Power Base Converter vs Sega Master System

Who out here has either the Power base Converter or the Sega Master System?

If you have the PBC, did you get it to replace your SMS, or did you get it to save space? I'm looking to save space, because i have lack of it.

I'm looking into getting one or the other in the future. I have been looking at the MSC II, but they are so expensive (going for over $100), i can find me a SMS and about a handful of games for less than $30.

I have a Genesis Model II.

Should I-

Get the MSC II
Buy a Model I Genesis and PBC
Buy a SMS

get a 3rd party MSC, or get MSC1 and mutilate it so it fits on MD2.

I would get a MD1 and MSC1, unless you mod the MD2 for sound and perhaps other stuff too.

Im not into modding, i dont have the skills nor the tools.

What would i have to do to get the PBC to fit the Model II Genesis? I have heard that all you need to do is to cut off plastic?

is that as easy as getting a Dremel tool and a saw blade?

It will look really bad when you do any cutting. There's a large chunk that needs to be removed for things to fit, hence I suggested finding a 3rd party unit.

If you want to save space get an Everdrive or NeoMyth 3-in-1 (which offers FM support).

Other than that I agree with Tiido: a MD1 with MSC1 is rather affordable, but so can be third party MSCs (with a bit of luck).

And if you got some money, Tiido will do an excellent job with modding the hell out of your consoles.

The MD EverDrive alone won't let you play the 3D games, but otherwise it's the same as using a PBC. There is an official PBC-MD II adapter piece that was sold in Europe, but it's very difficult to find and expensive probably.

Or if money is less an object, you could do what I am and getting a SMS, and then the Master System EverDrive :o

Yes, I was wondering about that, yesterday: it'll look ugly, but would a PBC1 would work on top of a 32x?

EDIT: Found it, no, it wouldn't.

Thanks!

http://www.tototek.com/store/index.p...products_id=74


I have this one. I was just using it this morning. Works great and the games looks great. I also use a Model 2 Genesis. No 3D games support. The bonus is you have a brand new unit from a good seller and it can also play MarkIII games.

So has Sega Master System collecting finally come to the forefront as the next frontier of collecting for all us Sega heads?

This is how you modify the PBC to work on the Genesis 2:
http://alexkidd.com/powerbase/index.htm

Also works on the Laseractive:
http://www.cedmagic.com/tech-info/re...ga-master.html

Some 3D games can be played in 2D, but it is easier for some than others.

Keep in mind F16 is teh only game that work with any PBC, regardless if the game is on a cart or card as it is a repackaged SG-1000 game. And yes the PAL MD2 PBC is rare.

Well, i just bought a PBC, but as I have a Model 1, then i have no problem.
And the PBC CAN actually play Mark III games, you just need to get or make a Japanese to US Master System and you can play them w/o any problem.

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Originally Posted by dbtmellis

Who out here has either the Power base Converter or the Sega Master System?

If you have the PBC, did you get it to replace your SMS, or did you get it to save space? I'm looking to save space, because i have lack of it.

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The MSCII and third party alternatives have no card-slot - if you want to have the option to play SMS cards or 3D games (glasses adaptor plugs into there) then you'll need a PBC + model 1 Genesis.

Also remember that not all SMS games work ok on the PBC - some require a proper SMS pad, others glitch or don't work at all. Probably a list somewhere.

Personally, I'd just get a "real" SMS (I have a couple :) ) - it gives you more options later if you want them. Or failing that, a Genesis 1 and PBC. But if space is the most important thing & you don't care about the 3D games, etc - just wait for a decently priced MSCII to present itself.

There was a PBC released in Japan for the Mega Drive and MK3/Japenase Master System games.

The following games require a SMS pad:

Alien Syndrome
Bomber Raid
Great Volleyball
Montezuma's Revenge
Penguin Land
Shanghai
Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?
Wonderboy in Monsterland
Tennis Ace

Don't forget that a few games were designed for the SMS1 VDP (bugs included) and won't work properly on a SMS2 (the MD VDP emulates the latter). The MD VDP also can't run one game that used a TMS9918 mode. But also you have Codemaster games which require a SMS2 (or MD)...

Barring mods or flash carts... If you're up against an extreme lack of space, no doubt US CDX plus MSCII is near the widest pre-Saturn compatibility for its size. Without that slowdown 50hz causes many games.

I heard somewhere that Master System games don't generally run as well on a Mega Drive as they do on the Master System. For example, R-Type when played on the Mega Drive with the Master System converter has more flicker which is not present on the Master System. Can anyone vouch for this claim?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Myrkwood

I heard somewhere that Master System games don't generally run as well on a Mega Drive as they do on the Master System. For example, R-Type when played on the Mega Drive with the Master System converter has more flicker which is not present on the Master System. Can anyone vouch for this claim?

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That could be if the mega drive is connected thru RF.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Myrkwood

I heard somewhere that Master System games don't generally run as well on a Mega Drive as they do on the Master System. For example, R-Type when played on the Mega Drive with the Master System converter has more flicker which is not present on the Master System. Can anyone vouch for this claim?

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I just tried R-Type on both my CDX and my SMS (Model 3010). I honestly can't see a difference. :?

The only problem I've ever heard about are a few games REQUIRE the SMS pad.

Just get the master system and play on the real deal. Games are cheap and easy to find. I just switch out the cords between my model 1 Genesis and the Master system. Plus its a pretty cool looking system. I have both actually and hav a harder time getting games to work going through the PBC than anything

Since I have a Master System, I don't really need the PBC. But if I found a PBC at a decent price, I'd definitely get a PBC. In fact, I need to get the 3D glasses and Space Harrier 3D to see just how good an effect the SMS 3D Glasses could provide. Space Harrier is one of my all time favorite video games. So experiencing Space Harrier 3D would be a treat. :cool:

The first SMS controllers with the cable coming out the side and the interchangeable d-pad stub do not work with Genesises.

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Originally Posted by Deo

The first SMS controllers with the cable coming out the side and the interchangeable d-pad stub do not work with Genesises.

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IIRC, they worked fine on both my old model 1 Genesis and my Genesis 2.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ELabit

Just get the master system and play on the real deal. Games are cheap and easy to find.

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The good games aren't really that cheap. Not that they are expensive, but lately the better games are in the $20 range for complete. Some stuff is $50 or more. Power Strike 2 is in the $200 range now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chilly Willy

I just tried R-Type on both my CDX and my SMS (Model 3010). I honestly can't see a difference. :?

The only problem I've ever heard about are a few games REQUIRE the SMS pad.

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Okay thanks. I was curious after watching the Classic Game Room review of R-Type for the Master System since the flicker was criticized. If I remember correctly, someone in the comments claimed that the flicker was probably because of the power base converter saying that it runs slower than an actual Master System.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Myrkwood

Okay thanks. I was curious after watching the Classic Game Room review of R-Type for the Master System since the flicker was criticized. If I remember correctly, someone in the comments claimed that the flicker was probably because of the power base converter saying that it runs slower than an actual Master System.

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I was very careful to compare the flickering - it's EXACTLY the same flicker on the SMS as the PBC. And yes, R-Type does flicker a lot in some places.

There's also jitter in the scrolling for some objects - that's also exactly the same on both.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Chilly Willy

I was very careful to compare the flickering - it's EXACTLY the same flicker on the SMS as the PBC. And yes, R-Type does flicker a lot in some places.

There's also jitter in the scrolling for some objects - that's also exactly the same on both.

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Confirmed, i´ve just received my PBC with Altered Beast, and i confirm flickering is the same as in a real SMS through searching in YT. And emus.

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Originally Posted by villahed94

Confirmed, i´ve just received my PBC with Altered Beast, and i confirm flickering is the same as in a real SMS through searching in YT. And emus.

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I wouldn't expect any different - the flickering has NOTHING to do with speed... it's a hard limit on the number of sprites per line. Most old consoles had similar issues. That was one of the biggest complaints about PacMan on the 2600.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zz Badnusty

The good games aren't really that cheap. Not that they are expensive, but lately the better games are in the $20 range for complete. Some stuff is $50 or more. Power Strike 2 is in the $200 range now.

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Yeah if you only buy your games off of Epay, but when I go local game shopping I've never spent more than $4 for a complete master system game. Thats including some of the "good" games. Nobody bothers to look them up. On the other hand everyone knows that you can sell certain SNES games for $20+

I have a PowerBase converter for my model1 Genesis.

Well thanks for all the replies. I want to get into the Older SMS games, and i want to save space as well. I think i am going to search far and wide and get me the MSC2.

I scored a MSCII off of eBay for about $17 after shipping. The trick was to just make a saved search and wait a year. :p

I just Bid on one, starting at 0.99 GBP, which is about $1.68 USD. I put my bid at $20.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...STRK:MEBIDX:IT

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Originally Posted by dbtmellis

I just Bid on one, starting at 0.99 GBP, which is about $1.68 USD. I put my bid at $20.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...STRK:MEBIDX:IT

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And now it's at $33 with a week left. Funny how these things go. :D

One question I've been meaning to ask about power base converters...

My model one megadrive is modded for 50/60hz and the language switch. Will the power base obey the 60hz switch or does it need to be modded too somehow?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sega-Mega-Drive-...37858514078348

Does this one work for European systems only?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ELabit

Yeah if you only buy your games off of Epay, but when I go local game shopping I've never spent more than $4 for a complete master system game. Thats including some of the "good" games. Nobody bothers to look them up.

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Unfortunately there are no used game stores that I know of besides GameStop.
The one exception, 40 minute drive from home, prices all their items according to eBay, and at the highest rate at that.

Mainly what I was trying to convey is that Master System game prices seem to be on the rise. That is just my limited experience over the past couple years.

The used game stores around here are having trouble getting rid of their SMS and Game Gear games so they've been selling them for $1 each. Which games have you seen that are going up in price?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Strok

One question I've been meaning to ask about power base converters...

My model one megadrive is modded for 50/60hz and the language switch. Will the power base obey the 60hz switch or does it need to be modded too somehow?

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Yes, the "region" of the PBC is determined by the Genesis/MD. And since all SMS converters are a simple passthrough, they'll work with a system from any region.

IMO, i prefer the model 1 PBC, but if it´s for a model 2 Genesis, then the model 2 pbc is ok.

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Originally Posted by beigemore

Which games have you seen that are going up in price?

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Well pretty much anything. Particularly the big titles like the Wonder Boy and Alex Kidd games, Psycho Fox, many of the European releases, and the light phaser games have increased over the past year or more.
More Brazilian sellers have been on ebay lately so some of those exclusive releases seem to have gotten cheaper. Though I'm not clear on compatibility with US systems.

Power Strike 2 would auction for under $100 a couple years ago. Maybe 2 years ago I paid $80 for mine, lately it has been over 200. Iirc I saw one sell for $300-something last summer.