master system roms

Sega Master system

..............................................................................................................

The Sega Master System (SMS for short) is an 8-bit cartridge-based gaming console that was manufactured by Sega. Its original Japanese incarnation was the SG-1000 Mark III. In the European market, this console launched Sega onto a competitive level comparable to Nintendo, due to its wider availability, but failed to put a dent in the North American and Japanese markets. The Master System was released as a direct competitor to the NES/Famicom. The system ultimately failed to topple its Nintendo competitor, but has enjoyed over a decade of life in secondary markets, especially Brazil.

Technical specifications

CPU: 8-bit Zilog Z80A
3.54 MHz for PAL/SECAM, 3.57 MHz 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 256×192 and 256×224. PAL/SECAM also supports 256×240
8×8 pixel characters, max 488 (due to VRAM space limitation)
8×8 or 8×16 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 (Sega 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 (not available in the Master System II)
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
Cartridge Pinout

Some well known Master system emulators today are:

Dega v1.09
Mekaw 0.67
Past-O-Rama v0.05

Top Roms

Action Fighter
After Burner
Alex Kidd in Miracle World - Integrated into one version of the console
Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Alien Storm
Alien Syndrome
Asterix *
Astro Warrior - Along with Hang-On, integrated into one version of the console (the Sega Base System, which was slightly less expensive and lacked the Light Phaser).
California Games
Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse
Choplifter
Double Dragon
Ecco the Dolphin *
Ecco: The Tides of Time *
Fantasy Zone
Ghouls 'n Ghosts
Ghostbusters
Golden Axe
Golden Axe Warrior
Golvellius: Valley of Doom
Hang-On - Integrated into one version of the console. Additionally, the original American release of the console came bundled with a cartridge containing both Hang On and Safari Hunt.
The Jungle Book (video game)
Kenseiden (???)
Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Montezuma's Revenge
Ninja Gaiden *
Out Run (?????)
Phantasy Star (?????????)
Psycho Fox
Quartet - A popular arcade port
Rampage
R-Type
Safari Hunt - Integrated into one version of the console. Additionally, the original American release of the console came bundled with a cartridge containing both Safari Hunt and Hang On.
Shinobi
Snail Maze - A simple maze game that was included on the system BIOS. It was accessed by pressing and holding Up and buttons 1 and 2 after turning on the system without a game loaded.
Sonic the Hedgehog - Integrated into one version of the console. This was the last Master System title released in the US.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 *
Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos *
Space Harrier
Streets of Rage *
Streets of Rage II *
Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar
Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Wonder Boy in Monster World *
Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap

How to Play

Please check our Getting started page for more information.

External links