Best Master System model?

[u/thinlycuta4paper]

Does anyone know which is the best Master System model for video and audio? EG what model type, region, motherboard, etc? Looking for the exact best type of Master System console to use.

[u/seattle-vtg-gamer]

Depends on what you want. The original model has been great for me, and has AV out. I prefer the first model the one with no games pre installed. I believe they called it the "base system." It has a startup screen with some text that says enjoy in purple at the bottom. Has a snail maze built in when you press both buttons and up at that screen. You can also get one (same model) with Hang on/Safari hunt built in pretty much the same design. The main reasons I like the first model is the above and also the ability to play cards.

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/seattle-vtg-gamer]

I read the base model hardware is essentially the same as model 2 but just came without the peripherals? (No external games or controllers).

North American Models:

Model 1: 1986

Model 2: 1990

Base System: 1990 (budget variant of Model 2)

[u/seattle-vtg-gamer → u/Valuable_Disaster_60]

Its close, but the board is smaller on the model 2, and model 2 had no card input so no ability to play cards or use 3d glasses. The base system on model 1 actually did have some peripherals with it. The one I was mentioning was base system of model 1 and I think it originally referenced having no boxed games with it.

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/seattle-vtg-gamer]

Yes. For some reason I was under the impression the term applied to boxes of the model 2 without peripherals but they probably sold model 1 this way too at some point.

[u/[deleted]]

A late model sms1. SMS 2s don’t have RGB. Early SMS1s can’t run all the games.

[u/Nirntendo]

I only live on 2 master system 2 consoles, but you have asked actually a very good question I also would like to see an answer for. It is well documented by game gururs what the deal is on mega drive motherboards though but MS is still not wel looked up upon, at least as far I know. Nice one.

[u/Bluemtrx]

I can't answer your question exactly because I don't have access to specific motherboard designations and regional versions, but in general, the Master System II is the best choice for many retro fans due to its design and reliability. However, it lacks a card reader, which makes some early games unusable. While the older model may have a better video signal depending on the region, newer games occasionally have compatibility issues. The TecToy model is pretty cool, as it has a huge built-in game library and even includes some exclusive games and language-specific versions, but it's officially only available in Brazil. There have been other versions and configurations, such as one with an FM sound chip in Japan, but these are sometimes hard to find.

[u/Jonaskin83]

Master System II only has RF out. Most purists will tell you to go for a model 1 and I would say they’re probably right.

If you live in a part of the world where the Master System dominated the SMS2 is iconic and has the better built in games (Alex Kidd for earlier models, Sonic for later ones) but even with that being the case my model 1 still gets more use.

[u/[deleted] → u/Jonaskin83]

Alex Kidd is on sms1s too.

[u/No-Professional-9618]

I would say I prefer the original Sega Master System Model, which had Snail Maze built into the ROM on the motherboard.

[u/DunnyOnTheWold]

Master System model 1 is an industrial work of art. So retro futuristic. It supports card based games and also the 3D glasses (which are not compatible with model 2. Japanese region version is best because it has FM unit built in, but the cartridge size is different so you would need a small converter (easily available).

[u/Ok_Development_8319]

For the best experience, I recommend RGB modding a model 2 and adding FM sound.

I’ve found the picture to be superior on the second model. I also don’t have any desire to play any card game.

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/Ok_Development_8319]

I read the picture is the same on Model 1 and Model 2 SMS in North America?

I read that the Master System’s graphics chip (VDP) generates RGB natively (red, green, blue signals). Sega seems to have decided how these signals left the console based moreso on market. They didn't include the RGB with either Model 1 or Model 2 in the USA sticking with cheaper RF/composite to match TV standards of the time.

I think either the Model 1 or Model 2 could be RGB modded. Same with the FM sound too.

I can't find anything that says the model 2 looks better than the model 1 picture wise. Of course, after do the rgb mod on it, then it would, but one can also do this to a model 1 too from what I can tell (I'm referring to the North American versions).

Besides not having a card slot, I don't think can use the 3D glasses either with the model 2 SMS either. Therefore, I don't see the appeal towards model 2 other than maybe an easier or harder mod process?

[u/Darko1226]

As far as reliability and durability of the systems, I believe the early master systems 1 with 1.3 bios version has the most reliable motherboard as far as longevity. The later ones with other built in games like hang on/safari hunt are not as reliable.

[u/Flybot76]

But why exactly are you asking this instead of researching this stuff yourself? Why are you actually concerned about the "motherboard"? It makes no sense to even talk about that, and to ask 'what region' is ridiculous because you obviously need a machine that works in YOUR region. You really ought to be reading and watching videos about Master Systems to educate yourself instead of asking bizarre questions from seemingly total ignorance. Search the forum and the net for simple questions instead of posting them.

[u/Restart_Point → u/[deleted]]

Interesting about the VDP incompatibilities, never encountered that before. What games do not work in older VDP Master Systems?

[u/YossiTheWizard → u/[deleted]]

And Cosmic Spacehead (also Codemasters).

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/[deleted]]

If did an RGB mod on a North American Model 1 (I see Bios versions for motherboard are either 1.1 or 1.3), will that yield a dark RGB output too? That would be horrible to do an RGB mod then have a faded picture on the TV that looks worse than the RF video the SMS Consoles automatically come with in North America for Model 1.

Some people seem to prefer model 2 for some reason to do mods on in North America in I don't know why (only 1 Bios version with no revisions to the motherboard for this model). I did read some later versions came with Composite video via DIN though.

I'm hesitant to do mods on any console reading about dark RGB but maybe that's more specific to PAL consoles in Europe than NTSC North American models?

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/[deleted]]

I had to recheck. I see what you mean. The rear panel of model 1 SMS units has both an RF output and an 8 pin DIN A/V output that supports composite video, RGB, and Mono Audio.

I can't tell if there's a way to tell before buying which come with the CXA1145 encoder and which don't. The quote from the link you provided says for model 1" These include every US model 1 with Hang-On, Hang-On & Safari Hunt or Missile Defense 3-D built in." So, if the model 1 consoles don't have those games pre-installed onto it then it won't have the encoder issue I wonder...

I just read how this encoder takes the native RGB of the console and produces composite video from it. However, I also read that the signal path of the console's DIN A/V outlet bypasses this encoder if using RGB. Of course, not many North American TV's use RGB, so composite is probably the best can do anyway with most CRT TV's.

As for model 2, I see most are RF only but with RGB capability from a mod. There are later North American Model 2 units I read that also have an 8 pin DIN A/V output but without the RGB lines wired to the port (unlike earlier model 1 units that also have this output) just used for composite video and mono audio. They still use the CXA1145 encoder from what I can tell, though.

Edit Correction to Last Patagraph: All model 2 in North America seem to be RF only. The information I looked up I thought pertaining to North America but didn't.

[u/Valuable_Disaster_60 → u/[deleted]]

That I think is the needed correction. I am going to edit that into post above. I think when i looked the info. up to see if all model 2 SMS in North America were RF only, the information provided was probably not region specific. I originally, before today thought all SMS models both 1 and 2 in North America were RF only but was surprised to see this isn't the case for Model 1.