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Of the 8-bit home gaming consoles, the Sega Master System has proven to be the most reliable and entertaining system. If you want to buy one, or need a part for one, then this guide should be able to help you out. Because the Master System was second in popularity to the NES, it continues to have a good resale value due to the low supply and high demand for this classic gaming system.
To play Sega Master System games you will need five things: a console, power, a display, a controller and a game. This guide details your options.
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM COMPONENTS and PART NUMBERS / SPECS (US / Canada) to help you find the right part for your system.
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM GAME CONSOLE (US / Canada)
The Sega Master System (SMS) game console comes in 3 models and also 2 converters. The first and second models look exactly the same and have identical ports. These have a very dark gray base that triangulates up to a red peak for the cartridge slot. The model numbers are 3010 and 3010-A. Both have a SMS game cartridge slot and a SMS game card slot. Both have two inputs for controllers and both require the same power supply and have the same large 9-pin audio/video output port in addition to an RF out (female RCA style connector). The difference between these two units is with its firmware versions. The 3010-A has two built in games that can be played when the unit is turned on without a game cartridge in place. The two games are Safari Hunt and Hang On. The 3010 does not have any games built into the firmware but shipped in the US with a two-game cartridge that contained Safari Hunt and Hang On.
The third SMS game console is called the Sega Master System II. This unit was put out in 1990 and was made as cheaply as possible. It lacks the game card slot, Reset button and power indicator light. It uses a different power supply (Same as Genesis II - .85AMP - #MK2103) than the above models and has the RF (female RCA style connector) output connector but no A/V connector. It has one built-in game; Alex Kidd in Miracle World. The light gun should work with this unit but since the 3-D glasses connect through the card slot, 3-D glasses will not be usable on this unit.
The two converter options are the Sega Master Base Converter and the Sega Master Gear.
The Sega Master Base Converter connects to your Sega Genesis game console. It includes both the SMS game cartridge slot and the SMS game card slot. No additional power supply, A/V wire or controllers are needed to use this unit. For our purposes here, the Sega Master Base Converter is a pass through device to convert a SMS game cartridge into a Sega Genesis slot. All games and controllers, including the 3-D glasses, should work with this unit but I have noticed that I had to turn off and on my Genesis a couple times to get the SMS game cartridge charged up for use. This adapter fits the Sega Genesis type I (1601) and II (MK-1631 – may need to remove tab on SMBC) but does not properly connect to the Genesis 3 or the Sega Nomad portable.
The Sega Master Gear is a pass through attachment for the Sega Game Gear portable game system. The Game Gear and the SMS have very similar components so this adaptor truly is a pass through device to accept SMS game cartridges on one side, convert the pins, and plug into the Saga Game Gear cartridge input on the other side. This unit does not include a SMS game card slot so 3-D glasses can not be connected and also note that 4-mega games may not play correctly.
POWER SUPPLY (US / Canada)
The Power supply for the SMS model numbers 3010 & 3010-A (as well as the Sega Genesis type I) is a 120V input, 9V output, 1.2 AMP, AC to DC, model number 3025 - same as Genesis model number 1602. It has a 2.1mm ID (positive) and a 5.5mm OD (negative) single pole type connector. Any power supply with these specifications should work but the Sega brand is recommended.
NOTE that the Sega Genesis type II (MK-1631) and Sega Genesis 3 (MK-1461) models and the Sega 32X power supply [all are .85amp, 120V - model MK-2103 & MK-1479] will NOT properly fit or work with the SMS 3010, 3010-A and Genesis type I. The AMP rating is higher with the SMS and Genesis model 1 and could burn out your Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and 32X if you force it into the AC adaptor input.
CONNECTION TO A TELEVISION (US / Canada)
When the SMS was first released in June 1986 the popular connection to a television was the RF connector, (the screw on cable TV style connector). The Sega model number for this is 3035 which is an Automatic RF Connector with the male RCA jack to the SMS and a small box with an input for Antenna/Cable and a cable TV style output to your television. What makes it automatic is that your antenna/cable signal is always on unless the power to the SMS is turned on, then the SMS is the signal that goes to your TV. A better option is to use the large 9-pin A/V output from the SMS to your televisions RF (antenna/cable) input.
The best option is to use the large 9-pin connector to the SMS and connect to the RCA, (yellow, white, red), inputs on your TV. NOTE that you will likely need a Y-splitter cable to turn the mono audio output from your SMS into 2 audio inputs to your TV, (this will not be true stereo but at least both your left and right speakers will have a signal). This cable will be described as 9-PIN A/V CABLE FOR SMS & GENESIS 1. Find it on ebay or Amazon. Also get a short RCA style Y-SPLITTER cable, (one female split into two male plugs).
CONTROLLERS
There are only two controllers you will need for the bulk of the Sega Master System games; the Control Pad, (model 3020) and the Light Phaser Gun (model 3050). The Control Pad is rectangular with a directional pad (D-pad) on the left and two buttons on the right labeled A & B. Any game that does not require a gun can use this controller. The Light Phaser gun is necessary for a few games such as the popular Safari Hunt game. The Sega Genesis controllers also work on the SMS. Another add on, though not a controller, is the 3D glasses which plug into the SMS card slot.
GAME CARTRIDGES
All Sega Master System games work on all Sega Master System consoles regardless of region of origin. Your only hang-up will be if a game is in a language you can not read. Avoid Ghostbusters, Spy Vs. Spy, Rambo First Blood Part II and Thunderblade – trust me. Get Phantasy Star, TransBot, R-Type and anything that ends with "ILLUSION". The Alex Kid games and Wonderboy games are worth a look as well - (look harder at the Wonderboy games). Several games offered battery back-ups to save games. To replace the battery you may need a solder gun and battery number CR2032. Also note that the Sega SG-1000 Mark III game cartridges and cards should also work on the SMS although these are rare and were only released in Japan.
SECRET GAME
The SMS model I, (3010 & 3010-A) have a hidden mini game built into the firmware. To access this mouse in maze game press and hold UP and the A & B buttons then power on your SMS with no cartridge in place for model 3010-A. For the model 3010, do the above after the system starts up.
The Sega Master System was not the most popular 8-bit gaming system, but it may have been the best in terms of graphics and design. Even today a Sega Master System is an important video game system for the prized Phantasy Star game which continues to make top 100 games of all time lists. The resale value remains strong and many of the games have come back to present day through cell phones and compilation releases and hand-held gaming devices. Long Live Sega!
Did you find the information you needed?
To play Sega Master System games you will need five things: a console, power, a display, a controller and a game. This guide details your options.
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM COMPONENTS and PART NUMBERS / SPECS (US / Canada) to help you find the right part for your system.
- A Sega Master System (SMS) game console: (Models 3010 and 3010-A, or a Sega Master System II)
- A power supply: (120V to 9V, AC to DC, 1.2AMP, single pole connector with 2.1mm ID (positive) and a 5.5mm OD (negative), model 3025 or 1602)
- Wire to connect to your television: (pack in was Auto RF model 3035 but recommend the large 9-pin A/V cable for SMS & Genesis type 1 with a Y-splitter)
- A controller: (Control Pad, model 3020. May want the Light Phaser, model 3050)
- And of course, a SMS game cartridge or game card: (Back-up battery number CR2032)
Lets take a closer look at the options for each item listed above.
SEGA MASTER SYSTEM GAME CONSOLE (US / Canada)
The Sega Master System (SMS) game console comes in 3 models and also 2 converters. The first and second models look exactly the same and have identical ports. These have a very dark gray base that triangulates up to a red peak for the cartridge slot. The model numbers are 3010 and 3010-A. Both have a SMS game cartridge slot and a SMS game card slot. Both have two inputs for controllers and both require the same power supply and have the same large 9-pin audio/video output port in addition to an RF out (female RCA style connector). The difference between these two units is with its firmware versions. The 3010-A has two built in games that can be played when the unit is turned on without a game cartridge in place. The two games are Safari Hunt and Hang On. The 3010 does not have any games built into the firmware but shipped in the US with a two-game cartridge that contained Safari Hunt and Hang On.
The third SMS game console is called the Sega Master System II. This unit was put out in 1990 and was made as cheaply as possible. It lacks the game card slot, Reset button and power indicator light. It uses a different power supply (Same as Genesis II - .85AMP - #MK2103) than the above models and has the RF (female RCA style connector) output connector but no A/V connector. It has one built-in game; Alex Kidd in Miracle World. The light gun should work with this unit but since the 3-D glasses connect through the card slot, 3-D glasses will not be usable on this unit.
The two converter options are the Sega Master Base Converter and the Sega Master Gear.
The Sega Master Base Converter connects to your Sega Genesis game console. It includes both the SMS game cartridge slot and the SMS game card slot. No additional power supply, A/V wire or controllers are needed to use this unit. For our purposes here, the Sega Master Base Converter is a pass through device to convert a SMS game cartridge into a Sega Genesis slot. All games and controllers, including the 3-D glasses, should work with this unit but I have noticed that I had to turn off and on my Genesis a couple times to get the SMS game cartridge charged up for use. This adapter fits the Sega Genesis type I (1601) and II (MK-1631 – may need to remove tab on SMBC) but does not properly connect to the Genesis 3 or the Sega Nomad portable.
The Sega Master Gear is a pass through attachment for the Sega Game Gear portable game system. The Game Gear and the SMS have very similar components so this adaptor truly is a pass through device to accept SMS game cartridges on one side, convert the pins, and plug into the Saga Game Gear cartridge input on the other side. This unit does not include a SMS game card slot so 3-D glasses can not be connected and also note that 4-mega games may not play correctly.
POWER SUPPLY (US / Canada)
The Power supply for the SMS model numbers 3010 & 3010-A (as well as the Sega Genesis type I) is a 120V input, 9V output, 1.2 AMP, AC to DC, model number 3025 - same as Genesis model number 1602. It has a 2.1mm ID (positive) and a 5.5mm OD (negative) single pole type connector. Any power supply with these specifications should work but the Sega brand is recommended.
NOTE that the Sega Genesis type II (MK-1631) and Sega Genesis 3 (MK-1461) models and the Sega 32X power supply [all are .85amp, 120V - model MK-2103 & MK-1479] will NOT properly fit or work with the SMS 3010, 3010-A and Genesis type I. The AMP rating is higher with the SMS and Genesis model 1 and could burn out your Genesis 2, Genesis 3 and 32X if you force it into the AC adaptor input.
CONNECTION TO A TELEVISION (US / Canada)
When the SMS was first released in June 1986 the popular connection to a television was the RF connector, (the screw on cable TV style connector). The Sega model number for this is 3035 which is an Automatic RF Connector with the male RCA jack to the SMS and a small box with an input for Antenna/Cable and a cable TV style output to your television. What makes it automatic is that your antenna/cable signal is always on unless the power to the SMS is turned on, then the SMS is the signal that goes to your TV. A better option is to use the large 9-pin A/V output from the SMS to your televisions RF (antenna/cable) input.
The best option is to use the large 9-pin connector to the SMS and connect to the RCA, (yellow, white, red), inputs on your TV. NOTE that you will likely need a Y-splitter cable to turn the mono audio output from your SMS into 2 audio inputs to your TV, (this will not be true stereo but at least both your left and right speakers will have a signal). This cable will be described as 9-PIN A/V CABLE FOR SMS & GENESIS 1. Find it on ebay or Amazon. Also get a short RCA style Y-SPLITTER cable, (one female split into two male plugs).
CONTROLLERS
There are only two controllers you will need for the bulk of the Sega Master System games; the Control Pad, (model 3020) and the Light Phaser Gun (model 3050). The Control Pad is rectangular with a directional pad (D-pad) on the left and two buttons on the right labeled A & B. Any game that does not require a gun can use this controller. The Light Phaser gun is necessary for a few games such as the popular Safari Hunt game. The Sega Genesis controllers also work on the SMS. Another add on, though not a controller, is the 3D glasses which plug into the SMS card slot.
GAME CARTRIDGES
All Sega Master System games work on all Sega Master System consoles regardless of region of origin. Your only hang-up will be if a game is in a language you can not read. Avoid Ghostbusters, Spy Vs. Spy, Rambo First Blood Part II and Thunderblade – trust me. Get Phantasy Star, TransBot, R-Type and anything that ends with "ILLUSION". The Alex Kid games and Wonderboy games are worth a look as well - (look harder at the Wonderboy games). Several games offered battery back-ups to save games. To replace the battery you may need a solder gun and battery number CR2032. Also note that the Sega SG-1000 Mark III game cartridges and cards should also work on the SMS although these are rare and were only released in Japan.
SECRET GAME
The SMS model I, (3010 & 3010-A) have a hidden mini game built into the firmware. To access this mouse in maze game press and hold UP and the A & B buttons then power on your SMS with no cartridge in place for model 3010-A. For the model 3010, do the above after the system starts up.
The Sega Master System was not the most popular 8-bit gaming system, but it may have been the best in terms of graphics and design. Even today a Sega Master System is an important video game system for the prized Phantasy Star game which continues to make top 100 games of all time lists. The resale value remains strong and many of the games have come back to present day through cell phones and compilation releases and hand-held gaming devices. Long Live Sega!
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Guide created: 05/31/07 (updated 07/06/09)
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