Sega Master System thoughts... [Archive]

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Synergy

06-21-2006, 05:22 PM

I've been reading the Museum articles over at ClassicGaming.com about all the retro systems I never had a chance to own when I was younger, and I'm finding it fascinating so far. The one system I really became interested in as of late is Sega's Master System.

Now, I never even knew about the Master System until a couple years ago. I've always been content growing up with my NES, SNES, and (thank God for my brother) the Genesis, and never even heard so much as a whisper about the Master System, so I'm a total newbie to it. With that being said, I'd like to learn some things about it from people that collect it, have it, and/or have played it.

Do you feel it's a good investment? Is the system hard to find still in it's original box nowadays? What would you say are it's best games, and a few to stay away from?

I'm semi-interested in buying one in the near future mainly for Phantasy Star, but is it worth buying a Master System for?

CRV

06-21-2006, 05:36 PM

This topic's been discussed before, but yes, do buy a Master System. And please look into the "PAL" games, not just the US releases.

Arasoi

06-21-2006, 05:39 PM

One of my favorite games is Psycho Fox, an old platforming title only on Master System. I also like the MS version of Double Dragon much more than the NES version overall, more fun to play.

Additionally it had a cool 3D glasses system, which a thread was recently opened about:

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=87684

GarrettCRW

06-21-2006, 05:47 PM

There is only 1 game for the system that don't work with the Power Base Converter (F-16), and a number of games that work only with the SMS controllers (Alien Syndrome, Bomber Raid, Great Volleyball, Montezuma's Revenge, Shanghai, Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?, Wonderboy in Monsterland, and Tennis Ace). But since it's nothing to use the SMS controllers on a Genesis, a PBC may be your best bet.

Juganawt

06-21-2006, 05:49 PM

the master system is worth getting not only for Phantasy Star, but for a plethora of other great titles.

It had the best 8bit conversions of classic arcade games such as Paperboy and Gauntlet, it had unique versions of Genesis games like the Sonic series, and it also had exclusive fun titles such as Pit Pot, Golden Axe Warrior, Phantasy Star, Safari Hunt, Alex Kidd, and countless others.

A really good system for it's time, and definitely worth putting in the collection. I personally prefer the triangular original model over the more rounded Master System 2.. for A: aesthetic looks suiting my taste more, and B: the original model had a pretty cool snail game hidden away that you couldn't buy anywhere else. The Master System 2 either had Safari Hunt, Alex Kidd, or Sonic 1 built in.

segarocks30

06-21-2006, 06:16 PM

Pedro Lambrini

06-21-2006, 06:39 PM

It's a great wee machine! Phantasy Star, Fantasy Zone, the Alex Kidd games and the Wonder Boy series are all good investments of your time.

There's a Brazilian company (can't remember what it's called) that sells SMS's with umpteen games (like 50 or so!) built in! And at not bad prices either. Maybe you should look into something like that?

EDIT: There's this site with loads of stuff on it:

http://www.smspower.org/

Enjoy! :)

Synergy

06-21-2006, 06:46 PM

This topic's been discussed before

I had a feeling it was, but I did a search and didn't come across any threads. I apoligize.

I also like the MS version of Double Dragon much more than the NES version overall, more fun to play.

Now this I'll have to look into. I've always loved Double Dragon on the NES, so I'll give that one a shot. :)

But since it's nothing to use the SMS controllers on a Genesis, a PBC may be your best bet.

Would using a converter in a Genesis hinder the experience of an actual SMS system at all? For example, the sound quality, picture quality, any glitches, etc.

I personally prefer the triangular original model over the more rounded Master System 2.. for A: aesthetic looks suiting my taste more, and B: the original model had a pretty cool snail game hidden away that you couldn't buy anywhere else.

Nice. I forgot about the two different SMS models also. A hidden snail game you say? I learn something new here every day.

You can also just get the MEKA emulator and play the ROM of Alex Kidd in the Shinobi World on MEKA (What I do).

I guess that would be the obvious choice to see what games appeal to me the most, but I haven't mentioned ROMs or emulators here because I don't know how strict that subject is here. This may be my project tonight though.

Thank you all for your opinions, and keep 'em coming if you wish. This console is new and exciting to me, so I want to see other peoples' feelings toward it. ;)

bangtango

06-21-2006, 06:59 PM

Want opinions? Well, here are my thoughts then.

The Master System version of Double Dragon is pretty good. Better than the NES version? Depends on who you talk to. The Master System game has a two-player simultaneous mode and the stages are closer to the arcade. That is good enough for most people.

The snail game you are reading about is a buit-in maze game. You have a limited time to solve/escape mazes and the character you control looks like a snail. It isn't really a full game but more like a mini-game, which is why it is built in and not sold separately. It comes on if you power up the original version of the Master System (not Master System 2) without a game in the cartridge slot.

I would say ignore the recommendations to buy the converters that let you play Master System games on the Genesis or Game Gear. Buy the original system and enjoy it. It isn't that expensive.

GarrettCRW

06-21-2006, 07:08 PM

I would say ignore the recommendations to buy the converters that let you play Master System games on the Genesis or Game Gear. Buy the original system and enjoy it. It isn't that expensive.

If space is an issue, and he ends up wanting little more than Phantasy Star, the PBC is a better value. In fact, as a rule, the PBC is cheaper than a full SMS.

nebrazca78

06-21-2006, 07:30 PM

A really good system for it's time, and definitely worth putting in the collection. I personally prefer the triangular original model over the more rounded Master System 2.. for A: aesthetic looks suiting my taste more, and B: the original model had a pretty cool snail game hidden away that you couldn't buy anywhere else. The Master System 2 either had Safari Hunt, Alex Kidd, or Sonic 1 built in.

The SMS 1 at first came with no built-in game (unless you include the secret snail maze game). Later versions have built-in Hang-On alone, Hang-On & Safari Hunt, and Missile Defense 3-D. The SMS 2 only had Alex Kidd In Miracle World built in, at least in the U.S.

But since it's nothing to use the SMS controllers on a Genesis, a PBC may be your best bet.

Would using a converter in a Genesis hinder the experience of an actual SMS system at all? For example, the sound quality, picture quality, any glitches, etc.

Most likely you're not going to want to use the original SMS controllers unless you have to. They suck. NES controllers in comparison are awesome. You're probably going to want to use a 6-button Genesis controller instead. The D-pad is unbeatable and the buttons are nice and springy too.

I personally prefer the triangular original model over the more rounded Master System 2.. for A: aesthetic looks suiting my taste more, and B: the original model had a pretty cool snail game hidden away that you couldn't buy anywhere else.

Nice. I forgot about the two different SMS models also. A hidden snail game you say? I learn something new here every day.

The original model is much better. The model 2 is good mostly for collecting purposes only because it lacks the card slot and the AV output. That means no card games, no 3-D glasses and no RCA cables. Those are all must-haves IMO. The model 1 is cheaper as well. It's only subjective con is that it's a little bigger.

You can also just get the MEKA emulator and play the ROM of Alex Kidd in the Shinobi World on MEKA (What I do).

I guess that would be the obvious choice to see what games appeal to me the most, but I haven't mentioned ROMs or emulators here because I don't know how strict that subject is here. This may be my project tonight though.

AK:SW is a great game albeit short. Gameplay is excellent and I absolutely love the music. The remixed Shinobi tunes are exceptional. I use them as ringtones for my phone.

Are SMSs in original boxes hard to find?

Not really hard to find at all but it will double the average sale price of the system. The SegaScope 3-D setup which includes the system, 3-D glasses and Missile Defense 3-D built-in often goes for $100 - $150. It's like the NES Deluxe set but for the SMS. Except that the 3-D glasses are a blast to use and ROB the robot is overwhelmingly boring.

I would say ignore the recommendations to buy the converters that let you play Master System games on the Genesis or Game Gear. Buy the original system and enjoy it. It isn't that expensive.

If space is an issue, and he ends up wanting little more than Phantasy Star, the PBC is a better value. In fact, as a rule, the PBC is cheaper than a full SMS.

The PBC is a better value for those that already own Genesis but I agree with Bang on this one. Unless space is an issue, get the full SMS system. The PBC can be a very finicky item. Since you have to make an extra set of connections, it tends to freeze up more. If you have an old, worn Genesis cart slot and an old, worn PBC you will not be happy. If it even works at all a simple breath can cause it to freeze. Or maybe just the turning of the Earth. Conversely, you can almost always get a Genesis or SMS to work reliably no matter how used it is. If you do decide for the PBC and have a solid Genesis, buy a relatively unused PBC to make a solid connection and you will be fine.

Personally, my favorite SMS games are:

Alex Kidd In Shinobi World
Cloud Master
Columns
Fantasy Zone
Fantasy Zone II
Ghouls'n Ghosts
Kenseiden
Maze Hunter 3-D
Miracle Warriors
Missile Defense 3-D
Ninja, The
Phantasy Star
Power Strike
R.C. Grand Prix
R-Type
Rambo: First Blood Part II
Rastan
Shinobi
Space Harrier
Space Harrier 3-D
Teddy Boy
Time Soldiers
Wonder Boy
Wonder Boy In Monster Land
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap
Y's: The Vanished Omens

idrougge

06-21-2006, 08:39 PM

Getting the MS is a good idea, since it gives you perspectives on the 8-bit epoque that was dominated by the NES. If you've only been exposed to the NES before, the clean and colourful MS screen comes as a revelation.
Phantasy Star is a great game, but in these days, it has given the Master System a reputation as "the Phantasy Star system".
The MS is also host to three great Compile shmups; Powerstrike (Aleste), Powerstrike II (PAL only) and R-type (splendid conversion for such a small system).
The 8-bit Sonics, while worse than the 16-bit games, are great games by themselves and don't look much like 8-bit games. The NES has Mario, which is ultimately more rewarding, but it could never have recreated Sonic as faithfully.
The MS also has a wide library of bad games quickly ported by Sega and their subcontractors. They usually look good, but play bad. You will see the phrase REPROGRAMMED BY SEGA a whole lot, and it rarely is a good sign.

Most likely you're not going to want to use the original SMS controllers unless you have to. They suck. NES controllers in comparison are awesome.

That's funny, my experience is that coming back to the NES controllers, you almost get cuts in your thumbs from the sharp edges. I much prefer the more rounded MS controllers.
Of course, ergonomy was not a big issue back then, so the controllers for either systems can be quite harsh on an untrained hand, but their smallness and simplicity make up for that.

jboypacman

06-21-2006, 09:18 PM

Master System is cool i had a couple of these and a whole mess of double games for this up untill recently when gave or trade off my collection to help jump start my Atari collection.The games and systems turn up in my area quite often and are pretty cheap when they do.i recommend you trying out the WonderBoy games,Zillon games,and Gollvious Valley of Doom for it if you get one.

NeoZeedeater

06-21-2006, 09:30 PM

No other system is as underrated as the SMS relative to its competition. I love both the NES and SMS but I hate seeing Sega get neglected in that era.

I don't feel like writing a huge amount of stuff but if you're interested I recently posted a thread at another site about the system if you want to skim through and see pics and comments of many of the system's best.

http://www.the-nextlevel.com/board/showthread.php?t=41690&page=1

j_factor

06-21-2006, 09:38 PM

the Alex Kidd games

Miracle World was pretty good, and Shinobi World was amazing, but stay far, far away from the other two. High Tech World is a lame Mario is Missing style "find the pieces" adventure game, and The Lost Stars is just messed up.

7th lutz

06-21-2006, 10:16 PM

The master System is a very underrated system. It can play most import games for the sms in Europe. It you don't own the game gear get sms versions of the game. The screens are better for the games. There are some non game Gear game in europe that are great like klax, Gauntlet, and Xenon 2 : megablast to name a few. You can't play japan sms games on it there and has problems with some games from Brazil.

Don't make the same screw up as I did in the late 90's. I got sms converter in late 99 with phantasy star with the converter not able to work well with the games I bought. Before then, I had a chance to buy the sms a year before with games included and I didn't because phantasy Star was not included. As a result, I payed dearly like missing out that were at video sale to buy that were sms ero games like bobble Bubble, and Battle outrun to name a few. I also missed out on Golden Axe Warrior and bunch other games in the late 90's to 2001 as a result.

exit

06-21-2006, 10:32 PM

The SMS was a very good system indeed, sadly it was very overshadowed by the NES. It arguably had better graphics than the NES, it just didn't have the 3rd party support because of the exclusive contract Nintendo had.

segarocks30

06-21-2006, 10:33 PM

Oh, Emulators aren't strict here. They are available on the site! :D LOL

Synergy

06-21-2006, 10:51 PM

The original model is much better. The model 2 is good mostly for collecting purposes only because it lacks the card slot and the AV output. That means no card games, no 3-D glasses and no RCA cables. Those are all must-haves IMO. The model 1 is cheaper as well. It's only subjective con is that it's a little bigger.

Unless space is an issue, get the full SMS system. The PBC can be a very finicky item.

Well, that pretty much settles the issue of me buying a first model console instead of the converter. I never knew the glasses were incompatible with the model 2 SMS. Space won't be an issue for me. I'm hoping to move into a bigger place within a month or so, so my collecting can officially start. :D

If it even works at all a simple breath can cause it to freeze. Or maybe just the turning of the Earth.

LOL

And the reason I ask for the system in the original box, is that I would like to collect complete systems and games, so I would like a complete SMS down the road. I just don't want to shell out outrageous amounts of money on a small number of things, and I didn't know how much they tend to go for.

Thank you for your detailed post nebrazca. Very helpful!

Getting the MS is a good idea, since it gives you perspectives on the 8-bit epoque that was dominated by the NES. If you've only been exposed to the NES before, the clean and colourful MS screen comes as a revelation.

Indeed. Now that I'm trying out some of these games, I can finally see why people hold it in high regard. The SMS versions of The Addams Family and Alien Syndrome are WAY better then the NES versions, imo, even though I'm not a fan of those two titles in particular.

Miracle World was pretty good, and Shinobi World was amazing, but stay far, far away from the other two. High Tech World is a lame Mario is Missing style "find the pieces" adventure game, and The Lost Stars is just messed up.

High Tech World is a bit lame at first glance, but I intend to play around with it a little more before I make a final decision on it. The Lost Stars is just too.....cute..I guess? O_O LOL Again, I take a first impression of a game, sleep on it, and give it a more through play session before I write it off or decide to purchase it.

FantasiaWHT

06-21-2006, 11:29 PM

I didn't see anyone mention Golvellius! I'll play that over Zelda any day :)

j_factor

06-22-2006, 02:46 AM

Speaking of the ol Master, the system turned 20 in the US this month. EGM had a mini-article on it, and I found this little tidbit interesting..

The Master System was a failure everywhere in the world (except, oddly, Brazil), but it laid the groundwork for the amazing Genesis.

Since when is Europe not part of the world? I find it especially odd that they pretend Europe doesn't exist, but mention Brazil. Who cares about Brazil? The whole Brazil thing is only noteworthy because Tec Toy made some super late releases and still produces the system there. In the actual, real lifespan of the system, Europe was what was important. Brazil was a smaller market, and even though SMS continued on there after it was dead in Europe, far more SMS games originate in Europe than Brazil.

EGM never ceases to make no sense.

Emuaust

06-22-2006, 05:09 AM

Well here in Australia the nes did nowhere near
the amount of sales as the SMS did, bah stupid EGM

For thoose playing at home the SMS1 also did get released
with Alex kidd in MW built into it in some regions, US was
one of them I think.

The SMS is such a cool console and was the first I bought
with my own money, I still have most of the Euro Released
games sitting in my gaming room now!, as well as about
30 consoles in boxes, out of all of my collection the SMS
gets one of the best showings!

Grab games like:
Sonic 1
Sonic 2
Pshyco Fox
Wonderboy in Monster Land
Wonderboy in Monster World
and Possibly the best port IMO of
Prince of Persia

cool system, very very cool

Alex Kidd

06-22-2006, 09:36 AM

You should really give Alex Kidd: Hi Tech World a try.
If you like puzzle/adventure-y type games anyway.

Just remember, you CAN screw up and die, so if you have a lousy memory, write shit down, cause you gotta start from scratch each time. But once you know where the map pieces are it's just a matter of running around and finding them. And keep an eye on the clocks and should anyone mention a length of time, they mean it. A map can help too, just simple lines to keep track of who's in what room on each floor of the castle.
And be careful of the teacher on the third floor, untill you can pass her test, stay out of her room cause she'll lock you in till you can pass it.
Once you get all the map pieces (and escape the castle...) you get a password so (hopefully) you'll not have to go through that again soon to finish the game!

Here's where it gets weird...

Now the game takes on a side scrolling run-jump-shoot genre set in The Ninja Woods. Explains that Ninja on the box I guess... and it isn't easy. But you can die as many time as you like, except time keeps ticking...
Then once you're through the woods (hopefully grabbing money on the way) You will find a small town.

Adventure gameplay again.
Now you must find some way to obtain a roadpass so as to be allowed out of town to get to the arcade. Items galore to find and plenty of people to talk to, again keep an eye on the time it's even more relative here. And if you thought 8 Map pieces was hard to find this Roadpass is harder. However, should you die (and you will) you can continue in town but should you turn off the system, you'll have to make your way thru The Ninja Forest again when you input your password.

When you find a roadpass?... You will still have to do another run through The Ninja Forest, this time it's even more infested... but same strategy to live remains. Clear THIS Forest and it's Game Over... but I don't want to spoil the ending for you.

I Loved this game as a kid. I first played Miracle World when I was 9 and THAT blew me away, changed me for gaming, ruined me on the NES. And then I got this game... it was different... it was hard to navigate... I kept getting stuck in the room with a teacher... but slowly, began to keep track of clues, and drew a map and after about two years, between myself and my friend Trevor we completed that game.
I really like this title but it always get's a bad rep!

Alex Kidd

If you can get it complete with the manual, be sure to read it through, it contains some helpful pointers/tips
plus what was up with so many items that I never found a use for?

NeoZeedeater

06-22-2006, 12:04 PM

segagamer

06-22-2006, 01:11 PM

I would recommend PBC if you already have Genesis model 1, as that is the configuration that I have and it works out really well for me. I also had a SMS that was not 100% so I sold it (it would start out fine but as it got warmer, the unit started having clock speed fluctuations and affected the graphics and sounds of the games). As mentioned previously, the PBC accepts cart and card games, the 3D glasses, and all SMS controllers. The great thing about my setup is that SMS games are in S-Video, just like my Genesis and Sega CD games.

klausien

06-22-2006, 01:38 PM

My two cents. If you are going to collect even somewhat seriously for it, get both an SMS 1 and a PBC. :) SMS 2 is for hardcore collecting only as it has the many issues mentioned above, especially the RF only thing. You also really need to have the 3D games. It is incredibly cool and has fast become my favorite 8-bit gaming experience (outside of classics like the SMBs, Zeldas, Alex Kidds, etc.).

idrougge

06-22-2006, 06:07 PM

As mentioned previously, the PBC accepts cart and card games, the 3D glasses, and all SMS controllers. The great thing about my setup is that SMS games are in S-Video, just like my Genesis and Sega CD games.

What's so great about that, considering that the real MS outputs RGB natively?

j_factor

06-22-2006, 09:44 PM

diskoboy

06-22-2006, 11:11 PM

In the late 80's, I had both the NES and SMS.

My SMS got alot more play than my NES. Still does... So I would definately say that the SMS is a great investment.

Phantasy Star and Zillion are two of my all time faves.

Not to mention - the SMS version of R-Type is a flawless translation of the arcade game (and another fave).

Word of advice - if you buy a pair of 3-D glasses, be super careful with them. The LCD's in mine cracked when they fell of my face. They only fell about 3-4 feet into my lap.

retroman

06-22-2006, 11:33 PM

Yes get a Master System, it has better hardware than the NES, and has some great games....

segagamer

06-23-2006, 12:35 PM

Doesn't the Genesis video output also include RGB, so if I can get the RGB cable, then SMS games played via PBC should also be in RGB, right??

idrougge

06-23-2006, 06:53 PM

The MS and MD have the exact same video output. They use the same cables.*

*Except for MD stereo cables, which will have an extra lead for plugging into the headphones plug, since the video connector is the same as for MS, which was mono only.

B - Mark

06-23-2006, 08:56 PM

CRV

06-23-2006, 11:33 PM

Does anyone have a scan of the SMS article?

Why scan it?

http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3151593

Crappy myopic filler article...

TheReturnofCaptainFalcon

06-25-2006, 06:32 AM

SMS, I was a former owner oh about 20 years ago, had the card games, 3-D glasses. My opinion SMS games in a lot of cases were better then some NES cpunterparts, now thats not to say it a better system by any means. But the SMS unfortunately never really caught on here as it did in Europe, shame too because the SMS had TONS of potential. I have seen 1 or 2 sealed systems on ebay going for roughly 250-350. Definitely a worthy system to begin collecting

starsoldier1

06-25-2006, 11:59 AM

Happy 20th Master System, the machine actually did better in Canadian as well. We also got a lot of exclusive SMS releases like Ultima IV and Gauntlet here but it wasn't all good news because we also got the lame Dynamite Dux too.

jodo kast

06-25-2006, 12:18 PM

Nohing beats the Master System version of Shinobi...
and some other key games to own would be:
Wonder boy in monster land
Enduro Racer
Spell Caster
Space harrier
Choplifter
and who could forget Psyco Fox

I always loved the SMS and compared to the NES grafx the SMS is way better 8bit system for visuals.
Mind you nothing on the SMS compares to Metroid.

Synergy

06-25-2006, 10:56 PM

Well, it's definately settled that I'm going to collect for this one. From Phantasy Star to Shinobi to the Wonder Boy series to Zillion to Space Harrier to the Fantasy Zone series to Alex Kidd to Golvellius; lots of good stuff I've discovered. Once again, thank you all for your posts!

Another thing that's been on my mind though...

Why is it that Wonder Boy and Adventure Island are almost identical, yet their sequels look nothing like each other? O_O

nebrazca78

06-26-2006, 03:05 AM

Well, it's definitely settled that I'm going to collect for this one. From Phantasy Star to Shinobi to the Wonder Boy series to Zillion to Space Harrier to the Fantasy Zone series to Alex Kidd to Golvellius; lots of good stuff I've discovered. Once again, thank you all for your posts!

Another thing that's been on my mind though...

Why is it that Wonder Boy and Adventure Island are almost identical, yet their sequels look nothing like each other? O_O

Hudson ripped off Sega's arcade game Wonder Boy and replaced our hero Wonder Boy with "Master Higgins". Adv. Island and Wonder Boy were released at about the same time for the NES & SMS. I've never played Adv. Island but Wonder Boy is a great game. Then Sega decided to expand the game and add RPG elements, making the game much more complex. Hudson instead released another clone of the original Wonder Boy with new levels and called it Adventure Island II. Sega then decided to make the 3rd Wonder Boy a total action RPG which resulted in one of the best 8-bit games ever made, Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap. Hudson instead released another clone of the original Wonder Boy with new levels and called it Adventure Island III.

anagrama

06-26-2006, 05:56 AM

No-one "ripped off" anyone - Escape (who later became Westone) developed the arcade original, which was released by Sega. They later released a Famicom/NES port (published by Hudson Soft), but because the Wonder Boy name was owned by Sega, they released it as 'Adventure Island'.
As you say, both companies released a series of unrelated sequels.

j_factor

06-27-2006, 01:58 AM

Hudson also did the re-named Turbografx ports of the Wonder Boy sequels: Monster Lair, Dragon's Fury (port of Dragon's Trap), Dynastic Hero (port of Wonder Boy in Monster World), and Bikkuriman World (Monster Land with anime license added, JP only).

There was also a PC Engine hucard release in Japan with the title of "Adventure Island" (even though our Adventure Island has a different title there); I'm not really sure what that was.

But yes, Adventure Island 2-4, Super Adventure Island, and New Adventure Island had nothing to do with Westone or Wonder Boy (except for having a basis in the original game, of course).

MarioMania

07-03-2006, 01:57 AM

Even know the Master System was success in Europe & Brazil..Capcom & other Company's didn't make games

Emuaust

07-03-2006, 02:28 AM

MarioMania

07-03-2006, 01:26 PM

I ment the well-known Game like Mega Man or Castlevania from Konami

Sweater Fish Deluxe

07-03-2006, 10:07 PM

Scalero, is it not?
They fact is that most of thoose companies had issues with
nintendo at the time and couldnt put there names on games
so they either got sega to do there ports or went under alias
names.

Oh for your capcom comment, Ghouls and Ghosts, Stider?
this is the type of thing Im pointing out.
Those were both released quite a bit later, after the NES monopoly had been broken. Between 1985 and 1989 most of the big third parties simply didn't release games on the Master System, not even with Sega publishing.

Luckily, Sega's own first party games and the hardware itself were enough to make the system shine anyway, as would later be the case on the Dreamcast, in fact.

As for the whole Wonder Boy/Adventure Island thing anyone remember the Game Doctor from the old '80s and '90s game mags (Video Games, VG&CE and later EGM)? Along with the Tetris situation, this was often a subject he discussed in his article, trying to work out the intracacies of the whole thing--though now that we know most of the story, it's not all that intricate. By the way, check out a Famicom game from Jaleco called Saiyuki World, if you ever get the chance, it's a clone of Wonder Boy In Monsterland (I don't know if Westone had anything to do with it or not). Interestingly enough, it had a sequel of its own that is not like any of the Wonder Boy games, the sequel came out in thre U.S. as Whomp'Em, so that's another branch in the Wonder Boy family tree.

I recently re-played through all the Wonder Boy/Adventure Island games in series just to get a sense of them all. Aside from re-affirming that The Dragon's Trap is still as great a game as ever, I discovered that Super Adventure Island 2 on the SNES which I had neve rplayed beofre is actually more like the later Wonder Boy games than the earlier Adventure Island games, it has significant RPG elements while keeping the side-scrolling platformer style. It's a very good game. I also discovered Monster World IV (Wonder Boy 6) on the Mega Drive, which is a fabulous game in the series and luckily there's an English translation patch available for the ROM.

Taken all together Wonder Boy/Adventure Island (and Saiyuki World/Whomp'Em, too, for that matter) is definitely one of my favorite series' out there.

...words is bondage...

Sweater Fish Deluxe

07-03-2006, 10:07 PM

EDIT: Double post.

Good night, brave warrior.
Good night, monster land.

...word is bondage...

alexkidd2000

07-04-2006, 01:52 PM

I was a little dissapointed in Monster World IV. Anyone else feel the same?

segagamer

07-05-2006, 03:34 PM

I think you are in the minority about Monster World IV, as that was a great game and I managed to finish it. It was a great game that kept me up late at night sometimes. Much better than Monster World III.

Synergy

09-08-2006, 07:38 PM

I'm still very interested in aquiring a Master System; as a matter of fact, I'm trying to snatch up a complete system in the next few weeks.

Anyway, I revived this discussion to ask another question I couldn't find the answer to anywhere.

I recently found out there was a completely different Ninja Gaiden for the SMS....released in Europe. I really want it. Bad. :D

If I import it, and since it's a PAL cartridge and all, will it play on a US Master System? I don't know if it had a lockout or anything like the NES did, but I just wanted to be sure.

MegaDrive20XX

09-08-2006, 08:03 PM

Only problem with the SMS, was the lack of developer support, of course this was during the reign of the NES with their strict contract of "You work for us or nobody". Nobody could stop it, well maybe Kamino could..but that's another story...

Trust me, that Ninja Gaiden is extremely worth it. It plays nothing like the NES game and has some of the best details for an 8-bit game, even the game over screen rocks (Skull with a candle in it)

PAL and US SMS games are like this --> :cheers:

No lock out what so ever. Plus I do perfer the port of Operation Wolf on SMS compared to the NES. Rescue Mission as well <3

SMS was my first console as a kid, and I'll never forget how many hours and days I spent playing it.

One thing I love to do, is take a Japanese Megadrive, get any kind of PowerBase Converter (US or Europe) and it'll transform into a SEGA MARK III logo on your screen.

Why, not only do I love the SMS, but you can even ask my cat...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/Akumajo22/JJLuvSonic.jpg

and he's a cat who has good taste in games...

I love the GameGear ports to SMS, except for the port of MKII feels odd, but the first one feels right at home on the SMS.

Get one or the PBC as already mentioned, you won't regret it by far. Rastan, Shinobi, Double Dragon, Space Harrier, Outrun, Rambo, what more could you ask for?

Synergy

09-08-2006, 08:35 PM

PAL and US SMS games are like this --> :cheers:

No lock out what so ever.

Niiiice. I'll definately be picking that up. Thanks for the response!

Why, not only do I love the SMS, but you can even ask my cat...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v129/Akumajo22/JJLuvSonic.jpg

and he's a cat who has good taste in games...

LOL That cat looks extremely prepared to defend those games to the death. Cute picture.