Genesis:Genesis Controller on SMS Games

Most Master System games are fully compatible with a Sega Genesis controller. There are a few that don't work with Genesis controllers though. The reason for this is a Japanese/export region check the games perform which toggles the select line on the controller port. It's supposed to be reset, but these games fail to do that.

This applies to both Master System games on a Master System AND Master System games on a Genesis. Note that the Sega Mark III is completely incompatible with Genesis/Mega Drive controllers as pin 7 of the controller port (used for the aforementioned select line) is connected to GND, confusing the multiplexer chip inside the controller. Modifying the console so that pin 7 is isolated or connected to 5V will work, as will constructing an adapter cable (detailed below).

Incompatible Games

• Alien Syndrome
• Bomber Raid
• Dinosaur Dooley / Agigongnyong Dooly
• Great Volleyball
• Montezuma's Revenge
• Penguin Land
• Shanghai
• Tennis Ace
• Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?
• Wonder Boy in Monster Land

Flash Cart Fix

Thanks to huygens on the Everdrive forums, patches are available to fix these games for use with flash carts. You can find the patches here and apply them using this process.

These were patched to reset the select lines (Please check crc of Patched rom if it doesn't work):

• Montezuma's Revenge (8fc6bb9c)
• Penguin Land (cb437bc2)
• Wonder boy in Monster Land (cdc3c8df)
• Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? (c63e4d42)
• Shanghai (91387e3f)

Bypass region detection code that writes to the select line:

• Alien Syndrome (6b3e06ff)
• Bomber Raid (c880978a)
• Great Volleyball (bd29dabf)
• Tennis Ace (b0b086bb)
• Dinosaur Dooley (32f4b791) / Agingongnyong Dooly (4f1be9fa) patch for both here.

Adapter Cable Fix

DE-9 port, male side.

It's possible to create an adapter cable to workaround the issue. Credit phoenixdownita on the Everdrive forums.

Required Materials:

• 9-pin Genesis/Mega Drive controller extension cable
• 9-pin Male to Female gender changer (really a tiny extender more than a gender changer)

Setup:

1. Connect the extension cable to the console.
2. Connect the gender changer female side to the male side on the extension cable.
3. Snip pin 7 on the gender changer male side.
4. Connect the controller cable to it.

References

https://krikzz.com/forum/index.php?topic=1203.0