Sega Master System

After seeing the huge success of the NES, Sega attempted to take a large bite of the market with the Sega Master System. Unfortunately for Sega, by the time the SMS was released in the American and Japanese markets, those two markets were already taken by Nintendo, and Sega failed to loosen Nintendo's iron grip. Sega had much more success in the European market, which Nintendo did not successfully capture yet. The Sega Master System was graphically more capable than the NES, and had a very similiar controller, however many feel the control pad isn't as good as the NES's.

Worldwide Name: Sega Master System (SMS)

Market Share in Beginning of Lifespan: 14%

Market Share in Middle of Lifespan: 12%

Market Share in End of Lifespan: 9%

Best-Selling Game: Alex Kidd in Miracle World

An 8-Bit System

Price at Launch: $200.00

Number of Units Sold: 13 million

Slogans:

The challenge will always be there!.

Released in Japan in: 1985

Released Worldwide in: 1986

Discontinued in Japan in: 1988

Discontinued Worldwide in: 1989

Popularity Compared to Competitors:

In Japan:

1st-Famicom Family Computer

2nd-Sega Master System

3rd-Atari 7800

In America:

1st-NES

2nd-Sega Master System

3rd-Atari 7800

In Europe:

1st-Sega Master System

2nd-NES

3rd-Atari 7800

Graphics Comparison:

1st-Sega Master System

2nd-Atari 7800

3rd-NES/Famicom