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)
• 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