Difference between revisions of "Master Gear Converter"

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[[File:MasterGearConverter front.jpg|thumb|right|230px|Master Gear Converter]]
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{{AccessoryBob
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| accessoryimage=MasterGearConverter front.jpg
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| imgwidth=320
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| title=
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| maker=
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| madefor=
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| releases={{releases
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| gg_date_us=199x
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| gg_date_br=199x
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}}
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}}
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The '''Master Gear Converter''', sometimes known simply as the '''Master Gear''', '''Gear Master Converter''' or in Brazil, '''Master Gear Adaptor''' is an accessory for the [[Sega Game Gear]], allowing the unit to play [[Sega Master System]] games. At the present time it is not known exactly where the technology stems from, but there are many different varieties of this device, some officially branded by [[Sega]].
  
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The '''Master Gear Converter''' is an accessory for the [[Sega Game Gear]]. It is a converter which allows [[Sega Master System]] games to be played on a Game Gear. The Master Gear has a Master System port on it that Master System games must be plugged into while the Master Gear is plugged into the Game Gear's cartridge slot.
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The Master System Converter is a simplistic device which fits into the Game Gear's cartridge slot, which in turn allows for western-style Master System cartridges to be placed inside and run on the Game Gear, similar in nature to the [[Power Base Converter]] for the [[Sega Mega Drive]]. The Game Gear is essentially an upgraded Master System and thus has no trouble playing Master System games, however is unable to offer any other advantages such as FM Sound offered by the [[FM Sound Unit]]. It also cannot run [[Sega Cards]] natively, though cuold in theory do when armed with a [[Card Catcher]] and [[Master System Region Converter]].
  
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When playing Master System games, the screen is resized to fit on the Game Gear. This can make some games more difficult to play as some sprites become more difficult to see, such as bullets. Text can also become unreadable. As two player games require a second controller, multi-player games can only be played with a single player except when using the [[Master Link Cable]] to plug in a second controller.
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When playing Master System games, the output is resized to fit the Game Gear's smaller screen. This can make some games more difficult to play, as smaller sprites become difficult to make out such as bullets or text. There is also no way of inserting a second controller in order to play two player games. Games which rely on the [[Light Phaser]] or [[3D Glasses]] will also struggle.
  
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Some games are not fully compatible with either version of the Master Gear Converter. Not fully compatible games include ''[[Lord of the Sword]]'', ''[[Phantasy Star]]'' and ''[[Outrun]]''.
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Some games are not fully compatible with the Master System Converter for various reasons, such as ''[[Lord of the Sword]]'', ''[[Phantasy Star]]'' and ''[[Outrun]]''. The unit will also not function in a late 90s [[Majesco]] Game Gear, however the updated version of the unit, the '''Master System Converter 2''', will. The Master System Converter 2 is otherwise identical to the original model - plans were once put in place to allow a second control pad to be inserted, but no such feature can be found in the final release.
  
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A second version of the Master Gear Converter was released that was simply called the Master Gear Converter 2. It was functionally the same as the first version. The first version of the Master Gear Converter is incompatible with the Majesco Game Gear; however, the Master Gear Converter 2 is compatible. The back of the US box of the Master Gear Converter promised that the Master Gear Converter 2 would allow multi-player through the use of a Sega controller. This feature was not implemented in the actual release.
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It is currently unknown exactly who made the Master System Converter, and the legalities surrounding it. It is suspected to originate from the "Asian" region, most likely Taiwan or Hong Kong, and the fast majority of models were not officially licensed. There are, however, official variants in North America and Brazil, though these are surprisingly less common than the unofficial alternatives. All Game Gears are region free, so the converters are likewise region free.
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The [[Gear Master]] by [[Beeshu]] and [[Nuby Converter]] by [[Nuby]] fulfil the same role as the Master System Converter in slightly different ways.
  
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
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File:MasterGearConverter back.jpg|Back of MGC
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File:MasterGearConverter front.jpg|Front of unit (MGC)
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File:MasterGearConverter US Box front.jpg|MGC US box front
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File:MasterGearConverter back.jpg|Back of unit (MGC)
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File:MasterGearConverter US Box back.jpg|MGC US box back
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File:MGC2 GG.jpg|Front of unit (MGC2; Sega)
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File:MasterGearConverter2 US Box box.jpg|MGC 2 US box front
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File:MasterGearConverter2 EU front.jpg|Front of unit (MGC2)
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File:MasterGearConverter2 EU Box front.jpg|MGC 2 EU box front
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File:GMC GG.jpg|Gear Master Converter
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File:MasterGearConverter2 EU front.jpg|MGC 2 EU front
 
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File:MasterGearConverter JP Box front.jpg|MGC JP box front
 
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File:MasterGearConverter JP Box back.jpg|MGC JP box back
 
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File:MasterGearConverter JP Packaging.jpg|MGC JP packaging
 
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
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 +
 +
==Physical Scans==
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{{Scanbox
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| console=Game Gear
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| region=US
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| front=MasterGearConverter GG US Box Front.jpg
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| back=
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| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
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| cart=
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}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Game Gear
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| region=BR
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| front=MasterGearAdaptor GG BR Box Front.jpg
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| back=
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| spinemissing=
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| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=??
 +
| front=MasterGearConverter US Box front.jpg
 +
| back=MasterGearConverter US Box back.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=??
 +
| front=MasterGearConverter JP Box front.jpg
 +
| back=MasterGearConverter JP Box back.jpg
 +
| spinemissing=yes
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=??
 +
| front=MGC GG Box Front 1.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=??
 +
| front=GMC GG Box Front.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=?? (2)
 +
| front=MasterGearConverter2 US Box box.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=?? (2)
 +
| front=MasterGearConverter2 EU Box front.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Game Gear
 +
| region=?? (2)
 +
| front=MGC2 GG Box Front 1.jpg
 +
| back=
 +
| spinemissing=
 +
| square=yes
 +
| cart=
 +
}}
  
 
{{GameGear}}
 
{{GameGear}}
 
[[Category:Game Gear Accessories]]
 
[[Category:Game Gear Accessories]]

Revision as of 10:13, 19 May 2012

MasterGearConverter front.jpg
Master Gear Converter
Release Date RRP Code

The Master Gear Converter, sometimes known simply as the Master Gear, Gear Master Converter or in Brazil, Master Gear Adaptor is an accessory for the Sega Game Gear, allowing the unit to play Sega Master System games. At the present time it is not known exactly where the technology stems from, but there are many different varieties of this device, some officially branded by Sega.

The Master System Converter is a simplistic device which fits into the Game Gear's cartridge slot, which in turn allows for western-style Master System cartridges to be placed inside and run on the Game Gear, similar in nature to the Power Base Converter for the Sega Mega Drive. The Game Gear is essentially an upgraded Master System and thus has no trouble playing Master System games, however is unable to offer any other advantages such as FM Sound offered by the FM Sound Unit. It also cannot run Sega Cards natively, though cuold in theory do when armed with a Card Catcher and Master System Region Converter.

When playing Master System games, the output is resized to fit the Game Gear's smaller screen. This can make some games more difficult to play, as smaller sprites become difficult to make out such as bullets or text. There is also no way of inserting a second controller in order to play two player games. Games which rely on the Light Phaser or 3D Glasses will also struggle.

Some games are not fully compatible with the Master System Converter for various reasons, such as Lord of the Sword, Phantasy Star and Outrun. The unit will also not function in a late 90s Majesco Game Gear, however the updated version of the unit, the Master System Converter 2, will. The Master System Converter 2 is otherwise identical to the original model - plans were once put in place to allow a second control pad to be inserted, but no such feature can be found in the final release.

It is currently unknown exactly who made the Master System Converter, and the legalities surrounding it. It is suspected to originate from the "Asian" region, most likely Taiwan or Hong Kong, and the fast majority of models were not officially licensed. There are, however, official variants in North America and Brazil, though these are surprisingly less common than the unofficial alternatives. All Game Gears are region free, so the converters are likewise region free.

The Gear Master by Beeshu and Nuby Converter by Nuby fulfil the same role as the Master System Converter in slightly different ways.

Gallery

  • Front of unit (MGC)

  • Back of unit (MGC)

  • Front of unit (MGC2; Sega)

  • Front of unit (MGC2)

  • Gear Master Converter


Physical Scans

Game Gear, US
MasterGearConverter GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, BR
MasterGearAdaptor GG BR Box Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ??
MasterGearConverter US Box back.jpgNospine-small.pngMasterGearConverter US Box front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ??
MasterGearConverter JP Box back.jpgNospine-small.pngMasterGearConverter JP Box front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ??
MGC GG Box Front 1.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ??
GMC GG Box Front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ?? (2)
MasterGearConverter2 US Box box.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ?? (2)
MasterGearConverter2 EU Box front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, ?? (2)
MGC2 GG Box Front 1.jpg
Cover
Sega Game Gear
Topics Sega Game Gear | History | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Japan | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | Asia | South America | Australasia | Africa
Wide Gear | Fun Play 20-in-1
Add-ons Pro Action Replay | Game Genie | X-Terminator | Master Gear Converter (Gear Master | Nuby Converter) | Stereo FM Tuner | TV Tuner
Cases Carry-All | Deluxe Carry-All Case | Gear Bag | Holster Case | Standard Carrying Case | Soft Case | Third Party (Play & Carry Case)
Accessories A/V Cable | Battery Pack | Car Adaptor | Car Antenna | Cleaning Gear | Gear-to-Gear Cable | PowerBack (Third Party) | Screen Magnifier (Wide Gear | Super Wide Gear | Third-Party)

Handy Gear | Master Link Cable

Development Tools Sega Game Gear Development Board
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