Retro Renegades - Episode: Master Of Systems

<p>he Master System[c] is a third-generation 8-bit home video game console &nbsp;manufactured by Sega. It was originally a remodeled export version of &nbsp;the Sega Mark III, the third iteration of the SG-1000 series of &nbsp;consoles, which was released in Japan in 1985 and featured enhanced &nbsp;graphical capabilities over its predecessors. The Master System launched &nbsp;in North America in 1986, followed by Europe in 1987, and Brazil in &nbsp;1989. A Japanese version of the Master System was also launched in 1987, &nbsp;which features a few enhancements over the export models (and by proxy &nbsp;the original Mark III): a built-in FM audio chip, a rapid-fire switch, &nbsp;and a dedicated port for the 3D glasses. The Master System II, a cheaper &nbsp;model, was released in 1990 in North America and Europe. &nbsp;The original Master System models use both cartridges and a credit &nbsp;card-sized format known as Sega Cards. Accessories for the consoles &nbsp;include a light gun and 3D glasses that work with a range of specially &nbsp;designed games. The later Master System II redesign removed the card &nbsp;slot, turning it into a strictly cartridge-only system and is &nbsp;incompatible with the 3D glasses. &nbsp;The Master System was released in competition with the Nintendo &nbsp;Entertainment System (NES). Its library is smaller and with fewer &nbsp;well-reviewed games than the NES, due in part to Nintendo licensing &nbsp;policies requiring platform exclusivity. Though the Master System had &nbsp;newer, improved hardware, it failed to overturn Nintendo's significant &nbsp;market share advantage in Japan and North America. However, it attained &nbsp;significantly more success in Europe and Brazil.</p>