SEGA PART #171-5365-01

1 Megabit PCBs - Date 1986

These PCBs are very interesting because they are 1 Megabit PCB's very much like the other 1 Megabit PCB's used for the Master System.  What sets these apart are their 315-5208 memory controllers.  Normally, the ROM contains the memory control circuit inside it.  Without it, the Master System can only access 64K of ROM.  Since the ROMs in this list are 128K, it needs this circuit to access the rest of the ROM.  If it is not built into the ROM itself, the game will contain this separate controller chip.  This approach doesn't seem to be very common.  Each ROM has 28 PINs, and the serial number is located on the back of the PCB on the right-hand side.

A note to collectors:
Because most of the ROMs have the memory controller built into it, this serves as a copy-protection.  If the ROM were copied onto an EEPROM and placed onto a board, it would not play since it's missing the critical memory controller circuit.  If an EEPROM were used in conjunction with the 315-5208 memory controller, it will work since this memory controller is not stored on the EEPROM.  Be careful when purchasing rare titles, as a fake can be easily produced.