The Master System Appreciation Thread

[Sarge]

Now I'm jealous. Nice score!

[tel3caster]

I understand the appeal of the games for this system, I myself am currently playing quite a few titles, but what is the appeal of playing on the original hardware? I realize this question may have been asked many times before, but the master system's hardware, namely the controller and sound processing are lacking by the admission of many people in this thread. I realize this can be said of many retro consoles, but it seems the hardware experience hinders some of the enjoyment that could be extracted from the wonderful library of games it has to offer.

[alienjesus]

I play on a Mega Drive with the 6 button controller. It outputs in RGB (unlike my Master System 2), has been modded for 60hz support, and I use the FM mini adapter to play the games so I get to enjoy FM sound too.

[PartridgeSenpai]

A Power Base Converter recently got traded into my local resale store, but I only have a Model 2 Genesis. Does the PBC work on a Model 2 if you change the shape, or is there some kind of hardware that the Model 2 lacks to go into "Master System Mode?"

[samsonlonghair]

A Power Base Converter recently got traded into my local resale store, but I only have a Model 2 Genesis. Does the PBC work on a Model 2 if you change the shape, or is there some kind of hardware that the Model 2 lacks to go into "Master System Mode?"

Power Base converter is incompatible with Model 2 Genesis based purely on the shape. The Model 2 does not lack any necessary circuitry. Please do not try to change the shape of the Power Base converter. I have seen pictures of hacks that utilize literal hacksaws for hacking. The results are not pretty.

Three alternate options:

• Sega released a Model 2 Power Base adapter in Europe. You can import this if you have money to burn. It looks cool too.
• The powerbase mini fm is an aftermarket product that works on both Genesis Model 1 and Model 2 (also CDX, and JVC X'Eye) plus it delivers fm synthesis audio that is otherwise unavailable in the United States. You can find this product on stoneage gamer for about seventy bucks. There's a cheaper powerbase mini without fm that works with the Retron 5 in addition to the above Sega consoles.
• The cheapest and most obvious answer is simply to buy a Model 1 Sega Genesis. It's the best model of Genesis anyway, and it's totally compatible with that Power Base converter. You can buy one for fifteen to twenty dollars.

[alienjesus]

A Power Base Converter recently got traded into my local resale store, but I only have a Model 2 Genesis. Does the PBC work on a Model 2 if you change the shape, or is there some kind of hardware that the Model 2 lacks to go into "Master System Mode?"

The PBC doesn;'t workj because of the shape. There was a 2nd model, at least in Europe, that was designed for the model 2 Mega Drive, but it's pretty rare and pricy:


You're better off getting a Power Base FM from here and enjoying games with FM sound instead: http://www.stoneagegamer.com/powerbase-mini-fm.html

If you aren't fussed by the FM sound, they do a version without it for a bit cheaper:
http://www.stoneagegamer.com/powerbase-mini.html

[Gunstar Green]

I understand the appeal of the games for this system, I myself am currently playing quite a few titles, but what is the appeal of playing on the original hardware? I realize this question may have been many times before, but the master system's hardware, namely the controller and sound processing are lacking by the admission of many people in this thread. I realize this can be said of many retro consoles, but it seems the hardware experience hinders some of the enjoyment that could be extracted from the wonderful library of games it has to offer.

I imagine it's the same as the appeal of playing on an original toaster NES which is a completely idiotic design. It's purely nostalgia and there's no secret benefit to playing on a legitimate system (unless you want to play Snail Maze and don't want to download a ROM I guess).

I didn't grow up with a Master System so for me playing it on the original hardware wasn't a priority for me. I use a Genesis and a PBC.

Oh of course, it's still cheaper than most. It's just that some of those games you can have for under $20 you could get for under $10 this time last year and under $5 the year before that. The prices haven't gone nuts, they've just increased quite suddenly.

I feel like a lot of NES collectors have been getting into it lately, not enough to make the prices skyrocket but there's a lot of curiosity about the Master System from people who haven't experienced it and it's a logical place for NES collectors to go when they're looking to expand their 8-bit library with something that's new to them.

[ElkinFencer10]

It's also worth noting that (according to SAG), the FM one doesn't work with Retron 5 or RetroFreak. The cheaper normal convert WILL work with them, and those consoles have their own FM sound emulators.

[tel3caster]

I imagine it's the same as the appeal of playing on an original toaster NES which is a completely idiotic design. It's purely nostalgia and there's no secret benefit to playing on a legitimate system (unless you want to play Snail Maze and don't want to download a ROM I guess).

I didn't grow up with a Master System so for me playing it on the original hardware wasn't a priority for me. I use a Genesis and a PBC.

I grew up with NES myself and I do feel the nostalgia wax and wane at times. But those feelings are reserved for the games only. Still, the lack of wireless controllers, the analogue outputs, and the bent pins on the 72 pin connector all left me feeling a bit cold towards the hardware. I've already highlighted the issues with the SMS so I won't bother touching on those points again.

Emulation for these older systems has only gotten better and leaves me wondering about the crowd who still cling to their old machines. I understand the Saturn and Dreamcast folks, what with the aforementioned solution still being less than perfect. And yes, I understand the collectors, but what about the select group of you who are playing with these machines on a regular basis?

[Gunstar Green]

Emulation for these older systems has only gotten better and leaves me wondering about the crowd who still cling to their old machines. I understand the Saturn and Dreamcast folks, what with the aforementioned solution still being less than perfect. And yes, I understand the collectors, but what about the select group of you who are playing with these machines on a regular basis?

I don't play on the original hardware as much as I used to but I do like having it around.