How the Sega Master System changed the way I play

February 26, 2026 - 02:59

The recent passing of esteemed hardware designer Hideki Sato has prompted a wave of reflection on his influential work, particularly the Sega Master System. For many, this 8-bit console was more than a competitor to the Nintendo Entertainment System; it was a personal gateway to a different style of play.

The Master System’s library offered a distinct alternative. While other platforms focused on accessible, family-friendly adventures, Sega’s machine delivered experiences that felt more mature and challenging. Games like "Phantasy Star" introduced a generation to deep, narrative-driven role-playing with a first-person dungeon crawl perspective that felt revolutionary. "Alex Kidd in Miracle World" built a quirky, demanding platforming universe right into the console's hardware.

This focus on intricate mechanics and immersive worlds fostered a different kind of engagement. It encouraged patience, pattern recognition, and a dedication to mastering complex systems. The console’s superior graphical capabilities for the era, also a credit to its design, made these worlds more compelling to get lost in. For players who grew up with it, the Sega Master System didn’t just provide entertainment; it cultivated a lasting appreciation for depth, challenge, and atmospheric storytelling in video games, a preference that continues to influence their choices and enjoyment today.