The Adapter Cartridge is an adapter that allows for the play of export 50-pin cartridges on a Sega Mark III or Japanese Master System console. It is the first such adapter of its kind known to exist and was distributed by Hiroshima Trading Co. Ltd, a Tokyo-based importer which sold Master System consoles in mainland China.[1] Little is known about this adapter, including information regarding its sale and distribution, though Beep! Megadrive magazine offered these adapters as part of a reader giveaway in 1992.[2] It is compatible with most export Master System games except for Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap, as the adapter ties the reset signal on the 50-pin connector to 5V on the Mark III end, preventing the game from booting. However, it does work out of the box with flash carts.
Internally, the Adapter Cartridge is of fairly simple construction with no active components and only consists of a right-angle 50-pin connector soldered into a small PCB. The connector has side flanges which are screwed into the adapter enclosure for rigidity. Two additional screws hold the enclosure halves together, which are normally covered up by the front label. Export Master System cartridges are inserted with the front facing forward.
Connection Pinout (Mark III End)
| Pin # | Description | Pin # | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | A0 | B1 | VCC |
| A2 | A1 | B2 | VCC |
| A3 | A2 | B3 | Unused |
| A4 | A3 | B4 | EXM1 |
| A5 | A4 | B5 | RD |
| A6 | A5 | B6 | WR |
| A7 | A6 | B7 | Unused |
| A8 | A7 | B8 | Unused |
| A9 | A8 | B9 | MREQ |
| A10 | A9 | B10 | CE4 |
| A11 | A10 | B11 | Unused |
| A12 | A11 | B12 | Unused |
| A13 | A12 | B13 | Unused |
| A14 | A13 | B14 | Unused |
| A15 | D0 | B15 | Unused |
| A16 | D1 | B16 | Unused |
| A17 | D2 | B17 | Unused |
| A18 | D3 | B18 | A14 |
| A19 | D4 | B19 | EXM2 |
| A20 | D5 | B20 | Unused |
| A21 | D6 | B21 | GND |
| A22 | D7 | B22 | GND |
PCB Scans
