Difference between revisions of "Mega Drive unlicensed multi-carts"

Revision as of 06:01, 25 May 2023

"Super 5 in 1", a typical unlicensed Mega Drive multi-cart.

A common practice amongst video game bootleggers is to combine two or more games into one - in the Sega Mega Drive's case, resulting in unlicensed multi-carts. Such an idea is particularly prominent in Asia and South America - often moreso than the act of releasing bootlegs of individual games.

The process is achieved by using high capacity ROM cartridges - with early games such as Tetris shipping on 256kB ROMs, multiple copies can be placed within a 2MB or 4MB ROM with room to spare. Sometimes a simple menu would be programmed to select between the titles, or a soft reset of the console is required to switch games.

Unlike the Nintendo Famicom, in which multi-cart sizes ballooned during the 1990s and 2000s (to the point where manufacturers would (often erroneously) claim a multi-cart contained hundreds of games), it is more common to see Mega Drive multi-carts contain between two and eight games - typically when a cartridge claims to have more than ten, it is a strong indication that games will be repeated, sometimes with very minor changes. Newer Mega Drive games are rarely seen in multi-carts, not only because of their size, but due to tighter security from developers.

Sega have released multiple officially licensed compilations, which save for an expected layer of polish, offer much the same thing.

Documentation

Thousands of Mega Drive mulit-carts exist, with new ones continuing to be created today. While Sega Retro is attempting to document as many of these cartridges as possible, the volume of releases and the desire for their creators to hide their identities makes this an extremely difficult task.

Simlilar to more traditional bootleg game cartridges, the majority of unlicensed multi-carts originate from the far east, from factories in and around Taiwan, Hong Kong or in more recent years, mainland China. Third-party distributors often design the packaging and are ultimately responsible for selling the product; the same ROM can therefore appear all over the world but in different guises.

Numbered series

A variant of "KE-804", clearly labled.

Many multi-carts make the documentation process easier by having product code numbers on display (which in turn often double up as the cartridge's "name"). From this we can deduce series based on letter, or similar identifiers. In most cases, it is not known what the letters symbolise.

"Groups"

Dozens of multi-carts use this generic design. We can assume they are all related.

Many multi-carts lack unique identifiers, and with no ROM dumps or contextual details, can only be judged on general appearance.

Sega Retro has chosen to refer to these cartridge sets as numbered "groups". This is a temporary measure until more information is found. If a number is missing, it means ths group has been identified.

Mega Drive unlicensed multi-carts (2010s)

Others

"Unique" cartridges

Multi-carts in South Korea

Several cartridges were created specifically for the South Korean market, often containing Sega Master System or ported MSX games, and menus in Korean.

Master System compilations

A small subset of multi-carts only contain Sega Master System games.

While most multi-carts do not follow an obvious pattern, some do, allowing for us to group releases together:

This page lists a group of unlicensed multi-carts.
These cartridges are similar so are thought to be related, but an accurate identifier is not yet known. If you know more, please move the page and remove this message.

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

XXXX

xxxx contents
Game	Name	Comments

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments

References

Group 4

2 in 1

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
					PL: 720000zł720000 (≥ 199x) ^[1]
					PL: 650000zł650000 (≥ 199x) ^[2]
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	50x50px Cart

	Cart
	Cart
	Cart

3 in 1

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart		633
Cart

4 in 1

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart		1625
	Cart		1625
	Cart		1626
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart

	Cart
	Cart
	Cart

5 in 1

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart
	Cart

8 in 1

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart

"Two in One"

Box scans	Content scans	Name	Code	Distributor	Date & price	Comments
	Cart		A-071
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart

White background, red text

Box scans	Content scans	Code
	Cart	K-0816 2005
	Cart	K-0816 2006
	Cart	K-0816 2010
Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart
	Cart

References

[1] ttp://twin-carts.pl/mega_drive_pirate/gynoug_and_ringside_angel.jpg

[2] ttp://twin-carts.pl/mega_drive_pirate/quackshot_and_devil_crush.jpg

[1]

[2]

Difference between revisions of "Mega Drive unlicensed multi-carts"

From Sega Retro

Revision as of 06:01, 25 May 2023

Contents

Documentation

Numbered series

"Groups"

Others

"Unique" cartridges

Multi-carts in South Korea

Master System compilations

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

XXXX

References

Group 4

2 in 1

3 in 1

4 in 1

5 in 1

8 in 1

"Two in One"

White background, red text

References

@@ Line 60: / Line 60: @@
 While most multi-carts do not follow an obvious pattern, some do, allowing for us to group releases together:
-===="Super XXX in One", standard cartridge design====
+{{MulticartGroup}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
 {{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
@@ Line 70: / Line 78: @@
 *''[[Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One
@@ Line 77: / Line 97: @@
 *''[[Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One
@@ Line 84: / Line 116: @@
 *''[[Forgotten Worlds (Mega Drive)|Forgotten Worlds]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One
@@ Line 91: / Line 135: @@
 *''[[Bare Knuckle]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One (alt)
@@ Line 98: / Line 154: @@
 *''[[Bare Knuckle]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One
@@ Line 105: / Line 173: @@
 *''[[Verytex]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One
@@ Line 111: / Line 191: @@
 | games=*''[[Runark]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Two in One
@@ Line 116: / Line 208: @@
 | cart=SuperTwoinOne MD Cart SpiderManFantasia.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Three in One
@@ Line 121: / Line 225: @@
 | cart=SuperThreeInOne MD Cart.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Four in One
@@ Line 126: / Line 242: @@
 | cart=SuperFourinOne MD Cart.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Four in One
@@ Line 132: / Line 260: @@
 | games=*''[[Shadow Dancer: The Secret of Shinobi]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Four in One
@@ Line 137: / Line 277: @@
 | cart=SuperFourinOne MD Cart QTTR3AK.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Six in One
@@ Line 142: / Line 294: @@
 | cart=SuperSixinOne MD Cart Alt.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Six in One
@@ Line 147: / Line 311: @@
 | cart=SuperSixinOne MD Cart.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super Eight in One
@@ Line 152: / Line 328: @@
 | cart=SuperEightinOne MD Cart.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=Super 3 in 1
@@ Line 159: / Line 347: @@
 *''[[Blockout]]''
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=
@@ Line 164: / Line 364: @@
 | cart=4in1 MD Cart SSASSBK.jpg
 }}
+}}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==XXXX==
+{{MulticartContents|name=xxxx|
+}}
+{{gallery|widths=160|screens=yes|
+{{gitem|Notavailable.svg}}
+}}
+{{MulticartReleaseTable|
 {{MulticartRelease
 | title=
@@ Line 170: / Line 382: @@
 }}
 }}
+{{romtable|
+}}
+==References==
+<references />
+[[Category:Mega Drive unlicensed multi-carts| ]]
 ====Group 4====
 =====2 in 1=====