Difference between revisions of "Power Base Converter"

Revision as of 13:13, 29 June 2024

Power Base Converter/Mega Adaptor/Master System Converter

Manufacturer: Sega

Release	Date	RRP	Code
JP	1989-01-26^[1]	¥4,5004,500	HAA-2600
US	1989	$34.9934.99^[2]	1620
DE (II)	1993	DM 69.9569.95^[5]
UK	1990	£29.9929.99^[3]	1620
UK (II)	1993	£29.9929.99	MK-1621-50
IT	1990	85,000£85,000^[4]
CA	19xx
BR	1990
AS	199x

The Power Base Converter, known as Mega Adaptor (メガアダプタ) in Japan, Master System Converter in Europe and Adaptador Para os Jogos Master System in Brazil, is a peripheral for the Sega Mega Drive allowing it to play Sega Master System cards or cartridges.

Hardware

One of the key design features of the Mega Drive is its compatibility with its immediate predecessor, the Master System, as the Mega Drive's design is based upon the Master System's design, albeit enhanced and extended in many areas. As the cartridge slot of the Mega Drive is shaped differently than that of the Master System, and because its games could not be played directly through the Mega Drive, Sega released the Power Base Converter, an accessory that is placed between a Master System cartridge and the Mega Drive, allowing the user to play the previous generation of Sega games without the need for an extra console.

The Power Base Converter does not contain any Master System components but acts as a pass-through port. The converter contains two slots; a top slot for cartridge-based titles and a front slot for card-based games and accessories. The Power Base Converter would be fully compatible with the cost-reduced Mega Drive II, were it not for the different shape of the Mega Drive II's plastic casing.

In Europe the differently shaped Master System Converter II was released in order to satisfy Mega Drive II owners. This accessory is also fully compatible with the original Mega Drive, but lacks the ability to run cards.

Both 2-button Master System pads and standard Mega Drive pads can be used to play the majority of Master System games. Like the Master System, the PAUSE button is not part of the gamepad connector and instead is implemented as a push-button switch on the Power Base Converter or similar devices.

Technical information

In order to achieve backwards compatibility, the original Master System central processor and sound chip (the Z80 and SN76489) are included in the Mega Drive/Genesis and the new Video Display Processor is capable of the Master System VDP's mode 4 (though it cannot run in modes 0, 1, 2, or 3, so cannot run SG-1000 games). Once a Master System game is inserted, the system's bus controller chip (later integrated with the I/O chip into a single multi-purpose ASIC) will put the Z80 in control leaving the 68000 idle.

Incompatible games

Due to slight differences in how the Mega Drive control pads operate, some Master System games may inadvertently cause the wrong set of inputs to be selected and prevent the input from working properly. In these cases a Master System controller must be used.

The need for Master System controllers caused some problems, particularly in the US, where at the time the Power Base Converter was being sold in stores, Sega had withdrawn separate Master System controllers from general sale. As a result, consumers were forced to contact Sega directly^[6].

The list of games which require a Master System control pad is as follows:

Alien Syndrome
Bomber Raid
Great Volleyball
Montezuma's Revenge
Penguin Land
Shanghai
Tennis Ace
Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
Wonder Boy in Monster Land

All of these games will play properly with a Mega Drive controller on a Japanese Mega Drive or a console modified with a region switch (set to Japanese mode).

Alien 3, FA Tetris and F-16 Fighting Falcon are completely incompatible with the Power Base Converter. In particular, F-16 Fighting Falcon relies on a graphics mode designed for SG-1000 games, which is not available on the Mega Drive.

Gallery

Power Base Converter (US)
Cartridge flap opened (US)
Underside (US)
Attached to Genesis 1 (US)
Master System Converter (EU)
Master System Converter II (EU)
Mega Adaptor (JP)
Master System Converter (BR)
Underside (BR)

Magazine articles

Main article: Power Base Converter/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

HK advert

Print advert in ACE (UK) #37: "October 1990" (1990-09-xx)
also published in:

Computer & Video Games (UK) #107: "October 1990" (1990-09-16)^[7]

Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #108: "November 1990" (1990-10-16)
also published in:

ACE (UK) #38: "November 1990" (1990-10-xx)^[8]

Print advert in Computer & Video Games (UK) #111: "February 1991" (1991-01-16)

Print advert in Sega Klubilehti (FI) #2: "2/91" (1991-xx-xx)

Print advert in Sega Klubilehti (FI) #3: "1/92" (1992-xx-xx)
also published in:

Sega Klubilehti (FI) #4: "2/92" (1992-xx-xx)^[9]

Print advert in Mega Force (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)

Print advert in Top Mega-Drive (TW) #2: "xxxx xxxx" (199x-xx-xx)

Physical scans

Mega Drive, JP
Cover

Mega Drive, US
Cover
Manual

Mega Drive, EU
Cover

Mega Drive, EU (II)
Cover

Mega Drive, BR
Cover

Mega Drive, CA

Mega Drive, AS^†

External links

Sega of Japan catalogue page (Japanese)

References

Sega Mega Drive
Topics	Technical specifications (Hardware comparison) \| History \| List of games \| Magazine articles \| Promotional material \| Merchandise \| Cartridges \| TradeMark Security System
Hardware	Japan \| North America \| Western Europe \| Eastern Europe \| South America \| Asia \| South Korea \| Australasia \| Africa EZ Games \| Genesis 3 \| LaserActive \| Mega Jet \| Mega PC \| Mega Play \| Mega-Tech System \| Mega 6 \| Nomad \| Teradrive \| Mega Drive Mini \| Mega Drive Mini 2 New Mega Drive \| Tianli VCD/DVD Players \| "Consoles on a chip" \| Licensed clones (Magic 2 \| Mega Game II \| Power Pegasus \| Super Bitman) Unlicensed clones
Add-ons	Game Box \| Power Base Converter \| Mega-CD \| 32X (Mega-CD 32X) \| Mega Modem \| Demo System DS-16
Cases	Sega Genesis Nomad Carrying Case \| System Carry Case
Controllers	Control Pad \| Six Button Control Pad \| 6 Button Arcade Pad \| Arcade Power Stick 6B \| Konami Justifier \| MK-1470 Action Chair \| Activator \| Arcade Power Stick \| Keyboard \| MegaFire \| Mouse \| Mega Stick \| Menacer \| Remote Arcade System \| Ten Key Pad \| Third Party Controllers
Accessories	4 Way Play \| AC adaptor \| Cleaning System \| Control Pad Extension Cord \| Game Factory \| Genesis Speakers \| Headset \| HeartBeat Catalyst \| Microphone \| Region converter cartridges \| Mega Terminal \| Nomad PowerBack \| RF Unit \| SCART Cable \| Stereo Audio Video Cable \| Team Player \| Video Monitor Cable \| Third-party AC adaptors \| Third Party Accessories
Network services	Sega Channel \| Sega Game Toshokan \| Mega Anser \| Mega Net \| TeleBradesco Residência \| XB∀ND
Development tools	ERX 308P \| ERX 318P \| Sprobe \| SNASM68K \| SNASM2 (Mega Drive) \| SNASM2 (32X) \| PSY-Q Development System (Mega Drive) \| PSY-Q Development System (32X) \| 32X CartDev \| Sega Mars Development Aid System \| Sega 32X Development Target
Unreleased	Edge 16 \| Floppy Disk Drive \| Mega Play 1010 \| Sega VR \| Teleplay System \| Video Jukebox

[https:.2F.2Fweb.archive.org.2Fweb.2F20130215062323.2Fhttp:.2F.2Fsega.jp.2Ffb.2Fsegahard.2Fmd.2Fadapter.html-1] ttp://sega.jp/fb/segahard/md/adapter.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-02-15 06:23)

[:File:SegaVisions_US_06.pdf_p38-2] Sega Visions, "Fall 1991" (US; 1991-xx-xx), page 38

[:File:ACE_UK_37.pdf_p50-3] ACE, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-xx), page 50

[:File:K_IT_22.pdf_p21-4] File:K IT 22.pdf, page 21

[:File:SegaMagazin_DE_09.pdf_p79-5] Sega Magazin, "August 1994" (DE; 1994-07-13), page 79

[:File:SegaVisions_US_01.pdf_p9-6] Sega Visions, "June/July 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 9

[:File:CVG_UK_107.pdf_p122-7] Computer & Video Games, "October 1990" (UK; 1990-09-16), page 122

[:File:ACE_UK_38.pdf_p36-8] ACE, "November 1990" (UK; 1990-10-xx), page 36

[:File:SegaKlubilehti_FIN_04.pdf_p8-9] Sega Klubilehti, "2/92" (FI; 1992-xx-xx), page 8

[1]

[2]

[5]

[3]

[4]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{AccessoryBob
 | accessoryimage=SegaMegaAdaptor.jpg
-| imgwidth=300
 | title=Power Base Converter/Mega Adaptor/Master System Converter
 | maker=[[Sega]]
 | madefor=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
-| releases={{releases
+| releases={{releasesMD
+| md_date_jp=1989-01-26{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20130215062323/http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/md/adapter.html}}
+| md_rrp_jp=4,500
+| md_code_jp=HAA-2600
 | md_date_us=1989
-| md_rrp_us=35.00 {{fileref|GamePro US 029.pdf|page=50}} <!--If we could get a price from the actual release date rather than 1991, that'd be swell. -->
+| md_rrp_us=34.99{{magref|sv|6|38}} <!--If we could get a price from the actual release date rather than 1991, that'd be swell. -->
 | md_code_us=1620
 | md_date_uk=1990
 | md_code_uk=1620
-| md_rrp_uk=29.99 {{fileref|MegaDrive UK PrintAd 1990-10.jpg}}
+| md_rrp_uk=29.99{{magref|ace|37|50}}
 | md_date_it=1990
-| md_rrp_it=85.000{{fileref|K IT 22.pdf|page=21}}
+| md_rrp_it=85,000{{fileref|K IT 22.pdf|page=21}}
 | md_type_uk_1=II
 | md_date_uk_1=1993
 | md_rrp_uk_1=29.99
+| md_code_uk_1=MK-1621-50
 | md_type_de_1=II
 | md_date_de_1=1993
-| md_rrp_de_1=69,95{{fileref|SegaMagazin DE 09.pdf|page=79}}
+| md_rrp_de_1=69.95{{magref|segamagazin|9|79}}
+| md_date_as=199x
-| md_date_jp=1989-01-26
-| md_rrp_jp=4,500 {{ref|http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/md/adapter.html}}
-| md_code_jp=HAA-2600
 | md_date_br=1990
+| md_date_ca=19xx
 }}
 }}
@@ Line 43: / Line 44: @@
 ==Incompatible games==
-Due to slight differences in how the Mega Drive control pads operate, some Master System games may inadvertently cause the wrong set of inputs to be selected and prevent input from working properly. In this case a Master System controller must be used. The need for Master System controllers caused some problems, particularly in the US, where at the time the Power Base Converter was being sold in stores, Sega had withdrawn separate Master System controllers from general sale. As a result, consumers were forced to contact Sega directly{{fileref|SegaVisions US 01.pdf|page=9}}.
+Due to slight differences in how the Mega Drive control pads operate, some Master System games may inadvertently cause the wrong set of inputs to be selected and prevent the input from working properly. In these cases a Master System controller must be used.
+The need for Master System controllers caused some problems, particularly in the US, where at the time the Power Base Converter was being sold in stores, Sega had withdrawn separate Master System controllers from general sale. As a result, consumers were forced to contact Sega directly{{magref|sv|1|9}}.
 The list of games which require a Master System control pad is as follows:
@@ Line 56: / Line 59: @@
 *''[[Wonder Boy in Monster Land]]''
-Reportedly the Japanese Mega Drive, Mega Adaptor and Mark III/Master System combo offers a higher success rate.
+All of these games will play properly with a Mega Drive controller on a Japanese Mega Drive or a console modified with a region switch (set to Japanese mode).
-''[[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]'' is also incompatible with the Power Base Converter, as it relies on a graphics mode designed for [[SG-1000]] games. ''[[Alien 3]]'' will not boot at all.
+''[[Alien 3]]'', ''[[FA Tetris]]'' and ''[[F-16 Fighting Falcon]]'' are completely incompatible with the Power Base Converter. In particular, F-16 Fighting Falcon relies on a graphics mode designed for [[SG-1000]] games, which is not available on the Mega Drive.
 == Gallery ==
@@ Line 68: / Line 71: @@
 MasterSystemCoverter EU.jpg|Master System Converter (EU)
 Master System Converter II.jpg|Master System Converter II (EU)
-SegaMegaAdaptor.jpg|Mega Adaptor (JP)
+SegaMegaAdaputa.jpg|Mega Adaptor (JP)
 MasterSystemCoverter BR.jpg|Master System Converter (BR)
 MasterSystemCoverter BR Underside.jpg|Underside (BR)
 </gallery>
+==Magazine articles==
+{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 ==Promotional material==
-<gallery>
+{{gallery
-PowerBaseConverter MD ES PrintAdvert.jpg|ES print advert
+|{{gitem|Sega HK advert BGI 2.png|HK advert}}
-MegaDrive UK PrintAd 1990-10.jpg|UK print advert
+|{{galleryPrintAd
-MegaDrive UK PrintAd 1990-11.jpg|UK print advert
+|ace|37|50-51
-SegaEuropesNo1 SMS MD UK PrintAd.jpg|UK print advert
+|cvg|107|122-123
-</gallery>
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|cvg|108|50-51
+|ace|38|36-37
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|cvg|111|74
+}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|segaklubi|2|8}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|segaklubi|3|8
+|segaklubi|4|8}}
+|{{galleryPrintAd
+|megaforcees|11|88
+}}
+{{GalleryPrintAd
+|topmd|2|116
+}}
+}}
 ==Physical scans==
 {{Scanbox
+| console=Mega Drive
+| region=JP
+| front=Megaadaptor box.jpg
+| back=
+| spinemissing=
+| square=yes
+}}{{Scanbox
 | console=Mega Drive
 | region=US
@@ Line 88: / Line 120: @@
 | back=
 | spinemissing=
-| disc=
+| square=yes
+| manual=Power Base Converter US Manual.pdf
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Mega Drive
 | region=EU
 | front=sega_megadrive_baseconverter_box.jpg
-| back=
+| back=MasterSystemConverter MD EU Box Back.jpg
-| spinemissing=
+| spine=MasterSystemConverter MD EU Box Spine.jpg
-| disc=
+| spine2=MasterSystemConverter MD EU Box Spine2.jpg
+| top=MasterSystemConverter MD EU Box Top.jpg
+| bottom=MasterSystemConverter MD EU Box Bottom.jpg
+| square=yes
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Mega Drive
@@ Line 103: / Line 139: @@
 | spinemissing=
 | square=yes
-| disc=
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Mega Drive
-| region=JP
+| region=BR
-| cover=Megaadaptor box.jpg
+| front=APoJMS MD BR Box Front.jpg
 | back=
 | spinemissing=
-| disc=
+| square=yes
 }}{{Scanbox
 | console=Mega Drive
-| region=BR
+| region=CA
-| front=APoJMS MD BR Box Front.jpg
+| front=
+| back=
+| spinemissing=
+| square=yes
+}}
+{{Scanbox
+| console=Mega Drive
+| region=AS
+| front=
 | back=
 | spinemissing=
-| disc=
+| square=yes
 }}