Sega Master System
- Manufacturer
- Sega
- Production
- 1986–1992
- Generation
- Gen 3
- Type
- Home
- Launch price
- $199
- Units sold
- 13.0M
About Sega Master System
The Master System is an 8-bit home video game console manufactured and developed by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of consoles, released in Japan on October 20, 1985. The Master System launched in North America in September 1986, followed by Europe in August 1987, South Korea in April 1989, and Brazil in September 1989. A Japanese version was launched on October 23, 1987, with additions including a built-in FM audio chip, a rapid-fire switch, and a dedicated port for the 3D glasses. The Master System II, a cheaper model, was released in 1990 in North America, Australasia, and Europe.
Source: Wikipedia (text under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Library & collector facts
338licensed games
- North America: 114
- Japan: 82
- PAL: 338
Lineage
Release timeline
- 🇯🇵 Japan
- October 20, 1985
- Lifespan
- 6 years on market
Pricing
Launch price (1986)
- 🇺🇸 USD
- $199
- 🇯🇵 JPY
- ¥16,800
- 🇬🇧 GBP
- £100
Launch titles & exclusives
Hang-On · Safari Hunt · Astro Warrior · Pit Pot · Teddy Boy · Snail Maze (built-in BIOS demo) · Transbot · Choplifter
Hang-On + Safari Hunt (NA launch bundle, dual-game cartridge); Alex Kidd in Miracle World (later EU/Brazil bundles, built into hardware in later EU revisions)
Phantasy Star (original) · Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap · Alex Kidd series · Fantasy Zone series · Shinobi · R-Type · Wonder Boy in Monster Land · Golden Axe Warrior · Power Strike (Aleste series) · Sonic the Hedgehog (Master System version)
Brazil's Tectoy continued producing new Master System games well into the 2010s; Street Fighter II (Brazil exclusive, 1997) is widely cited as the latest licensed release
Sonic the Hedgehog Master System gold cart variants (Brazil/EU); Loretta no Shouzou: Sherlock Holmes (JP, ~$500+ CIB); Bubble Bobble SMS (~$200+ CIB); various Brazil Tectoy late-life exclusives
Hardware specs
- Cpu
- Zilog Z80A
- Ram
- 8 KB RAM, 16 KB VRAM
- Sound
- Texas Instruments SN76489 PSG via VDP , Yamaha YM2413
- Display Output
- 256 × 192 resolution, 32 colors on-screen
Hardware revisions
- Sega Mark III(1985)
original launch hardware with FM sound expansion port
- Sega Master System(1986)
redesigned for Western markets with built-in FM sound chip (later JP units added it via expansion)
- Master System II(1990)
cost-reduced, card slot removed, built-in Alex Kidd in Miracle World (or Sonic in later EU units)
- Tectoy Master System variants(Brazil)
still in production with built-in games — Tectoy is the longest-lived console manufacturer for any platform
Launch colorways & special editions
- JP Mark III (original 1985 white casing); 1986 NA Master System; Master System II (1990, smaller, no card slot); Tectoy Master System (Brazil, ongoing production with built-in games)
Modding scene
- Difficulty
- soft-mod
- Custom firmware
- N/A (ROM-based); flashcarts: Master EverDrive, MegaSD
Reception & legacy
Disappointing in JP and NA — Nintendo's third-party lockout strangled the Master System library in North America; massive success in Europe (especially UK, Spain, Italy, Portugal) and Brazil
Nintendo's NA licensing terms required exclusivity, leaving Sega with almost no third-party support in North America; Sega aggressively countered with Tonka as a NA distributor (briefly) before taking back direct distribution
Failed in JP and NA but became the dominant 8-bit console in Europe and Brazil; the Brazilian Tectoy partnership is a unique case study in console preservation — the platform never truly died there
References
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Sega Master System in the news
Recent coverage mentioning the Sega Master System, gathered from 80+ gaming-news sources.
An 8-bit Cuphead game is being programmed in assembly language for the Sega Master System
It'll be playable on modern PCs, too, and there's another "hand-animated" Cuphead game in development alongside it.
Surprise! The Developers Behind Cuphead Just Announced A New 8-Bit Spin-Off For The Sega Master System
As well as "modern consoles and PC". During Summer Game Fest 2026, Studio MDHR announced it is working on a new 8-bit action platformer for consoles, PC, and wait for it... the Sega Master System. Mighty Cuphead Adventure was shown off during a “special bulletin” video showcased at the event, and...
Studio MDHR is Back With Two Cuphead Games: an 8-Bit Platformer, Mighty Cuphead Adventure, and a Hand-Drawn Action Platformer
Iconic Canadian developer Studio MDHR revealed it has not one, but two Cuphead games on the way. One, is Mighty Cuphead Adventure, a 2D pixel-art platformer that looks to be a Studio MDHR take on a platformer you might've played on the SEGA Master System, and another that is what you'd expect from...
Cuphead studio announces ‘Sega Master System’ spin-off and confirms sequel is in development
Mighty Cuphead Adventure is coming to consoles and PC
Mighty Cuphead Adventure Is a Retro Action Platformer for PS5 and... SEGA Master System
Yes, really. Mighty Cuphead Adventure is a brand new game from Studio MDHR, and it's a retro action platformer that's about as authentic as it gets. You can check out the teaser trailer below: Read the full article on pushsquare.com