Did you own a Sega Master System back in the day?

[segagamer]

I did and still do...I think it was 1986, and saw the SMS after I got into the NES. Once I played it, I did not want to go back to the NES, so I sold everything I had for the NES, and used the money to buy lots of SMS games. Did not care for the Light Phaser games back then, since I bought the Base System package. But I did get the 3D Glasses and its games. Even though the games were more expensive in general, I really enjoyed playing the SMS. Once the Power Base Converter came out for the Genesis, I sold my SMS system but kept all the games. On eBay, I was able to purchase the Light Phaser and all its games. Plus, I purchased most of the EU games that are compatible with the US SMS, and I repurchased the Sports Pad to complete my SMS collection. I have most of the SMS games released in the US along with most of the EU-only games released before the Mega Drive was released in the EU.

[BydoEmpire]

I also remember rending the 3D glasses from a mom and pop video store, and thought Maze Hunter was pretty awesome. I think I rented Global Defense 3D as well and wasn't too impressed, but Maze Hunter was great. I was never able to buy the 3D glasses (or get them as a gift)>

[AMG]

Yes I did. I remember playing Double Dragon, Zillion, Altered Beast and many other games for hours on that console. At some point I got rid of it, but to this very day I still regret letting that machine go.

[M.Buster2184]

I can't help but smile that you made the comment you did in light of the box art that you have for your avatar picture.

Lol yeah. Mega Man is not a proud example of fine NES box art.

[kedawa]

I love the box art for My Hero.
It never fails to crack me up.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

I love the box art for My Hero.
It never fails to crack me up.

That's probably my favorite SMS game! Punching wine bottles and ducking spiked tires!

Once I get the song in my head ... forget it. Total earworm!

[Melf]

My dad took me to buy a NES on Christmas Eve the year it launched. There were none to be found, and even the display units weren't for sale. After going to around 9 stores, we ended up back at Lionel Playworld (remember those?) where he told me I could get something else. I REALLY wanted a new game console, so I looked at the 2600 Jr. My dad said I could get that with 10 games, since they were so cheap. 10 games!

However, resting on top of the display cases behind the counter was a ton of Master Systems (the one with the built-in snail game and packaged with Hang-On/Safari Hunt). I guess the lack of marketing and Nintendo fever was really killing it. Of course, I had no idea about market share and all that nonsense at the time. I asked to see it and was impressed by the visuals. My dad said I could have the Atari with 10 games or the MS with 1 game. I was leaning towards the Atari when my brother leaned over and said that he'd buy F-16 Fighting Falcon if I took the MS. Well, between the pack-in games and the ones my dad and brother said they'd buy, that gave me 4 games right out of the starting gate! I took the MS with F-16 and The Ninja and never looked back.

Eventually a friend lent me his NES for a few months, and while I loved SMB 2 and The Legend of Zelda, I always preferred my MS. It made me the Sega fan I am today and gave me some awesome memories.

[Emperor Megas]

Absolutely; the Master System was pretty popular in my circle of friends. It was my favorite console that generation. I had an NES as well, but I didn't play it even a third as much as my Master System. The SMS is still one of my all time consoles. The only issues I had were the build quality (I've had a few die on me, I went through 3 in my youth alone), and the fact that there wasn't a pause button on the controller. :^|

[BlastProcessing402]

I love the box art for My Hero.
It never fails to crack me up.

All the more hilarious because it's one of the card games, so it's a pic of someone holding up the card, and then the actual art on the card.

[kedawa]

All the more hilarious because it's one of the card games, so it's a pic of someone holding up the card, and then the actual art on the card.

Exactly! I found a copy years ago for dirt cheap and bought it for a friend. After I gave it to him, he sent me a picture of his hand holding the box.

[treismac]

Exactly! I found a copy years ago for dirt cheap and bought it for a friend. After I gave it to him, he sent me a picture of his hand holding the box.

Sacrebleu! Mise en abyme!

[Guyra]

We had one in the family back then, but only played the built in Alex Kidd in Miracle World. Over, and over, and over again. :P