$350 Gamble on "Untested" TurboGrafx-16s. Would you do it?

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There are a handful of systems I would often think about with curiosity and wonder. Surely I would never own these "rare" or exotic systems. Well, fixing video game consoles as a hobby changed all that and all of a sudden they were in reach. I love my Neo Geo and game on it often. I'm glad to own an Atari Jaguar despite the system's shortcomings, and today I've made another dream come true with my first pair of TurboGrafx-16s.
I purchased two of these consoles "for parts or not working" from eBay. Both listings said the consoles were "untested". I spent about $350 on this bundle ($210 + $120 for the systems from eBay and $20 for the AV adapter from Amazon). In this episode I handle these beauties for the first time and get a peek inside.
As an adult with a disposable income, fixing broken retro tech has become quite the passion of mine. I don't know if I would have appreciated these systems as a young kid, but it's even more special to own them as an adult. Hope you enjoy this journey of discovery and (for some of you) a trip down memory lane.
🛒 Specialty products specific to this project
Hyperkin AV Adapter for Turbografx-16: amzn.to/3L2fMFH
My philosophy on buying tools is to start small and to "outgrow" your gear over time. Expensive gear won't improve your repair and fault finding skills, only practice will do that. For instance, I'm proud to have repaired dozens and dozens of consoles with a $15 multimeter (and I'm still using it). With that in mind below is what's in my current toolkit.
🔧 Toolkit
Screwdriver Set: amzn.to/2X7s0Gj
Automatic Wire Stripper: amzn.to/30F5TJm
Pocket Multimeter: amzn.to/3IdvzQz
Component Tester: amzn.to/3l5rHG8
🖌 Soldering Essentials
TS100 Soldering Iron: amzn.to/2YIJZUR
No Clean Flux Syringe: amzn.to/2NFUZvQ
No Clean Solder: amzn.to/2NHEAqQ
Desoldering Braid: amzn.to/312Grws
Tip Tinner: amzn.to/31w2EF4
Contact Cleaner: amzn.to/3dI93ly
🔍 Soldering Add-ons
Fume Extractor with Hose: amzn.to/3hspLZi
Desoldering Vacuum Pump: amzn.to/3JdWex9
Circuit Board Holder: amzn.to/3k35Pzm
Helping Hands Soldering Aid: amzn.to/3ihgksP
🔥 Thermal Compounds
Arctic MX-4 Thermal Paste: amzn.to/2Ak2y8w
1.5MM Arctic Thermal Pads: amzn.to/2Vv1RQU
🧴 Lubes and Epoxies
White Lithium Grease: amzn.to/2UApx5M
Plastic Epoxy: amzn.to/3up0LIm