Description

The Sega Master System (SMS for short), is an 8-bit cartridge-based gaming console manufactured by Sega. This console launched SEGA onto the same competitive level as Nintendo, at least in the Japanese market. The Master System was released as a direct competitor to the NES/Famicom. The system ultimately failed to oust its competitor, but has enjoyed over a decade of life in secondary markets, especially Brazil.

Technical specifications

• CPU: 8-bit Zilog Z80

  • 3,546,893Hz for PAL/SECAM, 3,579,545Hz for NTSC
• Graphics: VDP (Video Display Processor) derived from Texas Instruments TMS9918

  • Up to 32 simultaneous colors available (16 for sprites, 16 for background) from a palette of 64 (can also show 64 simultaneous colors using programming tricks)
  • Screen resolutions 256x192 and 256x224. PAL/SECAM also supports 256x240
  • 8x8 pixel characters, max 488 (due to VRAM space limitation)
  • 8x8 or 8x16 pixel sprites, max 64
  • Horizontal, diagonal, vertical, and partial screen scrolling
• Sound (PSG): Texas Instruments SN76489

  • 4 channel mono sound
  • 3 sound generators, 4 octaves each, 1 white noise generator
• Sound (FM): Yamaha YM2413

  • 9 channel mono FM sound
  • built into Japanese Master System
  • available as plug-in module for Mark III
  • supported by certain games only
• ROM: 64 kbit (8 kB) to 2048 kbit (256 kB), depending on built-in game
• Main RAM: 64 kbit (8 kB)
• Video RAM: 128 kbit (16 kB)
• Game Card slot (Mark III and Master System 1 only)
• Game Cartridge slot

  • Japanese and South Korean consoles use 44-pin cartridges, same shape as Mark I and Mark II
  • All other consoles use 50-pin cartridges with a different shape
  • The difference in cartridge style is a form of regional lockout
• Expansion slot