The Sega Master System !?WHO KNEW?!

The Master System! Wow! I'm hooked and having a blast getting to know the rival for the NES. Why did I wait so long?
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#sega #sms #mastersystem #atari #playstation #retro #retrogaming #ps4 #ps3 #videogames #nintendo #nes #snes #genesis #vita

[@System_Sega]

Who knew? Europe and Brazil have know about it for decades!

[@wholewheatretro532]

Yeah! Brazil kept it alive for a long time. It’s great to hear and read about the success it was able to have there.

[@MrLurchsThings]

(…….. and Australia)

[@gimmeehands1]

I got this when I was around 9 and picked it simply because everyone else had a Nintendo, I never regretted that decision. It was amazing from the middle of the D-pad where you could put a screw in and use it like a joystick to the secret snail game that was built in to the very first 3D home game with glasses, Zaxxon 3D. Games like shinobi, zillion, outrun, Alex Kidd and so many more classics that Nintendo owners never got to experience. Plus I just loved how sega systems were always black, like they were the anti Nintendo system. I stuck with sega with every system up until the Dreamcast. I still have the Dreamcast. It was an amazing system. Have fun with that master.

[@MousePotato]

I got the Master System in 1988 and amassed 33 great games. I eventually sold my games to get the Amiga 500 but later regreted it. Im in the UK where they were more popular.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Oh man. Well, we all sell or trade things at one point in time that we end up regretting. I know I have... but, hey, the Amiga 500 was no joke. I always dreamed of getting one.

[@craigdavidson5613]

I owe my fandom in Sega to this console. I got a Master System II for Christmas 1990. I also got Global Defense and Teddy Boy as additional games. I've always had a love for Sega, and maintain that by owning an original Mega Drive, with Mega CD and 32X.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Awesome! I would love to add the 32X to my collection. That's an add-on I've been looking at for years but haven't pulled the trigger on yet.

[@HectorHuertas-gu8sv]

This was my very first system I owned. Best graphics at the time and still playing it. Welcome 🤗

[@wholewheatretro532]

Cool to hear you got to grow up with it. I wouldn't trade my time with the NES, but it would have been fun to have the Master System back in the day as well. It's impressive!

[@HectorHuertas-gu8sv]

Indeed plus 3d glasses 🕶️ and other accessories

[@wholewheatretro532]

That’s right, the other accessories… guess I’ll add them to list as well to try and hunt down.

[@Japan_Changed_My_Life]

The FM sound in the Japanese one makes it wayyyyy better. Emulation and FPGA consoles can access the FM sound which is great though.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Yeah, I was reading about the different sounds chips as I was getting my little bit of info together for this video. Very interesting stuff and I do need to look up a video to hear the differences.

[@mellowgeekstudio]

Comparing Hertz and Watts is like comparing bananas to screwdrivers.

[@eightbit1975]

Gotta subscribe to a fellow Master System enthusiast. I grew up with this console (in NJ) and it is still my favorite console period. I have a Japanese Sega Master System MK-2000 that has integrated FM, 3D glasses adapter and rapid fire unit. It is my prized possession!

[@wholewheatretro532]

Nice! That sounds like a really cool piece to have in the collection. From all the reading I have been doing it does seem that the east coast got to see and hear about the SMS more than us on the west coast. Either way, I've finally seen the light and am having a great time.

[@tim_nj_devil176]

that makes 2 of us

[@mattpolley7290]

I honestly think the master system is the most underrated games console, great games library. Just gets overshadowed by NES and 2600 somehow. I wish Sega would do a games collection for modern consoles🤞🏻

[@bpwnz360]

good video, but if you could normalize the volume between your parts an the cut in video parts that'd be great.

[@wholewheatretro532]

I will look into that. Thanks for the feedback!

[@retromegabitsegadude]

I grew up with the Master System and loved it. Friends mostly had the NES, and while I did appreciate it I was always happy with my choice. Some SMS game recommendations: Phantasy Star Wonder Boy Monster Land Dragon's Trop R-Type Fantasy Zone II Golvellius Quartet Miracle Warriors (if you're comfortable for an old school PC RPG)

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thank you for the recommendations! I am looking forward to trying R-Type out on the SMS. Always love that series...

[@GingerbeardthegamingDad]

The sega master system is a great system for the collection many fun games to play!!!

[@wholewheatretro532]

Can’t wait to play them all!

[@2j4ez]

I’m from the uk the system was very popular here. You hardly saw any nes stuff in the shops . I’ve only just discovered the nes2

[@wholewheatretro532]

Yeah, you guys got some real good Master System love over there.

[@TheAtariCreep]

SMS is SO AMAZING! Great video.

[@wholewheatretro532]

It really is!

[@eddyfernandez3710]

So we have this classic video game store out here in Aurora, CO called Game Force. They have EVERYTHING. If you're looking for Sega Master System products, I wouldn't be surprised if they have a ton of games and peripherals.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll be sure to check them out.

[@Sirspanksalot]

Had this system and always wondered what happened to it. No idea till this day.

[@donkeyparadise9276]

Should have took Nintendo to court for their monopolization

[@scottlinux]

Master System is legit. Great video, looking forward to hear about any favorite games you might find or suggest. Cheers,

[@wholewheatretro532]

I’m having a fun time trying everything out that I can and I look forward to reporting back in future videos.

[@tron3entertainment]

I had Gangster Town. I could clear 100% of the levels alone.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Nice shooting!

[@styloroc2000]

Grew up with the SMS when I was a kid in Texas in the late 80s. I still have my original system and started collecting again about 20 years ago. I think I came across this video because I finally got around to buying a second system to mod and I installed the Yamaha OPLL FM Synthesis mod and your video was recommended to me. I recommend, if you have a CRT, to get your hands on the 3-D glasses as those are my favorite games -- I'm probably in the minority, but I actually think I like every one that was made; IMHO, they are not gimmicky and all play generally well. Aside from the 3-D games, I think the most underrated games (that aren't impossible to find) are Penguin Land and Miracle Warriors -- there are plenty that are better, but the highly sought ones are expensive for a reason (eg. Phantasy Star and Y's). There are also plenty of European games that are worth checking out. That said, with the exception of Space Harrier and maybe Double Dragon, I think the arcade ports, while better than most ports out there and generally quality games, are overrated.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks for the great info and recommendations! I do have an CRT buried somewhere... I will add the 3D glasses to the list of things to collect for the system.

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

Missile Defense 3-D is maybe my favorite light gun game. Blade Eagle 3-D is fun, but it is hard.

[@00TheRealTC]

Of course you know the Master System console itself came with a built-in game, right? In early releases of the console, it was built into the system's BIOS and could be played by starting the system without a game cartridge inserted and holding Up and buttons 1 and 2 simultaneously. With later releases, you just had to power on the console (again, sans cartridge) and the boot ROM would automatically boot into the built-in game after displaying the Sega startup sequence. (One of my cousin's Master System had the racing game _Hang-On_ .) Let us know what "hidden game" yours has!

[@wholewheatretro532]

Awesome info! When I turn my system on without a game it has a selection of Hang On and Safari Hunt that comes up.

[@00TheRealTC]

@@wholewheatretro532 Groovy! Good luck on acquiring the rest of the Master System catalogue of games. Personal faves are _Rastan_ , _R-Type_ . _Shinobi_ and _Spellcaster_ .

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks! Shinobi has been very enjoyable.

[@donaldsmith5667]

I grew up with the Sega master system, and the NES. I had both of them, and the Sega master system is definitely underrated. With that being said, the NES is just substantially better imo. that said, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. There’s definitely some bangers on it. have you found a Hidden game on the console yet? if not, check it out. It’s actually a pretty decent game.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Having both must have been great! It has been a blast so far. And yes, I have found the hidden game, it’s pretty cool.

[@robertsretrogaming]

That was an entertaining watch! Good luck with the acquisition challenge. 😊

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thank you! 😁

[@blarghblargh]

The CPU is the z80. That handles the game logic, not strictly the graphics (besides copying graphics data to/from various parts of RAM). There's a cool history of the z80 on Low Spec Gamer's channel. The graphics are powered by a separate chip, called the "VDP" (Video Display Processor - The chip marked "SEGA 315-5124").

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks for that added extra info. I'll be sure to check out that other video. It is interesting to dive into the details of all the different chips and processors and try to understand just what is really happening in a console.

[@danhughesartist]

Spy vs. Spy is hands down the greatest game for the Master System. I highly recommend it! It’s loads of fun!

[@tangreen7267]

Pretty cool, bro. I was one of those kids that got an SMS instead of an NES in Christmas of '86...or was it '87 ? There weren't many great games on SMS, but there were some you could only get on Master System. It was a really great system. If you want to play Nintendo, you could just go to your neighbor's house.

[@dtester]

I know it's a matter of taste, but I felt the SMS had a lot of great games.

[@wholewheatretro532]

I am looking forward to trying out as many of the SMS games I can. So far it has been a blast.

[@tangreen7267]

@@wholewheatretro532 , some of my favorites are Golden Axe Warrior ( Zelda Clone ), Wonder Boy in Monster Land ( Action Adventure with some Rpg elements ), Double Dragon, Y's ( great Rpg ), Phantasy Star ( still my favorite of the series ), Submarine Attack ( great shooter ), Fantasy Zone II ( another great shooter ), The Ninja ( really good ), Shinobi, Rastan, Rampage ( best version in this generation ), Alex Kidd in Shinobi World, Choplifter ( best version of the generation. There are plenty of others I could mention, but I feel these were the titles I got the most out of and, often, return to.

[@jeremysouthard]

That's awesome! I grew up on NES then Genesis, so I never had a Master System until November of 2023. I can't wait to see the games you collect and what you think of them.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Better late than never is what I'm finding out! Which games so far have you spent the most time with for the SMS?

[@jeremysouthard]

@@wholewheatretro532 well... I have 35 consoles, so it hasn't bubbled to the top yet, but I may stream it soon.

[@jonathansullivan8651]

Zillion and Miracle Warriors.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@eijentwun5509]

One of those kids in the SECOND commercial was Steven Dorf from the movie BLADE with Wesley Snipes. Also How the heck did I NEVER realize the Master System used those Hu Card type game cartridges like the TurboGfx-16? I would have bought one for that reason alone! The Master System definitely had better graphics and color than the NES....in the 80's the NES's colors Bled on the screen with massive ficker...I couldnt stand it...Loved my C64 which intentionally had MUTED colors so that they look NORMAL on a NTSC RF or Composite TV

[@wholewheatretro532]

Oh man, I cut my teeth on the C64! Played so many amazing games on it.

[@dtester]

The SMS used both carts and cards. The "my card" games was a way for them to sell simpler budget games at lower cost but they only released maybe a dozen or so. The card slot is also used by the Sega 3D glasses. The revised model 2 SMS phased the card slot out. Fun fact, they were manufactured by the same company that made Hu cards.

[@eijentwun5509]

@@dtester Thanks! SO cool to know. the Turbografx was underrated...mostly because it lacked the Mainstream games SNES and Genesis were getting...they didnt catch up quick enough, and there was a nasty rumor saying it was actually an 8 bit system....which I believed when I looked at Keith COurage which looked slightly better than Super Mario Bros 8 bit to me.

[@dtester]

There are Sega kids from the 16-bit days and there are the elite few (in NA) that was an 8-bit Sega kid! I would have told you about the SMS if I knew you back then ^_^

[@wholewheatretro532]

We wouldn't really know about Sega (other than arcade games) in our homes until the Genesis had it's big marking blitz. Then we finally saw that system in stores and a couple of kids did get one instead of a SNES.

[@dtester]

@@wholewheatretro532On a side note, I always blame parents for the console wars. Why must we choose only one?! 😆

[@VEGANVANIA]

I am a fan of the SMS and I grew up with it, _but_ the crucial counter-argument is this: don't forget _the date of release_ for each of the games. The software library wasn't _too little, too late_ but it was -simply- too late. The greatest (and most graphically impressive) games on the SMS were programmed and published _too late_ in the 8-bit era.

[@wholewheatretro532]

As I get to know the system and games more I will keep that in mind.

[@ghostofthefuture]

Zillion was my favorite Master System game. IIRC, it did have an annoying old-school gaming trope where you actually had to beat the game TWICE in order to really beat it. But it was still awesome.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Oh man, one of those… still I will be picking it up when I see it. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@perryblanchard8353]

Where did you get that Metroid cart? never seen that label before?

[@wholewheatretro532]

It's a later North American re-release of Metroid. I believe it came out around the same time as Metroid II for the Game Boy.

[@steveirvinejr1672]

I need this system I love this computer

[@danhughesartist]

I had a thingy thing that you plunged into the Sega Geneis that allowed you to play Master System on it (kinda like the Super Gameboy)

[@Paul07791]

"Who knew?" ...The other half of the world, thanks.

[@starrybear9778]

I had a Master System when it was initially released. I liked it a lot. Had a bunch of really good games for it. Even had the 3-D glasses with Zaxxon 3-D and Maze Hunter 3-D. Had some Sega card games like my Hero, Ghost House, Transbot

[@Owazrim]

I found about the Master System around 2017 and picked up my first console and games shortly after in the summer. It has been a great journey learning about the system, games, and accessories. I hadn't planned on collecting the U.S. released games but I worked out a trade for a higher price game last year so now I am going for the set and missing only one game at the moment. Not all are CIB and some are PAL versions(Not worth the cost to get a U.S. version *Cough Sonic*) but I am so close. Enjoy hunting down the games and learning about them. Some games to keep an eye out for Golvelious, R-type, Phantasy Star, After Burner, Kenseiden, Choplifter, Castle of Illusion and ghostbusters to name a few. For Pal games Aladdin, Pshycic world, Batman Returns, Jurassic Park, and Lucky Dime Caper.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Awesome to hear your NA collection! I know I keep saying this but the SMS is really impressive and I'm looking forward to gathering all the games. Choplifter... played a lot of that on the old C64.

[@Owazrim]

Choplifter and Ghostbusters got played a lot on the C64 as a kid. I didn't beat Ghostbusters until I got it for the Master System though.

[@japangamejunk]

I really recommend getting some SG-1000 era controllers (both joypad and joystick) that are of course Master System compatible. I think they have much more precise control.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Well I will have to find one of those controllers to give it a try. Thanks for letting me know.

[@chrishensley5384]

I picked up a Mega Everdrive X7 for my Sega Genesis a few years back and I was pleasantly surprised that it also plays Master System games too.

[@wholewheatretro532]

I haven't tried any Everdrive's out yet, do they work pretty well?

[@chrishensley5384]

⁠yeah man! Flash carts are great to check out games we never got in the States and Homebrews.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Heh, guess I will add it to the ever growing wish list!

[@mrmaxaxl]

Excellent! Subbed.

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

I usually see the US Master System library at 114. Where are you getting 115 or 116?

[@wholewheatretro532]

I used two lists for North America releases; one from Wiki and one from Sega Retro.

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

@wholewheatretro532 Okay, they have Snail Maze, the built-in game, listed, and Sega Retro has Safari Hunt listed separately, even though it never came out by itself.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Oh, ok. I’ll amend my tracking list to reflect that.

[@Lynxan]

When I was young, I wanted a master system, but between no one near me sold them and when my folks got me a NES I was told it was the only hardware they could afford, so if I wanted a master system, I would have to get it myself. With places to find it practically nonexistent and my funds lower than my family, it was not happening then.

[@SteveBrandon]

I suspect that the Sega Master System was per capita more popular here in Canada, where it was distributed by Irwin Toys, if just because several video stores in the area I lived at the time (Pincourt, just outside of Montreal) rented out Master System games and they continued getting new Master System games in until around 1990 (when the Genesis was obviously taking over) so I doubt that my family was the only one renting Master System games. I never liked the Master System control pad but there were third party options plus the first party Sega Master System Control Stick, which was much sturdier.

[@dire51]

As a Master System fan going way back, I can tell you that I knew, and if I'd known you, I'd have told you. That said, I know you said you'd be trying to get the complete US library, but if I may drop a couple of recommendations to bump up on the priority list: Kenseiden, Ys, Phantasy Star, R-Type, Rastan and Power Strike. And if you really want to expand your library, grab some of the Euro games like Master of Darkness, Ninja Gaiden, Renegade, Sagaia and Captain Silver (that one was released in the U.S., but Sega cut the game in two to save on memory costs. Same thing happened to Enduro Racer).

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks for the recommendations! I'll move those up the list and be on the lookout for them. Once I have all the NA titles maybe I will branch out and try some of the Euo ones...

[@dire51]

@@wholewheatretro532 there were definitely a lot of good Euro-released titles to check out. I named a few, but there are plenty more. Interestingly enough, a lot of the games we got on cards were reissued on carts in Europe.

[@CasperEgas]

Who knew? Many people. It was our first console at home. Micro computers were most popular here in The Netherlands. For consoles it was about an even split between Master System and NES. Other publishers for Master System include Acclaim, US Gold, Domark, Codemasters and others.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Very cool to hear. Countries outside of the US got a lot of love for the Master System.

[@SupremeNerd]

Why Tac-Scan, Congo Bongo and Star Trek SOS wasnt released for this system i don't know

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

The Star Trek license might have expired by then. Sega probably thought that consumers did not want older arcade games at that point.

[@Kcalien]

R type and black belt are fire 🔥

[@VEGANVANIA]

I should change the name of my channel to "Durum Semolina White Bread Retro". Maybe, "Everything Bagel Retro".

[@wholewheatretro532]

Ha! Those both sound great.

[@jessekeiper9238]

Kenseiden and Rastan are great games to check out. Kenseiden is quite amazing.

[@ryanromulus5069]

Decent. However, you repeat yourself a lot…. Wording is chunky. No one want to here you say aaaaaa and thinking between words or sentences. Work on script development and get smooth. Would like to see more content from you.

[@wholewheatretro532]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@isaacheres1354]

I have the ❤'s for the Dreamcast.

[@wholewheatretro532]

It’s thinking! Loved those commercials.

[@joshuaharper4439]

I’ve had a total of three Sega master systems through the years the two I currently have are just normal Sega master systems. The weird part is the one I had many years ago looks just like the ones I currently have except I’m certain it said mark three on that on that that particular consul it said Sega mattress system mark three, but what I read in other places the mark three was only overseas so I’m a little confused I know for 100% certainty the thing of master system I had they said Sega mattress system mark three.

[@tangreen7267]

Yeah, TecToy sold a " Master System III " in the US through Wal-Mart. I thought it was a little weird too. I had the original Master System and the Master System II with Alex Kidd built in.

[@dtester]

I'm assuming that "Sega Mattress System" was a typo, but that is hilariously awesome. As for what you had, I'm not sure. Do you know how you got this SMS mark 3? Where are you located? Might give a clue.

[@Bird_Dog2099]

You are certain that it said Mark iii or Mark 3? Could it have maybe said Master System 2?

[@joshuaharper4439]

@@Bird_Dog2099 i’m pretty sure it said Mark three

[@joshuaharper4439]

@@dtester I don’t see very well, so I have to use voiceover on my phone so it doesn’t always type correctly. Sorry I am in Kansas.

[@VEGANVANIA]

Ah… what you say about the technical aspects is really not true, circa @7:15… as you get deeper into the software library you'll discover, (1) how asymmetrical the graphical comparison is (compare Metroid to WB3: the Dragon's Trap, or even compare Adventure Island 4 (Japan only, late release) to WB3: the Dragon's Trap… and for a direct comparison, take a glance at California Games on the NES vs SMS) and (2) in terms of what the sound hardware is capable of, look up the music for _Alien 3_ and _Road Rash_ (specify the Master System versions, of course, when searching, so you don't get the 16 bit versions of those soundtracks) and you'll hear what the Master System was capable of (without the FM expansion chip, just the default hardware).

[@wholewheatretro532]

Wow, thanks for the info dump. I will definitely look up those comparisons.

[@scorch33]

No one knew. You are literally the first person to ever own one or play games on it.

[@cabbitkisser2620]

I'm still i therapy after getting the Sega master system as a Christmas gift.

[@AaronOfYell]

Master system is far better than NES. Furthermore, it's gigawatts, not jigawatts

[@wholewheatretro532]

I've really been enjoying the games I have for it so far. Will be fun to try and collect and play them all.

[@AaronOfYell]

@@wholewheatretro532 In my opinion Sonic 1 was better than both Sonic 2 and Sonic Chaos. Other games I remember enjoying when I was young was Asterix, Back To The Future Pt3, Lucky Dime Caper starring Donald Duck, Michael Jacksons Moonwalker, Pacmania, Tazmania and Tom & Jerry The Movie. Although I don't know if any of them have stood the test of time. The Master System version of Fantastic Dizzy was far better than the Mega Drive version and Golden Axe Warrior (not Golden Axe) was unbelievable. As you can probably tell, these were PAL games so I don't know how many were available in North America. I would say that Fantastic Dizzy and Golden Axe Warrior would probably make the most interesting videos. Good luck with it

[@wholewheatretro532]

Dang! Thank you for all great info. I’ll check to see if any of those did make it here for release in NA.

[@ericzajac5237]

Try your NES controller with it. Or vice versa.

[@tangreen7267]

The Master System, like the Genesis and many Atari systems has a 9-pin plug. Master System and Nes style control pads are not compatible with each other.

[@ericzajac5237]

@@tangreen7267 try it though. Just for fun.

[@tangreen7267]

@@ericzajac5237 Funny. Humor so dry it makes Barney Miller proud.

[@ericzajac5237]

@@tangreen7267 so you're not going to try it?

[@gaminghistoryfr6614]

Better to play master system games on a mega drive using a master system converter. Image quality would be better.

[@ChadDoebelin]

we have RGB output on our master system.

[@SupremeNerd]

How is the gameplay though?

[@SupremeNerd]

A pretty game means nothing if you can't play it

[@MrKingkz]

​@@SupremeNerdIt's one to one with the master system the megadrive/genesis had master system built-in the only thing you need is master system converter to change the pins so the carts will fit

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

Actually, it is not better, as you can only play F-16 Fighting Falcon on a real Mastet System.

[@jeremiahthomas8140]

Your poor Atari joke should probably not have been made in a Master System video. At the time of the Mastet System in the US, Sega was third behind Nintendo AND Atari.

[@joshdv1977]

gee. you two should get married

[@CDubya.82]

I preferred the Master System then and still prefer it over the NES now. 🇦🇺

[@wholewheatretro532]

It is wonderful!

[@amidbse]

NES had better games. Mainly because the library was so much more robust