OpenTube

This Master System II Mod Fixes What SEGA Got Wrong in 1990

Retro Tech Repair

3,541 views

Bring your Sega Master System II back to life with a complete RGB video upgrade and power mod! This video walks through the full process of transforming the Master System II’s weak RF output into a sharp, clean RGB signal while also improving the system’s power regulation for long-term reliability.

Whether you’re restoring old hardware, modding retro consoles, or just trying to get the best picture quality possible, this upgrade makes a huge difference.

🔧 In This Video:

Installing the Master System II RGB mod
Power regulation fix / clean installation
Disassembly & prep
Before / after picture quality
… and I’m also trying out a new thermal camera that was gifted to me for an honest review. It’s a bit of a mixed episode, but there’s plenty of modding, troubleshooting, and heat-map fun along the way

🎮 Why This Mod Matters:

The Master System II only outputs RF by default — which looks terrible on HDTVs.
The RGB mod delivers sharp, colourful, noise-free video, while the power mod improves stability and extends the life of the console.

🔥 Black Friday Deal
Check out the thermal camera here:
👉 https://thermalmaster.com/RETROTECHRE...
💸 Discount code: THERMALBFRI

Warning: I am an amateur attempting repairs. In these videos I try to fix or work on junk that I usually buy on eBay. This is NOT a how-to video. The processes in the video may not be the best way, the correct way or even safe. Please do not copy anything shown in this video. If you do so it is entirely at your own risk.

THIS VIDEO IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.
DO NOT CONSIDER ANY PART OF THIS VIDEO INSTRUCTION

#Sega
#Thermal Master P3
#Retro Tech
#Retro Gaming

9 Comments

@ArcadeComputing 10 months ago

Hyped! Great video, really felt for you after struggling to solder the wires on the wrong chip. Thanks for the content as usual!

@CTCTraining1 10 months ago

Great job … those ground planes can be a pain. Sometimes it helps to preheat the area with hot air before trying to solder, taking care of any plastic in the zone. Keep up the great work 😀👍

@JamesEdwardMalcolm 3 months ago

Thanks for this video - I just recovered my old Sega Master System II from my parents' attic, and I've been torn over whether I should sell it on. This is a bit of inspiration to keep it and try some modding. And hey, if I ruin it, at least it died at the hands of its original owner.

@pwilson3698 8 months ago

Good subjects for your videos and you have a great voice to listen to. One thing I would prefer is more close up work- much of the time I feel as if I'm trying to watch from quite a distance away.

@LarkGood 6 months ago

Compared with Flir one pro, Seek compact and Topdon Tc001, finally choosed ThermalMaster P3, the adjustable focus lens is brilliant in PCB detecting, I can see the 0.25mm resistance really clearly

@flatduckrecords 10 months ago

Nice work! It was great to meet you at the Retro Computer Fest last weekend, thanks for taking the time to chat! Your video has just reminded me I have a hand-me-down MS II in need of repair. Time to fire up the soldering iron and see what’s wrong. 😁

@frankurmom8741 10 months ago

Might wanna consider some preheating with hot air. That will let you keep the iron lower and make your life easier

@Shundi12 10 months ago

Probably worth carrying out a 60hz mod as well with that machine. Have done the RGB and 60hz mod on mine and it's great seeing it run at the proper speed and fullscreen as well.

@ghost-retro3733 10 months ago

I had one of those when I was around 23, got it for free as it was suppose to be faulty (it was just the PSU). They where old even then (just like me). I used to use a spectrum PSU and that worked ok. I honesty don't remember what happened to it, as I don't have it now. Mine had Alex Kid (or something like that) built in. Anyway thanks for the Video.