Genesis Plus GX vs SMS

Genesis Plus GX is a free, open-source emulator for Sega's 8-bit and 16-bit systems, including SG-1000, Mark-III, Master System, Game Gear, Genesis/Mega Drive, and Sega/Mega CD. It supports backward-compatibility modes and describes its CPU, video, and sound emulation as highly accurate, with cycle-accurate CPU and sound synchronization. The emulator reads raw and interleaved ROMs, as well as CUE+BIN, ISO+WAV, and ISO+OGG CD images. Emulated peripherals include 2-, 3-, and 6-button pads, multitaps, the Sega Mouse, and light guns; supported cartridge hardware includes SVP DSP, EEPROMs, Game Genie, Action Replay, and Lock-On. Standalone builds are available for GameCube and Wii, and the project lists access through frontends such as RetroArch, BizHawk, and OpenEmu. It describes compatibility with released software for its supported systems, while noting that it cannot test every game from start to finish. Some Master System games depend on particular hardware or VDP modes. The multi-platform core source is under a non-commercial license.

SMS is a free, open-source Sega Master System emulator written in Go for Linux. Its source repository is public on GitHub and described as MIT licensed. The emulator provides complete Zilog Z80 emulation and is described as concurrent. Graphics use an SDL backend with a 2x scaler and fullscreen support. Keyboard controls map the arrow keys to joypad directions, X to Fire 1, and Z to Fire 2. The README documents a Go installation command and shows launching an SMS ROM with the supplied executable. Sound support is listed as a project todo, and writing more tests is also listed as a todo. The stated free and open-source plan costs nothing. The project is focused on Sega Master System emulation, with the listed display and keyboard controls defining its documented user-facing operation.