Dega vs PicoDrive

Dega is an emulator for Sega Master System, Mark III, and Game Gear games. It runs on Windows and *NIX systems; its README names Windows 95, NT, 98, 2000, ME, and XP. The software is free for non-commercial use only, and the GitHub repository has no releases. Dega supports Python scripting for input, resets, movie playback and recording, and access to a running game's RAM. Python can be used as a module in another program or embedded in the emulator. The distribution includes memory.py, a Python memory viewer and trainer. Users can record a movie and continue recording later from a saved state. Windows provides save-state slots, and Dega also supports a gzip-compressed .dgz save-state format. Other features include loading ROMs from ZIP files, AVI encoding from movie files on *NIX, and Yamaha 2413 FM audio for machines equipped with that chip. It can also combine some games' flickering-glasses effect into a red-and-blue image for red/blue glasses. Technical information estimates compatibility at 97%.

PicoDrive is a freeware, open-source emulator for Sega 8-bit and 16-bit consoles through the 32X. It runs Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega/Mega CD, 32X, Sega Pico, SG-1000, SC-3000, Master System/Mark III, and Game Gear games, with save states. The emulator supports enhanced CD audio for compatible cartridge games in MSU, MD+/32X+ and Mode 1 formats loaded from CUE or CHD files. Sega Pico Storyware pages and pad overlays can be displayed from PNG files beside a cartridge image. Physical mice can emulate a Sega Mouse or Pico Pen, and keyboard support covers Sega Pico and SC-3000 devices, including a virtual overlay. SC-3000 cassette emulation accepts WAV and bitstream files and advances tapes when accessed. The project documents generic Unix-like and libretro builds. Release packages or ZIP archives are installed manually. Windows, Linux, and self-hosted use are listed. The PicoDrive plan costs nothing.