Sega Master System Games News Released: October 1985, 24 years ago CPU Speed: Zilog Z80 3,57 MHz Memory: 8 KB RAM / 16 KB VRAM Video: 256x240 / 64 colors Game Controller: Gamepad Price in 1985: $199

First popping up on the video gaming nation's radar in 1986, the Sega Master System was an early 8-Bit, cartridge-based gaming console. It can be fairly stated that the Master System (the Sega Mark III in Japan) put Sega on the video gaming map to stay. It was developed and distributed as an answer to Nintendo's NES system. It sadly never caught fire in the larger markets, but was a true gaming favorite in some smaller, eclectic areas. The Sega Master System was eventually converted successfully into the handheld Sega Game Gear, although a special adapter was required to play Master System games on the Game Gear. Of course, the Sega Master System had to feature a flagship character for name recognition and advertising. Opa-Opa from Fantasy Zone was one such mascot character and Alex Kidd developed as one in Western areas where Fantasy Zone just didn't seem to catch on. Kidd was never a "real" mascot, but he was Sega's equivalent to Mario, and that was a very popular choice for Nintendo. In 1991, Sonic the Hedgehog became the official mascot and some Sonic games were released for the Master System, though none of them were in Japan where the system was the most popular. Eventually the Family Computer aka Famicom aka the Nintendo took over 95% of the market for this style of home gaming console and the Master System gave way to other, more advanced systems.

Sega Master System 1 & 2 System Review made by: John from Gamester 81's YouTube Channel

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