The Sega Master System is an 8-bit home video game console released by Sega in 1986. It was the third console in the Sega video game console line and the successor to the SG-1000. The Master System was released in Japan as the Sega Mark III and in Europe as the Sega Master System II.
The Master System was released in response to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which had become the dominant console in the market. The Master System was more powerful than the NES and featured a number of innovative features, such as a built-in FM sound chip and a cartridge slot that could accept both Sega Master System and Sega Card games.