What's to like about the SMS?

[kainemaxwell]

After looking around at various SMS items for reasons, I'd like to know something:

What about the SMS would convince me to pick up this system and a handful of games?

[XxMe2NiKxX]

The SMS has something that the NES is severely lacking in: Games that last a long time. Pretty much every game you pick up for your SMS you will replay at one point or another.

[TheRedEye]

The SMS has something that the NES is severely lacking in: Games that last a long time. Pretty much every game you pick up for your SMS you will replay at one point or another.

I don't think I agree with anything this person just said. Not even a little bit.

[allsport11]

If you want games that are fun and graphically superior to the NES then grab an SMS. Now I am not saying it is better than the NES. Each have their own +'s and -'s. Definately worth owning one. ;)

[TheRedEye]

The plus of getting a Master System is that it just MIGHT be the cheapest console to find, besides the Genesis. I got mine for $3 at a Goodwill.

[Gapporin]

Another plus is that is has a cooler looking light gun than the NES.*

Also, like TheRedEye mentioned, the console and games can be pretty much had on the cheap. Only a few games (like Phantasy Star and Wonder Boy III, and rarer games) will drive up past $20 complete.

If it that wasn't enough, click here (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=45938) to join a thread about good SMS games, already in progress!

* = your mileage may vary.

[vision89]

The same reason that would make you purchase an Atari 2600, Turbo Duo or Neo Geo. Which is, the system has it's share of crap games and fun games, and you should buy a SMS to play its fun games. The SMS has a good amount of games from each genre and it has its share of good games. There are a lot of other systems with a lot less to offer that I, at least, have gotten enjoyment from. Good luck, hopefully you can find some SMS games that catch your interest.

[Raccoon Lad]

Fantasy Zone II
the Tears of Opa-Opa

[Lady Jaye]

Well, I'm sure there has got to be another thread like this one before, but here we go:

1. short library of games (at least US-wise). So, if you're a collector, that's not an impossible goal.

2. uses the same controller port as the Genesis and the Atari 2600/7800. So you can use a Genny controller in the SMS or use the SMS controller with the 2600...

3. no region lock, at least not between Europe and North America. And since the SMS was a much more popular console in Europe than here, well, this means you can easily import the Euro games and play them on your American SMS without any kind of adaptor.

4. almost all the different variations of the console has a built-in game. So even if you don't have any SMS cartridges you can still start play on the SMS without having to wait.

5. It boils down to games, games, games. Yes of course there are games that appeared on other consoles, sometimes for the best, sometimes for the worst (personally, I think that the SMS port of Montezuma's Revenge is the best one out there). See all the different "best-of SMS games" lists on this forum for more game suggestions.

[davec]

the SMS is dirt cheap, has a bunch of fun games, and the graphics are crisper/tighter than the NES and don't feature the flickermatic that is present in just about every NES game. My brain is still scrambled from the horrid flickering in the NES Ultima. Brrr.........

[max 330 mega]

i have a sms, and it has maybe gotten an hour total of play from me in a whole year, i dont like a single game i have for it, they dont grab me and make me wanna play at all. im not sayin its a bad console, but for some reason i really havnt found any games i really loved for it yet.

[video_game_addict]

I'd skip the system, maybe look for a power base converter if you can find for under $20 preferably $10-15, then you can collect SMS games & play on your Genesis, assuming you have that already. If you don't have Genesis, go out & get that first. It's easily the better system.

I think the larger footprint of console wasn't worth the purchase price, so a power base was a better option to keep, and still enjoy the games, JMHO

I had about 100 games for my SMS, but honestly didn't play too many of them. Probably less than 20. I think to me at least NES games were better. Of what I owned, I had alot of SMS games I thought were just too slow, and bored me. My SMS collected dust.


BUT...

reasons to buy, I'd say

Easy to track down games, mostly cheap besides for a few.

Often they will be boxed or complete, which is not always the case with other platforms. But SMS cases are boring.. If you have without case, the carts are even worse. So not much to look at, but a shelf of boxed games are always cool. 8-)

There are some definite gems for system, as well as MANY compatible imports to collect. Many of the imports are still cheap, so some better titles available if you shop ebay.

Teh 3D is the Best?! I don't know personally, as the glasses were designed to be worn by 3 month olds. I think every pair I've come across have been missing an arm. :/ So much for trying Space Harrier 3D I never tested the 3D.. :(

But if you can track down working & complete parts, there's a fair number of 3D games available for it as well.

It's cheap. I think this is the most used reason, and the number one reason of retrogamers in general. That's alot of why I bought to begin with.

I wasn't overly impressed with it's library, and thought the NES overall was a better system to collect (if one were to compare the two, seems the way this topic is heading) But versus the CD-i or 3DO, or 32x.. maybe even the Jag, I think it's a better purchase, and probably has more games worth owning than others.

[Pantechnicon]

Here's one for you if you're into portability:

A little known secret (at least nobody in this thread has brought it up yet) is that the Game Gear and the Master System are the exact same thing. They use the exact same chipset and controls. You can purchase a pin adapter for about $15 that will let you play SMS games directly on your Game Gear. This is really great if you get into some of those great old RPG's that the SMS has to offer.

Anyway, if you like the idea of having games you can take readily on the go with you, an SMS/Game Gear setup will provide you with retro double deuce action!

...Channeling Strong Bad...I know...

[zektor]

I would say the main thing you will like about the SMS is the Sega "feel". I can't really explain it, but when you play the Master System you *know* you're playing something made by Sega. It's that warm fuzzy feeling that will always make me hold the SMS close to my heart.

BTW: Did I forget mention original games as well? One of my favorites for the system is "The Ninja". Anotehr is "Alex Kidd In Miracle World". Yet another is "Kenseiden". And another is...well...you get the point. There are so many greats for this console.

[Ed Oscuro]

The plus of getting a Master System is that it just MIGHT be the cheapest console to find, besides the Genesis. I got mine for $3 at a Goodwill.
Strange...I've always felt that Master Systems were harder to come by (they are, of course) and worth more money.

[The Manimal]

I've NEVER seen a Master System in the wild.....


I saw them in stores in the mid/late 80s, but that's about it.

[anagrama]

Great games. Duh.

[klausien]

Shooting Gallery :D

The fastest ducks you have ever seen. Infuriating, but fun as hell.

[davidleeroth]

Here's one for you if you're into portability:

A little known secret (at least nobody in this thread has brought it up yet) is that the Game Gear and the Master System are the exact same thing. They use the exact same chipset and controls. You can purchase a pin adapter for about $15 that will let you play SMS games directly on your Game Gear. This is really great if you get into some of those great old RPG's that the SMS has to offer.

Actually they aren't, SMS has a different color palette (less colors) than GG, that's the main reason why there isn't a GG->SMS adapter of reasonable picture quality. Maybe some day though.

[Graham Mitchell]

Shooting Gallery :D

The fastest ducks you have ever seen. Infuriating, but fun as hell.

Pretty much all the light gun games on the SMS are some of the best light gun games period. Rescue Mission is another really fun one.

[Pantechnicon]

Here's one for you if you're into portability:

A little known secret (at least nobody in this thread has brought it up yet) is that the Game Gear and the Master System are the exact same thing. They use the exact same chipset and controls. You can purchase a pin adapter for about $15 that will let you play SMS games directly on your Game Gear. This is really great if you get into some of those great old RPG's that the SMS has to offer.

Actually they aren't, SMS has a different color palette (less colors) than GG, that's the main reason why there isn't a GG->SMS adapter of reasonable picture quality. Maybe some day though.

Yeah I know about the reolution difference, thus while you can play SMS on your GG the revers is not true. I only brought this up as another reason to have an SMS. In fact if Kaine23 has a Game Gear then for all intents and purposes he's got one. I actually spend more time playing SMS games on mine than the Game Gear ones, but that's just me.


I would say the main thing you will like about the SMS is the Sega "feel". I can't really explain it, but when you play the Master System you *know* you're playing something made by Sega. It's that warm fuzzy feeling that will always make me hold the SMS close to my heart.


I know what this feels like. I am a Sega fan come late to the party, and what zektor is decribing makes a certain degree of sense.

[Cauterize]

-great port of bubble bobble avaliable
-selection of wonderboy games
-good selection of RPGs

[Damon Plus]

It´s a great system if you know which games to get.

Some recommendations:
-Shinobi
-Wonderboy series (specially 2 and 3)
-Phantasy Star
-Outrun
-Sonic
-Golden Axe Warrior
-R-Type
-Alex Kidd in Miracle World and Shinobi World
-California Games
-Asterix and Ninja Gaiden are pretty good too

[slip81]

Like many before me have said, it has a nice selection of quality games and it's cheap to buy for. As an added convieneiance it uses the same adapters as the model 1 Genny, so if you're pressed for space you can switch out the consoles without rewiring.

And it has 3D glasses, I mean what more reason do you need (though the glasses will often times cost you more than a console).

[kainemaxwell]

Thanks guys, keep them coming. Maybe, maybe not get a converter (dunno itd work on a cdx yet) and really don't want to get into another system since I got many already. Most part may play around with some the emulated games see what I fancy too.

[rbudrick]

Actually they aren't, SMS has a different color palette (less colors) than GG, that's the main reason why there isn't a GG->SMS adapter of reasonable picture quality. Maybe some day though.

Well there's actually more to it than that. If you flash a GG game to an SMS cart, it doesn't work. Most lock up automatically. I believe Sonic, for example, gets stuck on pause with all messedup colors. This has something to do with the start button on the GG and the pause button on the SMS NOT being equal, as some would believe. The machine handles these interupts in a different way and one pin on the cartridge determines which mode it is in (SMS or GG). Odd fact: When using the Master gear adapter and you trigger this pin, the SMS games end up with a black border around them and you can only see the center of the screen when you connect a GG to a TV when doing this (yes, there is a hack to make the GG work on a TV , but no one has implemented it extremely well yet...black and white only or screwed up colors).

Anyway, reasons to own an SMS; Phantasy Star, Fantasy Zone, Wonder Boy III, Golvellius, Aztec Adventure, Quartet, Rambo III, man there's so many good ones.

-Rob