Sega Master System

Manufacturer	Sega
Release Date	October 20, 1985 September 1986 October 18, 1987 1987 1987 April 1989
Console Generation	Third
Media	ROM cartridge
Input	2 controller ports
Successor	Sega Genesis/Mega Drive (1988)
Competitors	Nintendo Entertainment System (1983)

The Sega Master System is an 8-bit cartridge based console that competed with the Nintendo Entertainment System in the 80's, ultimately failing to surpass the juggernaut. In 2008, Sega started to release Master System titles on the Wii's Virtual Console. The first of the titles released on this system was Hokuto no Ken in Japan and was released as Black Belt in North America and PAL regions. This Japanese version was released on the VC on February 28, 2008. The first Master System game released on the American Virtual Console was Wonder Boy. Most titles range from 500 to 600 points depending on its region exclusivity or source licensing.

NES vs. SMS

During the mid 80's Nintendo had revitalized the gaming industry, and thus led in many competitors. While Atari failed to make a stand with the 5200 and 7200, Sega was the biggest competitor against the Nintendo Juggernaut. It was a superior console, but lacked quality titles and third party support, as Nintendo had a lock-down on thier third party supporters. In the end, it only got roughly 11% of the market share in Japan and America, but it was loved more in Europe and Brazil, more so than the NES.

List of games released on Virtual Console

• Alex Kidd in Miracle World
• Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars
• Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
• Secret Command
• Enduro Racer
• Fantasy Zone
• Fantasy Zone II: The Tears of Opa-Opa
• Hokuto no Ken
• Sonic Chaos
• Sonic the Hedgehog
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2
• Sonic Chaos
• Space Harrier
• Wonder Boy
• Wonder Boy in Monster Land
• Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

External Links

• Sega Master System at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia