My parents got me a Sega Master system for xmas when I was 4. That and Wonderboy in Monsterland and a little tv to play it on. That would have been around 1989. Good times, btw I grew up in New Zealand and the Master System did pretty good there.
I'm the exact same age as you and grew up in the USA and only saw a single Master System in the wild when I was a kid - it was almost non-existent here, even more rare than a TurboGrafix16 (which I actually had but it was a hand-me-down from my cousin who was the kid who had everything [except for a Master System lol])
master system was pretty powerful for the time, phantasy star I was amazing, i was more into pcs, but i dont think pcs at the time had even close to as good graphics.
I asked my parents once if they played video games back in the 80s (I wasn't born then), and they said that a lot of their friends had Master Systems. I asked them about the NES, and they said they didn't know ANYBODY who had one. That goes to show how popular the Master System was outside of North America.
complete opposite of my (and everyone I know's) experience in the USA - I only ever saw one Master System in the wild in like 1992 and I had no idea what it was
@@weston407 It literally seemed like EVERYONE had an NES in Canada circa early 90's. I do however have memories of playing a couple Master Systems, but the Genesis was out by then.
I'm pretty sure John Hancock's smile could cure several of this planet's diseases and reduce crime by 46%. What a happy-looking dude. Great episode, Metal. The Master System is awesome and has an even awesome-er name.
One other interesting note on the Powerbase Converter - the Mega Ever Drive flash cartridge will allow the Genesis to load SMS roms without the need for the converter!
Yep - the Master System hardware is already in the Mega Drive. The convertor just adds the cartridge slot and pause button along with the card slot if you ever need to use that.
One of my fondest childhood memories was Double Dragon for the Master System... It had 2 player simultaneously, just like the arcade... The Nintendo version was one player only that
Leo Uploads I was just raving about Double Dragon on Master System a couple comments before... the NES was single player with more dull colors. I bought the SMS + Double Dragon just to be able to play it 2 player co-op with my brother!
Johnny B. Bad Thanks Johnny! I’m going to give DD2 a try in about 10 minutes! I’ll report back! Is this the one with the odd (to me) control scheme that changes depending on what direction you’re facing? I’ll give it another chance bro! Thanks!
My first system when all my friends were playing NES circa 1986. Finished Phantasy Star. One of the most rewarding games to finish when those credits roll. One of my favorite games of all time. Sega learned a valuable lesson on how to market because one of the great things about the Sega Genesis were those commercials.
yeah the master system looks like something out of blade runner like your picture. My friends brother had one with only 6 games. I always thought it was a weird console when I was a kid but I was in the snes 90s generation. I wish I was born in the 80s though so I would've had more experience with this console and the nes
Really? Wait... what did the Nintendo GameCube look like...? I’m so glad I kept my 27” CRT TV, (and scored a free, working 14” CRT for free by the road), as 80’s-90’s games truly look bad on hdtv’s. Nobody’s fault, just a fact.
One thing I was surprised with for collecting SMS games is how cheap they are! Of course there are the rare/valuable few in there but a majority of the games can be picked up complete for less than $5 or $10 if you can find them in shops! They're uncommon to find in retail stores but when you do the stores normally don't care too much for them.
These are all prices on eBay and Amazon for SMS games mentioned in this video: Choplifter: $13.50 Psycho Fox: $250 Wonder Boy III: $40 Shinobi: $25 Phantasy Star: $155 R-Type: $38 Rastan: $120 Power Strike: $82 Montezuma’s Revenge: $45 Golden Ax Warrior: $200
@@sethkrumm3302 It depends if you are talking about NTSC games or PAL games. American games are becoming more and more expensive because they didn't sell well back in the day, so the supply is limited. In Europe however, because of the success of the Master system, games are still very cheap (and I don't see them rising in price anytime soon) : -Castle of illusion (6,88$) -Land of illusion (13,69$) -Sonic the hedgehog (14,50$) -Sonic the hedgehog 2 (8,69$) -Shinobi (7,61$) -Wonder boy III the dragon's trap (17,68$) -Fantasy zone (12,50$) -R-type (15,53$) -Cool spot (6,83) These are prices for loose copies based on the pricecharting website. Actually, where I live, I can find there games for way cheaper than that (I bought my complete copy of sonic the hedgehog for 10 euro)
I used to play Montezuma's Revenge on Apple IIe back in the late '80s during summer day camp. Lotsa nostalgia. The Master System version is the definitive one.
Apparently the master system was really popular in places like Brazil and other places where bootlegs were common. Kinda interesting to think about. Most people immediately think genesis when they think sega.
Apparently the master system was really popular in places like Brazil and other places where bootlegs were common. Kinda interesting to think about. Most people immediately think genesis when they think sega.
Oh man, as a Master System collector and someone who hosts a Master System podcast, this is awesome to see! Thanks for doing this video and hopefully it will get more people into the console itself. Love it.
Gamers in the UK actually have taste, gamers in the US don't and so they convinced themselves the NES was a great system. I mean the NES is the closest thing to a good system Nintendo has ever made but it's still pretty shit.
Brie Russell Yeah, Nes games all have that muddy, shit look to them whereas Master System games always looked much more vibrant. I never actually played NES games until emulation became a thing, no-one I knew had one back in the day. Downloaded the entire romset and then wondered why it was held up as such a good system. 99% of the games are just not very good and wouldn't hold my attention for more than a few minutes. Also, SEGA had sweet arcade ports of games familiar to everyone in the U.K. whilst Nintendo had a fat plumber and that stupid robot thing along with higher prices for sometimes quite old games.
Yeah, I always see way more Master System and Mega Drive stuff at second hand shops and flee markets then I do NES or SNES, it's rare to find NES or SNES stuff for me in the UK, seems like SEGA was more popular in the UK back in the day.
Monsterbass thanks for the info and insight! I won a sort of raffle, having my purchase clear in my mind before I won: “Buy Master System and Double Dragon!” I was so geeked to do just that!
@Monsterbass my childhood was the same way; avid gamer as a kid, once I took up bass I forgot about video games for the most part. Re-discovered them about fifteen years ago but playing R&B is still more fun 🎉
Nice video! Here in Brazil, my first video game console was a Master System, way back in the early 90's. It was a Master System 2, but it looked like the regular black and red version, and it came with Alex Kidd built-in.
It was a huge success during the 80's here in Brazil. There were some "mod" games made specifically for the country like "Turma da Mônica", which was based on a Wonder Boy game I believe.
I love my Sega Master System! I got it for Christmas of 1987 and still have it. I was disappointed to go back to school that January and realize that only one other person that I knew got a SMS. EVERYONE else got an NES... My SMS has been in a box for about 15 years and I recently got it out only to realize that the light gun and 3-D glasses don't work with LED TVs... So I got a 27" CRT via Facebook Marketplace:-) My kids couldn't believe how well the 3-D glasses worked!
One of the most loved systems here in Brazil up to this date. We had many different versions. A lot of exclusive titles like Street Fighter II (with voices) for example. Many games were converted to famous characters from our country like Wonder Boy that became Monica no Castelo do Dragão e outros... All thanks to a good Brazilian company Tec Toy, which by the way has been keeping the dream alive for years. This year they are releasing the Sega Genesis prety similar to its original hardware and it will be compatible with cartridges.
@@rap6439 I worked on a computer stall which grew into a shop in the 80s, originally on Saturdays when not at school. Then full time after leaving school on one of those YTS schemes that was around then. We would order in NES games if a customer asked, yet didn't keep actual stock of software. The only time I remember selling a machine was whatever year the Teenage Turtles game came out. It did brilliantly in the US, yet high prices & little support for the independent retailer didn't help in my humble opinion. 🖖
I believe I had a left handed arcade stick for the SEGA Mastersystem, also Black Belt was my favorite game....don't know why but I felt I had to share that. Amazing video and always fun to see someone else's collections and favorite games.
That Mastersystem II was my whole childhood..! I'm pretty sure mine came with Alex the Kidd AND Tetris! Played Golden Axe, Sonic and some other game I can't find, but I remember it as some sort of Risk clone ! Brings back good memories!
I think your buying guides may be my favorite type of videos that you make. It's informative for lots of us who have nearly zero experience in some of these systems. Keep up the awesome work!
When I was younger I was always collecting old systems. My step dad would find killer deals at yard sales. I'm talking like 1998-2001. So people would practically give the game's and consoles away because they didn't understand what is it was. I had the master system with 2 sets of glasses and the guns/controllers. I don't even know what happened to it all. I wish I knew. I miss playing all those old games.
I miss my Master System and 50 games I had for it as a kid. It was my third system (Odyssey 2 and Colecovision were my firsts). I am going to pick one up and get some games for it after seeing this.
i was just about to say that....no one ever talks about that game and while you can't expect it to match the arcade version...its a DAMM FINE port on the system!
I had Phantasy Star. I think we were in Richmond or Kingston when I was a teen and I saw it in the window of a 2nd hand shop. Convinced my mum to buy it. Played it but not sure if I ever completed but actually enjoyed it. Then gave the Master System and games away as we got the Mega Drive. Now wish I'd kept Phantasy Star.
Agree with Master of Darkness, and while I do not think that it is the best Ninja Gaiden, it is still very good. Ninja Gaiden for me was about the sound and Cinemas more than anything else growing up with the NES.
John Hancock you the man John. Your Sega related guest videos are my favorite MJR vids. Love your channel as well. Started binge watching a couple of months back. Keep it up
Mexican fan here, Sega's systems were never popular here so I've been getting to play Genesis games as an adult. Been wanting to get into Master System and never knew were to start so pretty useful vid! Love you channel and your guests, specially Reggie and John H.
13:55 While graphically superior in some ways (larger color palette and more colors shown at the same time), the sound is objectively simpler, with one less channel, simpler noise, no triangle wave (often used for the bass) and fewer ways to mess with the timbre of the square waves. The JP version of the console had a decent FM chip though, which sadly wasn't included over here and not used in many games, but you can hear some great examples of it being used in MSX games like Illusion City, Ashguine 2 and Sorcerian.
Castle of Illusion and Land of Illusion (both starring Mickey Mouse) were two of my favorite SMS-games, really liked how they designed the puzzles and levels in these platformers. Can strongly recommend these two games! (still own them today). Thanks for sharing!
Wonderboy 3 on the MS is one of the best games of all time imo. It was amazing. A whole world in a game where you could visit different countries and buy new armor and shoes in stores. The MS also had the best port of Double Dragon at the time. It was the only home version that didn't suck.
well after this video you won't find the cheap anymore half of those games are over $100 now the cheap games I can buy will probably go up this was the one system from my childhood I was collecting for thanks guys
still have my original system. loved me some Rambo and Alex Kidd. My friends and I would have epic weekend sessions playing Phantasy Star and that is the game that made me fall in love with RPGs. Its the only genre i still love to this day.
WB3 was pure magic man! Within the game booklet, there was a screenshot of the gamesave code screen.... and the code displayed was THE cheat code, opening the game with magic doors to directly go to the bosses of all zones, etc...
I honestly didn’t even know this system existed until coming across your channel. My first console was the NES as a kid, and I always thought the Genesis was Sega’s first game console.
disney games did a lot better on sega found myself loving quackshot and world of illusion I need to get into some of the other ones on master system / gg
Fantastic game, my favourite game with Wonder boy III and Vigilante (secuel of Kung fu Master) Special mention for the sports games in Master System. Wimbledon, World soccer and the Olimpic gold ooh my goodness.
Nice video. I never knew there was a port of Rastan on the SMS. Us NES owners missed out on that one. I lost many quarters to Rastan in the old arcade days.
My fiance became my fiance because she argued with me that her Master system was better than my NES. Her Master system that she grew up with in the USA. TALK ABOUT RARE!
ultragreenmario Lil! She was just testing your dedication. Or, one night she may kill you in your sleep. I dated a girl that honestly started to scare me. But never shot me! (I must be on her bucket list...)
I was in high school back in 1986 when I was trying to decide which console to buy; the SMS or the NES. I bought the SMS because it had the better looking gun. I don't regret my choice, but I sure missed out on many great NES games. 😉
@@charliechan6892 It's Americans who overhype the NES, it's literally their only 8bit reference and it gets really annoying how much they go on about it like it saved gaming.
My Master System in the U.K. came with Hang-On, on a card, with the Snail-Maze built in. Great memories of playing Shinobi, Outrun and Psycho Fox, back in the day.
Probably the saddest thing about the Master System in the USA is that if you look at the Japanese game boxes, they had a gold coloring and had amazing-looking art. The minimalist, graph paper boxes with clipart was a deliberate change that was made for the US market for some reason. I surely hope whoever made that decision paid for it at some point because the game box art is one of the things that gets brought up over and over on YT as to why people never checked it out.
Super helpful guide. I had no real SMS experience growing other than playing the demo at a local department store. So when I picked up a set with the 3D glasses and Phaser for super cheap at a flea market, I needed to get some education. So far I have Zaxxon 3D and Outrun but will be looking to add to this console.
I had a Sega Master System as a kid. I loved playing Double Dragon with my brother. Also OUTRUN! It was like a choosing your own adventure road trip driving game. I recently bought one again and its still great. Playing through Phantasy Star for the first time.
I got a Master System for Christmas back in 87 when I was twelve years old. :) Thank you so much for the nostalgia. Oh and I'm pretty sure "Power Strike" was the same plain blue and white cover here in the UK games stores just like the US copy you're holding in the vid. I may be wrong but I seem to remember it being the only very monochrome covered Master Systems game, which made it oddly stand out. Peace & love dudes from Steven fae Bonnie Scotland
My SMS is so clean and beautiful. The factory RBG output is gorgeous as well. One of my favorite consoles. Wonderboy in Monsterland is my favorite game on it.
Thanks John and Jesus! Sega Master system was the first console I ever owned and there was a lot of good games. I do agree with the ten games but you have to have a sports game and for me California Games was it! And I'm also a bit suprised that you didn't add one of the greatest games on the system: Alex the kid in Shinobi world! (Too expensive?)
Ahh I see, but Shinobi world didnt feel like a Alex the kid game. It was a weird mashup with good gameplay and graphics. That's how I remember it, but sometimes the nostalgic kid takes over..
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World was one of the carts that had a blue label for some reason, wasn't it? That was a great game, and from what I understand pretty rare now as well.
Shinobi world was not originally an Alex Kidd game, it was originally called Shinobi Kid with different characters (including "Mari Oh" as the first boss who shrunk when you knocked his energy down).
in my country the master system runs at 55hz so i got my master system 2 modded with a 55 to 60 hz switch so i could play my games at their intended speed and a composite output. Being given a master system and a megadrive with a shopping basket half full of loose carts was what made me really get into collecting.
i like your comments about the control stick. that's actually what i used the most way back when. memories of playing fantasy zone 2, psycho fox, donald duck's lucky dime caper & sonic 2 using this stick
Lol I remember my parents taking me to Toy's R Us to buy the master system. I picked up Rambo because it looked bad ass. I also took a shit I was so excited
I just love the Master System. My first home console. We got a whole bunch of games for it over here in Europe. Golden axe warrior is a great pick, as is Golvellius - Valley of doom (action rpg). Wonderful system!
Thomas Stodghill that's a damn shame man. Heaven forbid they use some footage under fair use and give them free advertisement. Couldn't say how many times I've bought games because of youtubers covering them. A 3DS buyers guide would be sweet.
Wow! Awesome video! Wish this came out couple months ago. I work at a local garbage transfer station, and a master system combo set in box which included the phazer gun and 3d glasses came in on a trailer. The guy was going to throw it away and i asked if i could have it. It was all packed in the original box and foam with 3 games inside. I hooked it up and they played beautifully.. I didnt know what i had till it was too late. The controllers and system still had the plastic film over them. I traded it to a local Video game collector i know for an original soft modded xbox.. I am kicking myself in the ass now for getting rid of that master system... At least i know its in good hands though..
Master System was great. My cousin never regretted getting Sega over Nintendo. We had a lot more fun playing Sega games at his house. The arcade ports looked amazing too. Every console Sega put out was fantastic and the games are still a blast to play. Not so much a Nintendo fan anymore.
Love the Sega Master System BUT The main trouble with the Sega Master System is that eventually the D-Pad on the controller breaks and falls out. You can just buy a high quality 3D printed sega master system replacement D-Pad for £2.75 off riscman on eBay!! Works better than the original!! Sega Master system Game Pad problem solved!!
This was the first console I bought with my own money. When I was in junior high the local big box grocery store (Biggs) had displays for both this and the NES, and I bought based on the superior graphics. With both consoles running side by side it was very obvious which one had the better graphics. Plus I was a huge fan of the Sega arcade games of the time, so for me it was a no-brainer. In hindsight I clearly backed the wrong horse, but the Genesis came out a year or two later so no big deal.
Honorable SMS games to mention: Cyborg Hunter Kenseiden Golvellius Zillion 2 ... and many, many more... Not really but yeah... any of these could've replaced Psycho Fox/Kool Kid any day hands down!
Back in '89, my aunt got me and my brother a master system and about 30 games. Needless to say, this video brought up the most excellent of my childhood memories. I need to add a game to the must play list though. Zillion! It was Sega's (better imo) answer to Metroid. Multiple characters with different skills and a killer "soundtrack" (it only had like 3 songs...but they were good songs, haha).
I remember having a Master System while all my friends had NES. Master System graphics were superior to NES. I used to play Alex Kidd and Black Belt for hours
Omg i am not the only one who liked black belt. Those boss fights at the end of each level are hard, but the characters on screen were huge for its time and that just looked so cool
Here in Brazil it's really common to find the Master System II (the one that doesn't look like a vacuum cleaner) with Alex Kid built in. My guess is that it arrived here a little late and this game was already a big hit.
I actually get a huge sense of sentimentality when I see the graph paper box for the games and console. The megadrive was the same just black with grey grids.
the games look like early 90s PC titiles neways, nice video, I remember finding stacks of master systems on sale at junk shops in the early 2000s. who woulda thunk it, they would get collectable
Other good games I would suggest. Ninja Gaiden (I wish I had) is like one of the holy grails, and is pretty pricey. And is much different from the NES and Arcade versions. Also After Burner is really fun and quite cheap. And I feel has the best game play because of the bosses you fight every six levels. Out Run, Thunder Blade, Hang-On, Fantasy Zone, Double Dragon, Space Harrier, Zaxxon. I am sure there are others, but I can't think of any right now. lol I have probably the second version of the Master System boxed. It shows it has the Trans Bot card. And I got it with the manuals, light phaser, controllers. etc... Of course it does not have the Trans Bot card. lol
It's interesting the difference in the markets of Europe and America that Nintendo and Sega did differently. Growing up in the UK, I had the Master System and later the Mega Drive, I never met anyone with a NES, I guess it was way more expensive to buy and less games released by the time it was released. The first time I played a NES was during a hospital stay where they had one and I played Mario and Duck Hunt on it. Even the SNES had a slow start and didn't really take off for like a year and a half after release until everyone got obsessed with Street Fighter and the console bundle hit the UK markets around Christmas 93. Bit too late to knock Sega off its' perch a second time in a row. I remember a friend having a SNES around that time.
Exactly. It's a real bug bear for us Brits how Americans bang on about the NES and overate all its games, falsely believing it "Saved gaming". It's literally their only 8 bit reference, where as the UK had the Master System and 8bit computers. I can't tell you how many times I've read Americans claiming a mediocre NES port is "Better than the arcade version" it literally triggers me lol I did have a SNES which was a different story and competed well with the Megadrive.
My parents got me a Sega Master system for xmas when I was 4. That and Wonderboy in Monsterland and a little tv to play it on. That would have been around 1989. Good times, btw I grew up in New Zealand and the Master System did pretty good there.
It also did great and beat the nes by far in both Europe and South America.
I'm the exact same age as you and grew up in the USA and only saw a single Master System in the wild when I was a kid - it was almost non-existent here, even more rare than a TurboGrafix16 (which I actually had but it was a hand-me-down from my cousin who was the kid who had everything [except for a Master System lol])
Master System was my first system. When my friends were playing Nintendo I was playing Sega!
Same here
THUMB UP if you think the Sega Master System is SEXY!
master system was pretty powerful for the time, phantasy star I was amazing, i was more into pcs, but i dont think pcs at the time had even close to as good graphics.
@dcortes92 the 3DS gameplay trailers triggered the copyright claims, so I am working to capture my own footage and re-upload it soon
had the master system II, phantasy star, golden axe warrior and wonderboy 3 were amazing.
It has a very 80's kind of cool look to it. It's like a combination of Tron and a Lamborghini Countach. The NES, by comparison, is a grey rectangle.
MetalJesusRocks the master system was my first console. :)
I asked my parents once if they played video games back in the 80s (I wasn't born then), and they said that a lot of their friends had Master Systems. I asked them about the NES, and they said they didn't know ANYBODY who had one. That goes to show how popular the Master System was outside of North America.
complete opposite of my (and everyone I know's) experience in the USA - I only ever saw one Master System in the wild in like 1992 and I had no idea what it was
@@weston407 It literally seemed like EVERYONE had an NES in Canada circa early 90's. I do however have memories of playing a couple Master Systems, but the Genesis was out by then.
I'm pretty sure John Hancock's smile could cure several of this planet's diseases and reduce crime by 46%. What a happy-looking dude.
Great episode, Metal. The Master System is awesome and has an even awesome-er name.
I can't thumb this UP enough. Thanks for the comment.
MetalJesusRocks
We will assist you thumbing-up this comment MJR ;)
We need him now.
That's what she said.
Brownnosing much
One other interesting note on the Powerbase Converter - the Mega Ever Drive flash cartridge will allow the Genesis to load SMS roms without the need for the converter!
Yep - the Master System hardware is already in the Mega Drive. The convertor just adds the cartridge slot and pause button along with the card slot if you ever need to use that.
The SMS is definitely underrated. Glad to see it getting some love.
Totally agree
One of my fondest childhood memories was Double Dragon for the Master System... It had 2 player simultaneously, just like the arcade... The Nintendo version was one player only that
Leo Uploads I was just raving about Double Dragon on Master System a couple comments before... the NES was single player with more dull colors. I bought the SMS + Double Dragon just to be able to play it 2 player co-op with my brother!
Johnny B. Bad Thanks Johnny! I’m going to give DD2 a try in about 10 minutes! I’ll report back!
Is this the one with the odd (to me) control scheme that changes depending on what direction you’re facing? I’ll give it another chance bro! Thanks!
Master system was my first home console and is my Top 3 consoles of all time It was very successful over here in the U.K.
hartfoundation99 agreed Wonder Boy 3, Prince of Persia which is my favourite version of the game and many more.
it's a great pickup and play system also one of my favourite consoles
can't go wrong with Asterix , Alex kidd , Wonder boy or donald duck
wizzgamer same here. I always preferred it over the nes personally. So many great memories.
thats all we had in New Zealand, nobody had the nes, super nes was around but the Mega drive was way more sucessfull here.
True but the Master System was really underrated. I have a Top 10 Master System games video on my channel.
My first system when all my friends were playing NES circa 1986. Finished Phantasy Star. One of the most rewarding games to finish when those credits roll. One of my favorite games of all time. Sega learned a valuable lesson on how to market because one of the great things about the Sega Genesis were those commercials.
Sega had the best looking systems.
I know, right?
Wait Metal Jesus U Subed To My Channel?
yeah the master system looks like something out of blade runner like your picture. My friends brother had one with only 6 games. I always thought it was a weird console when I was a kid but I was in the snes 90s generation. I wish I was born in the 80s though so I would've had more experience with this console and the nes
Really? Wait... what did the Nintendo GameCube look like...?
I’m so glad I kept my 27” CRT TV, (and scored a free, working 14” CRT for free by the road), as 80’s-90’s games truly look bad on hdtv’s. Nobody’s fault, just a fact.
Right, Nintendo's consoles outside of Japan to me always looked hideous, but they were very practical, which is what matters.
This baby was under the tree for my brother and I on Christmas 1987. :) We received a Nes the very next year. We loved both consoles, good times!
One thing I was surprised with for collecting SMS games is how cheap they are! Of course there are the rare/valuable few in there but a majority of the games can be picked up complete for less than $5 or $10 if you can find them in shops! They're uncommon to find in retail stores but when you do the stores normally don't care too much for them.
this comment aged like milk
@@sethkrumm3302 agreed. Everything's high dollar now.
These are all prices on eBay and Amazon for SMS games mentioned in this video:
Choplifter: $13.50
Psycho Fox: $250
Wonder Boy III: $40
Shinobi: $25
Phantasy Star: $155
R-Type: $38
Rastan: $120
Power Strike: $82
Montezuma’s Revenge: $45
Golden Ax Warrior: $200
@@sethkrumm3302 It depends if you are talking about NTSC games or PAL games. American games are becoming more and more expensive because they didn't sell well back in the day, so the supply is limited. In Europe however, because of the success of the Master system, games are still very cheap (and I don't see them rising in price anytime soon) :
-Castle of illusion (6,88$)
-Land of illusion (13,69$)
-Sonic the hedgehog (14,50$)
-Sonic the hedgehog 2 (8,69$)
-Shinobi (7,61$)
-Wonder boy III the dragon's trap (17,68$)
-Fantasy zone (12,50$)
-R-type (15,53$)
-Cool spot (6,83)
These are prices for loose copies based on the pricecharting website. Actually, where I live, I can find there games for way cheaper than that (I bought my complete copy of sonic the hedgehog for 10 euro)
I used to play Montezuma's Revenge on Apple IIe back in the late '80s during summer day camp. Lotsa nostalgia. The Master System version is the definitive one.
Wonder Boy III The Dragon's Trap is getting a remake and it looks absolutely gorgeous.
I saw that! We covered it in a recent episode of THIS WEEK IN RETRO. So cool
It really is a fun system and doesn't get the respect it deserves in the US.
I wish Sega would exploit more of their Master System library. There are finally SOME Master System games in the Sega Ages collection, but not a lot.
Apparently the master system was really popular in places like Brazil and other places where bootlegs were common. Kinda interesting to think about. Most people immediately think genesis when they think sega.
Apparently the master system was really popular in places like Brazil and other places where bootlegs were common. Kinda interesting to think about. Most people immediately think genesis when they think sega.
@@dustenhostetler-vanderzee2296 it was also very popular in Europe too :D so not just places where pirating was popular 😂
Glad I own an Everdrive MD, I can play master system games directly on the genesis
You could even plug master system controllers into the genesis for a more true-to-the-original experience
Oh man, as a Master System collector and someone who hosts a Master System podcast, this is awesome to see! Thanks for doing this video and hopefully it will get more people into the console itself. Love it.
The Master System is super popular here in the UK. Great system
Don't often see you post on other videos! Cool
Gamers in the UK actually have taste, gamers in the US don't and so they convinced themselves the NES was a great system.
I mean the NES is the closest thing to a good system Nintendo has ever made but it's still pretty shit.
Brie Russell Yeah, Nes games all have that muddy, shit look to them whereas Master System games always looked much more vibrant. I never actually played NES games until emulation became a thing, no-one I knew had one back in the day. Downloaded the entire romset and then wondered why it was held up as such a good system. 99% of the games are just not very good and wouldn't hold my attention for more than a few minutes. Also, SEGA had sweet arcade ports of games familiar to everyone in the U.K. whilst Nintendo had a fat plumber and that stupid robot thing along with higher prices for sometimes quite old games.
Yeah, I always see way more Master System and Mega Drive stuff at second hand shops and flee markets then I do NES or SNES, it's rare to find NES or SNES stuff for me in the UK, seems like SEGA was more popular in the UK back in the day.
Well, it was super popular compared to US and sold far more than NES but the 8/16-bit home micros still ruled the gaming roost over here in UK.
I have the 3D system - I wish I still had the box!
Lon.TV It's nothing without the box 😎
I still need Wonder Boy 3. I'd add Quartet and Zillions as games needed day 1.
Monsterbass thanks for the info and insight! I won a sort of raffle, having my purchase clear in my mind before I won: “Buy Master System and Double Dragon!” I was so geeked to do just that!
@Monsterbass my childhood was the same way; avid gamer as a kid, once I took up bass I forgot about video games for the most part. Re-discovered them about fifteen years ago but playing R&B is still more fun 🎉
Nice video!
Here in Brazil, my first video game console was a Master System, way back in the early 90's.
It was a Master System 2, but it looked like the regular black and red version, and it came with Alex Kidd built-in.
It was a huge success during the 80's here in Brazil. There were some "mod" games made specifically for the country like "Turma da Mônica", which was based on a Wonder Boy game I believe.
I love my Sega Master System! I got it for Christmas of 1987 and still have it. I was disappointed to go back to school that January and realize that only one other person that I knew got a SMS. EVERYONE else got an NES... My SMS has been in a box for about 15 years and I recently got it out only to realize that the light gun and 3-D glasses don't work with LED TVs... So I got a 27" CRT via Facebook Marketplace:-) My kids couldn't believe how well the 3-D glasses worked!
One of the most loved systems here in Brazil up to this date. We had many different versions. A lot of exclusive titles like Street Fighter II (with voices) for example. Many games were converted to famous characters from our country like Wonder Boy that became Monica no Castelo do Dragão e outros... All thanks to a good Brazilian company Tec Toy, which by the way has been keeping the dream alive for years. This year they are releasing the Sega Genesis prety similar to its original hardware and it will be compatible with cartridges.
*with Password Save
The master system was the first 8 bits console released in Brazil.. it was enormous success.. Nice memories from my childhood
Master System was pretty big in the UK.
Yeah and the Nintendo nes system didn't do that well over here.
@@rap6439 I worked on a computer stall which grew into a shop in the 80s, originally on Saturdays when not at school.
Then full time after leaving school on one of those YTS schemes that was around then.
We would order in NES games if a customer asked, yet didn't keep actual stock of software.
The only time I remember selling a machine was whatever year the Teenage Turtles game came out.
It did brilliantly in the US, yet high prices & little support for the independent retailer didn't help in my humble opinion.
🖖
Master system 2 was big here in australia ,
And Pal regions in general
Likewise in New Zealand, Sega consoles seemed far more common here than Nintendo at that time.
I believe I had a left handed arcade stick for the SEGA Mastersystem, also Black Belt was my favorite game....don't know why but I felt I had to share that. Amazing video and always fun to see someone else's collections and favorite games.
That Mastersystem II was my whole childhood..! I'm pretty sure mine came with Alex the Kidd AND Tetris! Played Golden Axe, Sonic and some other game I can't find, but I remember it as some sort of Risk clone ! Brings back good memories!
The Light Phaser was very precise, not a gimmick. Also, the Control Stick is AMAZING.
Some kid put both his eyes out.
I'm a 'tendo fan through and through but I think the box-art of the Base System/Master System was Sega being ahead of their time
Not so much with a lot of the game box art though
Dustman B I happened to like the uniform graph paper design. understated and easily identifiable.
Bob Slartibarti I have to disagree and think it's shitty.
it gave the games an indie/diy vibe
j/k
I think your buying guides may be my favorite type of videos that you make. It's informative for lots of us who have nearly zero experience in some of these systems. Keep up the awesome work!
When I was younger I was always collecting old systems. My step dad would find killer deals at yard sales. I'm talking like 1998-2001. So people would practically give the game's and consoles away because they didn't understand what is it was. I had the master system with 2 sets of glasses and the guns/controllers. I don't even know what happened to it all. I wish I knew. I miss playing all those old games.
I miss my Master System and 50 games I had for it as a kid. It was my third system (Odyssey 2 and Colecovision were my firsts). I am going to pick one up and get some games for it after seeing this.
Another great SCHMUP on the Sega Master System was Scramble Spirits. I highly recommend it.
i was just about to say that....no one ever talks about that game and while you can't expect it to match the arcade version...its a DAMM FINE port on the system!
aaaaaaaaaaaand that just made the top of my Christmas list
I had Phantasy Star. I think we were in Richmond or Kingston when I was a teen and I saw it in the window of a 2nd hand shop. Convinced my mum to buy it. Played it but not sure if I ever completed but actually enjoyed it. Then gave the Master System and games away as we got the Mega Drive. Now wish I'd kept Phantasy Star.
Hell yes. Finally! Been waiting for you to do this video on the best 8 bit console.
About to watch but wanted to say up front that it better include Phantasy Star, Master of Darkness, and THE BEST Ninja Gaiden
Sweet list. Really no complaints. Wife is getting me Golden Axe Warrior, Dragon Crystal, and Ys for Xmas. That's my way of gaming In 2016 and beyond
Agree with Master of Darkness, and while I do not think that it is the best Ninja Gaiden, it is still very good. Ninja Gaiden for me was about the sound and Cinemas more than anything else growing up with the NES.
John Hancock you the man John. Your Sega related guest videos are my favorite MJR vids. Love your channel as well. Started binge watching a couple of months back. Keep it up
Mexican fan here, Sega's systems were never popular here so I've been getting to play Genesis games as an adult. Been wanting to get into Master System and never knew were to start so pretty useful vid! Love you channel and your guests, specially Reggie and John H.
13:55 While graphically superior in some ways (larger color palette and more colors shown at the same time), the sound is objectively simpler, with one less channel, simpler noise, no triangle wave (often used for the bass) and fewer ways to mess with the timbre of the square waves. The JP version of the console had a decent FM chip though, which sadly wasn't included over here and not used in many games, but you can hear some great examples of it being used in MSX games like Illusion City, Ashguine 2 and Sorcerian.
All of your guests, but especially you, MetalJesus, are so great people! Really sympathetic!
Castle of Illusion and Land of Illusion (both starring Mickey Mouse) were two of my favorite SMS-games, really liked how they designed the puzzles and levels in these platformers. Can strongly recommend these two games! (still own them today). Thanks for sharing!
Sadly the US only got Castle of Illusion, but it was damn good game.
Hi Metal Jesus, im from Brazil and here Sega Master System was a huge success back in the early 90s !!
Wonderboy 3 on the MS is one of the best games of all time imo. It was amazing. A whole world in a game where you could visit different countries and buy new armor and shoes in stores.
The MS also had the best port of Double Dragon at the time. It was the only home version that didn't suck.
The Castle & Land Of Illusion games were fantastic too.
well after this video you won't find the cheap anymore half of those games are over $100 now the cheap games I can buy will probably go up this was the one system from my childhood I was collecting for thanks guys
still have my original system. loved me some Rambo and Alex Kidd. My friends and I would have epic weekend sessions playing Phantasy Star and that is the game that made me fall in love with RPGs. Its the only genre i still love to this day.
My favorite Wonder Boy is Wonder Boy in Monster World, which I think was the 4th entry
WB3 was pure magic man! Within the game booklet, there was a screenshot of the gamesave code screen.... and the code displayed was THE cheat code, opening the game with magic doors to directly go to the bosses of all zones, etc...
I honestly didn’t even know this system existed until coming across your channel. My first console was the NES as a kid, and I always thought the Genesis was Sega’s first game console.
sega is the reason john hancock never stops smiling 😎
John would agree with that :)
I still have my SMS and dust it off once in a great while and play a few games. Good video, man. Really takes me back. =)
Rygar on the Master System is amazing too!
that was brilliant. the master system and master system 2 were huge in australia in the day. great console.
The Light Phaser was awesome! Zillion even had an anime adaption tie-in called Akaikoudan Zillion (Red Photon Zillion) Good stuff!!!
The game was based off the Anime.
I got the Master System new when I was 8. It had the Lightgun, Hang-On/Safari Hunt and it did have the snail game on it as well.
Zillion and Phantasy Star are must-have titles in my opinion.
Zillion is legit!
Phantasy Star is a Hidden Gem.
Black belt
It's not enough that this is a Metal Jesus video, but who doesn't love The Immortal John Hancock? So metal. 🤘🏻
Land of Illusion, one of the best games on the system, and my favourite from the "of Illusion" Mickey saga.
disney games did a lot better on sega found myself loving quackshot and world of illusion I need to get into some of the other ones on master system / gg
Fantastic game, my favourite game with Wonder boy III and Vigilante (secuel of Kung fu Master) Special mention for the sports games in Master System. Wimbledon, World soccer and the Olimpic gold ooh my goodness.
*World of illusion stank ONLY out in Brazil too*
Nice video. I never knew there was a port of Rastan on the SMS. Us NES owners missed out on that one. I lost many quarters to Rastan in the old arcade days.
No mention of Ys Ancient Vanished Kingdom? or Golvellius? or Spellcaster?
Completed the Sega Ages version of Phantasy Star on the Switch last night. Only took me 34 years to get round to it. The last boss is a bad ass!
SMS was my first console, original shape with Alex Kidd built in.
Alex Kidd came later.
Jarod Roach Not in the UK my friend. Mine was built in
um, Jarod, he did it was "his" first console. Pay attention.
Dark Hierophant
'Original shape' pay attention XD
Jarod Roach Here's the one I had.
www.flashbackgames.co.uk/shop/Item.asp?ProductTitle=Sega_Master_System_MK1_With_Alex_Kidd_Built_In&ProductID=4143
John Hancock is a very nice guy as it seems. I really like him telling stories about games, awesome!
My fiance became my fiance because she argued with me that her Master system was better than my NES.
Her Master system that she grew up with in the USA.
TALK ABOUT RARE!
Bob Cornhole
lol yeah she actually won it based on true logic, I was just wrong haha
Jarod Roach rare pepe?
Erick Shafer idiot I married my wife because she shot me in the knee with a pistol
Jarod Roach That’s one of the greatest Geek Love stories I’ve ever heard! No joke (I’m a geek). How did you meet?
ultragreenmario Lil! She was just testing your dedication. Or, one night she may kill you in your sleep. I dated a girl that honestly started to scare me. But never shot me! (I must be on her bucket list...)
Black Belt is a MUST HAVE!!! I can't believe it wasn't in his top ten..... ♥
John: “Next up is Sonic the Hedgehog”
MetalJesus: “I’ve heard of this one!”
Awesome to see a collab between two of my favorite creators! Even better it was for the Master System.
I was in high school back in 1986 when I was trying to decide which console to buy; the SMS or the NES. I bought the SMS because it had the better looking gun. I don't regret my choice, but I sure missed out on many great NES games. 😉
I was the only kid in my class with a SMS. I do not regret it one bit. Everyone thought I had the cool system because it was different.
NES games are overrrated
@@AlexOjideagu2 I don't see the point in downplaying one system cause you had the other, both systems were great and had amazing games.
@@charliechan6892 It's Americans who overhype the NES, it's literally their only 8bit reference and it gets really annoying how much they go on about it like it saved gaming.
My Master System in the U.K. came with Hang-On, on a card, with the Snail-Maze built in. Great memories of playing Shinobi, Outrun and Psycho Fox, back in the day.
Probably the saddest thing about the Master System in the USA is that if you look at the Japanese game boxes, they had a gold coloring and had amazing-looking art. The minimalist, graph paper boxes with clipart was a deliberate change that was made for the US market for some reason. I surely hope whoever made that decision paid for it at some point because the game box art is one of the things that gets brought up over and over on YT as to why people never checked it out.
Super helpful guide. I had no real SMS experience growing other than playing the demo at a local department store. So when I picked up a set with the 3D glasses and Phaser for super cheap at a flea market, I needed to get some education. So far I have Zaxxon 3D and Outrun but will be looking to add to this console.
My Master System came installed with Hang on!!
I had a Sega Master System as a kid.
I loved playing Double Dragon with my brother. Also OUTRUN! It was like a choosing your own adventure road trip driving game.
I recently bought one again and its still great. Playing through Phantasy Star for the first time.
Great video MJR! I love me some SMS :)
I got a Master System for Christmas back in 87 when I was twelve years old. :) Thank you so much for the nostalgia. Oh and I'm pretty sure "Power Strike" was the same plain blue and white cover here in the UK games stores just like the US copy you're holding in the vid. I may be wrong but I seem to remember it being the only very monochrome covered Master Systems game, which made it oddly stand out. Peace & love dudes from Steven fae Bonnie Scotland
John Hancock is one of the SEGA Master System channels🎮💯🎮🎮🎮
My SMS is so clean and beautiful. The factory RBG output is gorgeous as well. One of my favorite consoles. Wonderboy in Monsterland is my favorite game on it.
Thanks John and Jesus!
Sega Master system was the first console I ever owned and there was a lot of good games.
I do agree with the ten games but you have to have a sports game and for me
California Games was it!
And I'm also a bit suprised that you didn't add one of the greatest games on the system: Alex the kid in Shinobi world! (Too expensive?)
Alex Kid was a good series, but honestly not one of my personal favorites.
Ahh I see, but Shinobi world didnt feel like a Alex the kid game. It was a weird mashup with good gameplay and graphics. That's how I remember it, but sometimes the nostalgic kid takes over..
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World was one of the carts that had a blue label for some reason, wasn't it? That was a great game, and from what I understand pretty rare now as well.
Shinobi world was not originally an Alex Kidd game, it was originally called Shinobi Kid with different characters (including "Mari Oh" as the first boss who shrunk when you knocked his energy down).
My Alex Kidd in Shinobi World had a red label.
in my country the master system runs at 55hz so i got my master system 2 modded with a 55 to 60 hz switch so i could play my games at their intended speed and a composite output. Being given a master system and a megadrive with a shopping basket half full of loose carts was what made me really get into collecting.
John is da man, great feature MJR
i like your comments about the control stick. that's actually what i used the most way back when. memories of playing fantasy zone 2, psycho fox, donald duck's lucky dime caper & sonic 2 using this stick
Lol I remember my parents taking me to Toy's R Us to buy the master system. I picked up Rambo because it looked bad ass. I also took a shit I was so excited
I just love the Master System. My first home console. We got a whole bunch of games for it over here in Europe. Golden axe warrior is a great pick, as is Golvellius - Valley of doom (action rpg). Wonderful system!
Is the 3DS Buying Guide going up anytime soon? I heard you got some copyright strikes on that video...
+Thomas Stodghill yeah, I'm having to capture all new gameplay footage. Working on that now...
Thomas Stodghill that's a damn shame man. Heaven forbid they use some footage under fair use and give them free advertisement. Couldn't say how many times I've bought games because of youtubers covering them. A 3DS buyers guide would be sweet.
+MetalJesusRocks When you took his Sega Master system and held it at 5:30 it was like you were stealing it or taking away one of his babies LOL.
Wow! Awesome video! Wish this came out couple months ago. I work at a local garbage transfer station, and a master system combo set in box which included the phazer gun and 3d glasses came in on a trailer. The guy was going to throw it away and i asked if i could have it. It was all packed in the original box and foam with 3 games inside. I hooked it up and they played beautifully.. I didnt know what i had till it was too late. The controllers and system still had the plastic film over them. I traded it to a local Video game collector i know for an original soft modded xbox.. I am kicking myself in the ass now for getting rid of that master system... At least i know its in good hands though..
This seems like the right place to say it. I prefer the master system to the NES
Master System was great. My cousin never regretted getting Sega over Nintendo. We had a lot more fun playing Sega games at his house. The arcade ports looked amazing too. Every console Sega put out was fantastic and the games are still a blast to play. Not so much a Nintendo fan anymore.
Great video, interesting to see how rare these are in North America, these are really quite common finds in the UK
Love the Sega Master System BUT The main trouble with the Sega Master System is that eventually the D-Pad on the controller breaks and falls out. You can just buy a high quality 3D printed sega master system replacement D-Pad for £2.75 off riscman on eBay!! Works better than the original!! Sega Master system Game Pad problem solved!!
This was the first console I bought with my own money. When I was in junior high the local big box grocery store (Biggs) had displays for both this and the NES, and I bought based on the superior graphics. With both consoles running side by side it was very obvious which one had the better graphics. Plus I was a huge fan of the Sega arcade games of the time, so for me it was a no-brainer. In hindsight I clearly backed the wrong horse, but the Genesis came out a year or two later so no big deal.
Honorable SMS games to mention:
Cyborg Hunter
Kenseiden
Golvellius
Zillion 2
... and many, many more... Not really but yeah... any of these could've replaced Psycho Fox/Kool Kid any day hands down!
Kenseiden was so good, I haven't played this game for more than a decade and still remember the musics. One of my favorite game of all times.
And thunder blade which I got today and it's my only game for sms but I've only seen footage of and it looks amazing
Back in '89, my aunt got me and my brother a master system and about 30 games. Needless to say, this video brought up the most excellent of my childhood memories.
I need to add a game to the must play list though. Zillion! It was Sega's (better imo) answer to Metroid. Multiple characters with different skills and a killer "soundtrack" (it only had like 3 songs...but they were good songs, haha).
send a hi to Brasil
Ceduh hello
oi
💖BRAZILIAN are the BEST SEGA fans ! They are amazing..
I got my Master System in 86, was a HUGE SEGA fan. The hidden Snail game was definitely built-in into the early hardware.
I remember having a Master System while all my friends had NES. Master System graphics were superior to NES. I used to play Alex Kidd and Black Belt for hours
And most of the time when a game was multi format the SMS version was superior.
Omg i am not the only one who liked black belt. Those boss fights at the end of each level are hard, but the characters on screen were huge for its time and that just looked so cool
Here in Brazil it's really common to find the Master System II (the one that doesn't look like a vacuum cleaner) with Alex Kid built in. My guess is that it arrived here a little late and this game was already a big hit.
CAN YOU DO A VIDEO ABOUT THE VECTREX MJR??????
Hip Hop Hooligan not without Classic Game Room he can.
Just don't step into the Aaaarrrrrrrrururururr-Zouuuououououououoouounnnnnnn.
I actually get a huge sense of sentimentality when I see the graph paper box for the games and console.
The megadrive was the same just black with grey grids.
MJR, what is the first game shown in the outro on the tv in your chest? Is that sin and punishment for n64??
+Michael Crandall - Yep! That Sin & Punishment on the Wii - love that game!!
MetalJesusRocks oh the Wii one. Thanks a lot for the reply. Love you channel man. Keep up the good stuff !!
the games look like early 90s PC titiles
neways, nice video, I remember finding stacks of master systems on sale at junk shops in the early 2000s. who woulda thunk it, they would get collectable
Thank you John and MJ ! Very cool stuff. The SMS is very underrated IMO. Very collectible system.
Other good games I would suggest. Ninja Gaiden (I wish I had) is like one of the holy grails, and is pretty pricey. And is much different from the NES and Arcade versions. Also After Burner is really fun and quite cheap. And I feel has the best game play because of the bosses you fight every six levels. Out Run, Thunder Blade, Hang-On, Fantasy Zone, Double Dragon, Space Harrier, Zaxxon. I am sure there are others, but I can't think of any right now. lol
I have probably the second version of the Master System boxed. It shows it has the Trans Bot card. And I got it with the manuals, light phaser, controllers. etc... Of course it does not have the Trans Bot card. lol
double dragon. what a great REAL 8-bit arcade port.
It's interesting the difference in the markets of Europe and America that Nintendo and Sega did differently. Growing up in the UK, I had the Master System and later the Mega Drive, I never met anyone with a NES, I guess it was way more expensive to buy and less games released by the time it was released. The first time I played a NES was during a hospital stay where they had one and I played Mario and Duck Hunt on it. Even the SNES had a slow start and didn't really take off for like a year and a half after release until everyone got obsessed with Street Fighter and the console bundle hit the UK markets around Christmas 93. Bit too late to knock Sega off its' perch a second time in a row. I remember a friend having a SNES around that time.
Exactly. It's a real bug bear for us Brits how Americans bang on about the NES and overate all its games, falsely believing it "Saved gaming". It's literally their only 8 bit reference, where as the UK had the Master System and 8bit computers. I can't tell you how many times I've read Americans claiming a mediocre NES port is "Better than the arcade version" it literally triggers me lol I did have a SNES which was a different story and competed well with the Megadrive.