The Sega Master System, the classic third-generation console, was released in the United States and Canada in 1986, more than three decades ago in the height of the 8-bit era. The console was something of a disappointment at the time but has since become a treasured piece of history for introducing some of Sega's most iconic franchises.
Interestingly enough, the Sega Master System launched over the course of several years all over the world and was much more popular in some unexpected locations. Its successor, the Sega Mega Drive (called the Sega Genesis in North America), were improvements in just about every way on the console – but it certainly had its own unique charm.
10 The Master System Launched In Japan As The Sega Mark III
In Japan, the Sega Master System was the third in a series of Sega consoles released since 1983, called the Sega Game 1000, The Sega Mark II, and of course the Sega Mark III. Outside of Japan, it was called the Master System.
The Master System was technically a little bit different than the Mark III, though, because it was remodeled for international versions. There weren't any graphical or processing differences, the design was just a bit snazzier in the west.
9 The Mega Drive and Genesis Were Compatible With Master System Games
The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, the successor to the Sega Master System, lets new Sega console owners enjoy older games through backward compatibility. The game cartridges used for the Master System worked with its successor without any issues.
It was one of the first systems to feature backward compatibility and helped to set a standard that video game consoles have followed ever since.
8 It Took Two Years To Get To Europe, Four Years To Get To South America
The Sega Master System was released in Japan in 1985 and in North America in 1986. It wasn't until late 1987 that Europeans could buy one of these Sega consoles for themselves, and it wasn't until 1989 until the system made its way to Brazil.
While the console did not sell extremely well in Japan and North America, thanks to the domination of Nintendo on those markets, it sold extremely well in Europe and Brazil.
7 It Wasn't Successful In The US, But Brazil and Europe Loved It
The Sega Master System was sold two million times in the U.S. and one million times in Japan. Comparatively, its main competitor the Nintendo Entertainment System sold 34 million copies in the U.S. and 19 million copies in Japan.
However, when the Master System released in Europe and South America, the console saw a resurgence. In Europe, Sega sold nearly seven million of these consoles, and in Brazil, it has sold eight million copies – in fact, it's the only market where the Master System is still in production.
6 The Master System Is Still Being Produced in Brazil...
The Sega Master System saw such large success in Brazil that it vastly out-lived its expected lifespan. The company Tectoy is in fact still producing Nintendo-licensed Master System consoles, – the country has never really gotten over the console's resounding success.
Sega sold more Master Systems in Brazil than any other country, nearly more than the total of other countries combined. It's a convenient console with a low price point and classic games – what's not to love?
5 ...And Thus, Is The Longest-Selling Console Of All Time
The Sega Master System holds a world record unlikely to be surpassed any time soon: it has been on the market for more than three decades running, making it the longest-selling video game console of all time.
It's all thanks to the aforementioned Brazillian market. The continued success of the Sega brand in South America is partially the result of the Master System, which is still being produced to this day for Brazillian markets.
4 It Had A Cheaper, More Efficient Successor: The Master System II
The Sega Master System was an upgrade over previous Sega consoles in a lot of ways. Processing speed was better, it had better colors, a better resolution, and was a step up in just about every way. The Master System II did the same thing for the Master System.
The Sega Master System II was released in 1990 and boasted a cheaper price point as well as some major upgrades to the system's hardware. It was released around the same time as the next wave of consoles though and was quickly surpassed by consoles like the Mega Drive and the SNES.
3 It Has About Half The Number Of Games As The NES Catalog
The Sega Master System was a perfectly functional and exciting piece of technology for the time, but its sales suffered thanks to the domination of the NES in North America and Japan. As a result, not many developers wanted to create games for the console.
There are about 360 games on the Sega Master System catalog. Compared to the 700+ games on the original Nintendo Entertainment System, it doesn't seem like much, but it's the same catalog that introduced the world to Sonic the Hedgehog, Ninja Gaiden, and Streets of Rage.
2 The Master System Originally Shipped Exclusively As A Bundle Offer
When it first came out in North America, the Sega Master System came bundled with a few things: two controllers, a lightgun, and a multicart containing the games Hang-On and Safari Hunt. This bundle wouldn't last forever, though, and was discontinued after launch.
If nothing else, it's an indicator that the concept of pre-ordering for a special offer is not a new phenomenon – it's not like Safari Hunt or Hang-On were particularly notable launch titles, after all.
1 The Rarest Game On The Console Is Sonic the Hedgehog
One might think that the rarest and most valuable game for the Sega Master System is something bizarre, something banned, or maybe something that's just one-of-a-kind. Funnily enough, the rarest game cartridge for the Sega Master System is a specific North American edition of the original Sonic the Hedgehog.
One version of the game was shipped with a UPC label slapped onto the back over the Japanese version's bar code. If gamers have this cartridge at home, look on the back for the UPC code "0 010086 07076 7" and if it's there, it might be able to sell for more than $200.