TG16:Super HD System3 Pro
The TerraOnion Super HD System3 Pro (SHDS3) is a device that acts as a combined flash cart, optical drive emulator and HDMI output solution for PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 consoles. It was released in 2021 as a follow-up to the Super SD System 3 and features greatly expanded capabilities compared to its predecessor. Most notable is the addition of an HDMI output for connecting directly to modern TVs, and it utilizes the digital video outputs on the PC Engine's expansion bus to generate 480p or 720p video. The RGB output is also derived from the digital video out instead of being amplified from the PC Engine's expansion bus RGB outputs.
Another new feature is an onboard FPGA chip, which has the ability to emulate the second HuC6270 display controller used by the SuperGrafx console (meaning that standard consoles are able to play SuperGrafx-only games) and emulate other consoles such as the NES. The SHD3 Pro also has a reset button, which can be used to reset the game in progress or pressed longer to return to the main menu.
All of these new features combined with what was carried over from the Super SD System 3 make this a highly attractive option (albeit a pricey one at €252) for PC Engine and TurboGrafx-16 owners, especially for those who wish to experience the entire library of PC Engine/TG-16 games without much compromise.
Compatible Systems
- PC Engine (white)
- TurboGrafx-16 (see note below)
- PC Engine Core Grafx
- PC Engine Core Grafx II
- PC Engine SuperGrafx (note that SuperGrafx-only HuCards will not work with the SHD3 attached, only ROM files loaded from it will work)
- PC Engine LT (no CD audio, this requires an additional mod detailed here)
TurboGrafx-16 Fitment Issues
Like the Super SD System 3 before it, the Super HD System3 Pro was modeled on the Japanese AV Booster add-on for the PC Engine and so it only fits properly on Japanese PC Engine consoles. It has an extremely tight fit on the TurboGrafx-16, which has a thicker shell near the expansion port than a PC Engine. This can be somewhat alleviated by slightly backing out the two screws nearest the expansion connector on the SHD3 Pro; this allows for the two halves to slightly expand and fit better on the TG-16's expansion port. The SHD3 Pro's casing can also be completely removed but this is not recommended due to the potential for ESD damage.