The Sega Master System

The Sega Master System, released in 1985, was designed to compete with the Famicom (NES) and serve as an upgrade to the SG-1000. Despite being categorized as a third-generation console, its hardware closely matched the second-generation ColecoVision. The Master System offered significant improvements over its predecessor, including more CPU and video memory, a larger ROM capacity, and enhanced graphics capabilities. While it competed with the Famicom, the Master System's design philosophy was more straightforward, making it easier to program compared to Nintendo's more complex systems. The console's legacy includes its influence on later Sega systems and its role in bridging the gap between the SG-1000 and the more powerful Sega Genesis.