When was the Master System released?

In Japan in 1985 (as Sega Mark III), in North America in September 1986, and in Europe in 1987.

Are the Master System and Mark III the same console?

Yes: the Master System is the Western redesign of the Japanese Mark III.

How many colors could it display?

Up to 32 colors simultaneously, from a total palette of 64.

Were there any Sonic games on Master System?

Yes, 8-bit ports (Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic Chaos), distinct from the Mega Drive versions.

Where did the Master System perform best?

In Europe and Brazil, where it became a true phenomenon.

Sega Master System : la 8-bit qui défia la NES

Sega Master System: The 8-bit that challenged the NES

August 31, 2026

1062 words | Reading time: 6 minutes

Behind the ScenesMaster SystemAlex Kidd

Crushed by the NES in Japan and the United States, the Master System nonetheless reigned over Europe and Brazil. The profile goes back to the Sega Mark III of October 1985, redesigned for the West in September 1986, and sets its real capabilities straight: 32 simultaneous colors from a palette of 64, richer than Nintendo's console. Passing through are Alex Kidd in Miracle World, Phantasy Star and its heroine Alis Landale programmed by Yuji Naka, the 8-bit Sonic from the Ancient studio, the last game released on the machine in North America, and the hidden mini-game Snail Maze. In Brazil, TecToy has been selling it since 1989.

Crushed by the NES in Japan and the United States, but queen in Europe and Brazil: the Master System is the 8-bit console that made Sega a true rival to Nintendo. A portrait of a machine with a very contrasted destiny.

🎮 It hosted the first 8-bit Sonic games — find them in our complete Sonic gameography.

Identity Card

The Master System is a 3rd-generation 8-bit console, a direct rival to the NES. In Japan, it was initially called the Sega Mark III (1985) before being redesigned and rebranded as the "Master System" for the West, then for Japan in 1987. In Brazil, it remained a lasting phenomenon thanks to TecToy.

A Master System hooked up with its two controllers — Console, wired controllers and cartridge at the front: the set-up as it appeared in living rooms in the 1980s. *Photo: Frédéric BISSON from Rouen, France, CC BY 2.0.*

Release Dates and Prices

The Mark III was released in Japan on October 20, 1985 (not 1986). The Western "Master System" version arrived in North America in September 1986 (~$200) then in Europe in 1987 (£99.95 in the UK). The Japanese redesign, also called Master System, dates from October 1987.

Under the Hood

The Master System features a Zilog Z80A at 3.58 MHz, 8 KB of RAM, and 16 KB of VRAM. Its advantage over the NES: a video chip capable of displaying 32 simultaneous colors (from a palette of 64) in 256×192 — richer than Nintendo's console, and not "16 colors" as is sometimes read.

8-bit Style

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The Master System motherboard — The motherboard fits on a single printed circuit board, built around a Zilog Z80 processor. *Photo: Evan-Amos, Public domain.*

Must-Play Games

Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986) — Sega's mascot before Sonic, often built into the console's memory.
Phantasy Star (1987) — a pioneering RPG with heroine Alis Landale, programmed by Yuji Naka.
Sonic the Hedgehog (8-bit version, 1991) — developed by Ancient studio.
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap (1989) — a highly acclaimed action-adventure.
OutRun (1987) — a technical showcase adapted from Sega's arcade game.

Sonic on the Console

The Master System hosted the 8-bit ports of the Sonic saga, distinct from the Mega Drive versions. Sonic the Hedgehog (1991, Ancient studio) was indeed the very last game officially released on Master System in North America. In Europe and Brazil, where the console remained popular, other 8-bit episodes followed (Sonic 2, Sonic Chaos, etc.).

Success or Failure?

A very uneven success depending on the region. A half-failure in Japan and the United States, where Nintendo dominated the market (~83% in the USA in 1988) and locked down third-party publishers. But thanks to more powerful hardware than the NES and effective local distribution, the Master System was the best-selling console in Europe until around 1990 and a lasting phenomenon in Brazil — totaling 10 to 13 million units.

Did You Know?

In Brazil, the Master System never died: marketed by TecToy since 1989, it is still sold there in 2026 — a longevity record.
The 8-bit Sonic was the first game from Ancient studio (founded by composer Yuzo Koshiro) and the last game released on Master System in North America.
Many Master Systems hide a mini-game, "Snail Maze," playable in the BIOS when no cartridge is inserted.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Detail
Type	8-bit home console (3rd generation)
Japanese Name	Sega Mark III (1985)
Release Japan (Mark III)	October 20, 1985
North America	September 1986
Europe	1987
Colors	32 simultaneous (palette of 64)
Sales	~10 to 13 million

FAQ

When was the Master System released?
In Japan in 1985 (as Sega Mark III), in North America in September 1986, and in Europe in 1987.
Are the Master System and Mark III the same console?
Yes: the Master System is the Western redesign of the Japanese Mark III.
How many colors could it display?
Up to 32 colors simultaneously, from a total palette of 64.
Were there any Sonic games on Master System?
Yes, 8-bit ports (Sonic 1, Sonic 2, Sonic Chaos), distinct from the Mega Drive versions.
Where did the Master System perform best?
In Europe and Brazil, where it became a true phenomenon.