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

Latest revision as of 20:24, 2 December 2023

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	Distributor	Date & Price	Console	Hardware	Software	Documentation
The Sega Base System	Sega of America	US: (1986)	3010	Control Pad (x2)	Hang-On / Astro Warrior
The Sega Master System	Sega of America	US: (1986)	3010	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt	Instruction Manual
The Sega Base System	Sega of America	US: (1987)	3010	Control Pad (x2)
The Sega Master System	Sega of America	US: (1987)	3010	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Video Game System	Tonka	US: (1988)	3010	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D
Base System 3005	Tonka	US: (1988)	3010-B	Control Pad (x2)	Hang-On
Master System 3000	Tonka	US: (1988)	3010-A	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
SegaScope 3-D System 3001	Tonka	US: (1988)	3010-C	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D
Master System II	Sega of America	US: $49.9549.95 (1990)	MK-3006	Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Canada

Name	Distributor	Date & Price	Console	Hardware	Software	Comments
The Sega Master System	Irwin Electronics	CA: (1987)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt	Made in Japan
The Sega Master System	Irwin Electronics	CA: (1987)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt	Made in Hong Kong
The Sega Master System	Irwin Electronics	CA: (1987)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt	Made in China
Master System	Irwin Electronics	CA: (1988)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System	Irwin Electronics	CA: (1988)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System II	Irwin Electronics	CA: (1990)	MK-3006-22	Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Mexico

Name	Distributor	Date & Price	Console	Hardware	Software	Documentation
Sega Master System	DISAM	MX: (≥ 1990)	3010-A	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On/Safari Hunt	Manual Seal (Box Front)
Sega Master System	DISAM	MX: (≥ 1990)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On/Safari Hunt	Manual Seal (Box Front)
SegaScope 3-D System	DISAM	MX: (≥ 1990)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D	Manual Catalogue Seal (Box Front)
Master System II	DISAM	MX: (≥ 1992)		Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World	Manual
Master System II	DISAM	MX: (≥ 1992)		Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World	Manual

References

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 18: / Line 18: @@
 | distributor=[[Sega of America]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||198x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1986}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 2.jpg
 | hard1name=[[Control Pad (Master System)|Control Pad]] (x2)
+| soft1=HangOnAstroWarrior SMS US Box.jpg
+| soft1name=''[[Hang-On / Astro Warrior]]''
 }}
 {{ConsoleRelease
@@ Line 41: / Line 44: @@
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 2.jpg
@@ Line 68: / Line 71: @@
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 1.jpg
@@ Line 86: / Line 89: @@
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 1.jpg
@@ Line 111: / Line 114: @@
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 1.jpg
@@ Line 134: / Line 137: @@
 | distributor=[[Tonka]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||198x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1988}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010-B
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 1.jpg
 | hard1name=[[Control Pad (Master System)|Control Pad]] (x2)
+| soft1=HangOn SMS Title.png
+| soft1name=''[[Hang-On]]''
 }}
 {{ConsoleRelease
@@ Line 152: / Line 158: @@
 | distributor=[[Tonka]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||198x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1988}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=3010-A
 | hard1=SMSControlPad 1.jpg
@@ Line 202: / Line 208: @@
 | distributor=[[Sega of America]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|US|49.95|199x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|US|49.95|1990}}
 | console=SMS2 US.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=MK-3006
 | hard1=Sms joypad.jpg
@@ Line 250: / Line 256: @@
 | distributor=[[Irwin Electronics]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||198x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||1987}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 274: / Line 280: @@
 | distributor=[[Irwin Electronics]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||198x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||1987}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 298: / Line 304: @@
 | distributor=[[Irwin Electronics]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||19xx}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||1988}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 321: / Line 327: @@
 | distributor=[[Irwin Electronics]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||19xx}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||1988}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 344: / Line 350: @@
 | distributor=[[Irwin Electronics]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||199x}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|CA||1990}}
 | console=SMS2 US.jpg
-| consolecode=
+| consolecode=MK-3006-22
 | hard1=Sms joypad.jpg