The Master System (マスターシステムMasutā Shisutemu?) (abbreviated to SMS) is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan (as the Sega Mark III), 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe.
The original SMS could play both cartridges and the credit card-sized "
Sega Cards," which retailed for cheaper prices than cartridges but had less code. The SMS also featured accessories such as a light gun and 3D glasses which were designed to work with a range of specially coded games.
The Master System was released as a direct competitor to the
Nintendo Entertainment System in the
third videogame generation. The SMS was technically superior to the NES, which predated its release significantly,
[18] but failed to overturn Nintendo's significant market share advantage in Japan and North America.
[19]
In the European, Oceanic and Brazilian markets, this console allowed Sega to outsell Nintendo, due to its wider availability. It enjoyed over a decade of life in those territories.[20] and was supported in Europe up until 1996.[21] Up until 1994, it was the console with the largest active installed user base inWestern Europe, peaking at 6.25 million units in 1993.[11][22]
The console was redesigned several times both for marketing purposes and to add features, most notably in Brazil. The later
Sega Game Gear is effectively a hand-held Master System, with a few enhancements.
[20]
In 2009, the Master System was named the 20th best video game console of all time (out of 25) by the video gaming website
IGN, behind both its competitors, the
Atari 7800 (ranked 17th best) and the Nintendo Entertainment System (1st). They cited the Master System's small games library, coupled with the highly uneven quality of the few games that were released: "Months could go by between major releases and that made a dud on the Master System feel even more painful."
[23]
