Sega Master System

Check the dumping hardware overview for a list of known preservation hardware.

If you need help, please come chat with us on the VGPC or No-Intro discord servers.

Warning:

• Some unlicensed carts (mostly modern/aftermarket carts, including flashcarts) are badly made and can only take 3.3V rather than the standard 5V that most carts take and is provided by the console, and will be damaged and potentially damage the console/dumping hardware, if provided with more than 3.3V. You should check what voltage the components of an unlicensed cart can take before using it, and if it requires 3.3V, make sure to set your dumper to the correct voltage, and not use the cart on a console (unless its modified to work with such carts).

Modern Sega Master System dumping tools are still a bit harder to come by, but there are still some great options!

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1. Retrode2
2. Open Source Cartridge Reader

The Retrode1 is simple system that works really well, and is affordable and readily available.

1. Connect the Master System Adapter with your game, and plug it into the Retrode2.
2. Make sure the voltage setting is at 5V.
3. Connect the Retrode2 to your computer.
4. The Retrode2 should now show up as a regular USB drive, and you can copy the ROM from there for further analysis.

By using the SMS to MD adapter available from the GitHub repository, you can dump Sega Master System games through the Mega Drive/Genesis slot. Then follow the OSCR wiki for proper settings, and dumping instructions.

Unscrew the back of the cartridge with a 4.5mm Gamebit or line head screw driver, lift the back off, and remove the PCB from the two pegs.

Once you've dumped your games, it's time to generate and submit metadata to a preservation project for validating and cataloging. See the dump submission instructions for more information.