SMS
SMS is a Sega Master System emulator for Linux, written in Go and released under the MIT license.
What SMS is
SMS is a Sega Master System emulator for Linux, written in Go and released under the MIT license. It provides complete Zilog Z80 emulation and is described as concurrent. For graphics, it offers an SDL backend, a 2x scaler, and fullscreen support. The documented keyboard controls use the arrow keys for joypad directions, X for Fire 1, and Z for Fire 2. The project provides a Go installation command and an example that launches a Sega Master System ROM with `./sms`. SMS is free, with a plan listed as free, and its source code is publicly available on GitHub. Sound support and writing more tests are both listed as project to-dos, so those capabilities are not presented as finished features. Its listed focus is Sega Master System emulation, with the described graphics options and keyboard controls.
Good
- Free and open source under the MIT license
- Complete Zilog Z80 emulation
- SDL backend with 2x scaling
- Fullscreen support
- Documented keyboard controls
Watch out
- Sound support is listed as a todo
- Writing more tests is listed as a todo
- Listed platform is Linux
Who it suits
SMS suits Linux users looking for a free Sega Master System emulator who are comfortable installing and running Go software. Its listed keyboard controls and graphics options may fit players seeking a straightforward desktop setup.
Verdict
SMS provides core Sega Master System emulation with documented graphics options and keyboard controls. Sound support remains a stated to-do, which is important for anyone choosing an emulator for playing games.
Plans and prices
From SMS's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Free and open source | Free | MIT licensed · install and run with Go |
The facts
Each one read from SMS's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Concurrency
- The project lists concurrency as a feature.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Controls
- Arrow keys control joypad directions, X maps to Fire 1, and Z maps to Fire 2.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Display
- The project lists a 2x scaler and fullscreen support.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Emulation
- It provides complete Zilog Z80 emulation.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Graphics
- It has an SDL backend, a 2x scaler, and fullscreen support.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Graphics backend
- The project lists an SDL backend.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Input
- The README maps the arrow keys to joypad directions, X to Fire 1, and Z to Fire 2.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The quick-start instructions use `go get -v github.com/rafaelmdcarneiro/sms_go/` to install SMS.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Language
- SMS is written in Go.checked 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The repository describes SMS as free and open source under the MIT license.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Notable limitation
- The README lists sound support as a todo item.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Processor emulation
- The listed features include complete Zilog Z80 emulation.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Product
- SMS is a free and open-source Sega Master System emulator written in Go.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Project status
- The README lists writing more tests as a todo item.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- SMS is a Sega Master System emulator.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Run a game
- The quick-start example launches the `roms/Sonic The Hedgehog (USA, Europe).sms` file with `./sms`.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Sound
- The project lists sound support as a todo.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Source availability
- The repository is public on GitHub.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Testing
- The project lists writing more tests as a todo.checked 4 Oct 2026
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