Does the Megadrive Master System Converter fit both models?

[Kikoskia]

Just curious really, as I was thinking of purchasing one. Does the master system converted fit on both the model 1 and model 2 Megadrive/Genesis?

[David J.]

The first version of the PBC can fit and work on the Model 2 Megadrive granted you trim the back.

The second version works with both models.

[Kikoskia]

http://i21.ebayimg.com/03/i/05/f3/5c/82_1_b.JPG

Is this a first or second version of it?

[Melf]

That's the first version. The second one is more like a cartridge and doesn't play card games.

[Kikoskia]

Okay. Thanks all. :)

[Elusive]

The first version of the PBC can fit and work on the Model 2 Megadrive granted you trim the back.

The second version works with both models.

Hmm. I was under the impression that even if you did saw off the back hooky thing, it would still be a very poor fit. I ask as my Pro-MegaMaster is very unreliable - thanks, Datel, for making your products out of dirt and fluff and scabs of the Taiwanese orphans you used to create your products. Seriously, about one in twenty tries will get the thing to work - and I'm in need of a proper converter. I'd rather not buy a Mega Drive model 1 just to play Master System games at SCART quality and in Mark 3 mode. Any advice?

[Joe Redifer]

The second revision of the Power Base Converter won't play 3D games, either. 3D games require the card slot. I don't think the US ever got the 2nd PBC. Sega hates the US.

[David J.]

Think about it, why would america get the second version of the PBC? The Master System was DEAD by the end of 1990.

In Europe, the Master System lasted until 1996 (Smurfs 2), and there was a lot of demand so...

[Joe Redifer]

Europe loves their Smurfs.

[Kikoskia]

Smurfs: Thank goodness for Chef Boyarde!
Papa Smurf: It's smurfy good!

Why didn't Gargamel just blast Smurf Village with a fireball? Then not only would the problem be over, they'd have been all nice and char-grilled for him? :P

But yes, a lot of people seem to have bad memories of it as far as what people here have written. Would you actually recommend buying one?

[David J.]

Only if you want to play SMS games. The first revision is more common, but if you end up with the second revision... Most card games had a release on cart, and a handful of 3D games don't need the 3D glasses really.

The only game that doesn't work is F-16, because the Genesis/Megadrive doesn't have the SG-1000 video mode the game requires and uses. The Genesis removed that video mode.

[Joe Redifer]

Explain this video mode. I want to know more.

[David J.]

The SG-1000 has a primitive video chip, which was in the Sega Master System, but when the Genesis came out, the SG-1000 video mode was removed from the Genesis VDP.

So it can't run SG-1000 games.

[Joe Redifer]

F-16 was a SG-1000 game? Didn't know that. Can the SG-1000 run games like Ghost House?

On a similar but different subject: There are quite a few Master System games which absolutely REQUIRE the Master System controller. Games like Wonder Boy in Monster Land cannot be played with a Genesis controller.

[j_factor]

F-16 wasn't an SG-1000 game. Rather, it was a Master System game, that took unique advantage of the SG-1000 leftover hardware that was included in the SMS for backwards compatibility.

[Joe Redifer]

What were the extra-special functions that the SG-1000 could do that the MS couldn't do on its own?

[j_factor]

I don't think it had any, it's just that they essentially developed the game as an SG-1000 game and then put it in a Master System card. Kind of like the MD version of Phantasy Star 1.