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vibe-sms

vibe-sms is a free Sega 8-bit emulator written in Rust for Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, and SC-3000 games.

Place
#20 of 25
Score
5.4
vibe-sms's website

What vibe-sms is

vibe-sms is a free Sega 8-bit emulator written in Rust for Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000, and SC-3000 games. It supports Mode 4 graphics for Master System and Game Gear, and TMS9918A modes for SG-1000 and SC-3000. Audio support includes SN76489 PSG, YM2413 FM synthesis, and Game Gear stereo output. Players can remap keyboard bindings, use gamepads, control a Light Phaser with a mouse, and play with two players. The emulator provides nine save-state slots, with F7 for saving and F5 for loading. Battery-backed SRAM saves sit beside the ROM as .sav files; compatible cartridges can use .eep EEPROM files. It identifies systems from .sms, .gg, .sg, or .sc ROM extensions. Downloads are listed for Linux x86_64, Windows x86_64, macOS Intel, and macOS Apple Silicon. Linux has an egui menu-bar fallback described as Wayland-compatible. The README lists Linux build dependencies and says Windows and macOS need no extra dependencies. Its stated license status is “TODO: add license.”

Good

  • Supports four Sega systems.
  • Offers nine save-state slots.
  • Supports remappable keyboard bindings and gamepads.
  • Includes mouse-controlled Light Phaser support.
  • Downloads cover Linux, Windows, and macOS.

Watch out

  • README lists no completed license.
  • Linux builds have listed dependencies.

Who it suits

vibe-sms may suit players who want to run games for the four listed Sega systems on Linux, macOS, or Windows. Its remappable controls, save states, and two-player support may also fit users who want those options.

Verdict

vibe-sms covers four Sega 8-bit systems and includes several control and save options. The README’s license entry remains unfinished, so consider that before using or distributing it.

The facts

Each one read from vibe-sms's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Audio
Audio features include SN76489 PSG, YM2413 FM synthesis and Game Gear stereo output.checked 4 Oct 2026
Battery saves
SRAM battery saves are written beside the ROM as .sav files, and compatible cartridges can use .eep EEPROM files.checked 4 Oct 2026
Build requirements
The README lists Linux build dependencies and says Windows and macOS require no extra dependencies.checked 4 Oct 2026
Cartridge saves
Battery-backed SRAM is saved beside the ROM in a .sav file, and compatible cartridges can use EEPROM saved in a .eep file.checked 4 Oct 2026
Controls
It supports remappable keyboard bindings, gamepads, a mouse-controlled Light Phaser and two players.checked 4 Oct 2026
Creator
The README says the project was created using Google Antigravity powered by Gemini.checked 4 Oct 2026
Distribution
Release binaries are attached automatically when a tag is pushed, according to the repository README.checked 4 Oct 2026
Downloads
Prebuilt downloads are listed for Linux x86_64, Windows x86_64, macOS Intel and macOS Apple Silicon.checked 4 Oct 2026
Integration
The README describes native gamepad support via gilrs and audio output via cpal.checked 4 Oct 2026
License
The README says “TODO: add license.”checked 4 Oct 2026
Product
vibe-sms is a Sega 8-bit emulator written in Rust for Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000 and SC-3000.checked 4 Oct 2026
ROM formats
The emulator detects the system from the ROM extension: .sms, .gg, .sg or .sc.checked 4 Oct 2026
Save states
It provides nine save-state slots, with F7 to save and F5 to load.checked 4 Oct 2026
Video
It supports Mode 4 graphics for Master System and Game Gear, plus TMS9918A modes for SG-1000 and SC-3000.checked 4 Oct 2026
What it does
vibe-sms is a Sega 8-bit emulator written in Rust for Master System, Game Gear, SG-1000 and SC-3000.checked 4 Oct 2026

Where it runs

Linux interface
Linux uses an egui menu bar fallback described as Wayland-compatible.checked 4 Oct 2026

The company

Maker attribution
The README says the project was created using Google Antigravity powered by Gemini.checked 4 Oct 2026

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