Console: Sega Master System
Also known as: SMS, Sega Mark III
History: Launched in Japan as the Sega Mark III, the Master System was released in North America in 1986, three years prior to the Sega Genesis. Even though the console itself didn't sell very well in North America (2 million sales overall), Sega introduced the Power Base Converter, which could play all SMS game cartridges through the Genesis itself. (See Add-Ons for more info!)
Released in: September, 1986
Launch Price: $200
Discontinued: 1992 (in North America)
Backwards compatibility with: The SG-1000
Media type(s): Sega Card, ROM Cartridge
Really Weird Fact: Did you know that the Master System hasn't even been discontinued yet in Brazil? Yup, they're still sold there, brand new and everything! This makes it the longest-selling game console ever.
Other Versions:
Console: the SG-1000
Also known as: the Sega Computer Videogame SG-1000
History: This console was Sega's first introduction to the game market. There were three different models — including this one — with all of them being released exclusively in Japan. The initial model originally consisted of a built-in keyboard (the SC-3000), but Sega later dropped the idea in favor of making it a "games-only" console after they learned of Nintendo's plans to do the same with their upcoming console (the SG-1000). In order to keep hardware costs inexpensive, Sega aimed to create a console with common off-the-shelf components. Nowadays, the SG-1000 is getting increasingly expensive, a problem plaguing older consoles as they become fragile and rarer to find.
The three different models mentioned previously were actually released at some point. Listed in chronological order: SC-3000, SG-1000, and the SG-1000 II
Released in: July 15, 1983
Launch Price: JP¥15,000 ($133.20)
Crazy Fact: The SG-1000 was launched on the same day as the Famicom. Talk about competition!
