Sega Master SystemThe Sega
Master System (SMS) was released in 1986 to compete with the
explosively successful Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). It had
been known as the Mark III in Japan where it had been introduced a
year and a half earlier. The SMS initially retailed for $200 and
like the NES, featured a pack-in game cartridge (Hang On/Safari
Hunt) and a light gun. In its first four months of release, Sega
sold 125,000 units in North America.
The SMS is unique to other systems in that it featured ports for two
different types of media. It is capable of reading programming from
both a game cartridge and a card about the size of a driver's
license. A cartridge is able to hold 1048K bits of game code, the
card 256K. The card was cheaper to manufacture and retailed for
about $5 less than the cartridge. Seven SMS games were released on
the card, the best include: Spy vs. Spy and Trans-Bot
Another feature that was unique to the SMS at the time was upon the
activation of the power switch, the word "Sega" slid across the
screen with its own theme song. If no software is inserted after the
music ends a screen with operating instructions appears.
In 1987, Sega introduced the SegaScope 3-D glasses for the SMS. The
glasses are attached to a game card by a chord. The card inserts
into the slot on the console. Inside the lenses, high-speed LCD
shutters open and close over opposite eyes in synchronization. This
rapid flickering produces the illusion of a three-dimensional image
on-screen.
Sega's 3D glasses drew a positive response from critics. Unlike 3D
accessories for other systems, the SegaScope glasses are comfortable
and can be worn for hours of play without a headache. Eight 3D games
were released for the Master System, they include: Missile Defense
3-D, Zaxxon 3-D and Maze Hunter 3-D.
The Sega Light Phaser was another peripheral released for the Master
System. It was a black futuristic-looking pistol that plugged
directly into the joystick port. Seven games were released for the
Phaser, the best include: Safari Hunt and Rescue Mission
Since its introduction to the American market Sega found itself
caught in a continuous uphill battle against Nintendo. Even though
the SMS arrived just a few months later than the NES, most of the
major third party software developers were already tied up by
Nintendo for exclusive game licensing rights. Companies that were
designing games for the NES contractually could not do likewise for
any rival platform. Because of this, the number of titles available
for the SMS were always limited.
In August 1987, Tonka, a toy manufacturer, purchased the American
distribution rights to the SMS. Sega's belief was that because of
their name and reputation, Tonka would be able to get the SMS on
more American store shelves. With the product more readily
available, the SMS could compete more equally with the NES. Sega of
America reacquired the rights from Tonka in 1990 after three years
of only modest U.S. sales.
In Europe and Australia the Sega Master System thrived. Third party
developers were not bound by any Nintendo exclusivity agreements and
supported the SMS with diverse, high-quality games. American third
party supporters of the SMS include: Activision (Rampage) and Parker
Brothers (Montezuma's Revenge).
In 1990, one year after they had released the 16-bit Genesis system,
Sega introduced the Sega Master System II -- a smaller, sleeker
version of the original. The premise behind its release was to
downscale several features on the SMS to make the console affordable
to more consumers. Features not included on the Master System II
were: a card port, power light, reset button, expansion port and
logo or music upon activation of the system. Though the Master
System II was more affordable, it was doomed by the lack of third
party software support and all but disappeared from the American
market by 1992.
Over 100 American titles were released for the Sega Master System.
The best games for the SMS include: Y's: The Vanished Omens,
Phantasy Star, Wonderboy III: The Dragon's Trap, Golden Axe Warrior,
Rampage and R-Type.
— Dave Beuscher
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