Difference between revisions of "Master System consoles in North America"

Revision as of 04:56, 24 May 2021

Though the Sega Master System always played second-best to the Nintendo Entertainment System (so much so that few even remember the Master System's existence in this region), many bundles and console revisions were given to the North American audience.

There are three confirmed "sets" of North American Master System; early consoles distributed by Sega, late 80s consoles distributed by Tonka, and a third set for the redesgined Master System II, also distributed by Sega. Canada changed packaging when the US changed distributors, but all consoles in that country were distributed by Irwin Electronics.

Contrary to popular belief, until the advent of the Sega Master System II, Sega did not call the console the "Sega Master System" in North America. Instead the console was referred to as the "Sega System", a rather vague and confusing title which was inevitably scrapped. The console unit itself is often referred to as the "Power Base" (similar to the NES' "Control Deck"), though for unknown reasons the text printed on the top of the unit reads "Master System/Power Base". The "Master System" name clearly stuck, and became the official title for the console in later revisions.

Though there are similarities with European packaging, North American models are easier to spot than one might expect.

United States

Name	Console	Label	Software	Documentation
The Sega Base System			Control Pad (x2)
The Sega Master System	(1986)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt	Instruction Manual
The Sega Base System	(1987)		Control Pad (x2)
The Sega Master System	(1987)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Video Game System	(1988)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D
Base System			Control Pad (x2)
Master System			Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
SegaScope 3-D System	(1988)	3010-C	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D
Master System II	$49.95 (199x)		Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Canada

Name	Software	Documentation
The Sega Master System	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System II	Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Mexico

Name	Console	Software	Documentation
Sega Master System		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On/Safari Hunt	Manual Seal
SegaScope 3-D System		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D	Manual Catalogue
Master System II	(>= 1990)	Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World	Manual
Master System II		Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World	Manual

Sega Master System
Topics	Sega Master System \| Technical Specifications (Hardware Comparison) \| History \| Boot ROM \| Magazine articles \| Promotional material \| Merchandise
Hardware	Asia \| North America \| Western Europe \| Eastern Europe \| South America \| Australasia \| Africa Sega Mark III \| Sega Game Box 9 \| Master System Girl \| Master System Super Compact \| Kiosk \| Sega System E
Add-ons	Demo Unit II \| Telecon Pack \| FM Sound Unit \| 3-D Glasses
Controllers	SJ-152 \| Control Pad \| 3-D Glasses \| Control Stick \| Handle Controller \| Light Phaser \| Paddle Control \| Rapid Fire Unit \| Sports Pad \| SG Commander
Misc. Hardware	Action Replay \| Card Catcher \| Action Case \| Freedom Connection \| Playkit
Unreleased	Floppy Disk Drive
Consoles-on-a-chip	Arcade Gamer Portable \| TF-DVD560 \| DVD Karaoke Game DVT-G100 \| Fun Play 20-in-1 \| Handheld Electronic Games \| Master System 3 Collection \| Master System 3 \| Master System Evolution \| Master System Handy \| PlayPal Plug & Play \| Poga

@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 | name=The Sega Base System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 | name=The Sega Master System
-| dateprice1=(1986)
+| dateprice=(1986)
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 74: / Line 74: @@
 | name=The Sega Base System
-| dateprice1=(1987)
+| dateprice=(1987)
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 | name=The Sega Master System
-| dateprice1=(1987)
+| dateprice=(1987)
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 115: / Line 115: @@
 | name=Video Game System
-| dateprice1=(1988)
+| dateprice=(1988)
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 139: / Line 139: @@
 | name=Base System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 | name=Master System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 178: / Line 178: @@
 | name=SegaScope 3-D System
-| dateprice1=(1988)
+| dateprice=(1988)
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 202: / Line 202: @@
 | name=Master System II
-| dateprice1=$49.95 (199x)
+| dateprice=$49.95 (199x)
 | console=SMS2 US.jpg
@@ Line 235: / Line 235: @@
 | name=The Sega Master System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 258: / Line 258: @@
 | name=Master System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 280: / Line 280: @@
 | name=Master System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 302: / Line 302: @@
 | name=Master System II
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=SMS2 US.jpg
@@ Line 334: / Line 334: @@
 | name=Sega Master System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 361: / Line 361: @@
 | name=SegaScope 3-D System
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 391: / Line 391: @@
 | name=Master System II
-| dateprice1=(>= 1990)
+| dateprice=(>= 1990)
 | console=SMS2 US.jpg
@@ Line 413: / Line 413: @@
 | name=Master System II
-| dateprice1=
+| dateprice=
 | console=SMS2 US.jpg

Difference between revisions of "Master System consoles in North America"

From Sega Retro

Revision as of 04:56, 24 May 2021

United States

Canada

Mexico