Difference between revisions of "Sega Mark III"

From Sega Retro
Line 10: Line 10:
 
| releases={{releases
 
| releases={{releases
 
| sms_date_jp=1985-10-20
 
| sms_date_jp=1985-10-20
 +
| sms_date_kr=19xx
 +
| sms_date_tw=19xx
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
−
The '''Sega Mark III''' (セガマークIII) is a video game console made by [[Sega]]. The Mark III was the successor to the [[SG-1000 II]], bringing enhanced graphics to the table in order to compete against [[Nintendo]] and their Famicom. The console was only released in Asia, and was the basis for the internationally released [[Sega Master System]].
+
The '''Sega Mark III''' (セガマークIII) is a video game console created by [[Sega]]. It is the successor to Sega's earlier [[SG-1000 II]] (itself a redesigned [[SG-1000]]), and was released in October 1985 in Japan, before being distributed in South Korea and Taiwan later in the decade. No models of the Mark III were released outside of Asia, but the console did form the basis of the [[Sega Master System]] which was distributed internationally.
 +
 
 +
The Mark III stands as Sega's second attempt at capturing a share of the Japanese video game market in the face of the Family Computer (Famicom) created by [[Nintendo]], sporting significant upgrades over its predecessors. The technology was used as a foundation for its successor, the [[Sega Mega Drive]].
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
−
The Mark III was released in Japan on October 20, 1985 to compete with the Nintendo Family Computer, following on from the [[SG-1000]] and [[SG-1000 II]] which had proved unsuccessful. The Mark III was built similarly to the SG-1000 II, with the addition of improved video hardware and an increased amount of [[RAM]]. Like the SG-1000 II and Famicom, controllers (now [[SJ-152]]s) were designed to be stored on the sides of the system, and the console carried over the SG-1000's expansion port (which was later used for the [[FM Sound Unit]]). The system also featured an 8-pin A/V port, in addition to RF output.
+
===Background===
 +
Sega's first console, the SG-1000, launched on the same day as the Famicom in Japan, and was, like many other systems of the era, decimated by Nintendo's efforts. Its computer sibling, the [[SC-3000]] was met with more open arms (including in some Austrilasian and European markets), but by 1985 it was clear that support for Sega's systems were drying up. Nevertheless, Sega's attempts were at the very least notable - whereas other rival systems of the day had been struck off within a year of the Famicom's launch, Sega held a strong, albeit distant, second place in Japan, prompting the company to push forward with a more powerful alternative - the Sega Mark III.
  
−
The system is backwards compatible with earlier SG-1000 titles, containing both a standard cartridge slot, and built-in slot for [[Sega Card]]s. Like the SG-1000 and SG-1000 II, Sega Mark III games were distributed on both cartridge and card, and are physically identical to their SG-1000 counterparts. Likewise, the controllers are interchangeable.
+
===Japan===
 +
The Mark III was released in Japan on October 20, 1985, with its main comeptition again being the Family Computer. Despite being a cartridge-based system, for the first eight months, no traditional cartridges were produced, with the library instead being populated by cost-reduced [[Sega Card]]s. The release of ''[[Fantasy Zone]]'' ushered in a new phase of cartridge production, and support lasted until February 1989, ending with ''[[Bomber Raid]]''.
  
−
The Mark III is technically superior to the Famicom (NES in the west). It is capable of displaying twice as many colours on screen and has a CPU which is roughly twice as fast as Nintendo's, however as with their earlier consoles, Sega were unable to secure significant amounts of third-party support for the system. At the time of release, Nintendo had control over 95% of the Japanese video game market, and Sega found it an uphill struggle to claim some of the market for themselves.
+
Over one million units were sold in Japan during Mark III's first year, but similar to its predecessors, the Mark III was unable to dethrone Nintendo or win considerable support from the gaming public. The situation is said to have been an improvement over the SG-1000/SC-3000's fate, but even with superior system specifications, Mark III sales paled in comparison to the Famicom's.
  
−
The Sega Mark III was redesigned as the Sega Master System for release in other markets. This was mainly a cosmetic revamp; the internals of the console remained virtually the same. The redesigned console was itself released in Japan in 1987, but with the addition of a built-in Yamaha [[YM-2413]] FM sound chip (this had been an optional extra on the Mark III), [[3-D Glasses|3-D glasses]] port and [[Rapid Fire Unit]].
+
Sega published every Mark III game internally with the exception of two, ''[[Argos no Juujiken]]'' and ''[[Solomon no Kagi: Oujo Rihita no Namida]]'' by [[Salio]].
  
−
Sega Master System game [[cartridge]]s released outside Japan had a different shape and pin configuration to the Japanese Master System/Mark III cartridges. This may be seen as a form of regional lockout. The Japanese-style cartridge was also used in South Korea and Taiwan which both used NTSC like Japan. [[Aaronix]] released the Mark III in Taiwan, with [[Korea Oacs]] releasing it in South Korea.
+
===Taiwan===
 +
In Taiwan, [[Aaronix]] distributed the Mark III, having previously brought the SG-1000 II to the region.
  
−
Once again, neither the Mark III nor the Japanese Sega Master System were commercially successful when compared to Nintendo's Famicom, however the Mark III did fare slightly better than the SG-1000 and SG-1000 II. The final Japanese Mark III game release was ''[[Bomber Raid]]'', on February 4, 1989.
+
===South Korea===
 +
The Mark III was distributed in South Korea by [[Korea Oacs]], and was the first Sega console to be sold in the country. Little is known about the Mark III's fate - Sega would later strike a deal with [[Samsung]] to bring the Sega Master System to the country, which is thought to have fared much better.
  
−
==Specifications==
+
==Hardware==
 +
The Mark III is built similarly to the SG-1000 II, so much so that to the untrained eye, it is easy to mistake one for the other. It is a long, white system sporting a cartridge slot, a card slot, and two [[DE-9]] controller ports at the front of the unit. On the left lies an expansion port, later utilised by the [[FM Sound Unit]], and in addition to the RF television output, an 8-pin A/V port, giving greater picture quality than the system's predecessors. Like the SG-1000 II (and Famicom), controllers (now [[SJ-152]]s) can be docked on either side of the unit.
 +
 
 +
The Mark III offers two major upgrades over the SG-1000 (with the optional FM Sound Unit bringing enhanced sound) - superior visuals offered by a [[TMS9918]] video display processor, and more RAM. Generally this is represented by twice as many on-screen colours and sprites, and smoother scrolling - everything else is largely the same as the SG-1000. The upgrade puts it ahead of the Famicom in many regards, although without the FM Sound Unit, the Famicom has technically superior sound capabilities (furthered still by the Famciom Disk System add-on).
 +
 
 +
The system is backwards compatible with earlier SG-1000 titles, both in terms of cards and cartridges, and likewise, the controllers are interchangeable. Cartridges and cards are the same physical shape as their SG-1000 counterparts, but will not function in an SG-1000. Sega also released the [[Telecon Pack]], allowing the Mark III to connect to a television "wirelessly".
 +
 
 +
The Sega Mark III was redesigned as the Sega Master System for release in other markets. This was mainly a cosmetic revamp; the internals of the console remained virtually the same. The redesigned console was itself released in Japan in 1987, but with the features of the FM Sound Unit built in as well as a [[3-D Glasses|3-D glasses]] port.
 +
 
 +
===Technical Specifications===
 
{{multicol|
 
{{multicol|
 
* '''CPU''': 8-bit 3.579545 MHz [[Zilog Z80]]
 
* '''CPU''': 8-bit 3.579545 MHz [[Zilog Z80]]
Line 39: Line 56:
 
:* 4 channel mono sound
 
:* 4 channel mono sound
 
:* 3 sound generators, 4 octaves each, 1 white noise generator
 
:* 3 sound generators, 4 octaves each, 1 white noise generator
−
* '''Sound (FM)''': Yamaha [[YM-2413]]
 
−
:* 9 channel mono 2-operator FM sound
 
−
:* available as plug-in module for Mark III
 
−
:* built into Japanese Master System
 
−
:* supported by certain games only
 
 
* '''ROM''': N/A, the Mark III does not have a BIOS
 
* '''ROM''': N/A, the Mark III does not have a BIOS
 
* '''Main RAM''': 64 Kbits (8KB)
 
* '''Main RAM''': 64 Kbits (8KB)
Line 62: Line 74:
  
 
==Physical Scans==
 
==Physical Scans==
−
<gallery>
+
{{Scanbox
−
File:SegaMarkIII JP Box Front.jpg|JP box (front)
+
| console=Master System
−
</gallery>
+
| region=JP
 +
| front=SegaMarkIII JP Box Front.jpg
 +
| square=yes
 +
}}
 
{{Sega_Consoles}}
 
{{Sega_Consoles}}
 
{{MasterSystem}}
 
{{MasterSystem}}
 
[[Category:Sega Master System| ]]
 
[[Category:Sega Master System| ]]

Revision as of 14:49, 6 April 2013

MarkIII.jpg
Sega Mark III
Manufacturer: Sega
Variants: Sega Master System
Release Date RRP Code

The Sega Mark III (セガマークIII) is a video game console created by Sega. It is the successor to Sega's earlier SG-1000 II (itself a redesigned SG-1000), and was released in October 1985 in Japan, before being distributed in South Korea and Taiwan later in the decade. No models of the Mark III were released outside of Asia, but the console did form the basis of the Sega Master System which was distributed internationally.

The Mark III stands as Sega's second attempt at capturing a share of the Japanese video game market in the face of the Family Computer (Famicom) created by Nintendo, sporting significant upgrades over its predecessors. The technology was used as a foundation for its successor, the Sega Mega Drive.

History

Background

Sega's first console, the SG-1000, launched on the same day as the Famicom in Japan, and was, like many other systems of the era, decimated by Nintendo's efforts. Its computer sibling, the SC-3000 was met with more open arms (including in some Austrilasian and European markets), but by 1985 it was clear that support for Sega's systems were drying up. Nevertheless, Sega's attempts were at the very least notable - whereas other rival systems of the day had been struck off within a year of the Famicom's launch, Sega held a strong, albeit distant, second place in Japan, prompting the company to push forward with a more powerful alternative - the Sega Mark III.

Japan

The Mark III was released in Japan on October 20, 1985, with its main comeptition again being the Family Computer. Despite being a cartridge-based system, for the first eight months, no traditional cartridges were produced, with the library instead being populated by cost-reduced Sega Cards. The release of Fantasy Zone ushered in a new phase of cartridge production, and support lasted until February 1989, ending with Bomber Raid.

Over one million units were sold in Japan during Mark III's first year, but similar to its predecessors, the Mark III was unable to dethrone Nintendo or win considerable support from the gaming public. The situation is said to have been an improvement over the SG-1000/SC-3000's fate, but even with superior system specifications, Mark III sales paled in comparison to the Famicom's.

Sega published every Mark III game internally with the exception of two, Argos no Juujiken and Solomon no Kagi: Oujo Rihita no Namida by Salio.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, Aaronix distributed the Mark III, having previously brought the SG-1000 II to the region.

South Korea

The Mark III was distributed in South Korea by Korea Oacs, and was the first Sega console to be sold in the country. Little is known about the Mark III's fate - Sega would later strike a deal with Samsung to bring the Sega Master System to the country, which is thought to have fared much better.

Hardware

The Mark III is built similarly to the SG-1000 II, so much so that to the untrained eye, it is easy to mistake one for the other. It is a long, white system sporting a cartridge slot, a card slot, and two DE-9 controller ports at the front of the unit. On the left lies an expansion port, later utilised by the FM Sound Unit, and in addition to the RF television output, an 8-pin A/V port, giving greater picture quality than the system's predecessors. Like the SG-1000 II (and Famicom), controllers (now SJ-152s) can be docked on either side of the unit.

The Mark III offers two major upgrades over the SG-1000 (with the optional FM Sound Unit bringing enhanced sound) - superior visuals offered by a TMS9918 video display processor, and more RAM. Generally this is represented by twice as many on-screen colours and sprites, and smoother scrolling - everything else is largely the same as the SG-1000. The upgrade puts it ahead of the Famicom in many regards, although without the FM Sound Unit, the Famicom has technically superior sound capabilities (furthered still by the Famciom Disk System add-on).

The system is backwards compatible with earlier SG-1000 titles, both in terms of cards and cartridges, and likewise, the controllers are interchangeable. Cartridges and cards are the same physical shape as their SG-1000 counterparts, but will not function in an SG-1000. Sega also released the Telecon Pack, allowing the Mark III to connect to a television "wirelessly".

The Sega Mark III was redesigned as the Sega Master System for release in other markets. This was mainly a cosmetic revamp; the internals of the console remained virtually the same. The redesigned console was itself released in Japan in 1987, but with the features of the FM Sound Unit built in as well as a 3-D glasses port.

Technical Specifications

  • CPU: 8-bit 3.579545 MHz Zilog Z80
  • Graphics: VDP (Video Display Processor) derived from Texas Instruments TMS9918
  • Up to 32 simultaneous colors available from a palette of 64 (can also show 64 simultaneous colors using programming tricks)
  • Screen resolutions 256x192 and 256x224
  • 8x8 pixel characters, max 488 (due to VRAM space limitation)
  • 8x8 or 8x16 pixel sprites, max 64
  • Horizontal, diagonal, vertical, and partial screen scrolling
  • Sound (PSG): Texas Instruments SN76489
  • 4 channel mono sound
  • 3 sound generators, 4 octaves each, 1 white noise generator
  • ROM: N/A, the Mark III does not have a BIOS
  • Main RAM: 64 Kbits (8KB)
  • Video RAM: 128 Kbits (16KB)
  • Game card slot

Launch Titles

Japan

Gallery

  • KR model

  • TW model

Physical Scans

Master System, JP
SegaMarkIII JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
Sega Home Video Game Systems
83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11
SG-1000 SG-1000 II Mega Drive Mega Drive II
SC-3000 Mega-CD Mega-CD II Genesis 3
Sega Mark III 32X Dreamcast
Master System Master System II
AI Computer Game Gear
Saturn
Pico Beena


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
Retrieved from "https://segaretro.org/index.php?title=Sega_Mark_III&oldid=135427"