Master System consoles

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.

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.

• 

  Contents of box

• 

  Front of box

• 

  Top of box

• 

  Bottom of box

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.

• 

  Front of box

The Sega Master System (with Hang-On)

A version of the Master System with Hang-On built in.

• 

  Front of box

The Sega Master System (with Hang-On and Safari Hunt)

A version of the Master System with Hang-On and Safari Hunt built in, along with a Light Phaser.

• 

  Front of box

• 

  Back of box

• 

  Top of box

• 

  Bottom of box

• 

  Side of box

• TSMSHOSH US 2.jpg

  Sega Power Base

• TSMSHOSH US 1.jpg

  Contents of box

Master System Plus

Another pre-Tonka model, now bundled with a Light Phaser and Safari Hunt and Hang On built in.

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 "IRWIN" logo in the top left.

• 

  Front of box

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.

• 

  Front of box

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.

Hong Kong

The Sega Master System

In a dearing feat by Sega, the original Sega Master System was released to a Hong Kong audience, making this the only legitimate Chinese language Master System console.

• 

  Front of box

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.

• 

Samsung Aladdin Boy

Similar to the above, the Aladdin Boy takes the shell of the redesigned Master System II console seen in other regions, but is this time coloured cyan.

Europe

Master System II

The redesigned Master System II hit European stores in 1990. This model is easily spotted as it lacks any references to games on the front, and indeed comes with no bulit-in or packed-in titles. The European Master System II is a shade darker than its North American cousin, and of course, outputs a PAL signal. This particular package was not out for long until Sega started bundling games with the unit.

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Sega soon bundled the Master System with Alex Kidd in Miracle World built-in. Initially a simple sticker was added to the previous models' box to shift old stock, but soon the package got a box design of its own. Sega would keep releasing this system with new games (on cartridge) for the years that followed.

• 

  Front of box

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and The Lucky Dime Caper)

Another Master System II with built-in Alex Kidd bundle that shipped with The Lucky Dime Caper Starring Donald Duck on cartridge.

• 

  Front of box

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Master Games I)

Same as above, now with Master Games 1.

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Sonic the Hedgehog)

Same as above, now with 'Sonic the Hedgehog. Debuted in 1991. It also comes with an extra controller.

• 

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Sonic the Hedgehog 2)

Same as above (though without the extra controller) and now with Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Debuted in 1992.

• 

Master System II Double Action Pack (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Double Dragon

Yet another version of the above, this time with Double Dragon on cartridge.

• 

  Front of box

• 

  Bottom of box

Master System II (with Sonic the Hedgehog)

Sonic the Hedgehog replaces Alex Kidd as the built-in game. Otherwise, this console is identical.

• 

  Front of box

Master System II (with Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2)

A Master System II with two Sonic the Hedgehog games, the first being built in, the second being on cartridge.

Master System II (with The Jungle Book)

A very rare version of the console, this Master System II came bundled with The Jungle Book. It was distributed as standard Master System box inside of a Jungle Book themed box cover.

• 

  Front of box

• 

  Bottom of box

Master System II Extreme

An extremely rare variation of the Master System II released in 1993. It is unknown what pack-in games came with it (if any).

• 

  Front of box

Master System II Pack (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Master Games 1)

Sega released this one before but now it comes with its own name and fancy box cover. It is otherwise identical.

• 

  Front of box (ES)

Master System II Pack II (with Sonic the Hedgehog and Master Games 1)

The same once more, but this time with Sonic the Hedgehog built in.

• 

  Front of box (ES)

Master System II Plus (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Operation Wolf)

Bigger box as now the system was being bundled with a Light Phaser and a copy of Operation Wolf. The Italian version is slightly different in design and doesn't contain Operation Wolf.

• 

  Front of box (FR)

• 

  Front of box (IT)

Master System II Tandy Pack (with four games)

A Master System II with Sonic the Hedgehog built-in, but also bundled with Global Gladiators, The Lucky Dime Caper and Trivial Pursuit. Was only sold in Tandy stores.

• 

  Front of box (UK)

• 

  Back of box (UK)

Exclusive to France

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Shinobi)

A standard Master System II with Alex Kidd built in, but also paired with Shinobi on cartridge. This might have existed in other regions of Europe too, but thus far none have been found.

• 

  Side of box

Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Sonic the Hedgehog)

Identical to the European package with the same games, but without the extra controller.

• 

  Front of box

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.

• SMS2PlusX.jpg

Exclusive to Italy

The Sega Master System

A regular Master System, just with a box and instructions entirely in Italian.

• 

  Front of 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.

• SMS3PT.jpg

Exclusive to the United Kingdom

Master System Plus Special Edition (with Michael Jackson's Moonwalker)

Sega went through a phase of bundling older units with newer games. This is a standard Master System with a copy of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker.

• 

  Front of box