Best Option for SMS/Mark III games on my Mega Drive?

[molotovwars]

I've been looking around to see what options I have for playing SMS and Mark III games on my Mega Drive, but they each seem to have their own downsides. The first complication being that SMS carts and Mark III carts are shaped differently.

The two most obvious choices are the Power Base Converter and the Mega Adapter.

The Power Base Converter allows SMS games to be played on the Sega Gensis.
The Mega Adapter allows Mark III games to be played on the Sega Mega Drive.

Both the Power Base Converter and the Mega Adapter have a front slot for card-based games and can also accomodate the 3-D glasses. However, because of video display processor limitations they both cannot play games SG-1000/SC-3000 games. Apparently the Mega Adapter (and I assume the PBC also) does not have the Yamaha YM2413 FM chip that enhances the sound of certain games.

Ordinarily that might not be a problem, but I've found that in Korea there are lots of MSX games and SG-1000/SC-3000 games that have been put into Mark III cartridges. I was primarily hoping to test and play some of those games. It is impossible to find SMS hardware in Korea.

I also came across this link, which helped a little, but might have confirmed that it is impossible for me to play SG-1000/SG-3000 games on my Mega Drive.
http://www.sega-16.com/feature_page.php ... 's%20Guide

I found this cart which I would be able to use both the Mega Drive and Genesis, but no card-slot (though I don't know if I'd play any card games)
http://gamedoctorhk.com/index.php?main_ ... cts_id=464

Right now I am leaning towards buying the Japanese Mega Adapter, which I could use with my Korean Mega Drive. Then I might buy this adapter from Tototek: http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php? ... ucts_id=73

That tototek link also says: "FM music support (Need game with FM support)" so that may not be a problem at all, besides I heard the sound wasn't bad even without it.

Maybe this post is more to help me type out my thoughts and weigh my options, but if anyone has input that would be great.

A last thought, are the cart-slot games region-free?

[EDIT]: Further research has pulled up that SG-1000 games are definitely not possible. Still not sure about SC-3000 games.

A variety of the Korean carts I've found are actually Sega SG-1000/SC-3000 MyCARD series games:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEGA_SG-10 ... ries_games

Scroll down to where it says MYCARD - I've found a variety of those games but in Mark III carts. I know the SG-1000 games are a no-go, but I have such little understanding of the difference beween SG-1000 and SC-3000 and if it would be possible to get them to work.

[Breetai]

You do know that the Master System was released in Japan, right? So, when you are differentiating between Mark III and SMS based on region, you are making it pretty confusing. Phantasy Star, in Japan, is labeled as a Master System game. Maybe it's better to just differentiate the region, as opposed to the console name in this case?

Why not get a Master Base Converter for your US SMS games, and an actual Japanese Master System for your SG-1000, SC-3000 and Mark III/SMS games? That should cover all your bases (I'm assuming the MyCards are region free).

I've owned an SG-1000, Mark III and (US) Master System before, but never an SC-3000 (or any games for it), so I can't give you any first-hand advice on it.

[molotovwars]

I just now realized this was posted in the Buy/Sell/Trade section. If a mod can move it to the the Sega section I'd appreciate it.

@Breetai, yeah you're right. I'm sure it does sound confusing haha. What shape are the Japanese Master System cartridges? I assumed they the same shape as the Mark III cartridges, which is why I was just calling them Mark III and SMS to more refer to the shape.

I hadn't thought of buying a Japanese SMS, however I'm worried I would never use it. I have a US SMS back in the states, but I've never once hooked it up or played any of the games more than just to test out some 3D glasses before selling them.

If I did use a Japanese SMS, would I have any problem playing US SMS games on it, aside from the shape of the carts?

decisions decisions

[theclaw]

I'd heard something about a handful of later PAL games run better at 50hz, but I don't own them to say. (Ninja Gaiden is my only SMS cart not available in the states.)

[Breetai]

@Breetai, yeah you're right. I'm sure it does sound confusing haha. What shape are the Japanese Master System cartridges? I assumed they the same shape as the Mark III cartridges, which is why I was just calling them Mark III and SMS to more refer to the shape.

I hadn't thought of buying a Japanese SMS, however I'm worried I would never use it. I have a US SMS back in the states, but I've never once hooked it up or played any of the games more than just to test out some 3D glasses before selling them.

If I did use a Japanese SMS, would I have any problem playing US SMS games on it, aside from the shape of the carts?

decisions decisions

The Japanese SMS carts are the exact same size as the SG-1000 and Mark III carts. SG-1000, Mark III and SMS games will all work in a Japanese SMS. Basically, the Japanese SMS is a Mark III with the FM sound chip internalized.

You would need a converter to play US SMS games on a Japanese system. I have no idea how hard they are to come by or how expensive they would be. That is why I'd suggest using a Master Base Converter for US SMS games. It would probably be the easier solution.

[ApolloBoy]

You would need a converter to play US SMS games on a Japanese system. I have no idea how hard they are to come by or how expensive they would be. That is why I'd suggest using a Master Base Converter for US SMS games. It would probably be the easier solution.

Actually, that ToToTEK converter he linked to is for playing US/European games on a Japanese system. I have one of those and it works great!

[molotovwars]

I ended up settling on a Japanese SMS along with either the Tototek adapter or the one from SMS Power.

Now I just need to figure out what games to get. Maybe I'll make another thread for that or search to see what the forum has to offer.

Are there any recommended games that the Japanese region is cheaper?

[Breetai]

I ended up settling on a Japanese SMS along with either the Tototek adapter or the one from SMS Power.

Now I just need to figure out what games to get. Maybe I'll make another thread for that or search to see what the forum has to offer.

Are there any recommended games that the Japanese region is cheaper?

Aren't most of them cheaper?
The only think I don't like about the Japanese SMS is that the US boxes are a lot nicer. I like plastic cases.

Actually, that ToToTEK converter he linked to is for playing US/European games on a Japanese system. I have one of those and it works great!

Hmmmm, maybe I might consider getting one.

[ApolloBoy]

I ended up settling on a Japanese SMS along with either the Tototek adapter or the one from SMS Power.

Now I just need to figure out what games to get. Maybe I'll make another thread for that or search to see what the forum has to offer.

Are there any recommended games that the Japanese region is cheaper?

Aren't most of them cheaper?

A lot of them are actually more expensive, some by huge margins. Bomber Raid is a prime example of this, since the American copy goes for only a few bucks and the Japanese version goes into triple-digit territory. One game that is cheaper is Aleste/Power Strike. The US version is over $50 or so, while Aleste hovers around the $20-30 range.

However, the nice thing about the Japanese SMS is that it does allow you to play Japanese exclusives like Rygar and Galactic Protector (which uses the Paddle Controller), and SG-1000 games. There aren't a whole lot of Japanese exclusives for the SMS/Mark III, but most of them are worth playing.

[molotovwars]

The only think I don't like about the Japanese SMS is that the US boxes are a lot nicer. I like plastic cases.

I guess plastic boxes are nicer, but I thought a lot of the Japanese artwork and packaging looked much cooler.