Sega Master System

Mastering the Master System: A Guide to Sega’s Overlooked Console

The Sega Master System was the underdog of the 8-bit console wars, but for me, it was a true champion. It held a special place in my heart, filled with afternoons spent glued to the TV, controller in hand. Sure, it battled against the giants of the era, but the Master System offered a treasure trove of its own. Titles like Phantasy Star, a groundbreaking RPG, Alex Kidd in Miracle World, and the ever-charming Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap were absolute fire. They pushed the boundaries of what an 8-bit console could achieve.

And let’s not forget the innovative 3D glasses and the light gun! Those peripherals added a whole new dimension to gaming, literally in the case of the 3D glasses. They were a testament to Sega’s willingness to try new things, making the Master System a truly unique experience.

But for all the great games, I have to confess to a peculiar addiction: Quartet. This often-overlooked puzzle game held me captive for hours on end. Every now and then, I find myself pulling out the old Master System just to revisit Quartet in all its glory. It’s a reminder of the simple joys this console brought me, and a testament to the enduring power of great games.

Interesting Facts:

The Sega Master System was released in Japan in 1985 and later in North America in 1986.
One of the unique features of the Master System was the “3D glasses” accessory, which allowed players to experience games in 3D.

Hardware

Used an 8-bit Zilog Z80A CPU running at 3.58 MHz
Had a video display processor (VDP) capable of displaying 64 sprites on screen
Supported up to 64KB of RAM for games
Included a 9-pin connector for additional peripherals/accessories

Game Library

Over 300 games released across all regions
Notable titles included Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd, Wonder Boy, and ports of arcade games
In Japan, it had enhanced FM audio from a Yamaha YM2413 chip

Peripherals

Light Phaser light gun peripheral for light gun games
Sports Pad controller with a trackball for sports titles
3D Glasses allowed a simulated 3D effect by rapidly alternating images
Sega re-released the console in multiple redesigned models over its lifespan

Regional Performance

Struggled against the NES in North America and Japan
But was very successful in Europe, Brazil and some other regions
Estimated over 13 million units sold in Europe and Brazil combined
Overall sales of around 20 million units worldwide

Legacy

Established Sega as a major player in the console market
Laid groundwork for more powerful future Sega consoles
Supported until the late 1990s in parts of Europe and Brazil
One of Sega’s most successful and longest-running console platforms

14 Forgotten Sega Master System Games With Awesome Cover Art

Good cover art can be the difference between success and failure for a video game. This used to be the case more so in the past, but with the rise of digital sales, the cover art isn’t as much of a factor as it used to be. Before online stores led to a more convenient life for gamers, there was a time when spending hours looking at the awesome cover art in stores was a part of what made being a gamer so special. Click here to read more.

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