Editing Sega Master System

{{Infobox information appliance
| title        = Master System
| logo         = [[File:Sega-master-system-logo.png|frameless]]<br>[[File:Mark III Logo.png|frameless]]
| image        = <div style="white-space: nowrap; border: #dadada solid 1px;">{{nowrap|[[File:Sega-Master-System-Set.jpg|frameless|upright=1.15]]<br/>[[File:Sega Mark III.jpg|frameless|upright=1.15]]<br/>[[File:Master System II.jpg|frameless|upright=1.15]]}}</div>
| caption      = Top: North American/European Master System<br/>Middle: Japanese Sega Mark III<br>Bottom: [[PAL region|PAL]] Master System II
| manufacturer = [[Sega]]
| type         = [[Home video game console]]
| generation   = [[Third generation of video game consoles|Third generation]]
| releasedate  = JP: October 20, 1985 (Mark III)<br />NA: September 1986<br />JP: October 1987<br />EU: 1987<br />BRA: 1989<br />KOR: 1989
| lifespan     = WW: 1985–present<br />NA: 1986-92
| price        = JP¥16,800<br>US$200<br>GB£99
| discontinued = NA: 1992
| unitssold    = Worldwide: 13 million <small>(as of 2009)</small> (not including recent Brazil figures)<br>Japan: 1 million <small>(as of 1986)</small><br>United States: 2 million <small>({{nowrap|as of 1993}})</small><br>Europe: {{nowrap|6.8 million}} <small>{{nowrap|(estimated as of December 1993)}}</small><br>Brazil: {{nowrap|8 million}} <small>(as of 2016)</small>
| media        = [[ROM cartridge]], [[Sega Card]]
| cpu          = [[Zilog Z80A]]
| CPUspeed     = 4 MHz
| memory       = 8 kB RAM, 16 kB VRAM
| display      = 256 × 192 resolution, 32 colors on-screen
| graphics     = [[Yamaha]] YM2602B [[Video display controller|VDP]]
| sound        = Yamaha VDP [[Programmable Sound Generator|PSG]]([[SN76489]]), Yamaha [[YM2413]] (Japanese models only.)
| compatibility = [[SG-1000]] (Japanese models only.)
| predecessor  = SG-1000
| successor    = [[Sega Genesis]]
| related      = [[Sega Gamegear|Game Gear]]
}}

=Introduction=

The '''Master System''' is a [[History of video game consoles (third generation)|third-generation]] [[home video game console]] manufactured by [[Sega]] between 1985 and 1992. It was originally released in 1985 as the '''Sega Mark III''' in Japan, and was renamed and redesigned for overseas markets, launching in 1986 in North America, 1987 in Europe, and 1989 in Brazil. It was rereleased in Japan in 1987 with additional features.

The Mark III and original Master System models used both [[Game cartridge|cartridges]] and the credit card-sized [[Sega Card]]s, which retailed at lower prices than cartridges but had lower storage capacity. Later Master System models have no card slot. The Master System also featured accessories such as a [[light gun]] and 3D glasses designed to work with a range of specially coded games.

Succeeding the [[SG-1000]], the Master System was released in competition with the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES). It had fewer well-reviewed games than the NES, and a smaller library, due to Nintendo licensing policies requiring platform exclusivity. Despite the Master System's newer hardware, it failed to overturn Nintendo's significant market share advantage in Japan and North America. However, it attained significantly more success in Europe and Brazil. 

The Master System is estimated to have sold at 13 million units, excluding recent Brazil sales. Retrospective criticism has recognized its role in the development of the [[Sega Genesis]], and a number of well-received games, particularly in [[PAL region]]s, but is critical of its limited library in the [[NTSC]] regions, which were mainly dominated by [[Nintendo]]'s NES. As of 2015, the Master System was still in production in Brazil by [[Tectoy]], making it the world's longest-lived console.

=Specifications=
[[File:KL NEC uPD780C.jpg|thumb|left|[[Zilog Z80A]] manufactured by [[NEC]]|alt=A Zilog Z80A processor, the CPU in the Master System]]
The main CPU of the Master System is a Zilog Z80A, an [[8-bit]] processor running at 4&nbsp;MHz.  It has 8 [[kilobyte|kB]] of [[read-only memory|ROM]], 8 kB of [[random access memory|RAM]] and 16 kB of video RAM.  Video is provided through an [[RF switch]] and displays at a resolution of 256 × 192 pixels and up to 32 colors at one time from a total palette of 64 colors.  Physically, the Master System measures {{convert|365|x|170|x|70|mm|in}}, while the Mark III measures {{convert|318|x|145|x|52|mm|in}}.  Both the Mark III and the Master System possess two slots for game input: one for Mega Cartridges and one for [[Sega Card]]s, along with an expansion slot and 2 controller ports. Sound is provided by the [[SN76489]] [[Programmable sound generator|PSG]] chip. The Japanese version also integrates the [[YM2413]] [[Frequency modulation synthesis|FM]] chip, which had been an optional feature on the Mark III.  With few exceptions, Master System hardware is identical to the hardware in the Mark III. Games for the console are playable on the Sega Genesis by use of an accessory known as the Power Base Converter, as well as on the Game Gear by use of the Master System Converter.  In comparison to Nintendo's NES, the Master System was designed with superior hardware.  It contains twice as much memory as its competitor, and its CPU runs at a faster clock rate.

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|-
|[[File:Sega-Master-System-Controllers.jpg|none|90px|alt=Two Master system controllers]] || [[File:SMS-Light-Phaser.jpg|none|90px|alt=A Master System Light Phaser]] || [[File:Sega-Masters-Sys-3D-Glasses.jpg|none|90px|alt=A pair of Sega 3D glasses]] || |[[File:Scompact.jpg|none|90px|alt=A picture of the Master system 3 compact]] || [[File:Master system girl transparent.png|none|90px|alt=A picture of the Master System Girl]]
|-
|width="90"| <center>Master System controllers</center> ||width="90"| <center>Light Phaser</center> ||width="90"| <center>SegaScope 3-D glasses</center> ||width="90"| <center>Master System 3 Compact</center> ||width="90"| <center>Master System Girl</center>
|}

A number of accessories were created for the Mark III and Master System, which are cross-compatible with one another.  The controller for each console consists of a rectangular shape with a control pad and two buttons.  Sega also introduced additional controllers, such as a bike handle controller and paddle controller, for the Mark III and a special sports controller for the Master System.  A pair of [[Active shutter 3D system|3D glasses]] known as SegaScope 3-D were also created for games such as ''[[Space Harrier 3-D|Space Harrier 3D]]'', although Mark III users need an additional converter to use them.  The Mark III also had an optional RF transmitter accessory, allowing wireless play that broadcast the game being played on a [[UHF]] television signal.  A [[light gun]] peripheral known as the Light Phaser was also released.  Its design was based on the weapon of the same name from the Japanese anime ''[[Zillion (anime)|Zillion]]''.

The Master System was produced in several variations.  Released in 1990, the Master System II removed a number of components in order to reduce the cost of the console, including the Sega Card slot, reset button, power light, expansion port, and activation music and logo upon turning on the system.  Several licensed variations of the console also exist in Brazil, created by Tectoy.  A variation known as the Master System 3 Compact was capable of functioning wirelessly with an RF transmitter, while Tectoy also sought to appeal to female gamers in Brazil with the Master System Girl, which was molded in bright pink plastic.  A more recent version, released in 2006 in Brazil known as the Master System 3 Collection, contains 120 built-in games.  Another Master System, built as a [[handheld game console]], was released under several brands including [[Coleco]] in 2006.
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	The Master System was produced in several variations. Released in 1990, the Master System II removed a number of components in order to reduce the cost of the console, including the Sega Card slot, reset button, power light, expansion port, and activation music and logo upon turning on the system. Several licensed variations of the console also exist in Brazil, created by Tectoy. A variation known as the Master System 3 Compact was capable of functioning wirelessly with an RF transmitter, while Tectoy also sought to appeal to female gamers in Brazil with the Master System Girl, which was molded in bright pink plastic. A more recent version, released in 2006 in Brazil known as the Master System 3 Collection, contains 120 built-in games. Another Master System, built as a [[handheld game console]], was released under several brands including [[Coleco]] in 2006.		The Master System was produced in several variations. Released in 1990, the Master System II removed a number of components in order to reduce the cost of the console, including the Sega Card slot, reset button, power light, expansion port, and activation music and logo upon turning on the system. Several licensed variations of the console also exist in Brazil, created by Tectoy. A variation known as the Master System 3 Compact was capable of functioning wirelessly with an RF transmitter, while Tectoy also sought to appeal to female gamers in Brazil with the Master System Girl, which was molded in bright pink plastic. A more recent version, released in 2006 in Brazil known as the Master System 3 Collection, contains 120 built-in games. Another Master System, built as a [[handheld game console]], was released under several brands including [[Coleco]] in 2006.
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−	~~[[Category:Sega consoles]]~~