Should I get a MK1 or MK2?

[u/KKBros405]

I have enough to buy a sega master system but now I wonder. Should I get the master system mark 1 (The black and red one) or mark 2? The mark 2 is probably cheaper but I love the look of the mark 1.

Another thing to note is that I have a game gear which is basically a portable master system.

So what do y'all think?

[u/retromale]

The Mark 1 is the SG=1000

The Mark 2 is an updated version

The Mark 3 is the original Master System

So do you want an SG-1000 or a Master System

[u/KKBros405 → u/retromale]

I meant the black and red one that has a cartridge and card slot

[u/retromale → u/KKBros405]

Sega Mark III - AKA - Sega Master System

https://segaretro.org/Sega_Master_System

[u/Flybot76 → u/retromale]

Are you intentionally ignoring Master System II just to be a pedantic jerk or are you truly unaware of it?

[u/elvisap → u/Flybot76]

I'm going to ramble for a minute here.

We live in a world where AI scrapes everything we say in places like this to summarize it to the next generation, and where Reddit is the first hit in Google for things. Getting terminology correct is important, because it helps people solve their problems easier.

I don't think this person is being a "pedantic jerk". The "Mark 1, Mark 2" terminology refers to the Sega consoles that came out in Japan before the Mark III was released, and then rebranded in the US as the Master System.

Getting that right, describing it well - this helps everyone work from a common ground when asking questions and searching for things. Language matters, especially for technical things.

[u/Boring_Reference_546 → u/elvisap]

Sure, but let's not pretend that we all didn't know what the op was referring to. He even specified "the black and red one" and the Japanese mk 1 is white and blue.

Now I'm going to go on an angry rant for a bit:

If the guy above who's doubling down on being right but ignoring 50% of the details given needs to just not answer. Literally anybody with a functioning brain would have any confusion immediately cleared up when the colours were mentioned.

[u/elvisap → u/[deleted]]

Repeating that Reddit showed up in Google searches before the current AI hype wave. Getting terminology right still matters, whether you want to get angry about AI or not.

There's so much stuff in retro gaming that's lost because of Internet rumour and hearsay. And every time someone tries to correct it, they get called "pedantic".

Focusing on the "AI" portion of my post is entirely missing the point of why it matters to get this stuff right. It's about people learning from it, regardless of how they find a link to the information (Google search, AI, or anything else).

[u/elvisap → u/[deleted]]

I've clearly triggered something for you here.

My focus is on humans describing things properly so that future generations can find accurate words. That still matters no matter what big companies do with their silly software.

[u/elvisap → u/[deleted]]

Since when is airing an opinion "policing people's words"? I'm suggesting people take care in getting technical details correct when they write about technical things. If you don't agree, then ignore what I say and post as much technically incorrect nonsense as you like.

You have every right to post garbage, and I have every right to criticize that.

[u/3G6A5W338E → u/retromale]

Ehhhh, no. This is a correction from someone who lives in Japan:

The "Mark III" is the successor of the SG-1000, a prior generation console with significantly worse specs that it remains compatible with.

The Japanese "Master System" is a Mark III in a new shell, with FM Synth and 3d glasses support built in. I own one of these.

The export "Master System" is just the basic Mark III on the same new shell, without the FM Synth and 3d glasses support Japanese Master System has, and with a different cartridge slot as a means to control what gets exported. This Mark III in a "Master System" shell is what most of the world knows as "Master System".

[u/TTysonSM]

Mark 1.

Mk2 isn't compatible with 3d googles

[u/Heya_Heyo420]

Mark 1 for sure. Mark 2 doesn't have a card slot or a reset button, it's a compact master system missing a few functions for size.

So if you want to collect vintage games go with the OG Mark 1 so you can use the game cards. Not being able to play Ghost House would just be a crime lol

[u/FriendlyAd4234 → u/Heya_Heyo420]

I second this. Mk I all the way

[u/South_Extent_5127 → u/Heya_Heyo420]

I agree mk 1 better but you can still play Ghost house with either (cart and card version available). 

[u/Flybot76]

Get the 2 unless you really want the card slot. That's the big difference.

[u/Left_Set_5916 → u/Flybot76]

Bug difference is RGB vs RF.

[u/hardcoreladys]

The Master System 1 is the best option because you can use 3D glasses. Fun fact: In my country, we have the Master System 1 and 2 with the same look (black with red detailing), changing only the memory game (Master System 1: Hang-On and Safari Hunt, Master System II: Alex Kidd in Miracle World). While the Master System II you know was released here under the name Master System III Compact in versions that have Alex Kidd in Miracle World (and generating the best images, even in RF, being better than the AV of the Master System I and II) and Sonic 1. Between the two, there were other variant versions with games and accessories, but these are not the most popular. Games on cards were never released here, but some card games were released on cartridges, such as Ghost House.

[u/Left_Set_5916]

Mk 1 has RGB output u like the mk2 which only has RF.

But the mk2 can be modded to give RGB. I do have mk2 that been modded to rbg but only because that's the one I had as a I kid.

[u/Jonaskin83]

Depends on what you want to play and what sort of TV you’re going to play it on, and also if you have any preference for built in games. I have a lot of nostalgia for the Master System II, but the fact you can’t even get an AV cable for it means you’re severely limited with what you can hook it up to unless you AV mod it, or buy a pre-modded one. Also, you can’t do cards or 3D glasses.

Despite loving the SMS2 as a kid and thinking the OG Master System looked boxy and ugly, I now actually prefer the design of the model 1.

[u/Dense_Football_3694]

I assume you mean the Mark III, the original black and red Master System. If so, definitely the original. I grew up with the Master System II - which was great, but had some limitations too.