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Master System consoles in EuropeFrom Sega RetroEurope was by far the most popular region for the Sega Master System, with dozens of bundles and re-releases hitting store shelves. The Sega Master System (with Hang-On)Europe received their Master System slightly later than in the US, but not late enough to avoid some of the early ideas which were later scrapped. Original packages had the old-style control pad with the lead coming out of the side, and the name was prefixed with the word "The". There is also a picture of a Fantasy Zone cartridge which is not included, but the Hang-On screenshot used actually represents the game, unlike some bundles. It is not entirely certain at this stage whether Europe received a bare-bones package, or whether this was the only option. What's certainly clear is Europe were more reluctant to keep switching names - there are no "Base Systems", just "Master Systems".
Master System (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World)Shortly afterwards, Europe adopted the same packaging style seen with Tonka's Master Systems in the US. You can spot European packaging by the use of "Sega System" in the bottom left, as opposed to "Best System". This Master System has Alex Kidd in Miracle World as a built-in game.
Master System PlusThe Master System Plus package shipped with two controllers and a Light Phaser, as well as having Hang On and Safari Hunt built-in.
Super SystemThis is the only occasion in which the console wasn't called "Master System" in Europe. This is likely because they ran out of superlatives to describe the console. The Master System, Master System Plus and Super System were all released around the same period. Missile Defense 3-D is built-in, making this console largely similar to the SegaScope System seen in the US.
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World)Like North America, Europe received the redesigned Master System II console in 1990, though in black rather than grey. All Sega Master System IIs have a built-in game, and for the first year or so this was Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Curiously older packaging simply slaps an Alex Kidd sticker on an otherwise fairly plain box, which may have suggested a bare-bones Master System II was due to be released at some point. Sega appear to have backed away from this idea - if any consoles were released without a built-in game they are exceptionally rare. Conversely this Alex Kidd-style box is likely the most common Master System box out there, and was recycled on numerous occasions.
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and The Lucky Dime Caper)
Master System II Double Action Pack (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Double Dragon)
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Sonic the Hedgehog)In the latter half of 1991 we start to see Sonic the Hedgehog appearing beside Alex Kidd.
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Sonic the Hedgehog 2)This one debuted in 1992. It becomes difficult to judge where specific Master System bundles came from - though the box was used across the contintent, the extra stickers and labels were added by individual distributors.
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Master Games 1)Debuted in 1993. It was called the "Master System II Pack" in Spain.
Master System II (with Sonic the Hedgehog)Sonic the Hedgehog replaced Alex Kidd as the built-in game in 1991, but the two sets of consoles were sold in parallel.
Master System II (with Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2)A Master System II with two Sonic the Hedgehog games, the first being built in, the second being on cartridge.
Master System II (with Sonic the Hedgehog and Master Games 1)
Master System II Plus (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Operation Wolf)One of the more important and common Master System II bundles is the Master System II Plus. The "Plus" equates to "a Light Phaser" and Operation Wolf to utilise it.
Master System II (with The Jungle Book)A very rare version of the console, this Master System II came bundled with The Jungle Book. It was distributed as standard Master System box inside of a Jungle Book themed box cover.
Master System II ExtremeAn extremely rare variation of the Master System II released in 1993. It is unknown what pack-in games came with it (if any).
Exclusive to FranceMaster System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Shinobi)A standard Master System II with Alex Kidd built in, but also paired with Shinobi on cartridge. This might have existed in other regions of Europe too, but thus far none have been found.
Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Master Games 1)Identical to the European package with the same games, but without the extra controller.
Exclusive to GermanyMaster System II Plus XA special release for the 1992 holiday season, this is a standard Master System II (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World built-in) bundled with Sonic the Hedgehog and Tennis Ace on cartridge.
Exclusive to ItalyThe Sega Master SystemGiochi Preziosi were very good to Sega fans in Italy. Initially they started to import consoles from the US and replace the manuals with Italian-only versions.
Master System II Plus (with Alex Kidd in Miracle World)The Italian Master System II Plus lacks Operation Wolf, so the Light Phaser it includes has no purpose.
Exclusive to PortugalMaster System III Compact (with Sonic the Hedgehog)The main language of Brazil is Portuguese, and so it made perfect sense for Sega's Portuguese branch to import hardware and software manufactured by Sega's Brazilian distributor Tectoy. In 1994 the Master System III compact was released in Portugal, sporting an unusual purple grid design and with Sonic the Hedgehog built-in. Its limited availability makes this version of the Master System extremely rare.
Exclusive to GreeceMaster System III Compact (with Sonic the Hedgehog)Along with Portugal, Tectoy games and consoles were also imported to Greece. Greece received the blue box Master System III Compact with Sonic the Hedgehog built-in. It came with a Greek manual for the Master System II.
Exclusive to the United KingdomMaster System Plus Special Edition (with Michael Jackson's Moonwalker)Sega went through a phase of bundling older units with newer games. This is a standard Master System Plus with a copy of Michael Jackson's Moonwalker.
Master System II Tandy Pack (with four games)A Master System II with Sonic the Hedgehog built-in, but also bundled with Global Gladiators, The Lucky Dime Caper and Trivial Pursuit: Genus Edition. Was only sold in Tandy stores.
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