SG-1000 and Mark III issues

[Breetai]

I also posted this same thing over at DP(link), but I'm hoping that I'll get a bit more information here. Honestly, I'm kind of hoping that our friend Yakumo will chime in.

Just wondering if anyone here can help with my latest problem.

I recently picked up a Mark III and an SG-1000. Bare systems. No controllers (other than the joystick attached to the SG-1000), no AC adapter, no video hookups... nothing. Just the consoles. I have two main issues:

1. The video and audio on the Mark III works fine through the AV connection, but not with the RF. Likewise for the SG-1000, I can't get the RF to work. The only RF switch I have is a Nintendo brand automatic RF switch that I've been using with my Famicom and white PC Engine. So far, I've been told that I need to use a manual RF switch. The automatic ones will not work. Is that correct?

2. As I have no controllers for the Mark III, I've been trying to use Mega Drive(Genesis) controllers. I figured they work on a Master System, so why not a Mark III? Well, they don't really work well. The 'A' button and the 'start' button are functioning as the fire buttons, which isn't a big issue, but the d-pad is a no go. The up and down functions work on it, but left and right do not. My only two Mark III/Master System games are Afterburner and Space Harrier. The plane on Afterburner always leans left, but move up and down, and Mr. Space Harrier only goes up and down. Seems I need to hunt down some authentic Mark III controllers. Is that correct? How about the Mark II controllers? Are those the same as the Mark III? Would they work? Do Master System controllers work on the Mark III? Why are Master Systems so difficult to find for cheap in Japan? Will I ever stop asking short questions like this?

Thanks for any help. If anyone here has helped me over on the other site, then double thanks!

[Midwinter]

1. Yes, I think you do have to use a manual RF Switch. You might be able to find one at a ghetto Radio Shack (if you have those nearbye in Tokyo - assuming you don't) or some garage sale (do they have garage sales in Japan?). The Nintendo AUTO switch won't work.

Let me research your second question more in depth. When I get home from work tonight I will pull out my controllers and try them myself.

I also posted this same thing over at DP(link), but I'm hoping that I'll get a bit more information here. Honestly, I'm kind of hoping that our friend Yakumo will chime in.

Just wondering if anyone here can help with my latest problem.

I recently picked up a Mark III and an SG-1000. Bare systems. No controllers (other than the joystick attached to the SG-1000), no AC adapter, no video hookups... nothing. Just the consoles. I have two main issues:

1. The video and audio on the Mark III works fine through the AV connection, but not with the RF. Likewise for the SG-1000, I can't get the RF to work. The only RF switch I have is a Nintendo brand automatic RF switch that I've been using with my Famicom and white PC Engine. So far, I've been told that I need to use a manual RF switch. The automatic ones will not work. Is that correct?

2. As I have no controllers for the Mark III, I've been trying to use Mega Drive(Genesis) controllers. I figured they work on a Master System, so why not a Mark III? Well, they don't really work well. The 'A' button and the 'start' button are functioning as the fire buttons, which isn't a big issue, but the d-pad is a no go. The up and down functions work on it, but left and right do not. My only two Mark III/Master System games are Afterburner and Space Harrier. The plane on Afterburner always leans left, but move up and down, and Mr. Space Harrier only goes up and down. Seems I need to hunt down some authentic Mark III controllers. Is that correct? How about the Mark II controllers? Are those the same as the Mark III? Would they work? Do Master System controllers work on the Mark III? Why are Master Systems so difficult to find for cheap in Japan? Will I ever stop asking short questions like this?

Thanks for any help. If anyone here has helped me over on the other site, then double thanks!

[Breetai]

1. Yes, I think you do have to use a manual RF Switch. You might be able to find one at a ghetto Radio Shack (if you have those nearbye in Tokyo - assuming you don't) or some garage sale (do they have garage sales in Japan?). The Nintendo AUTO switch won't work.

No Radio Shack and no garage sales here in Tokyo. Instead of Radio Shack, we have a little electronics district called by the name of "Akihabara." The problem is... it's not little! I'll do a search there eventually. Instead of garage sales or boot sales, people sell there stuff to second hand shops called "recycle shops." Hard-Off is a great chain to get this stuff from! Problem is the ones closest to me don't have any manual RF switches that I could find.

Let me research your second question more in depth. When I get home from work tonight I will pull out my controllers and try them myself.

You've got a Mark III? Awesome!!! That's exactly the help I was looking for! I know I can't really do much to thank you, but it really is appreciated!

[Midwinter]

I think I might have an extra manual RF switch. I know I use one for my Atari 2600 and a few other consoles. I would give you my Mark III switch, but the system is still packed in the box (from what I can gather it is NIB) so I would like to keep it that way.

If I have an extra one when I dig through my stuff then I will let you know and see if you need me to send it to you.

[Calpis]

http://assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22969

[Breetai]

http://assemblergames.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22969

Well, that does help a bit. I did a manual search for this stuff in the Sega general sub-forum. Who'd have thought to look in the general gaming sub-forum? :P

Looks like I really will need some specific Mark III pads... unless the Mark II pads also work?

[Midwinter]

Breetai,

I think the RF Switch that came with my Mark III is just a standard switch. I only have two of these that I use. One for my Atari 2600 and one for my Mark III.

I do have a switch that came with my Sega Master System (USA). I will try that switch and see if it works on my Mark III. I don't use that switch at all because I hook up my SMS through composite. If it works I can contact you if you need it.

[Breetai]

Breetai,

I think the RF Switch that came with my Mark III is just a standard switch. I only have two of these that I use. One for my Atari 2600 and one for my Mark III.

I do have a switch that came with my Sega Master System (USA). I will try that switch and see if it works on my Mark III. I don't use that switch at all because I hook up my SMS through composite. If it works I can contact you if you need it.

Oh, thanks for checking.

Are you in the Tokyo area, or elsewhere?

[Midwinter]

Oh, thanks for checking.

Are you in the Tokyo area, or elsewhere?

I would have to ship it to you. I live in USA.

[Breetai]

I would have to ship it to you. I live in USA.

Don't worry too much then. There are a ton of places around Tokyo that sell old used electronic stuff. It just involves some searching. As long as I know what I need to get, I should be fine. Could be tough to find, but I'm sure I'll get things working eventually.

Thanks, though!

[Breetai]

I found a Sega brand manual RF switch (model number SS-60) at my local used electronics shop (Hard-Off) for 500yen. Looks the same as an old Atari or TI-94/A RF switch, so thanks a lot guys! Works like a charm on the SG-1000. Doesn't work on the Mark III for some reason. Maybe the RF connection in the Mark III is dead? Oh well, it has AV so I'm happy.

Still hunting for some controllers for the Mark III. Twin Famicom controllers definitely don't work, as I tried that yesterday. :P

[Midwinter]

I found a Sega brand manual RF switch (model number SS-60) at my local used electronics shop (Hard-Off) for 500yen. Looks the same as an old Atari or TI-94/A RF switch, so thanks a lot guys! Works like a charm on the SG-1000. Doesn't work on the Mark III for some reason. Maybe the RF connection in the Mark III is dead? Oh well, it has AV so I'm happy.

Still hunting for some controllers for the Mark III. Twin Famicom controllers definitely don't work, as I tried that yesterday. :P

The Mark III should be able to use that RF switch as far as I know. Strange.

You might be able to get some Atari controllers to work on the Mark III, but would you really want to? No. I'm not even sure how common those controllers would be in Japan any way. I would definitely hold out until you can find some official Mark III controllers. They look so great nestled in to the console on the sides.

[Breetai]

The Mark III should be able to use that RF switch as far as I know. Strange.

That's why I'm really wondering if the RF box on the motherboard is toast.

You might be able to get some Atari controllers to work on the Mark III, but would you really want to? No. I'm not even sure how common those controllers would be in Japan any way.

Definitely not common. Extremely uncommon. Probably a 7 or 8 on the rarity scale. Actually, I don't know how rare they are but they are indeed rare. An Atari 2600 (I think it's called the 2800 here...) runs around $200 right now. Compare that to... what, $10 or $20 on your side of the Pacific?

I would definitely hold out until you can find some official Mark III controllers. They look so great nestled in to the console on the sides.

Yeah, I'd definitely like to find some as well. I wonder if the Mark II ones are any different? I can find them online on some Japanese shopping sites, but Mark III pads seem completely absent. Still, I'm sure they'll turn up eventually.

I guess I'm lucky that my SG-1000 had a joystick attached! I really expect to find a loose controller for that thing. Then again, you never know. The only reason I bought the SG-1000 was bragging rights. :thumbsup: It's a useless system. I've read that it's "rare", but I found it in a discount bin for the equivalent for $5 along with a couple of Mark IIIs for the same price (one came home with me). Yet, I never come across them. I wonder what they're actually worth?

[Breetai]

Also posted on the DP forums:

Well, after about 2 months, I FINALLY found a controller to work with my Mark III. I ended up getting a Hori SG pad that works with my SG-1000 and Mark III (and I'd assume with a Master System as well). It is unopened complete in box, which in kind of cool (2000yen)... although I'd still like to get some original Sega pads eventually. At any rate, I'm pretty happy that I can use my Mark III now. Thanks to all who posted for their help. Hopefully this thread can help someone in the future with a similar problem.