Difference between revisions of "Game Gear unlicensed multi-carts"

From Sega Retro
 
Line 20: Line 20:
  
 
===Most included games===
 
===Most included games===
−
Without additional bank-switching routines, the maximum cartridge size allowed by the Mega Drive is 4MB, so games chosen for multi-carts (which themselves may not be using a 4MB ROM) need to be smaller than this value. Most earlier multi-carts therefore opted for games that were either 256kB or 512kB in size, and as marketable characters were preferred, there are clear patterns with the games usually featured.
 
−
 
 
The top 20 included games is as follows:
 
The top 20 included games is as follows:
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
Line 36: Line 34:
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==

Latest revision as of 16:22, 3 June 2023

"Super 12 in 1", a typical unlicensed Game Gear multi-cart. All of these games originate from the Master System.

A common practice amongst video game bootleggers is to combine two or more games into one; in the Sega Game Gear's case, resulting in unlicensed multi-carts. Game Gear multi-carts are relatively common across Asia, but not to the same extent as other consoles, namely the Sega Mega Drive and Nintendo's Famicom and Game Boy systems.

The process is achieved by using high capacity ROM cartridges which can house multiple copies of (typically older), smaller games. For example, the Game Gear version of Pengo shipped on a 32kB ROM, so a 1MB ROM (such as those used in later games such as Sonic Blast or Virtua Fighter Animation) could house 32 copies of the game. While most Game Gear games use 128kB, 256kB or 512kB ROMs, backwards compatibility with the Sega Master System means similarly small games, such as those sold on Sega Cards, can be brought to the Game Gear with relative ease, and thus make up the numbers.

Usually Game Gear multi-carts contain a menu for switching between games, however some opt for a physical button on the cartridge instead.

Unsorted

Documenting Game Gear multi-carts is challenging as very few developers or manufacturers put their names to products. As such, Sega Retro can only reliably group cartridges based on how many games are included:

Most included games

The top 20 included games is as follows:

  1. Columns (4)
  2. Pengo (4)
  3. Woody Pop (3)
  4. Astro Flash (2)
  5. Alien Syndrome (2)
  6. Double Dragon (1)
  7. Altered Beast (1)
  8. Doraemon Nora no Suke no Yabou (1)
  9. RoboCop 3 (1)
  10. Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon S (1)
  11. Legend of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse (1)
  12. Samurai Spirits (1)
  13. Sonic the Hedgehog (1)
  14. Ghost House (1)
  15. Comical Machine Gun Joe (1)
  16. Super Tennis (1)
  17. Pac-Man (1)
  18. The Lucky Dime Caper (1)
  19. Mappy (1)
  20. Psychic World (1)

References


Unlicensed multi-carts for the Sega Game Gear
Unsorted
2 in 1 | 4 in 1 | 6 in 1 | 7 in 1 | 8 in 1 | 9 in 1 | 10 in 1 | 11 in 1 | 12 in 1 | 15 in 1 | 16 in 1 | 18 in 1 | 19 in 1 | 20 in 1 | 21 in 1 | 24 in 1 | 30 in 1 | 32 in 1 | 56 in 1 | 60 in 1 | 68 in 1 | others
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Game_Gear_unlicensed_multi-carts&oldid=891642"