The Sega SG-1000 [Archive]

retrospiel

07-25-2010, 10:12 AM

Excellent Youtube channel with footage of some of the best SG-1000 games recorded via real hardware: http://www.youtube.com/user/segaxxon

Some notable games:

Doki Doki Penguin Land
Flicky
Girl's Garden
Ninja Princess
Star Jacker
Star Force
Orguss
Gulkave
Sokoban
Chack'n Pop
Hang On II
Monaco GP
Zaxxon
Exerion
Q*bert
etc

but as you can see many of these are available in better versions on other platforms, like NES, Master System, or Mega Drive.

more complete list of games: http://www.smspower.org/Games/SG

Wesker

07-25-2010, 10:34 AM

I have some spare games that I occasionally play on my Japanese Master System.

Xeniczone

07-25-2010, 09:50 PM

With a wire adapter you can play the games on your Sega Master System.

From what I have heard the hardware was pretty crappy though. Mostly to do with the controllers. They are hardwired and not very good.

Deo

07-25-2010, 09:56 PM

Pitfall II is pretty cool.
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V-OeuPmgCSQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V-OeuPmgCSQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

ApolloBoy

07-25-2010, 10:02 PM

From what I have heard the hardware was pretty crappy though. Mostly to do with the controllers. They are hardwired and not very good.
That's not an issue with the SG-1000 II though, which used two controller ports instead of one on the original system. For some reason only the player one controller on the SG-1000 is hardwired. Both the Mark III and Japanese SMS can play SG-1000 games as well, albeit with a slightly darker color palette. That's probably the best way to play SG-1000 games since both the Mark III and SMS have AV output while the SG-1000 and SG-1000 II are stuck with RF.

kool kitty89

07-25-2010, 10:12 PM

Can't all SG-1000 card games be played on the western SMS too? (including some rebranded SG-1000 games as budget SMS titles, sometimes with a redone title screen using SMS modes liek F-16 Fighting Falcon)

That's not an issue with the SG-1000 II though, which used two controller ports instead of one on the original system. For some reason only the player one controller on the SG-1000 is hardwired. Both the Mark III and Japanese SMS can play SG-1000 games as well, albeit with a slightly darker color palette. That's probably the best way to play SG-1000 games since both the Mark III and SMS have AV output while the SG-1000 and SG-1000 II are stuck with RF.
Huh, I bet the darker colors are due to being remapped to the Mk.III/SMS's 6-bit RGB from the original TMS9918's 15-color YCbCr palette. (sort of like the Playchoice 10)
The MSX2 and 2+ must have also done that for compatibility with the new RGB palettes. (9-bit RGB in the MSX2, so probably a closer match the original YCbCr colors) Though the MSX2+ uses another color space entirely for its added graphics modes and outputs through 15-bit RGB. (sort of liek the PCFX with 24-bit RGB)

ApolloBoy

07-25-2010, 10:24 PM

Can't all SG-1000 card games be played on the western SMS too?
The American/European SMS BIOS blocks Japanese games. In fact, I just tried an SG-1000 game on an American SMS, and it wouldn't load no matter what I tried. It works fine on my Japanese SMS though.

Nobi

07-25-2010, 10:48 PM

whats the going rate on a japanese sms? will they play american sg-1000/sms games?

Breetai

07-25-2010, 11:13 PM

From what I have heard the hardware was pretty crappy though. Mostly to do with the controllers. They are hardwired and not very good.
I've owned an SG-1000 before.

Only one controller is wired. You can use an SG-1000 or an SG-1000 Mark II controller in it. SMS controllers do NOT work properly. Neither to Mega Drive controllers.

whats the going rate on a japanese sms? will they play american sg-1000/sms games?
Not so cheap. Remember that the SMS was not popular in Japan, so they aren't really that common. Expect to pay around US$100-150 for one in good condition. Lower end if not boxed, higher if boxed. It will NOT play US SMS games, unless you buy a converter (not a bad idea, because you can get FM sound out of some games). There is not such thing as American SG-1000 games.

If anyone wants to play SG-1000 games, I recommend the Japanese Master System. The SG-1000 is to hard to come by and very hard to find decent controllers for. Same with the Mark II and Mark III. The Mark III is a beautiful system, but lacks FM sound (unless you spring for the expansion module) and is hard to find controllers for if you didn't get two with the system. SMS controllers do not work properly with the SG-1000, Mark II or Mark III. Still, the SG-1000, Mark II and Mark III are all awesome showpieces!

chessage

07-25-2010, 11:41 PM

goldenband

07-25-2010, 11:59 PM

Some notable games:
[...]
Chack'n Pop
[...]
but as you can see many of these are available in better versions on other platforms, like NES, Master System, or Mega Drive.
Note that the SG-1000 version of Chack'n Pop is easily the best I've played. Completely trounces the dire NES version, and another one I tried too (MSX, maybe?).

Personally, I get my SG-1000 fix on the Dreamcast with CrabEmu (http://crabemu.sourceforge.net), which is the only emu I've used that doesn't have the incorrect palette. If the palette shift I'm seeing in other emulators reflects what happens on real hardware via SMS, it's much more of an issue than the above comments suggest -- some games really look terrible with the darker colors.

Also, a lot of SG-1000 games are getting ported to ColecoVision, since the hardware is essentially identical. Something like 6-8 of them have been done so far, or are currently in process. I think there are a few MSX ports too.

Some other good SG-1000 games: Doki Doki Penguin Land, Elevator Action, Girl's Garden, Dragon Wang, Rock 'n' Bolt. Hustle Chumy is kind of a trip, too, though it's way too easy.

BTW is there any conceivable configuration of flashcart + hardware mod + ROM hacking that would allow the MD/Genny to play SG-1000 games? I assume "no", but...

retrospiel

07-26-2010, 10:56 AM

Buy a NA/EU Master System and modify the BIOS with an on/off switch (http://www.smspower.org/Development/BIOSRemoval). It will then be able to play all SG-1000/Master System/Mark III card titles. If you make a pin converter, it will also play every cartridge title as well. This should save at least $50 from being wasted.

Don't forget that a Japanese Master System has the FM2413 chip built-in. With a gender adapter (http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8714) you can play all your games with FM sound! :-)

Personally, I get my SG-1000 fix on the Dreamcast with CrabEmu (http://crabemu.sourceforge.net), which is the only emu I've used that doesn't have the incorrect palette. If the palette shift I'm seeing in other emulators reflects what happens on real hardware via SMS, it's much more of an issue than the above comments suggest -- some games really look terrible with the darker colors.

Interesting! I have to admit that I never tried CrabEmu for SG-1000 emulation. How does it compare to Spoutnik's Dream-O-Rama ?

Also, a lot of SG-1000 games are getting ported to ColecoVision, since the hardware is essentially identical. Something like 6-8 of them have been done so far, or are currently in process. I think there are a few MSX ports too.

Amazing! Do you have a link ?

goldenband

07-26-2010, 10:29 PM

Interesting! I have to admit that I never tried CrabEmu for SG-1000 emulation. How does it compare to Spoutnik's Dream-O-Rama ?
Haven't tried Dream-O-Rama, actually! Is its SG-1000 palette correct? CrabEmu's not perfect by any means, and the file/directory management needs some work, but overall I think it's very good for SG-1000 games.

Amazing! Do you have a link ?
I know CV conversions are being made, or at least released, by Team Pixelboy (http://www.teampixelboy.com). Collectorvision (http://www.colecovision.dk/) has a couple too.

Meanwhile, the guy behind Opcode Games (http://www.atariage.com/forums/forum/117-opcode-games/) did at least two -- Exerion, Sega Galaga -- which went unreleased and have since been auctioned off as prototypes. I think he's done an unreleased conversion of Elevator Action as well. Also, a member of Atariage translated and converted Black Onyx, and has released the source to that (IIRC) though it wasn't 100% finished (more like 99%, as it's pretty great as-is).

I don't remember who did the MSX conversions, but they're available on one of the MSX websites, I think?

Nobi

08-01-2010, 12:43 PM

The Jackal

08-01-2010, 01:27 PM

Doki Doki was released on the Mega Drive via the Japan's internet service (a rom is floating around), Sega Mega CD in a Japanese only collection, and I *think* on the Master System as well.

Nobi

08-01-2010, 01:58 PM

oh yeah! just found an even better version of the game on the sms, and i can honestly say that this is one of the best games ive ever played on the console.

definetly in my top 10 sms games now!!

NeoZeedeater

08-01-2010, 02:56 PM

The SG-1000, SMS, and MD Penguin Land games are all separate games. The SMS one is the best for gameplay.

For SG-1000 games, I really like Girl's Garden and H.E.R.O.. H.E.R.O.'s not as fast-paced as the Western console/computer versions but the remade graphics and Quartet-ish soundtrack are nice.

And besides using Japanese SMS machines to play SG-1000 games, there's also the Korean system route (I'm not sure if they're cheaper). I have an OACS Mark III which plays them and I'm guessing a Samsung Gam*Boy would too.

Nobi

08-01-2010, 06:53 PM

The SG-1000 was a really nice little pre NES era system. Maybe with a little more third party support, and a few more Sega arcaded ports from later on in the era(shinobi, space harrier, outrun) we would hear about this console a little bit more, as it seems that the SG-1000 truly is Sega's forgotten console.

Neozeedeater, +rep for the awesome username and avatar!! I really like that!:ok:

welcome to the Sega-16 forums:D

Breetai

08-01-2010, 11:44 PM

The SG-1000 was a really nice little pre NES era system. Maybe with a little more third party support, and a few more Sega arcaded ports from later on in the era(shinobi, space harrier, outrun) we would hear about this console a little bit more, as it seems that the SG-1000 truly is Sega's forgotten console.
The SG-1000 and the Famicom came out on the SAME DAY. I'd hardly call it "pre-NES". Now you know. :)

SpaceFlea

08-02-2010, 12:58 AM

I've played one! :)

I'm sorry, I saw this post (the games are literally right in front of me); so I just have to drop the eye candy. It's what I do.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq284/SpaceFlea/001-1.jpg

This is one of my favorite systems to collect. Sadly, many games I still need have been available or have sold lately, but I've had to just sit and watch since I'm trying to save up for a house. It's just tearing me apart to watch someone else get them. :(

The games are actually quite fun for the most part. I had a hoot of a time playing The Castle. Soukoban is just as good as any other box shoving game - which is good IMO. Golgo 13 is completely different (in a bad way) from the NES game. N-Sub is no better than a Tiger Electronics handheld game. Black Onyx is one I would like to take a stab at some day. The games are definitely a mixed bag - like every other system.

And will never be forgotten!!!

retrospiel

08-02-2010, 01:36 AM

^ Awesome collection :)

The SG-1000 and the Famicom came out on the SAME DAY. I'd hardly call it "pre-NES". Now you know. :)

The SG-1000 had a limited test run in 1981 if I remember correctly.

Guntz

08-02-2010, 02:07 AM

The SG-1000 had a limited test run in 1981 if I remember correctly.

:shock:

NeoZeedeater

08-02-2010, 12:19 PM

Neozeedeater, +rep for the awesome username and avatar!! I really like that!:ok:

welcome to the Sega-16 forums:D
Thanks, fellow Shinobi fan. :) It has been a long time since I posted here.

ApolloBoy

08-02-2010, 03:28 PM

The SG-1000 had a limited test run in 1981 if I remember correctly.
I don't think I've found any evidence of that. Everything I've seen suggests that the SG-1000 was released in 1983 and never appeared before then. Why would Sega wait two years to release the SG-1000 if they had it ready in 1981? It's just an unfounded claim that doesn't really make sense.

retrospiel

08-03-2010, 08:46 AM

Hm, yeah, good point. I don't remember where I read it first. But I remember older versions of Wikipedia's SG-1000 article with that info... Sega's official website for the SG-1000 (http://sega.jp/archive/segahard/sg1000/) definitely states 1983 though... Machines with comparable (read: virtually identical) hardware were introduced in 1982 (Colecovision) and 1983 (MSX)... Again something that speaks against the 1981 date... So yeah, probably just some unfounded rumor.

PS - A couple of interesting SG-1000 related links from the Sega Archives (http://sega.jp/archive/album/):

Doki Doki Penguin Land: http://sega.jp/archive/album/02_dp/
Girl's Garden: http://sega.jp/archive/album/01_gg/home.html
Flicky: http://sega.jp/archive/album/03_flicky/

Melf

08-03-2010, 09:16 AM

For SG-1000 games, I really like Girl's Garden and H.E.R.O.. H.E.R.O.'s not as fast-paced as the Western console/computer

Is this the same H.E.R.O. as the Activision release for the 2600? I love that game.

NeoZeedeater

08-03-2010, 10:50 AM

Yeah, it's the same.

retrospiel

11-02-2010, 04:03 AM

Someone posted an interesting link at SMSPower.org (http://www.smspower.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12526):

http://www.play-sc-3000.com/

Hello!
Finally, I could release a more stable version of AS3 Emulator for SEGA SC-3000. Some cache system and optimization has been implemented to speed up emulation.

In this site you can choose which game to play... Soon I will implement the list of TAPE games, and soon you will be able to load/save your tapes in bitstream format.

You can also save and load your plays, and as soon as possible I will create a community so that you can save your score on your profile.

So for now, just ENJOY IT!!!!!

http://www.play-sc-3000.com

Of course feel free to report bugs! :)