Sega Master System Converter for Sega Genesis

[J2games]

I was reading an article on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sega_Genesis about the Sega Master System converter for the Sega Genesis:

excerpt: "A Sega Master System converter was availible for the Genesis. The Powerbase converter plugs into the cartridge port. All Master System accessories, including the light gun and 3D glasses, can be used for this converter."

I can't say I had ever heard of this unit, nor seen one. Does anyone have any information about it? Was it really released?

[AB Positive]

I have one... they're in the middle of the road for rarity, but good luck finding a boxed/complete one. Still... there are a few things to remember.

It's built for a model 1 system... it has to have some physical hacking (i.e. removing a large chunk off the back) to make it work on a model 2. Won't work on the model 3, WILL work on a CDX without modification.

Some games are incompatible with the PBC, but they are relatively few (I think around 2 or 3)


-AG

[doubledownon11]

I don't know if I'd buy from this place again. Nine out of 10 times they don't have in stock anything that is listed on their website, with the exception of new stuff. Anyways at least here's a picture for ya.

http://www.buyritegames.com/product_information.asp?number=SG-POWBASE&back=yes&dept=1098&last=1025

[Speedy]

Got one to, there is a version for the Model 2 to (at least here in europe)

[tonki]

I never knew it existed either until I saw one at the flea market a few weeks ago. I picked it up but haven't tested it yet. There's usually a couple up on ebay if you want to see what it looks like. It only fits the model 1 Genesis afaik, unless you want cut the plastic. I think the DP guide lists it as having Genesis 1 and 2 releases in Europe.

[briguy578]

Yeah, I have one too, you can get them off ebay for about 20 bucks or so. Everything the parent said is correct.

Sega also made a sms adaptor for the game gear, but sadly no game gear adaptor exists for the genesis or sms [to my knowledge]

[Nez]

I have one I never use it though since I recived a Master System. Just get a Master System there cheep and fairly easy to come by. Plus they work with every master system game unlike the PBC.

[tritium]

I've heard a lot of bad things about buyritegames. They have never had anything I've requested in stock. I recommend www.liksang.com they have 2 3rd party ones in the classic section. One plays SMS Games the other plays both SMS and Mark 3 games. I've had numerous good experiences with them.

-Tritium

[doubledownon11]

I've had a lot of luck with Lik-Sang. Buy-Rite has a lot of nice pictures but nothing is ever in stock. They'll bill your card, and then when it's not in stock (almost every time) they give you a store credit.

[Speedy]

Made some pics of it;

http://members.home.nl/terpelle/pics/converter1.JPG

And this is what's inside (mine had no screws when i bought it LOL )

http://members.home.nl/terpelle/pics/converter2.JPG

As you see it plays card games to, the model 2 version doesn't have that card slot
I love it, i don't have A/V cable's for my Mastersystem, but with this thing i can play Mastersystems without that stupid RF switch :)

[MarkM2112]

Sega also made a sms adaptor for the game gear,

Anyone know where I can find one of these? I have been looking for one for a very long time...

[J2games]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback, I had never seen the unit before and was researching a few things for a customer when I came across the write up.

Funny, when I was reading the responses, I saw the one saying "They have it but I wouldn't buy from them because there stuff is never in stock..." and got nervous for a minute.... I thought you were talking about my site!! (I read it twice to realize it was BuyRite... yes, I've had issues there as well!

I do have the converters for the Game Gear, one to play Master System games and another one which I am uncertain of (I can't get it to work) but looks like it would play Genesis games. (if anyone has info on that, let me know.)

Now, to see if I can get my hands on them easily enough to stock them....

J2Games.com

[kainemaxwell]

So the SMS converter would require no tinkering for the Genesis model 1 or a CDX unit?

[Bighab]

Datel also released a master system converter in cartage form. It only plays SMS carts and not the SMS cards. Its nice and compact though.

[allsport11]

I also have one of these, picked it up at a flea market for a buck. The only problem was that it was modified to work on a model 2 Genesis, IE hacked with a chainsaw. :) Luckily it still works.

[The Manimal]

I also have one of these, picked it up at a flea market for a buck. The only problem was that it was modified to work on a model 2 Genesis, IE hacked with a chainsaw. :) Luckily it still works.


I did that to one of mine. I had two, so I hacked one up. Sure, I can get a imported version 2, but I haven't been able to win one of those yet. I try. One of these days I should play around with clay or something and mold something to stabilize the damn thing so it doesn't wobble back and forth. I figure as is, it puts strain on the pins.

[Iron Draggon]

Yeah, I have one too, you can get them off ebay for about 20 bucks or so. Everything the parent said is correct.

Sega also made a sms adaptor for the game gear, but sadly no game gear adaptor exists for the genesis or sms [to my knowledge]

Oh man, I sure wish there was a way to play all my Game Gear games on my Genesis, so I could play them all on my 35" TV! I have over 75 Game Gear games so far, and I would really like to play them on a much bigger screen! I'm pretty sure that you're right though, I don't think they ever made one.

:(

[Cauterize]

Sega also made a sms adaptor for the game gear,

Anyone know where I can find one of these? I have been looking for one for a very long time...

if you mentioned this a week or 2 ago.. i could have had one goin ur way...
Gapporin is now the happy owner of this!

[Graham Mitchell]

Some games are incompatible with the PBC, but they are relatively few (I think around 2 or 3)


I've found only one game that had a problem with it and that was Penguin Land. If you switch from the 3 (actually 4 if you think about it) button Genesis controller to an SMS controller it works fine. I think most of the compatibility issues were with the controller and not the system itself...at least that was my experience with it.

[kainemaxwell]

Found a mint converter, box and all, on ebay for $19.99 this morning.

[anagrama]

I've found only one game that had a problem with it and that was Penguin Land. If you switch from the 3 (actually 4 if you think about it) button Genesis controller to an SMS controller it works fine. I think most of the compatibility issues were with the controller and not the system itself...at least that was my experience with it.

'tis true - Alien Syndrome is another one that has issues with a Genesis/MD pad, but works perfectly with a SMS pad.

[Lord Contaminous]

Bomber Raid is also in the controller issues bracket as well.

[Barbarianoutkast85]

Ive only seen one once but didnt pick it up because i have a both consoles

[Bratwurst]

I have one that I'm thinking about letting go, it doesn't have the cartridge port lid unfortunately. Still works like a charm. Anyone interested?

[john_soper]

This is what I got for PBC compatiblity:

Doesn't work at all
F16 Fighting Falcon (legacy SG-1000 graphics mode)

Needs SMS controllers:
Alien Syndrome
Bomber Raid
Great Volleyball
Montezuma's Revenge
Shang-hai
Where in the World is Carmen San Diego
Wonderboy in Monster Land

Penguin Land?
Tennis Ace?

Codemasters games (Micro Machines, Cosmic Spacehead, Fantastic Dizzy)

Games are badly programmed because they make a switching
signal on pin 7 of the controller port which freaks the
genesis controller out. A genesis controller plugged into a master system
has the same issues so don't blame the PBC.