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 Master System/Mark III games are both narrower and thicker than non-Japanese cartridges in addition to having a different pinout. Therefore, the cart slot on Japanese systems can not physically accommodate non-Japanese games. However, third-party adapters exist that allow you to play non-Japanese games on a Mark III or Japanese SMS.

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 original model Sega Genesis/Mega Drive with a Power Base Converter.


 * Alien 3
 * F-16 Fighter/F-16 Fighting Falcon (this is due to the game using a legacy SG-1000 video mode which is not supported on Genesis/Mega Drive hardware)
 * 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/Mega Drive Controller
The following games are incompatible with a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive controller. You can patch these games to fix this or play them on a Japanese Master System or Mark III via a cartridge adapter. They will also play normally on a Japanese Mega Drive or region modded console set to Japanese mode.


 * 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

Games Incompatible with Sega Master System II
Because the Master System II lacks a card slot, it is not compatible with Sega Card games. Also, since the adapter for the 3-D glasses uses the card slot, games which make use of the glasses cannot be played properly (unless the game has a 2-D mode).

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, this is due to the game locking up when it detects the FM sound hardware)
 * Missile Defense 3D (works, doesn't recognize the Light Phaser)
 * Rescue Mission (works, doesn't recognize the Light Phaser)
 * GP Rider

PAL Games with Issues on NTSC Master System
Note that these issues also apply to a Mark III or Japanese Master System.