Power Interface

Retro Console Power Supply Compatibility Guide

This guide summarizes the power connectors and compatible consoles discussed above. “New FC” refers to the Nintendo New Famicom / AV Famicom HVC-101.

Note

Most of the following information comes from wikipedia&consolemods

1. Main Power Supply Specifications

Category Connector Size Recommended Plug Type Output Polarity Main Compatible Systems
A 5.5 × 2.1 mm Tuning-fork type DC 9V, recommended 2A Center negative Mega Drive 1, Genesis 1, Mega-CD, Sega CD, Master System, SG-1000, PC Engine, Atari Jaguar
B 5.5 × 2.1 mm Tuning-fork type DC 10V, recommended 1.5A–2A Center negative Famicom, New Famicom, Super Famicom, selected 10V SEGA systems
C 5.5 × 2.5 mm Straight-barrel / trumpet type DC 9V, recommended 2A Center negative NEC PC Engine CD-ROM² Interface Unit IFU-30
D EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm EIAJ standard plug DC 7.5V 2A Center positive PS one
E EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm EIAJ standard plug DC 8.5V 5.65A Center positive PS2 Slim SCPH-700xx series
F EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm EIAJ standard plug DC 10V, at least 850mA Center positive Mega Drive 2, Genesis 2, 32X
G Approx. 6.9 × 4.1 mm with internal pin North American SNES proprietary plug DC 10V 850mA Center negative North American SNES and SNES Jr.
H 5.5 × 2.5 mm Standard barrel plug AC 9V, approx. 1.2A No polarity PAL NES and PAL SNES
I 5.5 × 2.1 mm Standard barrel plug AC 9V, approx. 1.2A No polarity North American NES

The EIAJ-03 plug is approximately 4.75 × 1.7 mm, and is also commonly sold as 4.8 × 1.7 mm.


2. 5.5 × 2.1 mm, Center-Negative Systems

DC 9V Systems

Brand Console / Device Region or Model Original Output Polarity Connector
Nintendo Famicom Disk System HVC-022 DC 9V 400mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA SG-1000 Japan DC 9V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA SG-1000 II Japan DC 9V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA SC-3000 / SC-3000H Selected versions DC 9V Center negative Usually 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA SEGA Mark III Japan DC 9V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Master System Most Model 1 versions DC 9V 1A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Master System MK-2000 Japan DC 9V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Mega Drive Model 1 Japan and selected regions DC 9V 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Genesis Model 1 North America DC 9V 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Mega-CD Model 1 / 2 Region-dependent DC 9V, approx. 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Sega CD Model 1 / 2 North America DC 9V 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Game Gear Japanese / European versions DC 9V, 850mA–1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
NEC PC Engine Original white Japanese model DC 9V 650mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
NEC CoreGrafx I Japan DC 9V 650mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
NEC CoreGrafx II Japan DC 9V 650mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
NEC PC Engine Shuttle Japan DC 9V Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
Atari Jaguar North America / Europe DC 9V 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
Atari Jaguar CD North America / Europe DC 9V 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm

Recommended modern replacement:

DC 9V 2A, center negative, 5.5 × 2.1 mm tuning-fork plug

DC 10V Systems

Brand Console / Device Region or Model Original Output Polarity Connector
Nintendo Famicom HVC-001 DC 10V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
Nintendo New Famicom / AV Famicom HVC-101 DC 10V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
Nintendo Super Famicom SHVC-001 DC 10V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
Nintendo Super Famicom Jr. SHVC-101 DC 10V 850mA Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Mega Drive Model 1 Selected European versions DC 10V 1.2A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Master System II Selected European versions DC 10V 500mA Center negative Usually 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SEGA Game Gear Selected European adapters DC 10V Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm
SNK Neo Geo AES Only compatible 10V PRO-POW3 / PRO-POW-E versions DC 10V 1A Center negative 5.5 × 2.1 mm

Important: Neo Geo AES systems vary significantly. Some versions require only 5V. Always check the power rating printed on the bottom of the console before connecting a 9V or 10V power supply.


3. 5.5 × 2.5 mm Straight-Barrel, Center-Negative

Brand Console / Device Original Output Polarity Connector Recommended Replacement
NEC PC Engine CD-ROM² Interface Unit IFU-30 DC 9V 1.45A Center negative 5.5 × 2.5 mm Regulated DC 9V 2A

This specification applies to the IFU-30 Interface Unit, not the standard PC Engine console or the standalone CDR-30 CD-ROM² player.


4. EIAJ-03 / 4.75 × 1.7 mm, Center-Positive

Brand Console Output Polarity Connector Notes
Sony PS one DC 7.5V 2A Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm Use a dedicated 7.5V adapter
Sony PS2 Slim SCPH-700xx DC 8.5V 5.65A Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm Requires a high-current adapter
SEGA Mega Drive 2 / Genesis 2 DC 10V 850mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm Not suitable for PS one
SEGA Genesis 3 DC 10V 300mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm Same plug type as MD2
SEGA 32X DC 10V 850mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm Uses MD2-type power supply
SEGA Mega Jet DC 10V 850mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm MD2-type power input
SEGA Genesis Nomad DC 10V 850mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm MD2-type power input
SEGA Sega Pico DC 10V 850mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm MD2-type power input
SEGA Game Gear North American version DC 10V 850mA Center positive EIAJ-03, 4.75 × 1.7 mm

Although PS one, PS2 Slim SCPH-700xx, and Mega Drive 2 use similar plugs, their voltage and current requirements are different and the power supplies should not be interchanged.


5. North American SNES Proprietary Connector

Console Output Polarity Connector Notes
North American SNES SNS-001 DC 10V 850mA Center negative Approx. 6.9 × 4.1 mm with internal pin Nintendo proprietary connector
North American SNES Jr. SNS-101 DC 10V 850mA Center negative Same proprietary connector Not compatible with standard 5.5 × 2.1 mm plugs
Selected Korean SNES systems Model-dependent Usually center negative May use a similar connector Check the console label

The North American SNES connector is not a standard hollow barrel plug. It uses a proprietary internal-pin design.


6. AC 9V Systems

Console Connector Original Output Polarity Notes
North American NES 5.5 × 2.1 mm AC 9V 1.2A No polarity Original power supply is AC
PAL NES 5.5 × 2.5 mm AC 9V, approx. 1.2A No polarity Do not confuse with the IFU-30 DC adapter
PAL SNES 5.5 × 2.5 mm AC 9V, approx. 1.2A No polarity Original system design expects AC input

A barrel connector that physically fits does not guarantee electrical compatibility.


7. Commonly Confused Systems

Console Actual Specification Commonly Confused With Risk
Sharp Twin Famicom 5.5 × 2.5 mm, DC 7.6V, center positive IFU-30 9V center-negative adapter Opposite polarity and excessive voltage
TurboGrafx-CD Dock 5.5 × 2.5 mm, DC 11V, center negative IFU-30 9V adapter Voltage may be too low for reliable CD operation
Neo Geo AES 5V version 5.5 × 2.1 mm, DC 5V, center negative Famicom / MD1 9V or 10V adapter May severely damage the console
North American Game Gear EIAJ-03, center positive Japanese / European Game Gear 5.5 × 2.1 mm adapter Different connector and polarity
Mega Drive 2 / Genesis 2 EIAJ-03, center positive Mega Drive 1 5.5 × 2.1 mm center-negative adapter Different connector and opposite polarity
PS one EIAJ-03, DC 7.5V center positive PS2 Slim or MD2 adapter Excessive voltage may damage the console
PS2 Slim SCPH-700xx EIAJ-03, DC 8.5V 5.65A center positive PS one or MD2 adapter Insufficient current and incorrect voltage

Product Code Recommended Output Connector and Polarity Main Compatible Systems
PSU-A DC 9V 2A 5.5 × 2.1 mm tuning-fork, center negative MD1, Master System, PC Engine, Jaguar, Mega-CD, Sega CD
PSU-B DC 10V 2A 5.5 × 2.1 mm tuning-fork, center negative Famicom, New Famicom, Super Famicom
PSU-C DC 9V 2A 5.5 × 2.5 mm straight-barrel, center negative NEC IFU-30
PSU-D DC 7.5V 2A EIAJ-03, center positive PS one
PSU-E DC 8.5V 5.65A EIAJ-03, center positive PS2 Slim SCPH-700xx
PSU-F DC 10V 1A or higher EIAJ-03, center positive Mega Drive 2, Genesis 2, 32X

These power supplies should not be combined into one universal model by changing only the connector, because the required voltage and polarity are different.

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