Sega's American adolescence: Master System / Snail Maze / Hang On & Safari Hunt | Segaiden

Well, here we go.

I've already covered Sega's first console, the SG-1000, in comprehensive (if retrospectively inaccurate at times) details. Now, here we have the sequel: The American adaptation of the Mark III upgrade to SG-1000, the Master System. Or the Sega System, if we're being strictly accurate.

Beginning with this episode, which covers the Master System hardware and its three pack-in games (or rather, two pack-in games and one built-in game), I will be focusing on the U.S. lineup until we get to the end of 1988 and Phantasy Star, bringing Sega 8-bit coverage even with NES coverage. And from there, we'll be moving in tandem into the future, juggling Nintendo and Sega retrospectives in 1989 and beyond.

Please enjoy.

Production notes:

Why watch when you can read? Check out the massive hardcover print editions of NES Works, Super NES Works, and Virtual Boy works, available now at Limited Run Games (https://limitedrungames.com/collectio...! Look forward to Segaiden Vol. I: The SG-1000, due summer 2023.

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Light gun and arcade footage captured from MiSTer with thanks to MiSTerAddOns. Most Master System footage captured from U.S. carts running with an adapter on Sega Mark III hardware with FM Sound Unit and RGB bypass modification. Video upscaled to 720 with xRGB Mini Framemeister.