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

Revision as of 15:18, 26 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	Distributor	Date & Price	Console	Hardware	Software	Documentation
The Sega Base System	Sega of America	US: (198x)		Control Pad (x2)
The Sega Master System	Sega of America	US: (1986)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt	Instruction Manual
The Sega Base System	Sega of America	US: (1987)		Control Pad (x2)
The Sega Master System	Sega of America	US: (1987)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Video Game System	Tonka	US: (1988)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D
Base System	Tonka	US: (19xx)		Control Pad (x2)
Master System	Tonka	US: (19xx)		Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
SegaScope 3-D System	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 (199x)		Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Canada

Name	Date & Price	Hardware	Software
The Sega Master System	CA: (19xx)	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System	CA: (19xx)	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System	CA: (19xx)	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On / Safari Hunt
Master System II	CA: (199x)	Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World

Mexico

Name	Date & Price	Hardware	Software	Documentation
Sega Master System	MX: (19xx)	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser	Hang-On/Safari Hunt	Manual Seal
SegaScope 3-D System	MX: (19xx)	Control Pad (x2) Light Phaser 3-D Glasses	Missile Defense 3-D	Manual Catalogue
Master System II	MX: (≥ 1990)	Control Pad	Alex Kidd in Miracle World	Manual
Master System II	MX: (199x)	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 16: / Line 16: @@
 | name=The Sega Base System
+| distributor=[[Sega of America]]
-| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||19xx}}
+| dateprice={{DatePrice|US||198x}}
 | console=MasterSystem1.jpg
@@ Line 35: / Line 36: @@
 | name=The Sega Master System
+| distributor=[[Sega of America]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1986}}
@@ Line 61: / Line 63: @@
 | name=The Sega Base System
+| distributor=[[Sega of America]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1987}}
@@ Line 78: / Line 81: @@
 | name=The Sega Master System
+| distributor=[[Sega of America]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1987}}
@@ Line 102: / Line 106: @@
 | name=Video Game System
+| distributor=[[Tonka]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1988}}
@@ Line 126: / Line 131: @@
 | name=Base System
+| distributor=[[Tonka]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||19xx}}
@@ Line 142: / Line 148: @@
 | name=Master System
+| distributor=[[Tonka]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||19xx}}
@@ Line 165: / Line 172: @@
 | name=SegaScope 3-D System
+| distributor=[[Tonka]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US||1988}}
@@ Line 189: / Line 197: @@
 | name=Master System II
+| distributor=[[Sega of America]]
 | dateprice={{DatePrice|US|49.95|199x}}