Freedom251 › Game Gear Emulators
pico-smsplus
What pico-smsplus is
pico-smsplus is a GPL-3.0 open-source emulator for Sega Master System, Game Gear, and SG-1000 games on RP2040- and RP2350-based boards. It outputs video and sound over HDMI, with HDMI or DVI display modes on supported hardware. Games are read from FAT32 or exFAT SD cards, using .sms, .gg, and .sg files; the menu can organize ROMs in directories. Save states and SD-card battery-backed saves are supported for compatible games. Controllers include USB XInput, DualShock 4, and DualSense models, with selected NES and Wii Classic controllers supported in some configurations. Two-player games require two NES controllers or one USB controller paired with one NES controller; two USB controllers are not supported. USB drive mode exposes the SD card to a connected computer. Optional metadata adds box art, game details, and themed borders. Supported boards include Raspberry Pi Pico variants and several Adafruit, Waveshare, Pimoroni, and Murmulator models.
Who it suits
It suits makers using supported Raspberry Pi, Adafruit, Waveshare, Pimoroni, or Murmulator boards who want to play compatible classic-console games. Users should be comfortable loading firmware and games onto SD cards.
What it does well
- Supports three Sega console families
- Provides HDMI or DVI output
- Includes save states
- Supports USB and selected NES controllers
- USB mode manages the SD card
What to know first
- Two USB controllers are not supported
- Some games may run slowly or not at all
- Requires compatible RP2040 or RP2350 hardware
- Games must be loaded from an SD card
Verdict
pico-smsplus provides multi-system emulation with SD-card storage, saves, HDMI output, and broad controller support on listed microcontroller boards. Controller restrictions and possible performance problems on original RP2040 hardware are important limits.
Facts from pico-smsplus's own pages
- Additional feature
- On RP2350 boards, the menu can play stereo 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files from the SD card. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Additional playback
- On RP2350 boards, the menu can play stereo 16-bit 44.1 kHz WAV files. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Board support
- The project lists Raspberry Pi Pico and Pico 2 boards, Adafruit Feather RP2040 DVI, Adafruit Fruit Jam and Metro RP2350, and several Waveshare and Pimoroni boards. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Controllers
- It supports USB controllers including DualShock 4, DualSense, and XInput controllers, as well as NES controllers in some configurations. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Controller support
- It supports USB XInput controllers, Sony DualShock 4 and DualSense controllers, and certain NES and Wii Classic controllers, depending on the configuration. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Download
- The README directs users to GitHub Releases for board-specific firmware binaries. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Game library
- Games are loaded from FAT32 or exFAT SD cards, and the menu supports organizing ROMs in directories. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Game storage
- It reads .sms, .gg and .sg game files from a FAT32 or exFAT SD card and provides a menu for selecting them. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Netherlands · github.com, 28 Sept 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as GPL-3.0 licensed. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The repository credits Frank Hoedemakers with the Pico port, menu, settings screen and board support. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Metadata
- An optional metadata pack provides box art, game information, and themed borders or bezels for many supported games. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Performance limit
- The README says some games may not run at full speed or at all on the original Pico/RP2040. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- pico-smsplus is an emulator for Sega Master System, Game Gear, and SG-1000 games on RP2040/RP2350-based microcontroller boards. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Save features
- The emulator supports save states and SD-card battery-backed saves for games that support them. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Save support
- It supports save states and stores battery-backed game saves on the SD card for games that support them. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- SD card access
- Its USB drive mode lets a connected computer access the SD card so games can be added or removed without taking the card out. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Two-player limit
- Two-player games require two NES controllers or one USB controller plus one NES controller; two USB controllers are not supported. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- USB drive mode
- The settings menu can expose the SD card to a connected computer as a USB mass-storage drive for adding or removing games. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Video and sound
- It outputs video and sound over HDMI, with HDMI or DVI display mode available on supported boards. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where pico-smsplus stands on Freedom251
- Game Gear Emulators#30 of 31