Polymega Adds Master System, Game Gear and SG-1000 Carts With New CA03 Adapter Set

Sega’s 8-bit machines are finally coming to the Polymega. Playmaji has opened pre-orders for the CA03 Mega Cartridge Adapter Set, four plug-in adapters that let the modular console play original Master System, Game Gear, Mark III, Sega Card, SG-1000 and SC-3000 cartridges.

How it works

If you are new to the Polymega, it is a modular retro console. The base unit plays original game discs from its built-in drive (PlayStation, Saturn, Mega CD, PC Engine CD, Neo Geo CD and more), and you add Element Modules to play cartridges from each system.

The CA03 adapters sit on top of the EM03 Mega Element Module, the Mega Drive, Genesis and 32X module, and you need that module for them to work. It is sold separately. According to Polymega’s product page, the set includes four adapters:

• GG: Game Gear, including PAL and Japanese carts.
• SMS: Master System, including PAL.
• CARD: Sega Card and MyCard.
• MKIII / SG1K / SC3K: Mark III, SG-1000 and SC-3000.

That last one is the exciting bit for collectors. The SG-1000 and SC-3000 were Sega’s earliest home machines, and real hardware for them is getting pricey.

Price and release

Polymega lists the set at around 76 pounds, and Retro Dodo reports a US price of $99. It is a pre-order, with shipping due to start in February 2027. Polymega says the adapters are only for the EM03 module and will not work with other systems or modules.

Our take

Master System support has been the obvious gap in the Polymega’s Sega line-up for years, and the Game Gear adapter means you can finally play your old handheld carts on the big telly. The catch, as ever with Polymega, is that it adds up: base unit, the EM03 module and now this. Retro Dodo also notes the console itself has been hard to buy, with batches selling out quickly. For more FPGA and retro hardware, see our hardware news.

Have you got a box of Master System carts waiting for this? Tell us which one goes in first.