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    My SEGA Master System RetroPie build (in progress - almost done)

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    buildmaster systemsegamausberry
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    • y-elloY
      y-ello
      last edited by y-ello

      Hi everyone.
      After almost 2 years of planing, I've finally started working on my SEGA Master System Retropie machine.

      The SMS was huge here in Brazil, and the console that I keep a lot of memories is the brazilian Master System II by Tec-Toy (that differently from US and European models, uses the same case as the SMS1).
      The brSMS2 came with only 1 controller and included Alex Kidd in Miracle World in BIOS. Mine was a 'special release' bundled with California Games. Like this one:

      sms2.jpg

      (photo by Skooter Blog)

      Parts:

      • SEGA Master System 2 (Brazil) case
      • Retropie 3 model B+
      • Mausberry shutdown circuit
      • cable extensions (USB, Ethernet, HDMI, etc)
      • RS Power Suply
      • switches, push buttons, wires, soldering iron, etc
      • cleaning products
      • precision files
      • MegaBlocks
      • Superglue
      • 6 beers

      1.jpg
      the case, already clean and shinny

      2.jpg
      Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ and etc

      3.jpg
      cable extensions, good quality

      4.jpg
      cleaning products

      1- Cleaning
      The case was in good shape, but it was dusty and had some scratches. First I've used a multi-surface cleaning product to remove the dust. After that I've polished it with a Scotch Bright Easy Eraser (it's like a very thin sandpaper). A coat of WD40 brought the plastic back to life.
      So, if someone is worried about polishing a console with these 'easy erasers' or 'magic erasers', go for it because it works great! (for safety, test it on the inside first).

      2- Assembling the connectors
      I didn't want to cut the cover of the case, and I wanted to have easy access to the inside when needed, so I've worked on the base only, I've removed some pins used to fix the old board and Lego (actually, some old MegaBlocks in bad shape) and superglue to make the supports for the new connections. I think that made the work easier because you can test if everything is fixed in the right place before adding super glue.

      5.jpg
      bases

      6.jpg
      connectors

      3- Mounting
      The hardest part was finding the right spot to fit everything nicely inside the console, then I've added the RPi and the Mausberry shutdown circuit, made the connections for the power switch, reset button and LED.
      I've replaced the micro USB jack with a DC jack, because I think it's more resistant.
      Added the Mausberry shutdown circuit, a power switch and a push button for reset and a LED.

      BEWARE: I'm a noob with soldering, electronics, etc... so I'm sorry for the GORE you guys are about to see now. You've been warned!

      IMG_20190309_232010.jpg
      GORE wiring

      IMG_20190309_232010.jpg
      everything fits now

      IMG_20190309_232022.jpg
      It's not so dirty as it appears in the photos.

      IMG_20190309_232042.jpg
      what a mess

      IMG_20190317_212156.jpg
      GORE!

      4- Sofware
      Installed Retropie 4.4 with some games, installed some controllers, I've put the TRONKYFRAN theme with some modifications.
      I've installed the awesome Joystick Selection by Meleu, so I can play some systems with the proper controller.
      I've also made some custom loading screens like the SEGA Master System boot.

      IMG_20190317_212823.jpg

      IMG_20190317_212836.jpg
      BLOOOP, SE-GA!

      5- Next steps

      • add a function to the 'pause' button aswell (maybe 'quit emulator' or 'Retroarch's RGUI Menu' or 'pause'), I'll need help/advice with that! I'll need to connect it directly to the GPIO and install some commands? I don't know yet how it works...
      • maybe add 2 extra buttons somewhere (on the side, so I'll not break the design) with more functions.
      • install a on/off switch for the fan (cooling), on the back side (next to Ethernet conection)
      • some finishing on the back, add some stickers with 'HDMI', 'Ethernet', etc...
      • make the high-brightness LED opaque, it's a little too bright
      • ad a A/V Jack extension
      • add a SD card extension, making the SD card accessible on the cartridge lid or on the extension lid (on the back)
      • add a cartridge on the slot, with a custom 'Retropie' label :3
      • buy a couple of 8bitdo's M30s
      • build a controller mode with a 8bitdo Zero inside a broken SEGA Master System controller
      • make a box for it
      • take better photos (those photos suck!)
        I'm very happy with it! (sorry for horrible english)

      What do you guys think?

      cellyC 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 7
      • cellyC
        celly @y-ello
        last edited by

        @y-ello love this! I’m a big fan of the Master System (had one as a kid as well). Great build!

        Currently Playing: Tetris (Gameboy)

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • T
          tjohnson
          last edited by

          Nice, I like it.

          Is the extra plastic case inside the master system case needed? Does it boot straight into the splash screen so you don't get the raspberries beforehand?

          y-elloY 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
          • y-elloY
            y-ello @tjohnson
            last edited by y-ello

            @tjohnson The extra plastic case is not needed... I just need a holder for the fan and that was what I had at the time to solve that, I'll figure something else.
            Now I plan to replace the Raspberry Pi 3 for a Raspberry Pi 4, but Retropie is not compatible yet... and also gets too hot! So I think I'll wait for 1-2 years... who knows if they'll made a 'Raspberry Pi 4 B+' or something that doesn't gets that hot...

            It shows the Raspberries before the boot! I haven't tried to remove it yet! I didn't ever know that It was posible!

            I'm working on the build right now, adding a cartridge on the top, that will work as a cover to the SD and USB stick with roms, also I'm adding a switch on the back to turn the fan on/off.

            Sorry for taking too long to answer... I didn't get a mail!

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • C
              Chuck_B
              last edited by

              Very cool!
              You said you used a mausberry shutdown circuit, but looking the pics it's not very clear how you turn on the system. Can you post more detailed pics?

              y-elloY 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • y-elloY
                y-ello @Chuck_B
                last edited by y-ello

                @Chuck_B Thank you!
                About the Mausberry wiring, here it is:

                alt text

                But I've also cut the wire of the Power adapter, making something like this (I thought it would be much stronger with a DC Jack, which showed being a worthy mod).

                alt text

                There's a few things I want to do, but still don't know how or didn't had the time to do it:

                • adapt a SMS pad to USB with Raphnet's DB9 to USB conversion circuit, maybe adding a PAUSE button on it (because the circuit will have a unused contact if I adapt SMS pad, I don't know yet if that is posible).
                • make the PAUSE button on the console work with the joypad command START
                • adding 2 buttons (partially hidden, so it won't mess with the SMS console design): 1 for 'exit emulator' and another for 'RGUI'

                That's it... lots of work to do :)

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • C
                  Chuck_B
                  last edited by Chuck_B

                  thanks!
                  Where are located the reset button and the on/switch in the console? Can you show me?

                  y-elloY 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                  • ClydeC
                    Clyde
                    last edited by Clyde

                    Very nice! I always liked the design of the Sega Master System, much more than the JP & US versions of the Famicom/NES. The LEGO is a nice geeky way to fix things. 🤓

                    y-elloY 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                    • y-elloY
                      y-ello @Chuck_B
                      last edited by y-ello

                      @Chuck_B said in My SEGA Master System RetroPie build (in progress - almost done):

                      thanks!
                      Where are located the reset button and the on/switch in the console? Can you show me?

                      They're located in the SMS Power and Reset buttons:

                      Power switch - I've used a "Switch with a spring" (the same kind that the SMS uses).
                      alt text

                      Reset Button - I've used a push button and had to glue some LEGOs to it to get the right height, so it can work with the plastic button on the console.
                      alt text

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • y-elloY
                        y-ello @Clyde
                        last edited by

                        @Clyde said in My SEGA Master System RetroPie build (in progress - almost done):

                        Very nice! I always liked the design of the Sega Master System, much more than the JP & US versions of the Famicom/NES. The LEGO is a nice geeky way to fix things. 🤓

                        Thanks!
                        I love the SMS design too. The SG-1000II and the Mark III are beautiful too.
                        The LEGOs, super glue and hot glue did the job great!

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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