Master System consoles in North America

From Sega Retro

Though the Sega Master System always played second-best to the Nintendo Entertainment System (so much so that few even remember the Master System's existence in this region), many bundles and console revisions were given to the North American audience.

There are three confirmed "sets" of North American Master System; early consoles distributed by Sega, late 80s consoles distributed by Tonka, and a third set for the redesgined Master System II, also distributed by Sega. Canada changed packaging when the US changed distributors, but all consoles in that country were distributed by Irwin Electronics.

Contrary to popular belief, until the advent of the Sega Master System II, Sega did not call the console the "Sega Master System" in North America. Instead the console was referred to as the "Sega System", a rather vague and confusing title which was inevitably scrapped. The console unit itself is often referred to as the "Power Base" (similar to the NES' "Control Deck"), though for unknown reasons the text printed on the top of the unit reads "Master System/Power Base". The "Master System" name clearly stuck, and became the official title for the console in later revisions.

Though there are similarities with European packaging, North American models are easier to spot than one might expect.

United States

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
TSBS US Box Front.jpg
The Sega Base System Sega of America
United States of America US: (198x)
MasterSystem1.jpg
TSMSHOSH US Box Top.jpg
TSMSHOSH US Box Back.jpgTSMSHOSH US Box Spine.jpgTSMSHOSH US Box Front.jpgTSMSHOSH US Box Side.jpg
TSMSHOSH US Box Bottom.jpg
The Sega Master System Sega of America
United States of America US: (1986)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SegaSystemInstructionManualSMSU.pdf
Instruction Manual
TSBS US Box Back Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngTSBS US Box Front Alt.jpg
The Sega Base System Sega of America
United States of America US: (1987)
MasterSystem1.jpg
TSMS US Box Front Top.jpg
TSMS US Box Back Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngTSMS US Box Front Alt.jpg
The Sega Master System Sega of America
United States of America US: (1987)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SVGS US Box Top.jpg
SVGS US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSVGS US Box Front.jpg
Video Game System Tonka
United States of America US: (1988)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SBS US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSBS US Box Front.jpg
Base System Tonka
United States of America US: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SMS US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSMS US Box Front.jpg
Master System Tonka
United States of America US: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SS3DS US Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSegaScope3D System.jpg
SegaScope 3-D System Tonka
United States of America US: (1988)
MasterSystem1.jpg
3010-C
SMS2 US Box Back AlexKidd.jpgNospine-small.pngSMS2 US Box Front AlexKidd.jpg
Master System II Sega of America
United States of America US: $49.9549.95 (199x)
SMS2 US.jpg

Canada

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
TSMS CA Box Back.jpgTSMS CA Box Front.jpg
The Sega Master System
Canada CA: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SMS CA Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngSMS CA Box Front.jpg
Master System
Canada CA: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SMS CA Box Back Alt.jpgNospine-small.pngSMS CA Box Front Alt.jpg
Master System
Canada CA: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SMS2 CA Box Back.jpgSMS2 CA Box Front AlexKidd.jpg
Master System II
Canada CA: (199x)
SMS2 US.jpg

Mexico

Box Name Distributor Date & Price Console Label Hardware Software Documentation Comments
SMSP MX Box Front.png
Sega Master System
Mexico MX: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SMS MX Manual.png
Manual
SMSP MX seal.png
Seal
SMS SegaScope 3D MX box front.jpg
SegaScope 3-D System
Mexico MX: (19xx)
MasterSystem1.jpg
SMS MX Manual.png
Manual
SMS MX Catalogue.jpg
Catalogue
SMS II AK MX box.png
Master System II
Mexico MX: (≥ 1990)
SMS2 US.jpg
SMSII MX Manual.png
Manual
SMS II AK MX box alt.png
Master System II
Mexico MX: (199x)
SMS2 US.jpg
SMS MX manual alt.png
Manual

References


Sega Master System
Topics Sega Master System | Technical Specifications (Hardware Comparison) | History | Boot ROM | Magazine articles | Promotional material | Merchandise
Hardware Asia | North America | Western Europe | Eastern Europe | South America | Australasia | Africa

Sega Mark III | Sega Game Box 9 | Master System Girl | Master System Super Compact | Kiosk | Sega System E

Add-ons Demo Unit II | Telecon Pack | FM Sound Unit | 3-D Glasses
Controllers SJ-152 | Control Pad | 3-D Glasses | Control Stick | Handle Controller | Light Phaser | Paddle Control | Rapid Fire Unit | Sports Pad | SG Commander
Misc. Hardware Action Replay | Card Catcher | Action Case | Freedom Connection | Playkit
Unreleased Floppy Disk Drive
Consoles-on-a-chip Arcade Gamer Portable | TF-DVD560 | DVD Karaoke Game DVT-G100 | Fun Play 20-in-1 | Handheld Electronic Games | Master System 3 Collection | Master System 3 | Master System Evolution | Master System Handy | PlayPal Plug & Play | Poga