Sega Master System II: Difference between revisions

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| weight      = ≈ 0.8 kg
| weight      = ≈ 0.8 kg
| os          = None – game ROM executes directly
| os          = None – game ROM executes directly
| predecessor  = [[Sega Master System]] (Model 1)
| predecessor  = [[Sega Master System (Model 1)]]
| successor    = [[Sega_Mega_Drive_(Model_1)|Mega Drive / Genesis]]
| successor    = [[Sega_Mega_Drive_(Model_1)|Mega Drive / Genesis]]
| codename    = '''MK-2000''' / '''Model 3000'''
| codename    = '''MK-2000''' / '''Model 3000'''
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The '''Sega Master System II''' (SMS II) is a low-cost redesign of Sega’s 8-bit Master System, launched in 1990 to extend the life of the platform alongside the 16-bit Mega Drive.  Sega’s engineers removed costly interfaces (card slot, A/V RGB, expansion port) and shrank the PCB to reduce bill-of-materials to under US$40, allowing aggressive pricing against Nintendo’s NES.
The '''Sega Master System II''' (SMS II) is a low-cost redesign of Sega’s 8-bit Master System, launched in 1990 to extend the life of the platform alongside the 16-bit Mega Drive.  Sega’s engineers removed costly interfaces (card slot, A/V RGB, expansion port) and shrank the PCB to reduce bill-of-materials to under US$40, allowing aggressive pricing against Nintendo’s NES.


== 🧠 Internal Architecture ==
== Internal Architecture ==
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
! Sub-system !! Specification (Model 3000-07, PAL VA1)
! Sub-system !! Specification (Model 3000-07, PAL VA1)
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|}
|}


== 💾 Z80 Memory Map ==
==  Z80 Memory Map ==
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%;"
|+'''SMS II Address Space'''
|+'''SMS II Address Space'''
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# If BIOS disabled (JP pads), control jumps to cartridge vector <code>$0000</code>.
# If BIOS disabled (JP pads), control jumps to cartridge vector <code>$0000</code>.


== 📺 Video Modes & Timing ==
== Video Modes & Timing ==
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:70%; text-align:center;"
! Region !! Active area !! Master clock !! Lines/frame !! Refresh
! Region !! Active area !! Master clock !! Lines/frame !! Refresh
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VDP can output composite and RGB; '''SMS II only routes composite + mono audio to an RF modulator''', necessitating A/V modding for RGB.
VDP can output composite and RGB; '''SMS II only routes composite + mono audio to an RF modulator''', necessitating A/V modding for RGB.


== 🔌 Cartridge / Edge Bus (50-pin) ==
== Cartridge / Edge Bus (50-pin) ==
The SMS II retains the 50-pin “Mega Cartridge” connector used by the original console:
The SMS II retains the 50-pin “Mega Cartridge” connector used by the original console:


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Full table on [[Sega Master System Cartridge Pin-out]].
Full table on [[Sega Master System Cartridge Pin-out]].


== 📜 Historical Context & Sales ==
== Historical Context & Sales ==
* Announced July 1990 as a cost-reduced successor; included *Alex Kidd* or *Sonic the Hedgehog* in ROM to stimulate sales.   
* Announced July 1990 as a cost-reduced successor; included *Alex Kidd* or *Sonic the Hedgehog* in ROM to stimulate sales.   
* '''Europe & Brazil''' remained the Master-System strongholds: by 1993 > 6 million SMS II units shipped in EU territories; TecToy sold an additional 2 million (1991-2003).   
* '''Europe & Brazil''' remained the Master-System strongholds: by 1993 > 6 million SMS II units shipped in EU territories; TecToy sold an additional 2 million (1991-2003).   
* In North America it served as a US$50 budget console beside the Genesis <small>(approx. 300 k units)</small>.
* In North America it served as a US$50 budget console beside the Genesis <small>(approx. 300 k units)</small>.


== 🛠️ Motherboard Revisions & Known Errata ==
== Motherboard Revisions & Known Errata ==
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:85%; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable styled-table" style="width:85%; text-align:center;"
! Rev !! ASIC !! Notable features / quirks
! Rev !! ASIC !! Notable features / quirks
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*Early VA0 boards omit 33 Ω series resistors on RGB lines ⇒ over-driven when modded.*
*Early VA0 boards omit 33 Ω series resistors on RGB lines ⇒ over-driven when modded.*


== 🔉 Audio Path ==
== Audio Path ==
Z80 → SN76489 square/noise → low-pass RC (33 k/3.3 nF) → CXA1145 composite encoder → RF can; stereo mods tap pre-RF and split PSG tone channels.
Z80 → SN76489 square/noise → low-pass RC (33 k/3.3 nF) → CXA1145 composite encoder → RF can; stereo mods tap pre-RF and split PSG tone channels.


== ⚠️ Common Faults (SMS II) ==
== Common Faults (SMS II) ==
* '''No RF / distorted video''' – cracked solder on CXA1145 or corroded RF shield.   
* '''No RF / distorted video''' – cracked solder on CXA1145 or corroded RF shield.   
* '''Low audio volume / buzzing''' – dried C31 10 µF coupling cap (VA1).   
* '''Low audio volume / buzzing''' – dried C31 10 µF coupling cap (VA1).   
* '''Power LED flicker''' – 5 V rail ripple; replace 2200 µF filter cap (C8).   
* '''Power LED flicker''' – 5 V rail ripple; replace 2200 µF filter cap (C8).   
* '''Controller port failures''' – broken traces to 315-5237 I/O decoder.   
* '''Controller port failures''' – broken traces to 315-5237 I/O decoder.   
Detailed procedures: [[Master System II Troubleshooting Guide]] & [[Master System II Capacitor Replacement Guide]].
Detailed procedures: [[Sega Master System II Troubleshooting Guide|Master System II Troubleshooting Guide]] & [[Sega Master System II Capacitor Replacement Guide|Master System II Capacitor Replacement Guide]].


== 🔧 Maintenance & Mods ==
== Maintenance & Mods ==
* '''Composite/RGB A/V mod:''' lift RF modulator pin 11, route CXA1145 RGB → mini-DIN 8; add 75 Ω/220 µF caps.  Step-by-step on [[SMS II AV Output Guide]].   
* '''Composite/RGB A/V mod:''' lift RF modulator pin 11, route CXA1145 RGB → mini-DIN 8; add 75 Ω/220 µF caps.  Step-by-step on [[SMS II AV Output Guide]].   
* '''Pause-button cap fix:''' add 100 nF across reset-pause lines to avoid random resets on VA0.   
* '''Pause-button cap fix:''' add 100 nF across reset-pause lines to avoid random resets on VA0.   
* '''FM-Sound board:''' installs YM2413 + logic; requires decoder ROM patch or EverDrive.
* '''FM-Sound board:''' installs YM2413 + logic; requires decoder ROM patch or EverDrive.


== 🎬 Trivia & Pop-culture ==
== Trivia & Pop-culture ==
* European advertising used the slogan '''“The Leader of the 8-Bit Revolution”''' even after the Mega Drive launched.   
* European advertising used the slogan '''“The Leader of the 8-Bit Revolution”''' even after the Mega Drive launched.   
* Brazilian TecToy versions included *Mônica no Castelo do Dragão* (a comic-book reskin of *Wonder Boy II*).   
* Brazilian TecToy versions included *Mônica no Castelo do Dragão* (a comic-book reskin of *Wonder Boy II*).   
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'''See also / further reading'''
'''See also / further reading'''
* [[Master System II Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Sega Master System II General Maintenance|Master System II Maintenance Guide]]
* [[Master System II Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Sega Master System II Troubleshooting Guide|Master System II Troubleshooting Guide]]
* [[Master System II Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[Sega Master System II Capacitor Replacement Guide|Master System II Capacitor Replacement Guide]]
* [[SMS II AV Output Guide]]
* [[SMS II AV Output Guide]]


[[Category:Sega Systems]]
[[Category:Sega Systems]]