Master Gear Converter

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, Europe 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

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  Front of unit (MGC)

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  Back of unit (MGC)

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  Front of unit (MGC2; Sega)

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  Front of unit (MGC2)

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  Gear Master Converter

Physical Scans

Game Gear, US
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Game Gear, EU
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Game Gear, BR
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Game Gear, ??
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Game Gear, ??
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Game Gear, ??
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Game Gear, ??
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Game Gear, ?? (2)
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Game Gear, ?? (2)
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Game Gear, ?? (2)
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