Master System consoles in North America

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

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	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

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	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

Box	Name	Date & Price	Console	Label	Hardware	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