Master System consoles
From Sega Retro
Despite not being one of Sega's most popular consoles, the Sega Master System saw a plethora of re-releases throughout its run. Also, unlike the SG-1000, the Master System was distributed in many more markets, seeing successes where Nintendo refused to market their NES.
Contents
Japan
SG-1000 Mark III
The Master System started off life as the SG-1000 Mark III, sold as an update to the SG-1000 and SG-1000 Mark II models in Japan. It has a Japanese-style cartridge slot, a card slot and shipped with two Mark III controllers.
The Sega Master System
As Sega started to see some success in other markets with the Sega Master System, the SG-1000 Mark III was replaced with the western model in 1987, altered for a Japanese audience. Notable differences between this and the western models include the Japanese-style cartridge slot and the fact it outputs a NTSC-J TV signal. There are two controllers, but no games built-in or otherwise.
United States
Sega Base System
The original 1986 US release of the console was split into two different packages - the Sega Base System and the Sega Master System, with the latter having its name adopted for all further products. This was the original release, before Tonka took control of US distribution, and features an incorrect screenshot on the box.
Canada
Sega Master System
Sega's Canadian distributor Irwin initially gave the Sega Master System to Canada in 1986. This model can be identified by the green underline on the logo and the "IRWIN" text in the top left.
The Sega Master System
Released in 1987 also by Irwin, this is the Canadian equivalent to the standard Power Base. Again, it can be distinguished by the IRWIN logo in the top left.
Brazil
- Main article: Tectoy Master System
Asia
Sega Master System
The rest of Asia saw a Master System release too. It is virtually identical to the Japanese Sega Master System, but with Asian branding. This version of the Master System is also very rare.
Sega Master System II
Rarer still is the Asian Sega Master System II. Similar to its western counterparts the Asian SMS2 lacks a card slot, but still contains a Japanese-style cartridge slot.
South Korea
Samsung Gam*Boy
It is unknown whether Samsung had the rights to distrubte Sega Master Systems within South Korea, but they exist nonetheless. The system was marketed under the title of "Gam*Boy", and borrows the shell of a Japanese Sega Master System, complete with Japanese-style cartridge slot. Unusually the Gam*Boy shipped with smaller, exclusive controllers with rounded edges.
Samsung Gam*Boy II
The redesigned Master System console also made it to South Korea, but in a different grey/blue colour scheme. It still sports the controllers of the Gam*Boy but these are now of a different colour. As usual, there is no card slot, but very few card-based games made it to the country anyway. The cartridge slot is still Japanese-style.
Europe
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Master Games I)
Another version of the Master System II, with Alex Kidd built in and Master Games I offered on cartridge.
Master System II Extreme
An extremely rare variation of the Master System II released in 1993.
Exclusive to Germany
Master System II Plus X
A special release for the 1992 holiday season, this is a standard Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World built-in) bundled with Sonic the Hedgehog and Tennis Ace on cartridge. The standard box was packaged within a larger green box.
Exclusive to Portugal
Master System III Compact (with Sonic the Hedgehog)
The main language of Brazil is Portuguese, and so it made perfect sense for Sega's Portuguese branch to import hardware and software manufactured by Sega's Brazillian distributor Tectoy. In 1994 the Master System III compact was released in Portugal, sporting an unusal purple grid design and with Sonic the Hedgehog built-in. Its limited availability makes this version of the Master System extremely rare.