Editing Master System (section)

{{Short description|Home video game console}}
{{About|the game console|the British rock band|Mastersystem}}
{{featured article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox information appliance
| title = Master System
| logo = [[File:Sega-master-system-logo.png|frameless]]<br />[[File:Sega Mark III logo.svg|frameless]]
| image = <div style="white-space: nowrap; border: #dadada solid 1px;">{{nowrap|[[File:Sega-Master-System-Set.jpg|frameless|upright=1.15]]<br />[[File:Sega Mark III.jpg|frameless|upright=1.15]]<br />[[File:Sega-Master-System-MkII-wController.jpg|frameless|upright=1.15]]}}</div>
| caption = {{ubl|Top: North
American/European Master System|Middle: Japanese Sega Mark III|Bottom: Master System II}}
| aka = SEGA Master System
| developer = [[Sega]]
| manufacturer = Sega
| type = [[Home video game console]]
| generation = [[Third generation of video game consoles|Third]]
| releasedate = {{vgrelease|JP|October 20, 1985 (Mark III)<ref name="MK3"/><ref name="Gamershigh">{{cite book|title=Gamers High! Futabasha Super Mook|date=2015|publisher=Futabasha|isbn=978-4-575-45554-0|page=55|language=ja}}</ref>|NA|September 1986<ref name="CE"/>|EU|August 1987<ref name="EuroRelease">{{cite magazine|date=November 1987|title=Sega Release Schedule to November 1987 - UK|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=73|page=132|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/f/f5/CVG_UK_073.pdf}}</ref>|JP|October 18, 1987<ref name="MS" /><ref name=Gamershigh />|KO|November 1988 (Mark III)<ref>{{cite web |title=家庭用 컴퓨터 시판 |url=https://newslibrary.naver.com/viewer/index.naver?articleId=1988101300099208002&edtNo=1&printCount=1&publishDate=1988-0-13&officeId=00009&pageNo=8&printNo=6960&publishType=00020 |website=매일경제 |date=October 13, 1988 |access-date=21 September 2022}}</ref>|KO|April 1989<ref name="Korea1"/>|BR|September 1989<ref name="brasil_lancamento"/>}}
| lifespan = {{vgrelease|JP|1985–1991|NA|1986–1992|EU|1987–1996|KO|1988–1994|BR|1989–Present<ref>{{cite web |title=The SEGA Master System in Brazil: History of a Forgotten Video Game Console |url=https://munibrezaie.com/2022/01/25/the-sega-master-system/ |website=Munib Rezaie: Media Blog and Academic Portfolio |date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=21 September 2022 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922010919/https://munibrezaie.com/2022/01/25/the-sega-master-system/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}
| price = {{JPY|16,800|1985|round=-2}}<br>{{USD|200|1986|round=-1}}<br>{{GBP|99.95|1987|round=-1}}
| unitssold = {{Tree list}}
* Worldwide: 10.1 million
** Japan: 1.1 million
** United States: 1.8 million
** Europe: 6.2 million
** Elsewhere: 1 million
{{tree list/end}}
| media = [[ROM cartridge]], [[Sega Card]]
| cpu = [[Zilog Z80|Zilog Z80A]]
| CPUspeed = 3.58 [[Hertz|MHz]] 
| memory = 8 KB [[Random-access memory|RAM]]<br />16 KB [[Video random-access memory|VRAM]]
| display = 256 × 192 resolution, 32 colors on-screen
| graphics = 
| sound = [[Texas Instruments SN76489]] [[Programmable sound generator|PSG]] via [[Video display controller|VDP]] <br> [[Yamaha YM2413]]{{efn|name=jpn|Japanese models only.}}
| compatibility = [[SG-1000]]{{efn|name=jpn}}
| predecessor = SG-1000{{efn|name=jpn}}
| successor = [[Sega Genesis]]
| related = [[Game Gear]]
}}

The {{nihongo foot|'''Master System'''|マスターシステム|Masutā Shisutemu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}<!-- See [[WP:JFN]] --> is an [[8-bit]] [[Third generation of video game consoles|third-generation]] [[home video game console]] manufactured and developed by [[Sega]]. It was originally a remodeled export version of the '''Sega Mark III''', the third iteration of the [[SG-1000]] series of consoles, released in Japan in 1985. The Master System launched in North America in 1986, followed by Europe in 1987 and Brazil and Korea in 1989. A Japanese version was launched in 1987, with additions including a built-in [[Yamaha YM2413|FM audio chip]], a rapid-fire switch, and a dedicated port for the 3D glasses. The '''Master System II''', a cheaper model, was released in 1990 in North America, Australasia, and Europe.

The original Master System models use both [[ROM cartridge|cartridges]] and a credit card-sized format, [[Sega Card]]s. Accessories include a [[light gun]] and 3D glasses that work with specially designed games. The later Master System II redesign removed the card slot, turning it into a strictly cartridge-only system, and is incompatible with the 3D glasses.

The Master System was released in competition with the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES). Its library is smaller and with fewer well-reviewed games than the NES, due in part to Nintendo licensing policies requiring platform exclusivity. Though the Master System had newer, improved hardware, it failed to overturn Nintendo's market share advantage in Japan and North America. However, it attained greater success in other markets, including Europe, Brazil, South Korea, and Australia.

The Master System is estimated to have sold between 10-13 million units worldwide. In addition, [[Tectoy]] has sold {{nowrap|8 million}} licensed Master System variants in Brazil. Retrospective criticism has recognized its role in the development of the [[Sega Genesis]], and a number of well-received games, particularly in [[PAL]] (including PAL-M) regions, but is critical of its limited library in the [[NTSC]] regions, which were dominated by the NES.