay so as you can play both japanese and american games w/o spendin a lot of money.

As for where you insert the ram in.  It goes in the slot just above the cd tray (if lookin at the system in a bird's eye view.) 
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 22, 2008, 10:13:18 PM
Also, before you go off and buy any action replay device for the saturn, be sure to get the PLUS version.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 22, 2008, 10:29:35 PM
In Reply To #6

Oh, I see. So, all I need to play NitM is that pro action replay plus, an American Sega Saturn, and of course the Japanese game disk? So with those three things, I'm all set to play both American and Japanese Saturn games on an American system, and be able to save?

Thanks to everybody who helped me out, I feel a lot better now.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 22, 2008, 10:45:59 PM
In Reply To #6

Oh, I see. So, all I need to play NitM is that pro action replay plus, an American Sega Saturn, and of course the Japanese game disk? So with those three things, I'm all set to play both American and Japanese Saturn games on an American system, and be able to save?

Thanks to everybody who helped me out, I feel a lot better now.
Yup, though after rechecking the 4mb capability list, I am mistaken. A 4mb ramcart isn't needed for NITM.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: A n t r a x x on May 22, 2008, 11:06:28 PM
Yeah, the battery, should you need to replace it, is in the back of the console.

It's a pretty standard watch-size battery.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 22, 2008, 11:10:09 PM
In Reply To #8

Alright. All that I really plan to play is NitM. So the link you gave me is exactly the action replay plus that I need?
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 22, 2008, 11:16:14 PM
In Reply To #8

Alright. All that I really plan to play is NitM. So the link you gave me is exactly the action replay plus that I need?

Yup, the one pictured
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: A n t r a x x on May 22, 2008, 11:17:43 PM
Just... don't go expecting anything too great with NitM. There's new content, but there's many more issues that should have been cleaned up before release.

The best part is prolly the new music.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 22, 2008, 11:37:04 PM
In Reply To #11

Great. Thank you so much.

In Reply to #12

Yeah, I know, but I still want to someday own everything Castlevania there is, and Nocturne in the Moonlight has some stuff that are just too good for me to pass up(for example the(unforunately small) exclusive areas, Richter, Alucard, and Maria playable straight from the beginning, and some other stuff that was probable released on the PSP version, but it still want the original. Oh yeah, and there's also that awesome artwork on the manual!).

Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: Bloodreign on May 23, 2008, 12:01:57 AM
The Action Replay 4MB Cart is a godsend, not only being able to save my saves on it (my Saturn has a new battery and all, but for some reason it won't save that way), but it opens up an entire new library of games for you, imports. I've started a small modest Japanese Saturn import collection, perhaps down the line I can break down and buy and play yet another version of SotN/NitM again.

Playing import games has never been easier (unless you're talking portable systems).
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 23, 2008, 12:32:54 AM
One final question, is there any possible way, through decoding/cheating/etc. that I could possible play this on my American PS2?
http://cgi.ebay.com/AKUMAJOU-AKUMAJO-DRACULA-CASTLEVANIA-JAPAN-IMPORT-PS2_W0QQitemZ130174369793QQihZ003QQcategoryZ139973QQtcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: A n t r a x x on May 23, 2008, 12:57:04 AM
In Reply To #15

Yah just get action replay.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: DoctaMario on May 23, 2008, 01:16:25 AM
I actually HAVE a copy of the Japanese NitM and it's NTSC. Do you really need to have something else to play that on an American Saturn?  ???
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: The Last Belmont on May 23, 2008, 01:47:01 AM

The Saturn just needs a special ram card in order to play/save imports.

Yup that's why I love sega, so easy to mod their consoles.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: A n t r a x x on May 23, 2008, 02:18:55 AM
I actually HAVE a copy of the Japanese NitM and it's NTSC. Do you really need to have something else to play that on an American Saturn?
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: Bloodreign on May 23, 2008, 09:06:04 AM
Saturn NitM is NTSC-J, in North America games are coded NTSC-U/C, get the Action Replay and enjoy the game.

As for the PS 2 Haunted Castle Hamster port, mod chip (look for those on your own) or disc swap (requires messing up the PS's disc drive door, risky but I hear it works).
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: Long John Silver on May 23, 2008, 01:33:55 PM
the ps2 slim version isn't risky at all. just the fat one since you have to drag the tray out to replace the dvd.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 23, 2008, 05:31:59 PM
In Reply To #16

That works? Isn't it a disk though? Can you tell me how it works? And is any of this a long, dangerous, annoying proccess?

On a side note, I just got the PoR pre-order items today in the mail(yay!). I'm listening to the CD right now.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: Long John Silver on May 23, 2008, 08:04:04 PM
not sure about the fat one, but for the slim model you have to first get swap magic + magic keys, then use the said keys (which are just few pieces of specially modeled plastic) to cover the sensors in the ps2 which detect whether the lid is open or not. there are 3 of those.

once covered boot the ps2 using swap magic dvd without closing the lid (with the magic keys the sensors won't notice the lid is open and will allow you to run stuff with open lid, thus allowing to swap the dvd later), then once the booting is done and you're in swap magic's menu the dvd will stop spinning. swap it now with your game, then press start game in the menu to play. you can now close the lid.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: A n t r a x x on May 23, 2008, 08:19:54 PM
Just make sure not to lose those little pieces. They're tiny.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 23, 2008, 10:49:57 PM
I think the old ps2 can play copies plus imports through the use of a slide tool and a special disc.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: CVfan13 on May 24, 2008, 12:01:45 AM
Oh lord. I have an old, fat PS2. And would I have to go through that process each time I wanted to play the game? Well, actually, considering that it's Haunted Castle, that probably wouldn't be too often.  :)  Just would like to own it to eventually complete a collection.

Hey, le052383, what do you know about the things you mentioned for the onld PS2 model?
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: le052383 on May 24, 2008, 04:03:17 AM
Oh lord. I have an old, fat PS2. And would I have to go through that process each time I wanted to play the game? Well, actually, considering that it's Haunted Castle, that probably wouldn't be too often.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: The Last Belmont on May 24, 2008, 04:36:27 AM
Well, I was goin to get a slide tool a year ago for my old ps2 since the slide tool works for old bulky ps2.  However, I have forgotten to get one after getting a ps3.  With that said, I did some research on it, but I have forgotten much about it.

However, here is a tutorial I found on youtube where some dude shows how to play imports and copies with his fat ps2:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt_9kkStaFY

I also checked on the net to find a slide tool for your ps2 and came across this page:


http://www.keepgaming.com/nxp2r-007.html

Accordin to the url above, this version of the slide tool works for the old ones and in case you aren't sure, please check your model with the ones listed on that page.



That url also has another link for the silm ps2 model silde tool for those who has the silm ps2 systems


you don't need a slide tool, you just have to flip the tray lock switch to let you pull out the tray when the ps2 is running w/out pushing the button. You can use any kind of tool like a paperclip to just push the switch over. All's I have to do is just boot up my ps2 w/ nothing in it, flip the switch pull the tray open pop in my foreign game, close tray  and hit the cd icon that pops up.
Title: Re: Original Rondo of Blood/Nocturne in the Moonlight
Post by: Steve on May 24, 2008, 05:40:08 AM
In Reply To #2

So I need a Japanese import TurboGrafx-16 to play Rondo, If I can even find that?

You don't need a Japanese one in particular.  Rondo is a disc game, and the PCE/TG16 doesn't region-discriminate on those.