I've fallen in love with the Master System

[bigbacon]

So, as a kid, I remember seeing the SMS in a Sear Catalog, along with the NES. I remember it looking really cool and always wanted one. We ended up as a Nintendo family and actually pretty much all my friends had nintendo only.

I finally got a model 1 a few months ago and now I am hooked. I'm trying to get a full collection of offical US releases. Having lots of fun with the games so far. I still say it isn't as good as the NES, the control pad totally sucks to me, so I've been using the genesis controller.

certainly looks cooler than the NES.

I still find it so strange out they did the boxes and cartridges. Some of them just have weird artwork. I would LOVE to know why they thought it was a great idea, specially since the japanese games aren't like that.

I'm close to 40 games already.

[DK1105]

I haven't dove to deep into the master system and only have about 15 games for it with most of them not being very good but really do like the console itself and I really do want to get more for it. I just haven't been lucky enough to run into anything that great for it. It really is a neat console though.

[treismac]

What games are worth picking up for the Master System? I grabbed a handful of games initially after I snagged a Power Base Converter, but then I went right back to my default NES collecting.

[bigbacon]

so far I've really liked

choplifter, double dragon, fantasyh zone, golvellius, my hero, sonic, spell caster, Ys, and some others I can't think of.

[Atarileaf]

I recently got a power base converter since my one SMS model 1 died simply because I don't like enough SMS games to warrant a separate system kicking around but it does have some interesting titles, mostly European titles and they're harder to get over here in North America.

[bigbacon]

can you play the euro games on a US system? aren't they PAL?

[Einzelherz]

can you play the euro games on a US system? aren't they PAL?

My Euro Bubble Bobble works fine. I don't know if this is the norm or an exception, however.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

SMS games are region free AFAIK.

Hrmmmmm....some good ones off the top of my head:

Action Fighter
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd & The Lost Stars
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone II
Ghostbusters (absolute best version of the David Crane classic)
Montezuma's Revenge
Out Run
Paperboy (not perfect but much better than the NES version)
Phantasy Star
Psycho Fox
Quartet
Rampage
R-Type
Rambo
Rastan
Shinobi
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Space Harrier
Spellcaster
Vigilante
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy in Monster World
Wonder Boy III
Zillion
Zillion II: Tri Formation

[theclaw]

SMS used the bios and cart shape for lockout.

Console detection was to let SMS games make 50hz/60hz speed adjustments or switch language between English/Japanese.
These settings Genesis later based its lockout heavily upon (region switches on a Genesis do take effect with Power Base Converter).

Long story short... You can import most SMS games from Europe / Australia / Brazil.
A flash cart or similar is required at present for cart slot SG-1000 or Japan / Korea SMS games. bios mod would only help the card slot, due to lack of adapters to insert 40-pin games to begin with.

[Parodius Duh!]

What games are worth picking up for the Master System? I grabbed a handful of games initially after I snagged a Power Base Converter, but then I went right back to my default NES collecting.

All of the Tec Toy exclusives are great, a good investment, and very exclusive. Fire & Ice is the best game on the system, followed by Dynamite Headdy.



can you play the euro games on a US system? aren't they PAL?

Yes everything works except for Back to the Future III (will not boot at all on a US system) and Jungle Book (some jumbled up graphics). US, Euro, and Brazil are all interchangeable. Japanese carts would work too but we're beat due to the cart structure.

[theclaw]

Yeah there's some other WAY ridiculous things that even a flash cart won't allow. Big time proverbial "nobody cares" territory!
SMS has no port to use the SG-1000 keyboard, printer, and tape deck.

[Double Ugly]

SMS games are region free AFAIK.

Hrmmmmm....some good ones off the top of my head:

Action Fighter
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd & The Lost Stars
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone II
Ghostbusters (absolute best version of the David Crane classic)
Montezuma's Revenge
Out Run
Paperboy (not perfect but much better than the NES version)
Phantasy Star
Psycho Fox
Quartet
Rampage
R-Type
Rambo
Rastan
Shinobi
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Space Harrier
Spellcaster
Vigilante
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy in Monster World
Wonder Boy III
Zillion
Zillion II: Tri Formation

Off the top of your head & in alphabetical order. Very impressive! :vamp:

[Scissors]

Yes everything works except for Back to the Future III (will not boot at all on a US system) and Jungle Book (some jumbled up graphics). US, Euro, and Brazil are all interchangeable. Japanese carts would work too but we're beat due to the cart structure.

While I haven't tested them myself, I've heard that New Zealand Story, James Bond, Xenon 2, and the Codemasters games won't play on an original model US system either. There may be a few others as well. I've also heard that some of them will work on the second model console or the Power Base Converter, but don't remember which ones.

As for glitchy games, I know California Games II and Bart Vs the Space Mutants have graphical glitches too, but nothing that prevents them from being playable (I haven't tried them on a the second model or Power Base Converter though). I actually don't recall any glitches with The Jungle Book, but I've only played that one very briefly. I'm pretty sure there are a few others out there as well.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Off the top of your head & in alphabetical order. Very impressive! :vamp:

:)

Well, I re-arranged them when I was done making the list.

I'm OCD like that.

[retroman]

:)

Well, I re-arranged them when I was done making the list.

I'm OCD like that.

Good list Frankie, but as I was reading it, one that came to my mind was like, what? No Gangstertown. For TC this is one of, if not the best light gun game for the system..

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Good list Frankie, but as I was reading it, one that came to my mind was like, what? No Gangstertown. For TC this is one of, if not the best light gun game for the system..

Yeah I stayed away from light gun and 3D games, but there are great ones, including Gangster Town.

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'm quite fond of the Master System myself. It's superior to the NES in almost all ways except for sound and obviously game library. If you mod your sysem for FM and play some of the system's best games, the experience beats out anything offered on the NES. Still, most of the best Master System games are clones of NES games or were shortly ported over to the much more powerful MegaDrive, so the SMS is an oddity of raw potential mostly untapped.

For those who enjoy my work, I've got a top 100 Master System editorial planned for this fall when I finish up the GB list I've been working on.

[Greg2600]

Master System, particularly for North America, makes great use of the Master Everdrive. There are many 3D, Light Phaser, Euro-released, Brazil-released, Japan-released games you simply cannot buy here without spending lots of money. Also no need to do a bios mod. Also let's you play SG-1000 roms, and if you get the FM Mod (which isn't that cheap), dozens of games that used the Yamaha FM chip.

I do agree with Satoshi, it's superior in most things but the stock PSG sound is flat embarrassing. The controller is not as good as the NES either.

[treismac]

What strikes me above all about the Sega Master System over the NES is how brilliant its colors are. I've always thought some NES games looked a bit drab anyway, but even the more colorful NES games pale to the handful of Master System games I've played thus far.


Hrmmmmm....some good ones off the top of my head:

Action Fighter

to

Zillion II: Tri Formation

Thanks! I appreciate the list, Frankie.

[BetaWolf47]

Don't forget the Illusion titles: Castle of Illusion, Land of Illusion, and Legend of Illusion. Only Castle of Illusion was released in the US though. It and Land of Illusion are the two best in the series.

[SparTonberry]

All released on Game Gear though (and in fact, I think the SMS version of the third was one of the many Brazil-exclusive GG-to-SMS ports).

[treismac]

One area, if I may, that I noticed that the NES might be superior to the SMS is scrolling. In Wonderboy there is an ever so slight "stutter" or choppiness when Tom-Tom runs that is not present in his cousin Master Higgins' NES game, Adventure Island. I initially observed this on both the Wii's Virtual Console and then later on my Power Base Converter. It might, I suspect, just be a matter of programming, but I thought it was worth bringing up since the two games are almost identical. I struggle to imagine it being a matter of hardware since the Master System's processor was faster and it had more RAM, but it could be that the quantitative attributes of the hardware (3.58 MHz vs. 1.79 MHz) don't tell the full story.

[Parodius Duh!]

All released on Game Gear though (and in fact, I think the SMS version of the third was one of the many Brazil-exclusive GG-to-SMS ports).

Yes it is and its super expensive, generally sells for $300 boxed even within Brazil.

[bigbacon]

What strikes me above all about the Sega Master System over the NES is how brilliant its colors are. I've always thought some NES games looked a bit drab anyway, but even the more colorful NES games pale to the handful of Master System games I've played thus far.



Thanks! I appreciate the list, Frankie.

the Master system actually has a large color pallet than the NES.

[bigbacon]

i have to say also. the early SMS games are pretty poor. more on par with the Atari 7800. even the sound effects seem more Atari. I will say the early NES games weren't this bad so to speak. Quite weird. Like the SMS went from Atari to near genesis/snes in the end and was doing some pretty amazing stuff in the 8 bit age.

[Words iManifest]

While I haven't tested them myself, I've heard that New Zealand Story, James Bond, Xenon 2, and the Codemasters games won't play on an original model US system either. There may be a few others as well. I've also heard that some of them will work on the second model console or the Power Base Converter, but don't remember which ones.

As for glitchy games, I know California Games II and Bart Vs the Space Mutants have graphical glitches too, but nothing that prevents them from being playable (I haven't tried them on a the second model or Power Base Converter though). I actually don't recall any glitches with The Jungle Book, but I've only played that one very briefly. I'm pretty sure there are a few others out there as well.

Xenon 2 works, you just have to insert it a few times and it plays pretty choppy...On topic, have always loved the Master System, one of my all time favorites. I'm up to 85 US CiB and 14 PAL CiB. Note that I will never pay $800 to $1000 for a UPC that may or may not be real so I will be satisfied with my PAL Sonic and consider the collection complete when I finish the set.

[SparTonberry]

I wonder what happened with Alien Syndrome.
I tried just the first level of both NES and SMS. And while they might have been ported by the same developer (Sanritsu), somehow the NES version comes off a lot closer to the arcade version. (I mean, this is a Sega game we're talking about!)

[theclaw]

All of the Tec Toy exclusives are great, a good investment, and very exclusive. Fire & Ice is the best game on the system, followed by Dynamite Headdy.




Yes everything works except for Back to the Future III (will not boot at all on a US system) and Jungle Book (some jumbled up graphics). US, Euro, and Brazil are all interchangeable. Japanese carts would work too but we're beat due to the cart structure.

On that note Game Gear and Genesis 2 don't officially support Japanese SMS carts either. But at least they'll work if made to fit.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I wonder what happened with Alien Syndrome.
I tried just the first level of both NES and SMS. And while they might have been ported by the same developer (Sanritsu), somehow the NES version comes off a lot closer to the arcade version. (I mean, this is a Sega game we're talking about!)

Yeah, Alien Syndrome isn't very good on SMS in comparison to the NES version. The unlicensed SEGA ports on NES aren't bad at all, but this is the rare instance where the NES version is superior to the SMS by a significant margin.

[tom]

Excellent European game library, for once games from Europe outshined the US/Japan.
Holy grail:
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/Alison123456789/smstheluckydimecaper_zps1895455a.jpg

[Polygon]

SMS games are region free AFAIK.

Hrmmmmm....some good ones off the top of my head:

Action Fighter
Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd & The Lost Stars
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone II
Ghostbusters (absolute best version of the David Crane classic)
Montezuma's Revenge
Out Run
Paperboy (not perfect but much better than the NES version)
Phantasy Star
Psycho Fox
Quartet
Rampage
R-Type
Rambo
Rastan
Shinobi
Sonic The Hedgehog
Sonic The Hedgehog 2
Space Harrier
Spellcaster
Vigilante
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy in Monster World
Wonder Boy III
Zillion
Zillion II: Tri Formation

I knew this, but I've been wondering how well PAL region games run on NTSC consoles? I've heard of people having issues.

[theclaw]

Most games are fine. It helps us Brazil uses 60hz. You'll notice games like Xenon 2, Back to the Future III, and New Zealand Story, usually weren't released there.

Though they did get Jungle Book. I don't know whether it's a fixed version, the NTSC choppiness was left in, or what.

[Polygon]

Most games are fine. It helps us Brazil uses 60hz. You'll notice games like Xenon 2, Back to the Future III, and New Zealand Story, usually weren't released there.

Though they did get Jungle Book. I don't know whether it's a fixed version, the NTSC choppiness was left in, or what.

Ah, thanks! I guess if I run into problems it isn't that hard to region mod it.

[theclaw]

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is one of those SMS games who detects NTSC/PAL.

If you switch mode while running, music speed will be incorrect. Similar to the vastly more popular 16bit game.

[thegamezmaster]

Have my original system CIB since it first came out and love it. Plus you can play the games on a Game Gear with a Master Convertor.

[Polygon]

Sonic The Hedgehog 2 is one of those SMS games who detects NTSC/PAL.

If you switch mode while running, music speed will be incorrect. Similar to the vastly more popular 16bit game.

Good to know, since I just bought it along with Sonic 1 and the Lucky Dime Caper. Sadly, I still need to find a system.

[bigbacon]

that is one thing that will suck for me. Once I can get a complete set of US only releases CIB, then I'll have to start looking at the all the other games we missed out on.

Though I got one biggie out of the way just now by winning a CIB golden ax warrior.

[Polygon]

that is one thing that will suck for me. Once I can get a complete set of US only releases CIB, then I'll have to start looking at the all the other games we missed out on.

Though I got one biggie out of the way just now by winning a CIB golden ax warrior.

Good luck with that. The U.S. release of Sonic 2 is ridiculous. And only because of the UPC sticker they placed on the back so it could be sold here.

[xelement5x]

Good luck with that. The U.S. release of Sonic 2 is ridiculous. And only because of the UPC sticker they placed on the back so it could be sold here.

You are thinking of Sonic 1 with the UPC sticker. Sonic 2 was never released in the US for the SMS through official Sega distribution.

[MarioMania]

Yup, It Sonic with the UPC Sticker, don't say Sonic 1

[Polygon]

Aw crap! You're right, it's Sonic 1.

[XYXZYZ]

Excellent European game library, for once games from Europe outshined the US/Japan.
Holy grail:
http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/Alison123456789/smstheluckydimecaper_zps1895455a.jpg

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa56/XYXZYZ/ForumJunk/SMSDolan_zps2357cb3c.jpg
THE KICKSTARTER PAGE WILL BE UP SOON.

[bigbacon]

Good luck with that. The U.S. release of Sonic 2 is ridiculous. And only because of the UPC sticker they placed on the back so it could be sold here.

not official US release so I'm good though in all honesty, even if it was, I'd take one without the sticker.

[Emperor Megas]

I'm a huge Master System fan. I had both it and the NES when I was a kid, but my NES got almost no support. I spend every dollar on my Master System. It wasn't even close.

The Master System and TurboGrafx16 are the system that I have the most emotional attachment to. I suppose I had a thing for underdogs (though I didn't realize they were at the time).


:)

Well, I re-arranged them when I was done making the list.

I'm OCD like that.Same here. I always alphabetize everything.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa56/XYXZYZ/ForumJunk/SMSDolan_zps2357cb3c.jpg
THE KICKSTARTER PAGE WILL BE UP SOON.

Gooby Pls.

[bigbacon]

I'm a huge Master System fan. I had both it and the NES when I was a kid, but my NES got almost no support. I spend every dollar on my Master System. It wasn't even close.

The Master System and TurboGrafx16 are the system that I have the most emotional attachment to. I suppose I had a thing for underdogs (though I didn't realize they were at the time).

Same here. I always alphabetize everything.

TG16 or the Jag will be my next one to start collection whenever that is. I always wanted a TG16 back in the day.

[treismac]

TG16 or the Jag will be my next one to start collection whenever that is. I always wanted a TG16 back in the day.

Follow your childhood dream and forget about the Jaguar. The Turbografx-16 rocks. The Jaguar, on the other hand, is a well deserved video game forum punchline.

[theclaw]

Follow your childhood dream and forget about the Jaguar. The Turbografx-16 rocks. The Jaguar, on the other hand, is a well deserved video game forum punchline.

Nah too expensive, especially to settle for RF.
PC Engine with RGB or similar quality is the way to go.

[JeremiahJT]

I had an NES and 7800 growing up so I didn't get into the Master System until later in life, but I love it now. Some of my favorites are Golden Axe Warrior, Golvellius, Phantasy Star, Miracle Warriors, Ys, Wonder Boy, and Black Belt. I have never played any of the Alex Kidd games, but I plan to hopefully soon.

And to treismac-you're bad mouthing my favorite system, watch out.

[Oldskool]

Get a pair of working 3D Glasses. The effect is quite impressive. I love Zaxxon 3D!

[treismac]

And to treismac-you're bad mouthing my favorite system, watch out.

I am glad you enjoy Atari's final system, JeremiahJT. It is far, far from my cup of tea, so I am recommending sipping something with better taste for the money, but if it brings happiness to you as a gamer- awesome. Scotterpop, a fan of the system, captures my biggest problem with the system (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?167933-Let-s-talk-about-the-Atari-Jaguar!) as I see it.


[The Jaguar has] (IMHO) one of the highest cost to benefit disparities of any classic console. Don't get me wrong, I own one and love the system but rarely ever play it. There just aren't that many great games that validate the high price of ownership.

I too see the Jaguar as a poor investment, but, as stated earlier, if you like it that's cool. I am not trying to rain on your or anyone else's parade.

[tom]

TG16 or the Jag will be my next one to start collection whenever that is. I always wanted a TG16 back in the day.
Jaguar will be a good choice, excellent active homebrew community (check AA under Jaguar). Don't listen to some badmouthers here, obviously they never even owned a Jaguar

[treismac]

Jaguar will be a good choice, excellent active homebrew community (check AA under Jaguar). Don't listen to some badmouthers here, obviously they never even owned a Jaguar

I can't speak for all of the Jaguar's detractors here on DP, but for the record I owned a Jaguar.

[jammajup]

Obviously being in the UK i was a Sms owner and did not play the Nes until much later,i like both systems for different reasons.I do prefer the Sms but on occasion you will find a game with terrible flicker at times or a low frame animation rate (Golden Axe),but i think that is more to do with the programers.
Recommended-
R-Type
Wonderboy III
Montezumas Revenge
Xenon II
Marble Madness
New Zealand Story
Streets Of Rage
Enduro Racer
Paperboy
Robocod
Road Rash
Ghouls`n Ghosts
Mickey Mouse-LOI
Donald Duck-LDC
Master Of Darkness
Gauntlet
Outrun
World Grand Prix

[segafan1989]

I like my SMS, but I'm selling it and buying a PBC because I don't have the room for 2 consoles at the moment. I have some PAL titles such as Master of Darkness, will those play on a PBC?

[bigbacon]

seems silly to sell it. Pack it away until such time as you can fit 2 consoles

[Ed Oscuro]

Does the Jag have any homebrew as good as DARC for SMS (which needs to be finished, but is quite good while it lasts)?

[theclaw]

I like my SMS, but I'm selling it and buying a PBC because I don't have the room for 2 consoles at the moment. I have some PAL titles such as Master of Darkness, will those play on a PBC?

Yes. SMS games use the Genesis region setting (a switch installed affects either type of game).
On US consoles they'll default 60hz, English if dual language.

Japanese carts need the other version PBC due to shape.

[Ed Oscuro]

I bet the SMS Power gender adapter will let you use Japanese carts in a PBC of either type, dependent on how far the adapter can reach into each case.

[theclaw]

I bet the SMS Power gender adapter will let you use Japanese carts in a PBC of either type, dependent on how far the adapter can reach into each case.

That won't work. The gender adapter is two female 44 pin ends.

Japanese adapter for western PBC would need a male 44 pin, and female 40 pin.

[Ed Oscuro]

Drat, so it is. Guess that's why it's called a "gender adapter" huh?

I also noticed most of the length of the piece is in the connectors, and immediately after each connector the adapter's circuit board is bent, so it might not fit in any PBC to begin with.

[theclaw]

Drat, so it is. Guess that's why it's called a "gender adapter" huh?

I also noticed most of the length of the piece is in the connectors, and immediately after each connector the adapter's circuit board is bent, so it might not fit in any PBC to begin with.

I didn't think of that.

[The 1 2 P]

I always wantwed a master system but like 99.9% of every other kid back them I was too busy enjoying ny Nes. I did get to play one a few times when we went to a cousins house. His neighbor had a master system and they let us play Rocky and Rambo for a little bit. I eventually got a master system a few years ago that included around 20 games for $6 at a yard sale. But one of those games was the UPC label Golden Axe game so I sold the whole lot before ever getting around to play it.