Later Genesis Games for Master System?

[ussexplorer]

Okay, I can understand why games were re-released for the Genesis from the master system. The master system in my area was not even heard of. Except for a friend who got one from out of state. What I can’t understand is how many early titles are available for both, for instance Sonic and Sonic 2. One would have think by the time they released sonic 2 it would only be for the genesis. If I would have known such great games was released on the master system. I might have dug one up on closeout, if I could talk my parents into finding one.

 

Any light on this would help.

 

Thanks,

 

ussexplorer

[chrisbid]

The Master System was huge in Europe, it even beat the NES. There was still a large market during the mega-drive (genesis) days. US releases were easy to do, and Sega sold master system games by mail order at that point.

[MegaManFan]

You should note that Sonic 1 on Genesis and Master System are +completely+ different. As I recall, Sonic 2 on Master System is virtually a port of one of the Game Gear games (or maybe vice versa).

[ussexplorer]

I need to keep that in mind so if I see a sonic 1 for the master system. I can pick it up.

 

thanks.

[Trip_Cannon]

Yeah, quite a few games came out later for the Master System. All the way up to 1997! I own Sonic 2 and it's a pretty good rendition! On top of that I picked up Street Fighter 2, and !!Virtua Fighter!!

[Tempest]

Don't forget Mortal Kombat 3! It's amazing they even attempted it. From what I hear it plays pretty well too.

 

Tempest

[Trip_Cannon]

Unfortunately don't own that one.. I heard it came out but have never seen a physical copy.

 

I know Ecco the Dolphin 1 and I heard part 2 came out for the SMS. I don't know what other Genny games came out for the royal Master System...

[Tempest]

Alot of the neater SMS games came out only in Brazil under the Tec Toy name. I have Virtual Fighter Animation, Sonic Blast, and Fire and Ice.

 

Tempest

[DracIsBack]

There's a couple of points you need to consider, regarding the Sega Master System.

 

When the Genesis was launched, the Sega Master System was still in production in the United States (1989) and selling at a reasonible niche rate. As such, games were released on both the Genesis and Sega Master System.

 

As others have noted, the SMS was a small player in North America, but in Europe it was THE LEADING 8-bit game console. As such, the for every game released in North America, there were two european titles that never came out on this side of the pond. A lot of the titles that you see (particularly later ones) were never domestically released.

 

Finally, the Sega Master System is fundamentally the same design as the Sega Game Gear handheld. A lot of Genesis titles were released for the Game Gear and it was easy and cost effective for Sega and other companies to release Master System cartridges for europe with minimal dev costs.

 

In all honesy, not that many titles came out of both systems as a domestic US release. Off hand, the ones that did see commercial US release on the SMS that also were simultanious Genesis titles:

 

Columns

Dick Tracy

eSwat

Ghouls n Ghosts

Golden Axe

James Buster Douglas Knockout Boxing

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker

Sonic the Hedgehog (Rare)

Spider-Man (Rare)

Super Monaco GP

 

There may be a couple of others, but those are what I remember as being offical US releases. And Spider-Man/Sonic are really hard to get unless you get the Euro versions.

[BigFairy321]

yes, the SMS was huge in europe but also in australia, where it was also more popular than the NES.

[Trip_Cannon]

I've got Spider Man! What's the easiest way you tell if it's a US release?

 

Yeah Tempest, got the Virtua Fighter as well. It's great to see a system last as long as that one did. It really gives the developers a chance to flex all the knowledge they've gathered over time. I mean, VF was released in 1997, that means the SMS was around for, counting the Japanese SG-1000 and Mark III, almost 14-15 years?

 

Got a side question here, sometimes when I boot up my SMS, it'll sport the Mark III logo and Japanese text. Does any body else's systems do that?

[DeV0]

Theres quite a few late releases, I'll have a look when i get home. Echo is my latest new one, Its a great translation. I'll need to take a photo of my sms collection.

[ussexplorer]

Yes, I know the game gear is basicly the same with the exception of some colors or something. I already know that for some reason systems that didn't really do well in the U.S. got a big reception over seas. Thus, plenty more game and better games over the pond. I heard that alot with the sega saturn. Luckly the few games I have for the master system are personal favorites. Paper boy comes to mind because I was playing it today. Thanks for all the replies.

 

later,

 

ussexplorer

[Ze_ro]

Yeah, the SMS wasn't terribly popular in North America... but I guess they figured that since they already wrote the game for the Brazilian/European markets, they might as well release it in North America as well.

 

--Zero

[DracIsBack]

Yeah' date=' the SMS wasn't terribly popular in North America... but I guess they figured that since they already wrote the game for the Brazilian/European markets, they might as well release it in North America as well.

 

--Zero[/quote']

 

I don't think that factored at all, to be honest.

 

I think the SMS lived it's life and died its life from 1986-1991 in the US. Towards the end of its life here, it began to take off there.

 

Games were released there and not ever released domestically here.

 

However, as they were doing Game Gear versions for across the globe, doing a Master System port quickly for some markets was pretty easy. I'm fairly certain that most SMS titles that didn't come out in the US officially did also appear as Game Gear titles.

[Draikar]

Sad that the master system never did well, I like it and the games were fun. I never played it but played and own the mark III that was the Japanese version of US and Europe master systems. I know they did well in Australia as BigFairy321 said because most I seen on e-bay are from Australia.

 

Was Sonic the Hedgehog 1 and 2 sold in US for master system in US or just Europe / Australia ? If they were sold in US how can you tell if its from US or Europe ?

[DracIsBack]

Sonic 1 was (IIRC) one of the last games officially released by Sega in North America for the SMS. It was pretty hard to get at the time, and it may have only been released direct from Sega in small quantities. I'm a bit fuzzy on the detailed.

 

Sonic 2 was not domestically released.

[AtariDude]

Would games that were released in Europe work on a US based Master System? Or are the games that were released in Europe in PAL format?

[DracIsBack]

Would games that were released in Europe work on a US based Master System? Or are the games that were released in Europe in PAL format?

 

The Sega Master System has a unique feature that most game systems don't: It generally isn't impacted by PAL/NTSC and almost all carts can be played worldwide. Sega didn't change the cart size or make different PAL and NTSC versions. There are a few games (IIRC) that either don't work or have some screwy things, but most of the 300+ Sega Master System games play fine on US consoles.

[AtariDude]

What is the current price range for titles from Europe if someone wanted to obtain them?

[Sega Ages]

It's great to see a system last as long as that one did. It really gives the developers a chance to flex all the knowledge they've gathered over time. I mean, VF was released in 1997, that means the SMS was around for, counting the Japanese SG-1000 and Mark III, almost 14-15 years?

 

That's amazing, I was a big SMS fan but never dreamed that Virtua Fighter was released for it. Does someone have a link to a site with good info about this version?

[Saikyo]

Hmm yeah another that was released for the master system is

 

Pit Fighter (Rare) (Rare in PAL).

 

also Spiderman may be common in the UK but I have

Spiderman The Return Of The Sinister Six (PAL ONLY EXTREMELY RARE).

 

Now all im trying to find is Spiderman and the X-Men (PAL ONLY UNBELEIVABLY RARE) .

 

PS does anyone know if rarity is effected if you dont own the box or manual?

 

thanks in advance.

[AtariDude]

I think the rarity would not be affected but value wise, a complete package (game, manual, case for the game) is going to have more value then just a loose cartridge alone.

[SS]

I'd "Strangers On A Train" somebody's Grandmother for them if they could hunt down a Japanese version of "Enduro Racer" for me.

[MegaManFan]

That's amazing' date=' I was a big SMS fan but never dreamed that Virtua Fighter was released for it. Does someone have a link to a site with good info about this version?[/quote']

 

www.SMSPower.org