20 Best Sega Master System Games of All Time

You can learn a lot about the early days of the war between Sega and Nintendo by looking through the best Sega Master System games. Also known as the Sega Mark III in Japan, the Sega Master System was the company’s third variation of their SG-1000 system. It was released in Japan in October of 1985, but what makes the Master System a little more interesting than anything Sega had done with home consoles up to that point was that the Mark III was going to get a North American release, as well.
By the end of 1985, it seemed as though the home video game market was recovering (albeit slowly) from the infamous crash of 1983. Sega would try to get their foot in the door through a partnership with toy manufacturer Tonka, but this proved to be pointless. By the end of the 80s, the Sega Master System had done underwhelming business, but was not a complete failure either. Enough was accomplished to compel Sega to stick around and try again with the Genesis.
Unless you live in Brazil, where the Master System sold some 8 million units and continues to receive new games to this day, we’re celebrating an ambitious flop. The Sega Master System may not have outperformed the NES, but we’ll see from this look at the best games for the console that it had and still has plenty of fun to offer.
00:00 Intro
01:34 20. The Lucky Dime Caper
02:25 19. Ghouls n Ghosts
03:24 18. Psycho Fox
04:24 17. Bubble Bobble
05:21 16. Master of Darkness
06:21 15. Ys: The Vanished Omens
07:17 14. Fantasy Zone
08:08 13. Power Strike
09:16 12. Road Rash
10:16 11. Operation Wolf
11:14 10. Prince of Persia
12:17 9. Golden Axe Warrior
13:08 8. R-Type
14:04 7. Shinobi
15:10 6. Out Run
16:05 5. Wonder Boy 3
16:59 4. Land of Illusion
18:02 3. Sonic the Hedgehog
19:06 2. Phantasy Star
20:09 1. Alex Kidd in Miracle World
👉Want to see what other consoles have to offer in terms of their best games? Here's our complete playlist: • 20 BEST Game Boy Color...
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#gaming #sega #mastersystem

[@CulturedVultures]

THE BEST SONIC GAMES: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5DaeqOJrMx0hq8

[@gerrytemple5044]

Zillion (1) is my absolute favourite. Still play it every year. Love it ❤️

[@BrunoidGames]

We love the Master System! Kenseiden is another masterpiece.

[@CrimsonDeathBed]

As someone born in 1980, this was the first system I had after the Atari. Fantasy zone was huge in my world

[@bee2377]

Born 83 here. I had a nes at home, but my uncle had a master system. I was jealous. The sms was awesome! Eventually, as an adult, I got me an sms, multi cart, 3d glasses, and joystick!

[@CrimsonDeathBed]

@@bee2377 nice I'm trying to get some old systems I got emulators on my computer but it's not the same feeling

[@bigedwerd]

I've been playing a lot of SMS lately and have gotten through half of these. I would add (or replace with) Alien 3, Double Dragon, Rastan, and needs more Wonder Boy games.

[@ntq0364]

Being a SMS owner as a kid, there’s A LOT of titles I LOVED that aren’t on this list…Penguin Land, Rescue Mission, Time Soldiers, Zillion, Montezuma’s Revenge, Keinsieden, Wanted, Safari Hunt, Alex Kidd in Shinobi World (but it’s basically Shinobi so that’s fine) I’m glad you had Dragon’s Trap on here. I’m also assuming if it was on the Nintendo (like King’s Quest, Double Dragon, Rampage, After Burner, Choplifter, etc) it wouldn’t make this list.

[@shiningphantasy1393]

Alex Kidd in Miracle World was a nice early response to SMB for us Master System owners; a needed platformer to keep us satisfied. That being said nothing topped Phantasy Star; easily the best JRPG for any 8-bit console, and well ahead of its time. It still holds up great today, especially with the re-localization and improvement hack applied, or even if played vanilla. Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Miracle Warriors, Power Strike II, and Kenseiden would also be in my top 20.

[@ChristopheVerdonck]

The pack in alex kid was maybe a very iconic game but i absolutely hated it, (the white angel tune of dying and back to the beginning tune are still gifted into my memory) Back then my parent would not get me another game until i finished alex kit (i never finished it) so it was only years later when i got a game gear + sms adapter that i really got to appreciate/enjoy the system. Phantasy Star, golden axe worrier, sonic chaos(gg only i think) and James pond II where my favorite games.

[@sjntube]

Not sure why but when I think of the Sega Master System, the very first game that comes to mind is Golvellius - The Valley of Doom. I was addicted to that game!

[@Des_Zee]

You can't talk about best SMS games of all time without mentioning all the great light phaser games like "Gangster Town" and "Jungle Hunt".

[@YAWN....]

he just did...

[@MonacellaGuitarProductions]

Such a great system. I'd add Miracle Warriors, Spellcaster, Blackbelt, Zillion, and Cyborg!

[@bearskin067]

Missing some amazing games:. - Kung Fu Kid - Action Fighter - Astro Warrior - Space Harrier - Double Dragon

[@whobitmyname]

Kung Fu Kid still has unbeatable jump physics.

[@SteveBrandon]

Minor correction: the original Apple II version of Prince of Persia was released by Broderbund Software in 1989 but the Sega Master System port was released by Domark in June 1992.

[@Nesguy92]

Just replayed phantasy star last year and it still holds up. The visuals blow everything coming out on nes out of the water.

[@joeb2588]

It certainly does. I played it again almost a year ago and still go back and replay certain parts. Like the Lassic battle, Darkfalz battle, and when Myau grows wings and you have to fight the Gold Dragon. This game will always be great.

[@waynetemplar2183]

Great video and a really good list. I'd have included New Zealand Story (probably the most awesome 8-bit arcade conversion) and James Pond 2 (looks like it could have been a 16-bit game)

[@user-no6um2if9c]

New Zealand Story, damn that was a game I loved too on Mastersytem ❤❤❤

[@joshbrekke6374]

Rastan, Golden Axe, Black Belt, Choplifter, Action Fighter, Alien Syndrome, Double Dragon, Rampage, Wonder Boy & Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Enduro Racer, & Micro Machines are ones I really like a lot. Astro Warrior/Hang On I both really like as well was what my system came with when I bought it from KB toys in 1986 with money I earned to buy it. Many Friends & Family had the NES so I decided I want the SMS. I still love it and it’s Color palette that doesn’t hurt my eyes like some NES games. However I feel both systems are great with some great titles. My 4 current go to favorites are SNES Super Castlevania 4, Mario Cart, Sega Genesis Ghouls & Ghosts & Castlevania Bloodlines. Good list & thanks for the flashbacks!

[@theherk]

Astro Warrior is great. The sound when the laser takes out a full row was so satisfying.

[@joshbrekke6374]

@@theherk I fully agree. Like it burns/rips through the whole screen. Nebula stage it a must for me. Those bastards are beyond difficult with the pee shooter!

[@Davestubetorials]

From a Lover of Retro Games, Great Video this system brings back so many memory's My fave was Kenseiden

[@clownshoegaming4772]

thank you for making this

[@longplayarchive]

Good selection. Feel free to use footage from our channel in the future. We literally finished the entire Master System library a few weeks ago and the videos tend to be in better quality than you'll find on other channels

[@patrick-tg4sq]

Master system was better than the nes

[@Adamtendo_player_1]

No, it wasn’t. The NES was better than the master system by a long joke. Yes, the master system had better graphics, but it sounds just don’t compare to Nintendo with so many classic soundtracks from the NES it’s not even close.

[@patrick-tg4sq]

@@Adamtendo_player_1 u don’t know ur game consoles lol

[@LFR]

@@patrick-tg4sqThe nes has a better and a more memorable library of games than the sms. But the sms does win graphics and sounds.

[@markchambers3833]

​@@LFRNo it doesn't. Guessing you're an American. The NES is more memorable to you because you're familiar with the NES and ignorant of the plethora of great games on the Master System. This list doesn't even scratch the surface of what's on offer. It's pathetic really, how people to this day assert the superiority of the vastly inferior NES. There's no excuse for this today: with emulators, everdrives, etc., the Master System library is easily available to any fan of 8 bit gaming. Open your eyes to objective truth.

[@LFR]

@@markchambers3833 Not a lot of people would remember Alex Kidd, Shinobi, golden axe, or Wonder boy but most people remember Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Metroid, and Animal crossing. The Nintendo characters are much more memorable to today’s standards. The most memorable sega character is sonic that’s really it.

[@JohnPates]

Phantasy Star was my overall favorite for the SMS... followed up by Wonder Boy In Monsterland and Wonderboy The Dragon's Trap. Fantasy Zone and Alex Kidd were also great. But there were too many great games in the list.

[@jeremycline9542]

we missed a lot of these as SMS kids but great vid!

[@test121ify]

Great top!!! I miss Asterix, Ninja Gaiden and Gorvellius but it's your top. It's subjetiv.

[@oggamecat7586]

Prob my fav game was Astro Warrior followed by Global Defense. Loved those games when I was 12

[@flemmingallanthomsen9284]

PHANTASY STAR!!!!! shinobi is commig back as part of sega's new games!!!!

[@bobjones27]

Severely under appreciated game but at the time only rich kids could afford it. Surely is a lot better than any rpg on NES though

[@hachiko187]

OMG, I loved ur video, u need to make one telling the exclusive brazilian games, like Street Fighter 2

[@whobitmyname]

Wonder Boy in Monster Land stands out in my memory. Also, Aztec Adventure.

[@rambledogs2012]

10:18 I got really mad at the pause between Operation and Wolf there. 😆 Alex Kidd IMW was my first game I completed. I seem to recall finding a visual hack that allowed you to win the rock, paper, scissors sections whereby you could tell which action they were going to perform before the CPU chooses.

[@Tzara11]

The SMS outsold the Nes here in Europe, so it wasn't an ambitious flop as u said. At least not everywhere

[@leventozcan4595]

It was a succes in Europe, still playing it @ the age of 43

[@jonpirovsky]

Games I'd also include here: Black Belt, Sonic Chaos, Choplifter, Zillion, Zillion II:Triformation and California Games.

[@AngelTorres3As]

I just bought one of these systems with the gun two controllers and 8 games. Found it at a thrift shop for $15. I just need to hook it up to my TV, it has all the cables from what I can see, just need to try it out. I did plug it in and it does power on.

[@proximacentauri8256]

Nice List! I just would replace Lucky Dime with Deep Duck Trouble and Power Strike with Power Strike 2, and tried to squeeze in there Asterix, Aladdin, Ninja Gaiden, Chuck Rock 2, T2: The Arcade Game and Micro Machines. Also Ghouls And Ghosts for the SMS its not as difficult as it is presented, probably it is the easiest version of the game ever released.

[@ringo2221]

"Master of darkness" ....❤....still Love it.....

[@derekzicari2181]

Ultima 4, Golvellious are phenomenal!!

[@gabrielepasquali5479]

The best 8 bit console

[@vikashv1]

The key to beating Alex Kidd was using the Mega drive controller as the master systems mushy d pad made this game way more harder to control

[@abcmaya]

We all agree Miracle World was an awesome game!!!

[@bossK78]

I had 3d missile command with the light gun. It was awesome.

[@MNATrevor]

I f***ing loved Alex Kidd in Miracle World

[@deanandtavonplumb7059]

My favourite game was wonder boy 3 but I probably played double dragon more than any other game, which was great in multiplayer

[@lukaslapont3008]

Great list,played them all as a child, but Wonder Boy 3 should be Nr.1

[@rambledogs2012]

No it shouldn't

[@waynetemplar2183]

@@rambledogs2012 Yes it should :D

[@joakimkarlsson9942]

Nope number 2

[@SnarkyRC]

I have all of these games

[@waylonoconner9121]

People also tend to hate on games like Master of Darkness because they are "Castlevania Clones" but with Nintendo's lock down on publishers even if Konami wanted to put a Castlevania game on SMS they couldn't release it here in the US. Though Simons Quest would have been even better on Master System

[@ronaldclayton4232]

The Master System had some great games were far superior to their NES releases(Double Dragon)and even though i never really liked 1st person dungeon crawlers Phantasy Star was way ahead of its time.Other arcade conversions like R-type and Shinobi also made the system shine but the fact that Nintendo hogged up all the best 3rd party developers like Capcom,Konami,Tecmo,SNK,Square and so on hurt the system so bad along with it not being available except in a couple of specialty stores it just never really had a chance in the US to succeed.I think i only seen the system for sale twice around 1988 once in a ToyrUs and again at some type of mega store like I cant remember the name of.

[@shotakuervo]

Kinda a shame the way Nintendo did consumers with their shady business practices during this era. Some of the best NES games would have thrived on other hardware (SMS, PC Engine, etc...).

[@paulgreaves3131]

Do u know what computer wonder boy in monster world was thanks

[@drummerbob10]

I loved and still play Fantasy Zone 2.

[@ulifranz7375]

My top 6: 1. Phantasy Star; 2. Wonder Boy in Monster Land; 3. Alex Kidd i.MW; 4. Sonic (1-3); 5. Spellcaster; 6. Shinobi

[@teddyaldridge7871]

Alien 3 was awesome.

[@LastDeadMouse50]

I would have added Rampage, Rastan, and Double Dragon. I’m also surprised how many people would mark Miracle World as number one. I found the instant deaths with Alex’s short range punch very frustrating and the rock, paper, scissors boss fights infuriatingly random. I would, however, had agreed if you had chosen Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, which also deserves to be in the top list.

[@jjg1501]

they were not random. they were 100% beatable 100% of the time and i did not struggle with one shots hmm

[@frankkkbard0n315]

i kinda agree. THe game is great in many ways, but as far as playability, the sonic game is 50 times better. Sonic is so much better to control, to hit enemies, and not die in a single hit...

[@myvirtualtoyz7338]

8bit?!! These almost look like SNES 16bit!

[@svenh.7854]

Wow... At least 4 games were on my own favorite list. (r-Type, Shinoby, Outrun and Sonic) You missed such great games like Rastan, Altered Beast, Quartet, Teddyboy, Ghostbusters or Transbot. Also you forgot some great Sportstitles like Slapshot or Wimbledon I and II, which already had a nice carreermode.

[@renzotube3949]

Before I watch. BlackBelt better be on the list.... Let's see

[@ronch550]

If it weren't for Nintendo literally preventing devs from developing for rival systems the SMS would've been more relevant and who knows how much market share it could've snagged from Nintendo.

[@stevekempsyninja3292]

What about Zillon? Ghostbusters, spell caster, or miracle warriors

[@TheThorns]

The tectoy street fighter 2 port was amazing for the master system. Should check it out.

[@semicharmedlife311]

Was sorta hoping against hope that Ghost House would make this ranking b/c I played the crap out of it at my friend's house. 😅

[@user-no6um2if9c]

Alex the kid, Ninja Gaiden, Sonic, Shinobi, mortal Kombat, etc... ❤

[@Duppy1985]

Teddy boy would be somewhere on there for me!

[@spatchmo6938]

"The master system has games that could theoretically compete with the NES," is kind of an odd statement as the SMS was objectively more powerful hardware than the NES, with the exception of the sound card. If only the US / UK versions had the FM sound card that Japan had as an add on. Anyway, this list is missing Golvellius: Valley of Doom, and the best Ys is Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana

[@BlastedMaster]

Did you know that R-Type, and games similar in their horizontal-scrolling design, aren't actually considered to be _'Shmups'?_ They're Shmideways! 🤗 rimshot! _BA-DAT...PSSH!!!_ 🌽

[@waylonoconner9121]

The Sega Master Systems sprite limitations partially kept the system back in a physical sense but Nintendo's strangle hold on publishing rights in the US had its first victim. However, as you can see by games like Phantasy Star, Mickey Mouse, and Donald Ducks Lucky Dime Caper the Master System crushed the NES in colors. Such better looking titles and so many great games that several were missed in this list: Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, Psychic World, Zillion 2, and many more. Great system held back by corporate politics.

[@waylonoconner9121]

Also, how could I have missed the, far superior in my opinion, Ninja Gaiden game....

[@Mrduirk]

la master system fue la segunda consola que conocí,la primera fue la nes,de hecho nunca pense que despues vendria la megadrive, ahi fue una evolucion que nunca pense que sacarían.

[@tonyp9313]

You forgot Wonder Boy & Wonder Boy in Monster Land.

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

My advice, stick with the original SMS library like the Wonder Boy series, Zillion, Enduro Racer, Shinobi, Rambo, Golden Axe Warrior, Phantasy Zone, ect. The Master is a GREAT console but stay away from the Genesis ports converted to the SMS. It does NOT handle Genesis games well but the original library is great👍

[@7200932]

You would be surprised. Moonwalker, road rash, desert strike, alien3 and even streets of rage are all great ports of the mega drive versions, was just a shame streets of rage was only single player on the master system

[@popixel]

So many of these games I would have such a hard time actually putting in any kind of numerical order from best to greatest. But Alex kid definitely would not be my number one. Wonderboy three was by far better than Alex Kidd, but I am very happy to see my phantasy star at least reach number two.

[@ikjb8561]

I would add Aztec Adventure and Njinja

[@user-fr1ys2wn4t]

Techmo world cup 93 Masters of combat Ninja gaiden I cant believe you put those crappy racers in and not these

[@shamusteakiawa]

Mine are in no particular order 1. Shinobi 2. Kung Fu kid 3. Ghouls 'n Ghosts 4. Altered Beast 5. Spellcaster 6. Sonic 1 7. Sonic 2 8. Kenseiden 9. California games 10. Rastan 11. Wonder boy 12. Wonder boy 3 13. Double Dragon 14. Hang on 15. Zillion 16. Gauntlet 17. Golden Axe 18. Alex kidd in miracle world 19. ECCO the Dolphin 20. Land of illusion.

[@Jaimo78]

Alex Kidd in Shinobi world should be on this list.

[@matthewmontalvo6795]

I’ve would have added Rastan. Really great game. Also Ys was not fun for me.

[@SergioPL]

Wonder Boy is very good. Also, Gangster Town is better than Operation Wolf. Black Belt should appearance in the list too. California Games are great.

[@kovec681]

Um, where's Golvellius - Valley of Doom?

[@johnchappell1261]

I liked my hero. The card cartridge

[@user-ou6xz5xo8u]

My hero...vigilante

[@ArtersArcade]

Have to have Rastan & Double Dragon

[@davmo72]

Asterix was one of the best platformers.

[@pferreira1983]

THIS!

[@yearight5303]

The Master system was as good as the TG16 in many of these games.

[@michaelcapone175]

No sports games in the top 20?

[@luisdejesus3096]

What? No Zillion?

[@eroffroad5438]

Spy vs spy, double dragon, california games.

[@deadcentre-retro-meaningma6209]

Alex Kidd really could have been a contender. It had everything: vehicles, horizontal, vertical, underwater, sky, land… it’s all there. But Janken is a game of chance and has no place in a video game. Video games are skill-based. Sure, you can learn to avoid it, but that just means there’s no boss battle challenge. It’s a flawed masterpiece which defeats itself and leaves Wonder Boy 3 vs Phantasy Star as the true title decider…

[@pinebarrenpatriot8289]

The Wonder Boy series should of been Segas mascot to compete with the NES and Mario. The Alex Kidd series got worse with each game while Wonderboy got better. Wonderboy 2 (Monsterland) is my personal SMS favorite. Aside from Shinobi World the Alex Kidd sequels were terrible.

[@greencastle337]

Is it me or master systems has way better graphics than the nes

[@seimatralainen7034]

It is sad how forgotten Sega Master System is. It does have some really great games

[@jonpirovsky]

It is well remembered in Europe and Brazil

[@okjay755]

What about VIGILANTE!? And, ALEX KIDD AND THE LOST STARS was better than the original, IMHO.

[@luismedeiros8005]

How old is this video? You gotta be kidding with number 1... almost ruins the all video.😮

[@ohmy4275]

Limited run is a disgrace

[@trewstory189]

Where's the game you collect the letters and turn to a helicopter

[@barryschalkwijk9388]

Wonder boy III should be #1 Alex kidd and Sonic are not even half as good. Sonic: nice music and some decent physics, almost 0 replay value Alex Kidd: fun game but come on: "such intense rock paper scissors games" Where the opponent always did the same.

[@tomrichards4522]

Wheres Asterix ffs😢

[@gamoviede3460]

Populous???

[@Frieslick]

No Action Fighter? No Pro Wrestling? No Safari Hunt? This list sucks mate!

[@mickeymaus1]

Nope, don’t agree with around 50% - sorry, too many better games missed but added bad playable ports like Ghouls ’n Ghosts and tbh Outrun and road rash were cult back then but already a tough rip off from the MD / Genesis version both games which u wouldn’t play today. Next, Psycho Fox? Yeah, it has nice graphics I know, it’s look cool with the various characters but have u really played it through without cheating? The jump mechanics’s are just horrible.

[@maxheadroom22and26]

Never played Psycho Fox, but all these leaps of faith into "nothing" don't seem to be fun.

[@mickeymaus1]

@@maxheadroom22and26 just try it by emulator and I guarantee you in max 5 mins only by playing just the fox u will understand what my critics are all about 😄

[@loveandrockets4life]

Switch Alex Kidd and Wonder Boy and I'm in agreement. :)

[@adammintern3927]

the main character in the new prince of persia game looks rubbish

[@Adamtendo_player_1]

The master system is overrated, and for me is Sega’s worst console controversial opinion Ido but it’s my opinion I don’t like the sound from it. It’s horrible especially growing up with Nintendo or the NES, which had much better sound than the weedy master system sound chip.

[@maxheadroom22and26]

Technically the SMS is better than the NES. Some japanese games even have additional sound chips inside. But really, sound is the most unimportant thing, i think. Just mute the game and play your favorite music from your stereo!

[@WerewolfOvWallachia]

this is an ok list, though it's much more of a personal favorite list than an actual Top 20 list... where is Double Dragon, Castle Of Illusion, Golvellius, Kenseiden, Ninja Gaiden, Zillion, Rastan, etc.??... Power Strike II is way better than the first one... many of your choices must be personal choices.

[@j.c.a5798]

Un top lamentable. Como admirador del sistema, decepcionante. Dislike

[@Breakbeats92.5]

I think Nintendos