Power Base Converter

File:SegaMegaAdaptor.jpg

Japanese Sega Mega Adaptor.

The PowerBase Converter (Mega Adaptor in Japan and Master System Convertor in Europe), sometimes called the Master Deck, was a Sega-vended accessory available at the Mega Drive's launch that allowed for the use of SMS cards or cartridges with a Sega Mega Drive/Genesis console. One of the key design features of the Mega Drive is its compatibility with its immediate predecessor, the Master System. The Mega Drive's design is based upon the Master System's design, albeit enhanced and extended in many areas. As the cartridge slot is shaped completely different than that of the Master System and because it's games could not be plugged in and played directly by being plugged into the Mega Drive, Sega released the Power Base Converter, an accessory that is placed between a Master System cartridge and the Mega Drive. The Power Base Converter does not contain any Master System components but acts as a pass-through port. The converter contained 2 slots. The top slot was for cartridge based games. The front slot was for card based games and accessories. The Power Base Converter would be fully compatible with the Genesis 2, were it not for the different shape of the Genesis 2's casing. One can remove or modify the PBC casing, allowing it to work on a Genesis 2. A version which was compatible with the Genesis 2 was released called the Master System Converter II, but only in Europe.

In order to achieve backwards compatibility, the original Master System central processor and sound chip (the Z80 and SN76489) are included in the Mega Drive/Genesis and the new Video Display Processor is capable of the Master System VDP's mode 4 (though it cannot run in modes 0, 1, 2, or 3). Once an 8-bit game is inserted, the system's bus controller chip (later integrated with the I/O chip into a single multi-purpose ASIC) will put the Z80 in control leaving the 68000 idle.

Both 2-button Master System pads and standard Genesis pads can be used to play SMS games. Due to slight differences in how the Genesis pads operate, some Master System games may inadvertently cause the wrong set of inputs to be selected in a 3/6-button pad and prevent input from working properly. In this case a Master System controller must be used. Like the Master System, the PAUSE button is not part of the gamepad connector and instead is implemented as a pushbutton switch on the Power Base Converter or similar devices.

There was at least one unauthorized third-party SMS adapter released for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis—the no-frills Mega Master by Datel. It also lacked the SMS card slot, and had the SMS PAUSE button mounted on the side of the unit.