> Which one of the Arcade Card versions should I use in a duo?
> Are they the same except that one is for the duo and the pro version is
> for the non-duo setup?
Yep...the Pro is for the CD-ROM2 system and the Duo is for any of the Super
CD-ROM2 systems. I suppose technically you could use either in a Duo (the
system shouldn't care if you are duplicating the operating system); however,
the Arcade Card Duo can always be found at a better price.
> Will games that don't specifically use this card get any benefit from
> it?
No...except for those bi-compatible games which will run Super CD/Arcade
CD...like Popful Mail, Brandish, Linda Cube, etc. As least from the
perspective of the bi-compatible games I own (which include the
aforementioned), the difference is not really easy to discern...possibly
faster load times or more data loaded, reducing the need to load. Certainly,
I haven't seen any in-game differences. For those I don't own, though, there
may be marked differences...however, I'm not going to get all silly and buy
crap like Tanjo Debut, Princess Maker 2, and Neo Generation II to find out.
> What are the games that require this card?
> And finally, what are the benefits of this card- super fantastic games
> that dazzle your eyes? :-)
> My limited knowledge suggests that there is 1 or 2 fighter games and a
> pricey shooter that use it.
Nothing will really dazzle you if regular PC Engine stuff doesn't...certainly
the horrid port of Strider Hiryu by NEC Avenue will make you wish to remove
your eyes. I'll avoid doing a laundry list here...you can look on the Turbo
List page files list for a listing of the dedicated Arcade CDs. None of the
Arcade CDs, though...in my opinion...look as good as a game like Winds of
Thunder which is running without the benefit of the extra memory...go figure.
I think the Hudson SNK ports are pretty high quality given the PC Engine's
basic system architecture (especially so of World Heroes 2)...though load
times can still be a little harsh...Art of Fighting springs to mind. I've
always been a pretty ravenous shooter collector...and I own
Sapphire...however, I rarely play the thing. This isn't because I'm afraid
of damaging it...I personally just don't think it's that great. If a Hudson
had published an Arcade CD shooter from an experienced and talented PC Engine
developer (like Interstate/Kaneko or Red), the results would have probably
been more profound. As it is, you have some nifty special effects and a few
nice enemy designs, but not a lot of substance. I read somewhere that Hudson
was considering using the Arcade Card for RPGs at one time...that certainly
never materialized. Hudson's late RPGs like Seiya Monogatari and Gulliver
Boy ended up as Super CDs. I don't think NEC Avenue's release of Compile's
Madou Monogatari I was quite what the doctor ordered either. Still, don't
take this as a downer on the upgrade. I'd still do it again for the few
dedicated games which I do like...and it certainly doesn't hurt to experiment
around with some others which use the card if you are so inclined.