Sega Master System
Also known as SMS, Mark III
- Manufacturer
- Sega
- Type
- Home console
- Generation
- 3rd generation
- Released (North America)
- Sep 1986
- Released (Japan)
- Oct 20, 1985
- Released (Europe)
- 1987
- Launch price
- $199.99
- Discontinued
- 1996
About the Sega Master System
The Master System is the Western version of Sega's Mark III. It was technically stronger than the NES but arrived in North America when Nintendo controlled most retailers and third-party publishers, so it sold far less there. In Europe and especially Brazil it did much better, and Tectoy kept making it in Brazil for decades.
Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd in Miracle World (built into many later consoles), Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap, Shinobi and the Sega-made Sonic the Hedgehog games are the best known. Many European-only releases never came out in North America, so PAL carts are a big part of the market.
Games came in sturdy plastic cases, so complete copies are fairly common and the gap between loose and complete is small. Some games also came on Sega Card, a credit-card-sized format that only works in the first-model console's card slot.
Sega Master System games by the numbers
Loose prices across 129 priced games
Most valuable Sega Master System games
Most valuable sealed Sega Master System games
Top rated Sega Master System games
Most listed on eBay right now
Sega Master System games by release year
By each game's original release year, so ports count under the year the game first came out.
Hardware specs
- CPU
- Zilog Z80 @ 4MHz
- Graphics
- 32 colors out of 64 color palette, 16kB video RAM
- Memory
- 8kB RAM
- Sound
- SN76489 PSG
- Media
- Cartridges
- Resolutions
- 256x192
Models & revisions
Sega Game Box 9
The Sega Game Box 9 (セガ ゲームボックス9) is a special Sega Master System that was distributed to hotel chains around Japan. It is operated via coins (though free play is an option) and comes with two Master System controllers. It was distributed by C&C Ltd.
As the name suggests, up to nine games can be stored inside the unit, and can be selected by the user for play. In the West, a similar system was used that allowed up to 16 games to be installed.
Sega Master System II
The second iteration of the Sega Master System. It is known as Sega Master System III Compact in Brazil and as Gam*Boy II/Aladdin Boy in South Korea.
- Media
- Cartridge
Sega Mark III
The very first version of the console later known as the Sega Master System. It was only released in Japan.
- Media
- Cartridge
Master System Girl
The Master System Girl is a special Sega Master System released by Sega's Brazilian distributor, Tec Toy. It is largely the same as the Master System Super Compact but uses pink plastic, and was marketed towards a female audience.
Like the Master System Super Compact it is smaller than a regular Master System, never left Brazil and was designed to be portable. It can be powered by batteries but requires a TV for use.
Two versions of the Master System Girl were released. The first contained Mônica no Castelo do Dragão as a built-in game, while the second had both Turma da Mônica em: O Resgate and Sonic the Hedgehog as built-in games.
- Media
- Cartridge
Master System Super Compact
The Master System Super Compact is a special Sega Master System release by Sega's Brazilian distributor, Tec Toy. As the name suggests, the console is essentially a compact version of a regular Master System, being smaller in size and therefore portable. It is one of the few pieces of Sega branded hardware to never leave South America, seeing a release in Uruguay as well as Brazil. It is "super" compact as around this time Tec Toy had released the Master System III Compact, and this machine is smaller.
The Master System Super Compact is similar to the Sega Mega Jet, though runs Master System cartridges instead of pre-installed Sega Mega Drive ones. It can be powered via a battery as well as a regular AC power supply. One major feature is that the functionality of the Mark III Telecon Pack is built-in, allowing the user to broadcast the A/V signal to any nearby TV tuned to channels 3 or 4, making it a completely wireless unit. However, the wireless feature is prone to interference, so the console can also be connected to a TV using standard RCA cables for better picture quality.
There were three different releases of the Master System Super Compact in Brazil, each with a different built-in game. One with Alex Kidd in Miracle World, one with Sonic the Hedgehog and a "special edition" version with Super Futebol II. A PAL-N version was also produced for the Uruguayan market. The design was also recycled for the Master System Girl.
- Media
- Cartridge
Console family
More Sega consoles
Game values from PriceCharting market data. Hardware specs and revisions from IGDB.