Master System Just bought a Master System! What are some games you’d recommend?

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I posted my own desires with SEGA at one point, and my ambitions change all the time. I’ve given flowers to the Genesis, fallen in deep love with the Saturn, enjoyed and come to an understanding with Dreamcast, and now I’ve been looking at the 8-Bit market of SEGA. That’s actually what made me talk about the Famicom Disk System, because I was looking at 8-bit hardware so much.

I finally knew what I wanted after a few days of searching, and getting a discount. The system I’ll be getting comes with all you see here, and I’ll probably post my experiences with it when I get it later this week.

In terms of games, I’ll post the four I’ve had my eyes on for the system.

There are several others I’ve been eyeing too, but I want to ask the forum what games you think are fun? Any good light gun games? Anything good for multiplayer? Perhaps something that would justify me getting the 3-D Glasses? And, of course, anything that is just plain fun?

All responses are welcome! Good or ill, I want to give SEGA’s 8-bit legacy a real go, unlike many of the people in the U.S. back in the day.

 

[Clippy]

If you like Castlevania then Master of Darkness is an easy recommendation.

 

[Stookymalarkey]

I'd recommend Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Curse. It's kind of a proto-Metroidvania where you get access to different forms over the course of the game to access previous unexplored areas and it has some solid boss fights.

 

[Yuki Senoue]

Enduro Racer is pretty fun. Sonic 1 MS is a must. Sonic & Tails 1 (Sonic Chaos) is another great game. (Stupid Tectoy didn't release Sonic & Tails 2 for Master System, instead they released the crappy G-Sonic).

 

[Swagmata]

I'd recommend Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Curse. It's kind of a proto-Metroidvania where you get access to different forms over the course of the game to access previous unexplored areas and it has some solid boss fights.

Second this this game rules, the remake is pretty cool too.

 

[mlastes1987]

Shining in the Darkness and Shining Force I + II

 

[Required Username]

Gotta recommend the Alex Kidd games, even the first one, although it gets shit on alot.

 

[ciro64]

I did like playing Sonic on the Master System once. Don't expect Genesis Sonic: it has different levels, it's slower, linear and is more platforming oriented.

 

[TruxtonTatsujin TruxtonTatsujin]

Phantasy Star 1 is SO good. One of my all time favourite RPGs.
Here's a few others, most of these are fairly cheap.
- Spellcaster
- Lord of Sword
- Rastan
- Cyborg Hunter
Golden Axe Warrior is also good but is one of the more expensive games on the console.

 

[Yuki Senoue]

Shining in the Darkness and Shining Force I + II

Those are Mega Drive games, they aren't Master System...

 

[Bakuma1997]

If you can find it cheap (Or at all), YS the vanished omen is good, it has the infamous Bump attack mechanic, but is still good, i prefer the Famicom's OST

 

[bjork]

- Zillion is pretty good. Not enough people talk about Zillion. Avoid the sequel, though.
- I forget the name, but there's a light gun game where you're protecting a guy on a little train car that's pretty good, provided the light gun you get is reliable.
- Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
- another vote for Wonder Boy III, if Phantasy Star isn't the best game on the system, it's this instead.
- if you like baseball at all, Reggie Jackson Baseball/American Baseball is solid.

Also, your money and do what you want, but there is a 0% chance I'd ever buy the near-40 year old 3D glasses secondhand without first confirming if they still work, especially at present secondhand prices. The gimmick is neat but it's a thing that can give some people headaches before long. That said, seeing stuff like Missile Defense and Maze Hunter is a cool but shallow experience.

 

[prnzoDraGoonZweiOrta]

Golvellius: Valley of Doom was n stiLL is meh fav SMS game ever - and I've played literally every last one of them n owned physical copies of most of them. I 2nd Zillion n Alex Kidd in Miracle World n Phantasy Star n Alex Kidd in Shinobi World is great but quite sbort n easy, Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap was preceded by the also great not-metroidvania but quest elements anyway Wonder Boy in Monster Land kicks ass n while the successor to Dragon's Trap (Wonder Boy in Monster WORLD) was much better on Genesis - the SMS one is worth a go (even if it's missing entire areas n also otherwise feels unfinished)... Shadow Dancer looks great for 8-bit but playwise is clunky n OG Shinobi doesn't live up to the arcade but omg...

...avoid AVOID A-to-the-VOID 'The Cyber Shinobi'. it is one of the worst games of aLL-time. PERIOD. don't walk from a copy if you see it RUN LIKE HELL

I'll followup with more tomorrow hopefuLLeh I'm just... discombobulated atm so I cut this off here

 

[Frickinfrik]

All I can really think about is the Sonic Games. Get Sonic 1, 2, Chaos, and Triple Trouble. Avoid Spinball and Blast though.

 

[Evil Pope]

Enduro Racer and Alex kid , and rambo 3 as you have the gun

 

[Tonyz95]

Sonic 1 and Alex Kidd in Miracle World are great games, but I think one of them is preinstalled in the BIOS. I also used to play Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

 

[NotReallyHere]

Some of the Yu Suzuki arcade classics have pretty fun 8-bit SMS ports:

Hang-On (Which you already got! Nice!)
OutRun
Space Harrier

Then again, if you have a Genesis, you might as well just play them on that, instead

 

[Moreno909]

Master of Darkness (SEGA Castlevania)
Pig Icarus (homebrew shmup)
Aladdin (the SMS version is completelly different, again)
Power Strike II

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I’d like to take a second to thank everyone here! I’ve been jotting down every recommendation I see and will look up footage of them/emulate them to see if they’re for me.
Of note, I have a SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis, so I agree about the SuperScaler ports… except for their price where I live. The Master System version of Outrun and Genesis version of Outrun are in the same store, last I checked, and the Genesis version is $20 more. $20 more on a system that ALSO doesn’t have dedicated scaling hardware.

I should ask: are there three or four Alex Kidd games for the Master System? Same goes for Monster Boy.

 

[bjork]

I’d like to take a second to thank everyone here! I’ve been jotting down every recommendation I see and will look up footage of them/emulate them to see if they’re for me.
Of note, I have a SEGA Mega Drive/Genesis, so I agree about the SuperScaler ports… except for their price where I live. The Master System version of Outrun and Genesis version of Outrun are in the same store, last I checked, and the Genesis version is $20 more. $20 more on a system that ALSO doesn’t have dedicated scaling hardware.

I should ask: are there three or four Alex Kidd games for the Master System? Same goes for Monster Boy.

Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd Lost Stars
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
There's also Alex Kidd BMX Trial, but it uses a special controller and I think it remained in Japan only.

Wonderboy (this is SG-1000 but it might be compatible with a US SMS unit? Not sure)
Wonderboy in Monster Land
Wonderboy III Dragon's Trap
Wonder Boy in Monster World (port of the Genesis game)

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

Golden Axe adventure is a solid title, if a little expensive.

For my money, I'd recommend:

Taz-Mania - smooth and simple platformer that you can run through in 1 sitting.

Jurassic Park - Action Game based on the movie with 4 areas/bosses, great variety and light rpg elements.

Sonic 1/2 8 bit + Sonic Chaos - should be a must have.

Phantasy Zone - side scrolling, free roaming shooter, also with light RPG elements. A bit expensive for physical copies.


Honestly, I highly recommend a flash cart. That way you can try games out on your hardware before you sink your life savings into a copy of James Buster Douglas' Knockout Boxing

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Golden Axe adventure is a solid title, if a little expensive.

For my money, I'd recommend:

Taz-Mania - smooth and simple platformer that you can run through in 1 sitting.

Jurassic Park - Action Game based on the movie with 4 areas/bosses, great variety and light rpg elements.

Sonic 1/2 8 bit + Sonic Chaos - should be a must have.

Phantasy Zone - side scrolling, free roaming shooter, also with light RPG elements. A bit expensive for physical copies.


Honestly, I highly recommend a flash cart. That way you can try games out on your hardware before you sink your life savings into a copy of James Buster Douglas' Knockout Boxing

For try before you buy, I have the library of the Master System on my Wii. That’s actually my preferred use for emulation: allowing me to try titles that may interest me, then compare them with their price tags, so I can make a good decision.

 

[Tonyz95]

Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Alex Kidd Lost Stars
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
There's also Alex Kidd BMX Trial, but it uses a special controller and I think it remained in Japan only.

Wonderboy (this is SG-1000 but it might be compatible with a US SMS unit? Not sure)
Wonderboy in Monster Land
Wonderboy III Dragon's Trap
Wonder Boy in Monster World (port of the Genesis game)

Wonder boy 1 is also for Master System, and it's much better than SG version.

 

[Sinmenon]

I'd say Master of Darkness if you like Castlevania, most Wonder Boy games are very solid bets too. If you like JRPGs, Phantasy Star 1 is also very good and it is one of those games that blows the other ones released around the same time out of the water.
For a small less-known one, Psychic World is a fun little platformer.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

So, I’ve owned my console for about a week, choosing to let this thread marinate during that time. Today has been the happiest day of Master System ownership for me, as the central piece of my Master System puzzle has arrived and I’ve been playing. A lot.

Though my library is small, I’ve enjoyed thoroughly all I have. Before anything, for anybody lurking the thread who may be without experience with the device, just know that this console is as solid as a rock if you choose to go the OG hardware route. There are MANY Master System emulation solutions, including the Mega Drive/Genesis as that system had all the hardware internal for a Master System and simply needed the Power Base Converter or an Everdrive for it to work, but the original console is no slouch. The hardware is beautifully geometric, while having none of the hardware failure issues that North American NES consoles suffer. In fact, this system has been almost eerie in how useable it is. Not a single cartridge of mine has required cleaning before play, and the system itself is lightweight but stable.

The controllers aren’t my favorite, but they get the job done. I like to play on the original pad because I’m a sucker for novelty, but a Gene-Drive pad works just as well. Or, an Atari controller from 2600 or 7800 if you hate yourself and have the means.

This has been my first time owning a proper 8-bit machine. I’ve owned games, but not the original hardware for them (I got suckered into the Retron 5 before I later learned how scammy it was), and I have to say the Master System has impressed me with build quality, charm, and capability. This system has moments where it has more in common with the Genesis than the NES, and it runs enough circles around the 8-bit micro computers for me to see why it was such a big deal in Europe.

To be open about the titles I want to own for myself, I have been considering mostly the brighter and more colorful kind, as well as the arcade side. But Govellius looks interesting enough for me to badly want to try it! And, after Phantasy Star, my palate is now wet for more RPG’s, so I’ll try some via emulation first.

As for the titles I’ve kept a list of, Fantasy Zone 1, 2, and Maze are all ones I’ve been looking at! I love Opa Opa’s adventures in the arcade, and I want more Fantasy Zone in my life. Shinobi is a must have, but I’ve also been alerted to Zillion as an example of early Search-Action games (a genre I love with my whole soul), so I’ll be looking at that title! And Sonic 1 is the 8-bit Sonic of choice for me. Also, I still want Psycho Fox, and Alex Kidd in Shinobi World looks like one to check out on emulation some time (since physical carts are more expensive than one may expect).

The big game I’ll be looking to nab next is Wonder Boy III. It’s the one that I liked the most of the ones I emulated, and it’s highly regarded for the SMS, so it’s firmly in my crosshairs.

Master of Darkness, I want to emulate more of, but it’ll be a no from me. Simply too expensive to justify owning, when I felt that what I played was “fun” and not much more. I rock with the aesthetic a lot! But I’m not really here for the game itself. Same sadly applies to Golden Axe: Warrior. Too expensive for what I tried. Plus, it would be a waste on me to have, so I’ll leave one more copy out in the wild for somebody who will actually love and care for it.
Also, I’ll look into HomeBrew! I’m thankful for Moreno 909 causing me to look in that direction, because the Master System homebrew scene is SHOCKINGLY STRONG.

Fun system. And a not very talked about one. Again, I’ll regail my Phantasy Star adventure over in that thread later today, but I also have to give massive props to Hang On and Choplifter for being some truly awesome games that show the system’s graphical prowess while also being very cheap (Choplifter was $6 and was my Master System justification for a whole week lmao).