Master System Let's talk about Sega Master System games

[secreto7 secreto7]

The first Phantasy Star is pretty solid, and arguably one of the best RPGs ever at the time.

I have to play it sometime and I'd like to try the Phantasy Star remake for PlayStation 2 too

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

At least 8-bit Sonic 2 is playable. '06 and Free Riders are just broken.

Better broken than boring imo
Broken games are funny bad

 

[Scotty]

Better broken than boring imo
Broken games are funny bad

"Better broken than boring[, in my opinion.]"

 

[Letule]

'06 and Free Riders are just broken.

Free Riders isn't an unfinished mess like '06 was, though. The unnecessary Kinect controls are solely what made it unplayable in the first place. The game actually manages to be enjoyable with the "No Kinect" fan patch mod, but it's nonetheless a notable downgrade from the previous two Riders games due to how simplistic the tracks are.

 

[ThunderBoy]

This was an absolute masterpiece

 

[Segadude113]

Aladdin on Master System is really freaking impressive!

 

[Varyag]

I genuinely know next to nothing about the Master System library. It was actually the first console I had, with literally only one game: Sonic 1 built into the internal memory, which kid me was never able to actually beat. Farthest I've ever got, in the 1 hour I had daily to play it, was stage 7.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I genuinely know next to nothing about the Master System library. It was actually the first console I had, with literally only one game: Sonic 1 built into the internal memory, which kid me was never able to actually beat. Farthest I've ever got, in the 1 hour I had daily to play it, was stage 7.

The easiest way to get an immediate grip on the library is this:
- SEGA’s 80’s arcade library and their VERY FIRST home console exclusive attempts
- the formation of what would later be known as Sonic Team
- the efforts of what would one day be known as SEGA AM2
- a number of adventure games
- high quality licensed games.

While the NES continually struggled with its licensed games, some of the best on Master System comes from licensed IP (Disney, Asterisk, etc.)

Master System is a very experimental system. Less in game library, more in “how do we even make a home system and make it work?” So you get a lot of funky things like the 3D glasses, like the FM Module, like the weird licensing of the system across the world, like the highly fractured market that would end up being very different in each region, etc.

 

[C-MS]

So uh, I know the SMS is a big thing in Brazil and stuff. I also read around that the SMS was actually more advanced than the NES and stuff. Any game I should try to be enlighted? I am not expecting anything like Dynamite Headdy but anything you guys is cool besides the first Phantasy Star and Wonder Boy which are already must plays would be cool.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Some examples of important games in the library, historically.

Post automatically merged: Jun 28, 2025

So uh, I know the SMS is a big thing in Brazil and stuff. I also read around that the SMS was actually more advanced than the NES and stuff. Any game I should try to be enlighted? I am not expecting anything like Dynamite Headdy but anything you guys is cool besides the first Phantasy Star and Wonder Boy which are already must plays would be cool.

Fantasy Zone ANYTHING (first game, The Maze, the console exclusive sequel)
Shinobi
Choplifter
Any Mickey Mouse platformer (all made by SEGA internal)
Psycho Fox
Hang On
Kenseiden
(that’s from my own experience)

Post automatically merged: Jun 28, 2025

I know somebody brought it up earlier, and I brought it up in my own thread from when I got the system, but this game seems really cute and cool.

Is that an accurate reading?

 

[Evaccaneer Doom]

"Better broken than boring[, in my opinion.]"

Playing 06 funny as hell because of some goofy ass shit like spin kicking into space and jumping forever, Sonic 2 8 Bit is just unfun in general.
Also Sonic Boom got patched early on and it still sucked which proves my point
Therefore broken > boring

 

[Bonkers225]

Once Game Gear came around, there was really no need for it anymore because that was essentially a portable SMS. Well, unless you were living in Brazil. They loved that console, and still made ports for it for awhile.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Once Game Gear came around, there was really no need for it anymore because that was essentially a portable SMS. Well, unless you were living in Brazil. They loved that console, and still made ports for it for awhile.

I’ll keep it tall and say: there’s never “no reason” for a system. That said, we SHOULD make a Game Gear thread because of the same reasons this thread exists. Master System, as a business strategy, was lessened by Game Gear though because the whole point of how it succeeded in the territories that it did was that it was able to be the cheaper platform than the Mega Drive. But now a portable, slightly more powerful (like Wii to GameCube in terms of power, it’s not a huge boost), and beautiful brick has come around. No way the Master System deserved to stay alive after that, but I guess the parts got even cheaper, so the price went even lower.


It was going for less than 50 in some regions in the 90’s. Less than 50 of their respective currencies. With a full game library, mostly going for around 20 or less.
Damn, if there’s one gaming thing I miss, I miss the era when the older tech got mega cheap and you could actually get a massive deal later on.

Post automatically merged: Jun 29, 2025

Playing 06 funny as hell because of some goofy ass shit like spin kicking into space and jumping forever, Sonic 2 8 Bit is just unfun in general.
Also Sonic Boom got patched early on and it still sucked which proves my point
Therefore broken > boring

I second this. 06 has so much in it to talk about, from all the playable cast to the story to its world, that it’s still remained relevant in conversation for almost 20 years. It’s a failure, but it’s special, because it’s more like a puzzle we’re all desperately trying to solve (or you’re desperately trying to get away from. I’m so sorry, you never will. This game is weirdly eternal).

Compare that to 8-bit Sonic 2, which I agree is the worst of the 8-bit Sonic lineup, and that’s mainly for being not very fun and not bringing much to the table. I would say Chaos is more boring, but it ducks the stray by virtue of not having frustrations that haunt the game. 8-bit Sonic 2 is HAUNTED by its first boss, the hang glider, the emeralds, and tubes. It’s a not-so-notable game that also tries to piss you off every so often, so it stands in my mind as an “I don’t like it”.

I will say, I couldn’t tell you what makes me love 8-bit Sonic 1 so much. My big thing is how it emphasizes the world and scenario, which is a great way to get on my side, but I don’t know what IN GAMEPLAY it does to click with me so well. I dunno. But what I do know is that I love 8-bit Sonic 1, and I think it deserves the praise as a cult classic.

 

[bcdusk]

Game Gear

Horrible battery life, literally only lasted a few hours.

But if you want a Game Gear thread here you go:

Game Gear - Hey, Let's talk about Sega Game Gear games

Until the release of the Gameboy Color the Sega Game Gear was the most powerful portable video console around but that power, being basically a portable Sega Master System, came at the cost of horrible battery life. Worse it released at a time when long live disposable batteries were not a thing...

retrogametalk.com

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I was playing more Phantasy Star tonight! Finally got back to my file and I did a bunch of stuff. I’m about halfway through the game now, so that’s cool!
I got the Lacotian Sword, the Mirror Shield, and now I’m off to the point where you battle Medusa. All planets are obviously unlocked, and the world building is getting pretty good because I’m encountering cities like Drasgow (I think that’s how it’s spelled) where you have people who’ve been visibly negatively effected by the tyrannical reign of Emperor Lassic.

But, most importantly, I encountered Mitzi. She’s actually the real life art director of this game who made all the beautiful sprite art for characters that you see as you play, and she asked a very important question…

If you say “yes” she’s like “Yeah! They’re the best!” and if you say “no” she’ll hit you with “What do you mean? If you don’t like them, how did you play the game for this long?!”

It’s a super cute Easter Egg that I’m sure most of you know about but it’s my first time seeing it so I was very amused.

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

I'm currently on another attempt at a Phantasy Star playthrough on original hardware. (Currently doing this and ultima 4 at once) and I've actually been getting really into it lately.

It looks/sounds great, and the SMS feels perfect for these RPGs.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

I'm currently on another attempt at a Phantasy Star playthrough on original hardware. (Currently doing this and ultima 4 at once) and I've actually been getting really into it lately.

It looks/sounds great, and the SMS feels perfect for these RPGs.

I know! The starting grind is brutal though. You do just need to accept that, yes, you need to battle a bunch of enemies before the game can really begin. But, if you have the palette for it, the game is like a reverse funnel where it just expands to the point where it feels like such a grand quest despite how comparably small the maps are. It’s a great game in terms of map pacing, and the classic RPG combat is really enhanced by the large monster sprites and the super cool way they handle the dungeons.

Post automatically merged: Aug 18, 2025

Putting this here because it’s the most reliable thread to do so.
I’m setting up my games in my new apartment. It’s a long process, but is coming along smooth enough. I have to ask though… am I good to use this Master System Model 1 power supply with a Genesis Model 1? I was given RetroBit garbage with my Genesis when I got it and I would love for it to use a far superior power supply, but I also don’t want to run the risk of frying it. I’ve heard tell that the Master System and Genesis use the same power supply, but I don’t know. Can anybody confirm for me?

 

[ThatOneLum ThatOneLum]

I know! The starting grind is brutal though. You do just need to accept that, yes, you need to battle a bunch of enemies before the game can really begin. But, if you have the palette for it, the game is like a reverse funnel where it just expands to the point where it feels like such a grand quest despite how comparably small the maps are. It’s a great game in terms of map pacing, and the classic RPG combat is really enhanced by the large monster sprites and the super cool way they handle the dungeons.

Post automatically merged: Aug 18, 2025

View attachment 101247Putting this here because it’s the most reliable thread to do so.
I’m setting up my games in my new apartment. It’s a long process, but is coming along smooth enough. I have to ask though… am I good to use this Master System Model 1 power supply with a Genesis Model 1? I was given RetroBit garbage with my Genesis when I got it and I would love for it to use a far superior power supply, but I also don’t want to run the risk of frying it. I’ve heard tell that the Master System and Genesis use the same power supply, but I don’t know. Can anybody confirm for me?

I actually enjoy the grind in simple RPGs like this so spending some time farming space pesetas to buy usable equipment before its actually possible to survive in the overworld is fine by me lmao. Makes it feel like a big adventure I'm having to prepare for.

Re: your power supply - you should be fine. I've swapped power supplies between model 1 megadrive and SMS plenty of times and its been fine. Power requirements on a model 1 SMS are 9-10v with at least 0.85 amps so a 9v 1amp should be fine. (Basically the sms uses like 8.5 watts max and your plug runs at 9 Watts so it should be fine to run a model 1 genesis as long as the connector fits. Also for future reference the biggest thing you watch out for is the polarity of the connector. Sms and Genesis both require centre negative. If you try and put centre positive in then you will fry it. That plug you have is obvs centre negative)

 

[KittenLikeYou007]

I like master system for the game asterix and donald duck

 

[bcdusk]

This is not a good game but is one of the games that was in my model 1 Sega Master System cardboard box as advertising of what games to play:

Ghostbusters!

Extremely short, repetitive, badly coded, unfair.

Yet it was still in the Box as one of the games you should buy!

The only good things about the game are the 8 bit version of the ghostbusters theme tune and the graphics, that's it.

A better review here:

Ghostbusters (Sega Master System) review

Coverage related to Ghostbusters (Sega Master System), provided by site staff and readers.

www.honestgamers.com

 

[Nelson2001 Nelson2001]

This is not a good game but is one of the games that was in my model 1 Sega Master System cardboard box as advertising of what games to play:

Ghostbusters!

Extremely short, repetitive, badly coded, unfair.

Yet it was still in the Box as one of the games you should buy!

The only good things about the game are the 8 bit version of the ghostbusters theme tune and the graphics, that's it.

A better review here:

Ghostbusters (Sega Master System) review

Coverage related to Ghostbusters (Sega Master System), provided by site staff and readers.

www.honestgamers.com

Despite all the problems that the SM3/SMS version has, it is not that bad compared to the FC/NES version.

 

[bcdusk]

Despite all the problems that the SM3/SMS version has, it is not that bad compared to the FC/NES version.

Just play the Sega Genesis game instead, is by no means perfect but compared to the 8 bit games it is a masterpiece.

 

[Nelson2001 Nelson2001]

Just play the Sega Genesis game instead, is by no means perfect but compared to the 8 bit games it is a masterpiece.

Understood, friend, and also the 2009 version that I have heard about, which is good and quite similar to the original Ghostbusters movies.

 

[TamagotchiTamaHero24's icon TamagotchiTamaHero24 TamagotchiTamaHero24]

Has anybody played the 3D titles? Is it a worthy accessory, or just a shelf piece?

 

[Nelson2001 Nelson2001]

Has anybody played the 3D titles? Is it a worthy accessory, or just a shelf piece?

Yes, I have played games like Space Harrier 3-D and OutRun 3-D for example but through emulation obviously.