Mega SG Compatible with the SG-1000 Library

Analogue's Mega SG

It feels like forever since I last posted to the SG-1000 Junkyard, but it’s not every day we get SG-1000 related news, so here we go.

I’m sure many of you (yes, all three of you reading) have heard of the new FPGA console from Analogue, the Mega SG. Out the box, the Mega SG will support Megadrive/Genesis games from all regions as well as Mega/Sega CD disks for those who still own the original add-on unit. NTSC-U/PAL Master System games are also supported by means of a pack-in cartridge adapter.


Well, that’s all great, but what about the SG-1000? Well, the wording on this one is kind of strange but SG-1000 compatibility is scheduled to roll out with the release of cartridge and card adapters sold separately later in 2019. Here’s the quote from Analogue:

Quote from Analogue's Website

The wording makes it sound like they’ll be releasing a separate add-on for each of the above listed systems. This seems odd, because there's no reason you’d need five separate adapters to cover them; Mark III, SG-1000 and SC-3000 carts could be done with one, as could all Sega My Cards. In the picture behind the text, there are just four displayed, so presumably the wording is simply a tad off and we'll be getting two adapters to cover the SG-1000, SC-3000, Mark III, and Sega My Cards across all systems.

The unit costs a fairly reasonable $190 but shipping seems rather extortionate at $40 within the U.S. and $50 for international orders. International buyers will also have import tax to take into account, so it’s perhaps closer to $300 once all is said and done. I’m going to predict each cart adapter will cost a minimum of $30 inc shipping, so total compatibility across all four generations of Sega hardware is likely going to run us somewhere in the range of  $320 - $360. And that’s before you even add on the cost of a Mega CD console, so let’s say $400 -$450 for total compatibility across all Sega Systems from SG-1000 up to the Mega CD. Unfortunately, 32X support is not included and it sounds unlikely it'll ever be added, although Analogue have expressed a willingness to implement it in the future alongside yet another cart adapter. Let’s wait and see I suppose. I'm not holding my breath personally, but would love to be wrong.

So what's my opinion on the news? Well, I think it's fantastic some attention is finally being given to our beloved SG-1000 but I’m not sure it’s really worth the high price tag myself. Having said that, I went ahead and ordered one anyway, so rest assured, I’ll be putting the SG-1000 and My Card adapters through their paces for you all once they arrive in 2019. Analogue's previous system, the Super NT was jail broken soon after launch, but I do worry that perhaps they'll be a little more protective this time, given that they're hoping to go on to sell us these various cart adapters at a later date.

On the positive side, Analogue's products have always been of the highest quality and no doubt, the same will be true of the Mega SG. For anyone looking for a way to play SG-1000 to Mega CD games on a HD TV while using their original carts and cards, this will most likely be the best way to do that.

While you’re here, I’d also like to point you in the direction of another FPGA project I’ve been following recently called “Mister”. Currently, there is only support for Megadrive, Master System/Mark III and Game Gear (using the GG to MS patching tool) but hopefully some clever sod will add an SG-1000 core into the mix someday.

The D10 Nano running Mister

The Mega SG can be pre-purchased now from Analogue's website for $190 + shipping. It is due to be released in April of 2019.