Master System:Game Incompatibilites

The Master System unfortunately has some incompatibilities with various games depending on the model at hand.

Original lists by Tycho on smspower.org

Non-Japanese Games on Japanese SMS
Japanese SMS games are smaller and therefore the cart slot can not physical accommodate non-Japanese games. Adapters exist that allow you to play these games.

Games Incompatible with SMS Model 1 BIOS Version 1.3
Snail Maze only BIOSes are incompatible with the following games.


 * 4 Pak all Action
 * Cosmic Spacehead
 * Fantastic Dizzy
 * Micro Machines
 * The Incredible Hulk
 * Street Fighter II
 * Virtua Fighter Animation

Games Incompatible with Power Base Converter
The following games are incompatible with the Sega Genesis Model 1 with a power base converter.


 * F-16 Fighter (Card)
 * F-16 Fighter (Cartridge)
 * F-16 Fighting Falcon (Card)
 * Monopoly
 * Sega My Card (no picture, sound only)
 * Wonder Boy in Monster World
 * Games that aren't compatible with SMS Model 1 BIOS version 1.3

Games Incompatible with HES Converter
The following games are incompatible with the Australian HES-branded Sega Genesis adapter. The 3D feature of games that use 3D glasses also will not work.


 * After Burner (black screen)
 * Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars (pink screen)
 * Assault City (7034; 7040 unknown)
 * Aztec Adventure (black screen)
 * Golfamania (animated garbage)
 * Golvellius (buzz w/ flickering screen)
 * Parlour Games (garbage screen)
 * Shinobi (black screen)
 * Card Shape games (physical incompatibility)

Games Incompatible with Genesis Controller
The following games are incompatible with a Sega Genesis controller. You can patch games to fix this.


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

Games Incompatible with SMS Model 2
The Sega Master System Model 2 is not compatible with card shaped games. The 3D feature of games that use 3D glasses also will not work.

Games Incompatible with the Tototek SMS-Mark III Adapter on SMS

 * Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (blank screen; reports of some working)
 * Wanted (red screen)
 * Missile Defense 3D (works, doesn't recognize the light phaser)
 * Rescue Mission (works, doesn't recognize the light phaser)
 * Hang On/Safari Hunt (various glitches; unconfirmed)
 * GP Rider

PAL Games with Issues NTSC Master System

 * Back to the Future Part III
 * Battlemaniacs
 * Bram Stoker's Dracula
 * California Games II
 * Cosmic Spacehead
 * Desert Strike
 * Fantastic Dizzy
 * Home Alone
 * Micro Machines
 * Operation Wolf
 * Predator 2
 * Quest for the Shaven Yak
 * Sensible Soccer
 * Shadow Dancer - The Secret of Shinobi
 * Shadow of the Beast
 * Sonic Blast
 * Sonic The Hedgehog 2
 * Space Harrier (some versions)
 * Street Fighter II
 * Super Smash TV
 * Taito Chase H.Q.
 * The Newzealand Story
 * The Simpsons Bart vs the Space Mutants