New System: Sega SG-1000

[Atariboy]

I'm surprised they didn't replace the power LED.

I actually get a feeling more reminiscent of the Colecovision with the SG-1000 games that I've loaded up via an Everdrive. Compare the Hang-On ports for instance and it really makes the SMS feel like a significantly more powerful system from a later generation.

Not sure if that was just a result of Sega getting better at console development or if they actually souped up the internals when they revamped their home hardware and brought it westward as the Sega Master System.

SG-1000 (Mark I) was Sega's first system, meant to compete with Famicom, and it was closer to Colecovision in ability.

What Dave bought is the Mark III, Sega's third attempt to compete with Nintendo, and when it came to USA it was called Master System.

Thanks

So the Japanese version of the Sega Master System had SG-1000 support? Or is he playing SG-1000 carts on this via something like a pin adapter to get around any physical issues with compatibility that may exist?

Is the palette issue one encounters with an Everdrive cartridge and SG-1000 roms played on a North American Sega Master System also an issue with the Japanese Mark III? Or is that resolved with the bios support that Scotland says this had for SG-1000 software?

[Atariboy]

Just had another thought. If this is the Japanese version of the Sega Master System, doesn't that mean that the Critic now has a way to enjoy FM sound in compatible SMS titles?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4vibLp7Vwc

Although I've sadly only ever enjoyed it in emulators, I've always thought that Outrun 3D's FM audio sounded great.

[VideoGameCritic]

I verified that Space Harrier and After Burner look and play exactly the same as my Sega Master System versions. It's taken me a while to realize what I have is a Japanese SMS. So this just buys me the ability to play Japanese titles.

The question is, do these reviews belong in my current Sega Master System section (marked as Japan imports) or do they belong in their own SG-1000/3000 section?

[Gentlegamer]

I verified that Space Harrier and After Burner look and play exactly the same as my Sega Master System versions. It's taken me a while to realize what I have is a Japanese SMS. So this just buys me the ability to play Japanese titles.

The question is, do these reviews belong in my current Sega Master System section (marked as Japan imports) or do they belong in their own SG-1000/3000 section?

Mark III games go in Master System, you could play them in your US Master System anyway, same as the "PAL" games (that run correct speed in NTSC).

If you get any SG-1000 games, that should be a new section.

[Atariboy]

I verified that Space Harrier and After Burner look and play exactly the same as my Sega Master System versions. It's taken me a while to realize what I have is a Japanese SMS. So this just buys me the ability to play Japanese titles.

No, this indeed does play SG-1000 titles.

The system is backwards compatible with earlier SG-1000 titles, both in terms of cards and cartridges, and likewise, the controllers are interchangeable.

http://segaretro.org/Sega_Mark_III#Hardware

Even if it didn't, it also supports the Japanese exclusive FM sound option that many Mark III/SMS titles had, which was sadly eliminated from the Western hardware (Although a few Western SMS titles support FM audio on the Mark III). So even if it didn't play SG-1000 games, you still gained something different that possibly might be of interest to you and your readers.

You'll need the FM module add-on though to get that option with the particular model that it seems you bought.

http://segaretro.org/FM_Sound_Unit

In fact the two titles that you imported were FM enabled in Japan and would sound very different from what you're familiar with on the American Sega Master System, if you acquired this add-on.

Space Harrier 3D (FM audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoPJQYFK66Y

Afterburner (FM audio)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2mDRUrwjIE

[VideoGameCritic]

Gentlegamer,
You're confusing me. You say I can play Mark 3 games in my American SMS, yet the Mark 3 carts are a lot smaller. Their slot width is exactly as big as a Colecovision cart.

Can someone tell me how this FM Sound Unit would work? It seems to generate extra sounds, but where do they come from? Do they come out of the unit? Do I need to hook it up to a stereo??

[Gentlegamer]

Gentlegamer,
You're confusing me. You say I can play Mark 3 games in my American SMS, yet the Mark 3 carts are a lot smaller. Their slot width is exactly as big as a Colecovision cart.

I'm sorry, I was thinking of the Japanese Master System - it has the same hardware, but the cart slot is the same as other regions and all games are playable, except the very few PAL games programmed in UK that are actually set at PAL timing.

Can someone tell me how this FM Sound Unit would work? It seems to generate extra sounds, but where do they come from? Do they come out of the unit? Do I need to hook it up to a stereo??

The FM unit generates FM Synth similar to Genesis, it plays through the normal sound channels of your TV or whatever AV you have hooked up for sound. There is a power base converter called the Power Base FM that adds FM capability to Master System games played on Genesis (through the converter): http://www.db-elec.com/home/products/pbcfm

Here's a comparison between the PSG and FM music in compatible games:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISECbbAoBlw

More info: http://segaretro.org/Sega_Mark_III

[scotland]

As a complete curiosity, I noticed my 3DS can have a Sega SG-1000 Mk III theme. Its downloadable from the e-shop, for $2. You can also get other Sega themes, including the Game Gear, I believe. It make take you a moment to get beyond the absurdity of having a Sega theme on your Nintendo handheld though.

[VideoGameCritic]

So what would I call this new section? SG-1000? Sega Mark III?

[Gentlegamer]

So what would I call this new section? SG-1000? Sega Mark III?

New section: SG-1000

Sega Mark III games can go under SMS. Just note in the review if is a Mark III cart.