The Sega Game Gear is a handheld video game console based on the Sega Master System Hardware. It has full-color backlit screen and is superior to the Game Boy across the board in terms of specs.
Comparing the libraries of these competing handhelds though, it is pretty clear that the Game Boy wins. While the hardware is impressive, its size and battery life are often cited as its weaknesses, nevertheless, great games were released on this platform.
Here are the top emulators to relive the Game Gear games of the past.
1. Genesis Plus GX
Genesis Plus GX is an all-in-one emulation solution for Sega fans. This emulator emulates Sega systems on the GameCube and Wii namely the Sega SG-100, Genesis / Mega Drive and its add-on, the Sega CD, and of course, the Master System and the Sega Game Gear. Retroarch has Genesis Plus GX as a core, hence, you can technically use this emulator outside the Wii and GameCube.
The Genesis Plus GX claims to run all commercial games for the Master System and in effect, the Sega Game Gear. This indicates that all of the games have been verified to operate without any graphical glitches or lock-ups at any point in emulating Sega Genesis / Mega Drive. However, this should be taken with a grain of salt since the developers could not possibly verify each and every game to have bug-free and accurate emulation.
GameCube / Wii features include perfect audio/video/input synchronization, hardware bilinear filtering, multiplayer support, high-resolution interlaced and progressive video modes support, internal game screenshots, and support for Wii controller hardware like Wii Remote, Nunchuk, and Classic.
Pros
- 100% compatibility
- Extremely accurate
Cons
- Standalone plays on the Wii and GameCube only
- Feature set is anemic
2. MAME
MAME is a multi-system emulator just like Genesis Plus GX. It can emulate a wide variety number of systems, from arcade cabinets like the Neo Geo Multi Video System to handheld video game consoles like the Sega Game Gear. While the former still has problems in terms of speed or accuracy of emulation, the latter certainly runs perfectly in most hardware and software combinations.
Many people won’t like MAME’s UI because it’s archaic. There are other alternatives like Retroarch since MAME is one of its emulation cores. MAME is a herculean effort for video game conservation and while at it, provides mostly accurate emulation.
Pros
- Accurate
- In (very) active development
- Fast
Cons
- No standalone port for ARM / mobile devices
Download from the Official Website (All Platforms)
3. ares
ares is a multi-system emulator. It is the continuation of the well-loved but deceased emulators, higan and bsnes. It is only available as a standalone emulator for Windows, Linux, and macOS hardware. Unfortunately, it does not have a core for Retroarch because although it is open-source, it has specific licensing characteristics that prevent it from getting forks. Players could have used this emulator in non-x86 systems through Retroarch just like Genesis Plus GX if such is not the case.
Pros
- Accurate
- Well-maintained and actively developed
Cons
- Available only in a desktop environment
Download from GitHub (All Platforms)
4. MasterEMU
MasterEmu is a Sega Game Gear emulator for Android. This emulator started as an emulator written in Java for the PC but was later on rewritten in C for Android hardware. Basic features include loading ROMS from ZIP files, save states, and controller/keyboard/touchscreen support. It also works with games that use the non-standard Codemasters mapper chip.
Pros
- Accurate
- Well-maintained and actively developed
Cons
- Android only
5. Retroarch
Retroarch is a multi-platform front-end application, not an emulator in and of itself. It is a fast and lightweight front-end that can run on any hardware. What makes Retroarch so fantastic is that even if the standalone emulator is no longer being maintained, there may be a core out there that is still being developed, as with Genesis Plus GX and PicoDrive.
Retroarch’s major feature is its ability to reduce input lag. This is especially important in Sega Game Gear games like the twitchy Sonic the Hedgehog or platformers like Prince of Persia that require precise controls. Depending on the game, you can experiment with the VSync, Hard GPU sync, and Runahead options.
Pros
- Highly configurable
- Miraculous input lag reduction
- Available in a surprisingly broad range of gaming hardware including the PSP and the 3DS
Cons
- Not beginner friendly
- Menu digging
Download from the Official Website (All Platforms)
6. PicoDrive
The inclusion of PicoDrive in this list is due to its ability to run on ancient hardware. It is one of the few emulators that run flawlessly on old gaming hardware like the PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, the Wii, the Wii U, and the 3DS. It is not advised though to use this emulator for Game Gear because there are better options and often is broken.
PicoDrive is designed to work on old hardware, such as the retro consoles mentioned above. As a result, emulating Sega Genesis / Mega Drive / Game Gear games is less accurate than with other emulators on this list. PicoDrive has its usefulness, although it is not the best at emulating the Sega Mega Drive / Genesis. This emulator works well when emulating rare Sega devices such as the Sega 32X and the Sega Pico.
Pros
- Runs on ancient hardware
Cons
- Not in active development as a standalone emulator
- Sacrifices speed for accuracy
Download from the Official Website (All Platforms)
7. Virtual Console
The Virtual Console is Nintendo’s answer for retro game support on their hardware. It enables gamers to buy and emulate games from older systems, even if they are not Nintendo hardware, on their existing hardware. In comparison to unofficial emulators, the Virtual Console emulator is fairly primitive; nevertheless, the 3DS version includes save states and screenshot capabilities. Also, be aware that the 3DS and WiiU digital shops will close on March 27, 2023, removing the opportunity to purchase Virtual Console Sega Game Gear games. While there is Virtual Console on the Switch, there are no Game Gear games for sale.
Pros
- Officially supported on Nintendo hardware
- Free of accuracy issues
Cons
- Barebones
- Soon to be dead on the 3DS
