Sega Master System Question!!

[palmer6strings]

Ok so as I posted in another topic, I came across a Sega Master System with a bunch of stuff for $5.

Now I'm curious, it seems a bunch of games were never released here in America, and if they were, they must be really rare for I can't find them in the states even on eBay.

My Question: Is the Master System region free? Or can I get games from the UK, Australia, anywhere really, to play on it with no problems?

I've done research and just cant seem to find a correct answer. some people say yes, some say no.

[zakurowrath]

The Sega Master System is region free. The only problem with some games and it's only a few odd balls is when they were released in a PAL region where they were designed to run at 50hz and you run them on a 60hz console they can have graphics glitches. As I said it's only a few odd ball games that aren't popular, but games like Sonic or Alex Kidd or any well known Master System game should run without any problems on any Master System console around the world except Japan.

So yes you can get Sonic from the UK, Alex Kidd from Australia, After Burner from France, Adventure Island from Brazil or Golden Axe from the US and all will run on your American Sega Master System.

Ask for Japanese games, they are a different cart size and pinout and they cannot be used with "Western" Sega Master Systems.

[palmer6strings]

Sweet! Thank you so much!
I was looking into getting Heroes of the Lance, but could only find it in the UK. That solves my problem!

[Rx_79]

Is there a converter to play Japanese games ?

[scarmullet]

Is there a converter to play Japanese games ?

no but there is a converter to play western games on a Japanese Master System

[wiggy]

Just be a normal hardcore retro nerd and pick up a JP unit.  You know you want to

[CommunistGamer]

Do it and your cool.

[zakurowrath]

Just be a normal hardcore retro nerd and pick up a JP unit.  You know you want to

True, it has a nice Space Harrier menu screen with music that is worthy of the 8 bit Sega Master System, And the Japanese system does have an FM chip in it allowing for better sound on a few games

[Rx_79]

Well to be honest I dont have a Western Master System. But I do occasionally place a bit on ebay.  So one day maybe I will actually win one.

I also hear that Phantasy Star supports the extra sound.

[scarmullet]

Well to be honest I dont have a Western Master System. But I do occasionally place a bit on ebay.  So one day maybe I will actually win one.

I also hear that Phantasy Star supports the extra sound.

Alot of western games support the FM synthesis available on Eastern Master Systems.

[Rx_79]

What about the genesis master system converter, does it give you enhanced sound?

[zakurowrath]

What about the genesis master system converter, does it give you enhanced sound?

Sadly no the Master System FM chip is a Yamaha YM2413 where's the Genesis FM chip is a Yamaha YM2612 so they are two entirely different soundchips. Also the Power Base Convertor is just a pass through device that connects the Master System game pins to the Genesis cart port and puts the Genesis in "Master System Mode" to use the Zilog Z80 as the main processor.

[djshok]

I could've sworn there was a converter that let you play the Japanese Mark III on a Genesis. It was an odd looking thing that had a plug for American SMS games and another cart plug on the side that took the Mark III games.  There was a post about it on Sega-16 a while ago.

[Arseen]

I could've sworn there was a converter that let you play the Japanese Mark III on a Genesis.

There is. it's the Japanese Power Base.

[djshok]

No this thing was an after market product made unofficially by some people. I'll ask around about it.

EDIT:  Here's this one, plays both SMS and Mark III games according to the description: http://www.tototek.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=74 
Although there's another one out there too, I just can't find it right now. I'll keep searching.