Question about the Master System

[Ronfar]

I was wondering if anyone know if there is a way to tell the difference between a US and UK game. I think you can tell by the UPC or serial number, but I'm not sure what to look for.

Can anyone help me with this?

[Ed Oscuro]

Generally speaking, I've found that the european style box/manual (translated story blurb/instructions in about six different languages) is a good help. Other than that, I haven't looked into it much deeper.

[Ronfar]

Yea, I knew that much. But I get a lot of games cart only and without the manual etc, etc.

[Raccoon Lad]

Other than the 3 games released in the US that came in multilingual packaging (Sonic, Strider, Spider Man), US games are english only, and European games are multilingual.
There are of course, a few minor exeptions to this rule (a couple card releases, and some Aussie game), but those are pretty minor.

Also, a few European games have different box art (maybe 2 or 3 games), and some have a slightly different Sega logo on the front.

[anagrama]

As a rule, US carts have cross-head Phillips screws in the back while Euro carts have security (Gamebit) screws, but I'm not sure if that's 100% reliable.

[Ronfar]

Woah, I had no idea they released Strider and Spiderman in the US. My list must not be complete.

What about the games are multilingual, just the manual or the box too?

[anagrama]

What about the games are multilingual, just the manual or the box too?

Usually both, though a few Euro RPGs have single-language manuals.

And you can find complete & accurate lists right here ;)

[vultar]

I'm not sure how much this holds true (because I don't have enough Non-US games to be sure), but I've noticed on my US SMS games that there is a California address given for Sega on the back of the box. On my Non-US releases, it gives a different address.

[Ronfar]

What about the games are multilingual, just the manual or the box too?

Usually both, though a few Euro RPGs have single-language manuals.

And you can find complete & accurate lists right here ;)

I can't believe I forgot about that. x-p

[Ed Oscuro]

Also, a few European games have different box art (maybe 2 or 3 games), and some have a slightly different Sega logo on the front.
Well, the color of the purplish blob behind Joe on the cover of Shinobi is slightly different (pink in one of the regions) as well.

[Lady Jaye]

But the Canadian release did get multilingual packaging too, and I think there might be a mention of Irwin Games (the Canadian distributor of the SMS games) on the boxes. But then again, maybe the carts themselves are the same ones as the US releases...

Ah, the fun, complicated story of the SMS in Canada! One day, someone's oughta do a detailed research on the topic...

[anagrama]

But the Canadian release did get multilingual packaging too, and I think there might be a mention of Irwin Games (the Canadian distributor of the SMS games) on the boxes. But then again, maybe the carts themselves are the same ones as the US releases...


AFAIK, the only 'proper' Canadian release that credits Irwin is Hang On/Safari Hunt - the rest are US or European games with a Canadian barcode sticker.

[Ed Oscuro]

Canadian releases came with all six (or so) languages? Interesting...

[CRV]

Other than the 3 games released in the US that came in multilingual packaging (Sonic, Strider, Spider Man), US games are english only, and European games are multilingual.

But if the case and cartridge say, "Made in Australia" (among other differences like white gridlines on the cart label), then you have the Australian version. Even if they do use the European cover art, barcodes, and manual, they really should be counted separately for those reasons I mentioned. I know people are going to say I'm wrong.

[anagrama]

No, I'd agree that Aussie releases probably 'should' eventually be seperate, but I haven't the time, energy, patience or inclination to properly start researching them (living half-way around the world doesn't exactly help!)

If any Aussie collectors want to properly look into it I'd be willing to add them to the database.

[Raccoon Lad]

Not to mention the Ozisoft games are made from a cheaper plastic, and the boxes aren't quite as wide, so you can't put US/Euro inserts in them.

And those labels are just crap.

[Ronfar]

Thanks for the help guys. I appreciate it. :)

[vultar]

Not to hijack the thread or anything, but do you guys know how to tell the US sonic game apart from the other releases? I have someone that has what I think is a US copy, but before I pay him a lot of money for I want to be as sure as I can be that that's what I'm buying. I normally go by languages in the instructions, but if Raccoon Lad's right, which I'm sure he is, that's not going to help here. Does anyone know whether anagrama's comment about the different screws holds true for the US sonic? Does anyone know what the US UPC codes were? Thanks for any help.

[anagrama]

The ONLY difference is that the "US version" has a different barcode stickered over the original printed Euro barcode.
Aside from that they are 100% identical - multi-language box, Euro manual, security screws - everything is the same.

Ditto the "US versions" of Spiderman & Strider.

[Ronfar]

You would still be able to tell by the manual, US manuals are like the Genesis manuals, the UK manuals look more like a much larger NES manual.

[anagrama]

You would still be able to tell by the manual, US manuals are like the Genesis manuals, the UK manuals look more like a much larger NES manual.

Not with Sonic, Strider & Spiderman you can't. Or with various Euro RPGs for that matter. Or with some of the Australian cards that have US-style manuals.

[Ronfar]

Ah, sorry about that.