I was a bit confused at first when reading about the different models that Sega eventually shipped. So, here is a summary of the main models to clarify any potential confusion:
- Sega Mark III: The first console featuring this architecture, released exclusively in Japan.
- Sega Master System (Europe and America): A rebranded Mark III with a new case, a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) ROM chip, and a different cartridge slot.
- Sega Master System (Japan): A European/American Master System with the Mark III's cartridge slot, a new FM chip, and a jack port for '3D glasses'. However, it lacks the
RESETbutton.
From now on, I'll use the term 'Master System' or 'SMS' to collectively refer to these models, except when discussing features exclusive to a specific variant.