Legacy & History
Released in 1985, the Master System was technically superior to the NES but lacked its third-party library. It found a second life in Brazil where it remains popular today.
Cultural Impact
While a footnote in US history, the Master System is a cultural icon in Brazil (distributed by Tectoy) and Europe. It showed that regional markets could sustain a console even if it "failed" in Japan or the US.
Modern Legacy
Phantasy Star, released on the Master System, was one of the first console RPGs to feature a sci-fi setting and a female protagonist, paving the way for the genre's expansion.
Under the Hood
The Master System used a Zilog Z80 CPU, the same chip found in the Game Boy and Game Gear (and Pac-Man arcade cabinets). It had a superior color palette to the NES, capable of displaying 32 colors simultaneously from a palette of 64, compared to the NES's more limited restrictions.
CPUZilog Z80 (8-bit)
MEMORY8 KB RAM
DISPLAY256 x 192
AUDIOSN76489 PSG
Defining Titles
Alex Kidd in Miracle WorldPlatformer • 1986
Phantasy StarRPG • 1987
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's TrapAction-Adventure • 1989
Sonic the HedgehogPlatformer • 1991
Fantasy ZoneShooter • 1986
Best Selling Title
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
MASTER_SYSTEM Games
Showing 60 of 208
5
Gemitas
Sega Master System
2018
4.52564102564103
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
Sega Master System
Sega Master System
4.5
Arno Dash 2
Sega Master System
2021
4.5
Monaco Master
Sega Master System
4.33333333333333
Sydney Hunter: The Sacred Tribe
Sega Master System
2019
4.25
Wonsiin
Sega Master System
4.21052631578947
Alex Kidd in Miracle World 2
Sega Master System
2017
4.19545454727976
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Sega Master System
1988
4.16666666666667
Great Golf (Japanese Version)
Sega Master System
1986
4.125
Picross
Sega Master System
2007
4.00581395348837
Fantasy Zone II
Sega Master System
1987
4
Alex Kidd: The Lost Stars: Stella Edition
Sega Master System
2023Sega Master System
4
Astro Climber
Sega Master System
2025Sega Master System
4
Bread and Butter
Sega Master System
2012
4
Game de Check! Koutsuu Anzen
Sega Master System
4
Voyage: A Sorceress' Vacation
Sega Master System
3.98319327731092
Master of Darkness
Sega Master System
3.89343525179856
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Sega Master System
3.87745098039216
Golden Axe Warrior
Sega Master System
3.83695652173913
Montezuma's Revenge Featuring Panama Joe
Sega Master System
1989
3.81578947368421
Masters of Combat
Sega Master System
3.8125
Heroes Against Demons
Sega Master System
3.81052631578947
Golvellius: Valley of Doom
Sega Master System
1988
3.77777777777778
Silver Valley
Sega Master System
3.77659574468085
Desert Strike
Sega Master System
3.75
Electronic Dreams
Sega Master System
2023
3.75
Power Boggle Boggle
Sega Master System
3.75
Putt & Putter
Sega Master System
3.75
Sapo Xulé vs Os Invasores do Brejo
Sega Master System
1995
3.69444444444444
Tecmo World Cup '93
Sega Master System
3.68181818181818
Kenseiden
Sega Master System
1988
3.67307692307692
Alex Kidd 3: Curse in Miracle World
Sega Master System
2021Sega Master System
3.66666666666667
Bread and Butter World
Sega Master System
2015
3.65384615384615
Streets of Rage II
Sega Master System
1993
3.6304347826087
OutRun 3D
Sega Master System
3.58333333333333
8 in 1: The Best Game Collection A
Sega Master System
3.58333333333333
Sonic Genesis for Master System
Sega Master System
2022
3.58125
Aztec Adventure
Sega Master System
1987
3.55147058823529
Power Strike
Sega Master System
1988
3.52083333333333
4 Pak All Action
Sega Master System
3.52
Bomber Raid
Sega Master System
1989
3.5
Knightmare II: The Maze of Galious
Sega Master System
3.5
Waimanu: Scary Monsters Saga
Sega Master System
3.47222222222222
94 Super World Cup Soccer
Sega Master System
3.4537037037037
SpellCaster
Sega Master System
1988
3.45121951219512
The Ninja
Sega Master System
1986
3.4469696969697
Cloud Master
Sega Master System
3.42222222222222
Arcade Smash Hits
Sega Master System
3.41860465116279
Assault City
Sega Master System
1990
3.40909090909091
Flight of Pigarus
Sega Master System
2018
3.40196078431373
Dynamite Dux
Sega Master System
3.4
As Aventuras da TV Colosso
Sega Master System
1996
3.4
Chapolim X Drácula: Um Duelo Assustador
Sega Master System
1994
3.39130434782609
Fire & Ice
Sega Master System
3.38888888888889
Nemesis 2
Sega Master System
3.375
3 in 1: The Best Game Collection A
Sega Master System
3.375
8 in 1: The Best Game Collection C
Sega Master System
3.3695652173913
Solomon no Kagi: Oujo Rihita no Namida
Sega Master System
1988
3.36206896551724
Hang-On & Astro Warrior
Sega Master System
1986
3.36046511627907
Maze Hunter 3-D
Sega Master System
1987