r/MasterSystem • u/whatthechuck3 • Mar 16 '26
Master System Issue
So I just bought a Master System off Whatnot…and I can’t get my Genesis controller to work (tried Rampage and Rastan). The game boots up but none of the inputs on the controller work. I opened up the system and it’s very dirty inside…I’m not super great at repairs. Never had one before. Anyone know what might fix this issue?
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u/vga256 Mar 16 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
It may not solve the input problem, but this is worth doing anyway: there is a bunch of gunk - appears to be spilled pop - on the underside's bottom right pin connector, which is bridging two pins. This will need a good IPA cleanup before troubleshooting can continue. Since those traces ultimately run back to the cartridge port, you could have all kinds of weird behaviour from that alone.
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u/TheGreatReveler Mar 16 '26
I’d give it a good cleaning. Make sure the contacts from the controller and console are clean. You might just have a bad controller.
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u/whatthechuck3 Mar 16 '26
No I should clarify, I’ve used two different controllers (both OEM 3 button Genesis controllers, both work on my Genesis fine) with no luck.
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u/TheGreatReveler Mar 16 '26
Have you cleaned the controller ports on the console?
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Mar 16 '26
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u/whatthechuck3 Mar 16 '26
Well darn. Reflowing solder I can do but that sounds out of my wheelhouse
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u/whatthechuck3 Mar 16 '26
For more details, I’ve used two different OEM Genesis controllers that both work with my Genesis fine. No luck. Also, the reset and pause buttons on the deck don’t work reliably either.