Tito from Macho Nacho Productions just posted a video showing the installation and functionality of the Sega Master System add-on for the MegaSwitch HD; A hybrid emulation HDMI kit for the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive. Without this add-on, the MegaSwitch HD can’t replicate the SMS’ video chips, so you’d have to use SMS games via the console’s analog video outputs. Check out the video above, as well as Tito’s original MegaSwitch HD install video at the bottom of this post; More info below the links:
MegaSwitch HD: https://www.megaswitchhd.com/
SMS Add-On board: https://www.retrorgb.com/megaswitch-hd-sms-add-on-board.html
Custom I/O Plate for RGR Shell: https://www.retrorgb.com/i-o-cover-for-megaswitch-hd-retro-game-restore-shell.html
Latest MegaSwitch Firmware: https://www.retrorgb.com/megaswitch-hd-dither-blending-scale2-3x-added.html
While the video output looks excellent, there’s a few drawbacks to this installation. First, the on-screen menu isn’t available when playing SMS games. This isn’t that big of a deal, but I’m guessing it’s not something that can be added via a firmware update, so I wanted to mention it.
Next, original SMS carts worked via a Power Base Converter and other people have confirmed SMS roms boot via ROM Carts, however Tito couldn’t get SMS games to boot via a Mega Everdrive Pro. I’ll be borrowing this console soon to see what I can find, but my guess is it’s not something to worry about.
Another thing to mention is this installation requires a few modifications to the original MegaSwitch HD install. There isn’t a lot to do, but it’s definitely something to note, as it feels sorta weird modding a board you just installed.
…and lastly, I always have to discuss price and who I think these mods are for. The cost for the full MegaSwitch + SMS kit is about $230, which is about the cost of a full FPGA-based solution. Genesis/Mega Drive superfans would be happy to pay this for the ability to have perfectly clean HDMI video using almost all of the original chips, but there’s a few more use cases as well. If you’re someone who doesn’t play many retro consoles, but you love the Genesis, you might prefer this over getting an RGB cable and scaler for just one console. And even then, Genesis 1’s are notorious for messy video signals, that can only be fixed with hardware mods…and some SMS’ can’t even be fixed at all! So while this definitely isn’t for everyone, it’s an excellent solution and these videos should show you everything you’d need to know about it.
