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Head-to-head · Sega Master System Emulators

MasterGear vs Nexen

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score MasterGear #2 in Sega Master System Emulators 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit MasterGear
Nexen #7 in Sega Master System Emulators 8.0/10 Open source ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Nexen

MasterGear leads on 0 checks, Nexen on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMasterGear · 9.0/10
  • Free planonly MasterGear
  • Most featuresMasterGear · 3 of 5

MasterGear scores higher on our rubric for sega master system emulators: 9.0 against 8.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

MasterGear is the better fit for users prioritizing mature SMS features and NetPlay. Nexen is the better fit for TAS and multiplayer-focused desktop users.

  • MasterGear fits best

    Users prioritizing mature SMS features and NetPlay

  • Nexen fits best

    TAS and multiplayer-focused desktop users

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Side by side

Feature MasterGear 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Nexen 8.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.0
Ranking #2 in Sega Master System Emulators #7 in Sega Master System Emulators
Best for Users prioritizing mature SMS features and NetPlay TAS and multiplayer-focused desktop users
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free
Starting price — Open source
Free plan ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Mobile Desktop
Platforms Windows, Linux, Android Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Email, Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features MasterGear 3/5 · Nexen 1/5
Source available — Not checked yet
Built-in debugger ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Netplay support ✓ ✓
Cheat support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
BIOS required — Not checked yet
Specs
Supported platforms Windows, Linux, Android Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports Master System, Game Gear, SG1000, and related Sega systems
  • Includes built-in debugging, NetPlay, save states, and cheat tools
  • Offers configurable video options, FM sound, and serial EEPROM emulation
  • Rollback netplay supports multiplayer across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Frame-by-frame TAS editing includes undo/redo and greenzone support.
  • Timestamped save states, debugger tools, shaders, and recording add depth.
Cons
  • Android access is paid, while Windows and Linux versions are free
  • Does not include game ROMs
  • Not open source and has no AI features
  • It is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop computers.
  • Its broad system coverage may exceed the needs of SMS-only users.
  • Several additional systems remain under development.
Our verdict

MasterGear is an emulator for Sega Master System software and a broad group of related 8-bit systems, including Game Gear, SG1000, SC3000, SF7000, Mark II, and Mark III. It is aimed at players and preservation-focused users who provide…

Read the review →

Nexen is an open-source multi-system emulator for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It supports Sega Master System and Game Gear alongside NES, SNES, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, PC Engine, WonderSwan, and Atari Lynx. That makes it a fit for…

Read the review →
  1. MasterGearSega Master System Emulators 9.0Free plan
  2. NexenSega Master System Emulators 8.0Open source

Strengths and trade-offs

  • MasterGear — where it wins

    • Supports Master System, Game Gear, SG1000, and related Sega systems
    • Includes built-in debugging, NetPlay, save states, and cheat tools
    • Offers configurable video options, FM sound, and serial EEPROM emulation

    Where it doesn't

    • Android access is paid, while Windows and Linux versions are free
    • Does not include game ROMs
    • Not open source and has no AI features

  • Nexen — where it wins

    • Rollback netplay supports multiplayer across Windows, macOS, and Linux.
    • Frame-by-frame TAS editing includes undo/redo and greenzone support.
    • Timestamped save states, debugger tools, shaders, and recording add depth.

    Where it doesn't

    • It is limited to Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop computers.
    • Its broad system coverage may exceed the needs of SMS-only users.
    • Several additional systems remain under development.

More comparisons

All sega master system emulators comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update