Sega Master System

Sega · 1985 – 1996

The Sega Master System boasted superior hardware to the NES: a Z80 CPU, better colour palette, and higher resolution. While the NES dominated North America, the Master System conquered Brazil and Europe. In Brazil, where the NES never gained market share, the Master System sold over 8 million units and became a beloved gaming institution.

The Master System could display 64 colours simultaneously (versus the NES's 25), had built-in 3D glasses support, and came with a built-in game depending on region. Sega's slow US start was due to Nintendo's exclusive licensing deals with major publishers. But in Europe and particularly Brazil — where Tec Toy produced localised versions well into the 2000s — the Master System defines retro gaming as much as the NES does elsewhere.