PicoDrive vs SMS

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.

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.