Here's a Sega Master System review; a underrated and misunderstood gaming system. In 1986, I saw some really awesome arcade games at the time. Games like Space Harrier and Out Run really blew me away back then with their amazing 3D graphics and their fast action packed game play and they all sometime in common; they were all on made by Sega. I started to become a Sega fan that year and now out comes this new game system by Sega, with a strong 8-bit Z80 Cpu processor and a max of 52 colours on screen out of 256, in 1987. The SMS was released in Canada thanks to the Toy company Irwin, and early sitings of the games looked even better than most of the 8-bit Nintendo games available (at least on the screen shots anyway).

I was very disappointed to find weak arcade translations of some of my favorites like After Burner, Space Harrier, Thunder Blade and many others games with horrible 3D frame rates and sloppy arcade-like game play. These particular 3D Master system games often bored too quickly for me and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who thinks that way. The list of problems don't end there I'm afraid. Although the Master system had a stronger graphics processor than the rival NES, the Master had some lousy music and sound capabilities and the games could only to be paused by pressing the Pause button on the machine itself which is a step backwards in gaming. Perhaps the nail in the coffin for the SMS was a strict Nintendo third party clause saying if you produced games for the NES than you couldn't make games for the competition. Because of all these combined problems, Sega (much like Atari and their 7800) got hammered by new comer Nintendo and there NES game machine.

Sega did not give up though, it was cool to see a real two-player version of Double Dragon (although it kind of sucks) and a home version of R Type (which was released by Nintendo in the arcades, btw) plus we can't forget about Phantasy Star, a huge four Meg role playing game that killed any RPG (even Final Fantasy and Dragon Warrior for NES) for the old Nintendo. The Sega Master System has a full list of great games like Alex Kidd in Miracle World and some nice accessories as well, here are some of the toys you can for the system:

StarSoldier's Top Ten SMS games:
(yeah right, as if Phantasy Star wouldn't win)

#1. PHANTASY STAR
The supreme 8-bit RPG with multi-perspectives, 50 hours of challenging gameplay and great graphics. In the adventure you guild 4 warriors across 3 different planets to save the Algo solar system from the evil Lassic in this huge 4 meg adventure. This is a true RPG legend!

2. Y'S
Here is a great action RPG that started this popular Anime-like game series. In it Adol goes on a suicide mission to recover the lost city of Y's with monsters and demons appearing at every step, not everyone will like the hit and run game play but it works. The music is surprisingly good even on the Master system and Y's is easily the second best RPG on the system.

3. GOLVELLIUS
This virtually unknown SMS game is like the Legend of Zelda in a way. Help a young warrior to save the princess in both action and adventure levels. Although I wish there was a save feature, at least there is a password system. Don't pass it up!

4. ALEX KIDD In MIRACLE WORLD
Here is a tough and interesting action game that's a great answer to Super Mario Bros. on the Master System. Help Alex Kidd defeat the evil Danken Master to save his kingdom but won't be easy to say the least. One of the hardest games for the system but it's still a must for Master system owners!

5. R TYPE
Here is a pretty nice translation of this awesome arcade shoot em up with all the levels and other new stuff included. The Sega Master System has a exclusive secret Alien level not found in any other versions of R Type. This game is a must for the Sega Master System.

6. WONDER BOY The Dragon's Trap
7. MIRACLE WARRIORS
8. GOLDEN AXE
9. SAGAIA
10. WONDER BOY

Bottomline: "It ain't that bad!"
The SMS sure had its share of ups and downs but don't forget some of the games that are actually fun to play. Buy a Genesis, then the Master Converter for under 20 bucks (it will only work on a Sega Genesis 1 and Sega CDX) and avoid the Master system if you can but if you can't find the Master Converter and you're wondering about some of the SMS games then don't be afraid to go for the Sega Master System with a copy of Phantasy Star too.

SEGA MASTER SYSTEM overall rating: 72/100
Years available: 1987-1992

StarSoldier1
(Ryan Genno)

www.videogames101.com

Recommended: Yes