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
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