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Hi,

I bought lately a SMS2 and I quiet like its plastic case form even if I know it's a cheaper version of the SMS without some capabiliies.
Beside these, what about the internal components? Are they improved in some ways (like power comsuption or IC versions) compared to the SMS1? I never liked the SMS2 back in its days but I'll say nowdays I like its design.
And what about its bios? I've seen it's different from the SMS1 v1.3 version, no animated text on this. What is changed?
Thank

Most SMS2 have an enhanced video chip with a bug fix for double size sprites (the SMS1 only doubles four per scanline) and extended height video modes (used by some Codemasters games).

In fact, I believe all SMS2s have the enhanced VDP. It can also be found in some SMS1s, such as the PAL VA3 revision.

Compared to most SMS1s, PAL VA3 also has a later version of the I/O controller, more commonly found in the SMS2. In this case, however, some SMS2s do still contain the earlier version, for example M4Jr. VA1.

For more information, see SMS1/SMS2 VDPs and SMS I/O Controller Chips.

RetroSpark wrote

In fact, I believe all SMS2s have the enhanced VDP. It can also be found in some SMS1s, such as the PAL VA3 revision.

Compared to most SMS1s, PAL VA3 also has a later version of the I/O controller, more commonly found in the SMS2. In this case, however, the earlier version is found in some SMS2s, including M4Jr. VA1.

For more information, see SMS1/SMS2 VDPs and SMS I/O Controller Chips.

Thank you and Maxim; it's interesting after all it wasn't just a cheaper version. I am using the SMS2 lately with the newer RF switch of the MD2 on a LCD TV and it's not much different from the composite if you are far enough from the screen.
Are there any differences using the newer I/O chips?

386DX wrote

And what about its bios? I've seen it's different from the SMS1 v1.3 version, no animated text on this. What is changed?

BIOS differences are documented on this page.

Maxim wrote

Most SMS2 have an enhanced video chip with a bug fix for double size sprites (the SMS1 only doubles four per scanline) and extended height video modes (used by some Codemasters games).

So there are some games which won't run properly on a SMS1?

Yeah, Micro Machines and Cosmic Spacehead.

Also, The Excellent Dizzy Collection and Fantastic Dizzy. See Extra-Height.

Excellent Dizzy Collection was never released for Master System, but I had indeed forgotten Fantastic Dizzy.

Author	Message
386DX Joined: 13 Jun 2017 Posts: 96	SMS1 vs SMS2 Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 4:55 pm
386DX Joined: 13 Jun 2017 Posts: 96	Hi, I bought lately a SMS2 and I quiet like its plastic case form even if I know it's a cheaper version of the SMS without some capabiliies. Beside these, what about the internal components? Are they improved in some ways (like power comsuption or IC versions) compared to the SMS1? I never liked the SMS2 back in its days but I'll say nowdays I like its design. And what about its bios? I've seen it's different from the SMS1 v1.3 version, no animated text on this. What is changed? Thank

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14726 Location: London	Posted: Thu Nov 23, 2017 8:02 pm
	Most SMS2 have an enhanced video chip with a bug fix for double size sprites (the SMS1 only doubles four per scanline) and extended height video modes (used by some Codemasters games).

RetroSpark Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 488 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 12:37 am Last edited by RetroSpark on Mon Nov 27, 2017 1:59 pm; edited 1 time in total
	In fact, I believe all SMS2s have the enhanced VDP. It can also be found in some SMS1s, such as the PAL VA3 revision. Compared to most SMS1s, PAL VA3 also has a later version of the I/O controller, more commonly found in the SMS2. In this case, however, some SMS2s do still contain the earlier version, for example M4Jr. VA1. For more information, see SMS1/SMS2 VDPs and SMS I/O Controller Chips.

386DX Joined: 13 Jun 2017 Posts: 96	Posted: Fri Nov 24, 2017 8:10 am
386DX Joined: 13 Jun 2017 Posts: 96	RetroSpark wrote In fact, I believe all SMS2s have the enhanced VDP. It can also be found in some SMS1s, such as the PAL VA3 revision. Compared to most SMS1s, PAL VA3 also has a later version of the I/O controller, more commonly found in the SMS2. In this case, however, the earlier version is found in some SMS2s, including M4Jr. VA1. For more information, see SMS1/SMS2 VDPs and SMS I/O Controller Chips. Thank you and Maxim; it's interesting after all it wasn't just a cheaper version. I am using the SMS2 lately with the newer RF switch of the MD2 on a LCD TV and it's not much different from the composite if you are far enough from the screen. Are there any differences using the newer I/O chips?

RetroSpark Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 488 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2017 2:04 pm
	386DX wrote And what about its bios? I've seen it's different from the SMS1 v1.3 version, no animated text on this. What is changed? BIOS differences are documented on this page.

Knaeckebrot Joined: 03 Aug 2017 Posts: 61 Location: Munich	Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 9:34 pm
	Maxim wrote Most SMS2 have an enhanced video chip with a bug fix for double size sprites (the SMS1 only doubles four per scanline) and extended height video modes (used by some Codemasters games). So there are some games which won't run properly on a SMS1?

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14726 Location: London	Posted: Tue Nov 28, 2017 10:19 pm
	Yeah, Micro Machines and Cosmic Spacehead.

RetroSpark Joined: 08 Dec 2005 Posts: 488 Location: Melbourne, Australia	Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 1:09 am
	Also, The Excellent Dizzy Collection and Fantastic Dizzy. See Extra-Height.

Maxim Site Admin Joined: 19 Oct 1999 Posts: 14726 Location: London	Posted: Wed Nov 29, 2017 7:43 am
	Excellent Dizzy Collection was never released for Master System, but I had indeed forgotten Fantastic Dizzy.

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