Sega Master System Arcade Ports - Shinobi, OutRun, R-Type, More! 

Who remembers the end of Wonder Boy in Monster Land having to jump up the ramps that go, up, up, up and if you missed you fell straight down to the bottom to do it all over again, then came the MAZE.

Double Dragon was awesome on the Master System because of the 2 player mode. My buddy had a Nintendo version and that collected dust we played the Sega version all the time.

Master system was such a wonderful system. I had far more fun out of that console than my nes

would love to see a part 2. That way yo can cover choplifter and double dragon

Once again, Sega Lord X has found another topic to make a video on. Great content as always!

This is great timing I recently added a Master System (original version) to my console collection thanks to my local indie video game store. R-Type and Shinobi are already in my library. Some of the ones featured in this video I'll either acquire or play on my Genesis + Mega Everdrive. I can see why the master system did so well in parts of the world, and it's a shame Nintendo was allowed to use monopolistic practices to prevent North America from coming into play.

RASTAN in my opinion is the Best arcade port.... Because of the intact game play and FUN factor! 👍🎮

I’ll never know why they are never released a Master System compilation for PlayStation. Instead it’s always tired Megadrive ones.

Would love a part two, you've got rampage, operation wolf. Double dragon. Golden Axe, even mortal kombat. Was real disappointed you couldn't go the dwarf in golden axe, its still not too bad a game.

Sega lord X .... mate. Thank you for your uploads that are constant. You know i had to sell my entire collection coz ive stated over and Over. .. however your channel brings me so many fond memories and its nice because i remember everything that you put out.... just amazing. So thank you. (I even know what tunes from which game n stage you use....)

Great list! 😊 My best childhood memories arcade ports would probably be Wonder Boy, Wonder Boy in Monster Land (for both being extremely close to the arcade), Choplifter for being an improved version, I believe ...? R-Type as well, flickered as hell but did the arcade somewhat justice. The Ninja for being a great and on-par reskin of Ninja Princess, and my all-time favorite is Space Harrier. For sure not a close port by any stretch of the imagination, but has a unique charm to it in my opinion. 😎

People dog Alien Syndrome... but as a kid I loved playing it.

Part 2 would be great - there is so much to cover you may need a part 3 too!

Love your channel man; a much needed break from all the news. Keep up the good work bud

Great Video as always. I'd love to see a part 2. So many arcade ports on SMS

Shinobi, R-TYPE and Vigilante were some of the games I had on the Master System as a kid. You can throw in Double Dragon, Rastan, Rampage and Choplifter on to that list for the reason why The Sega Master System was the first system I bought with my own money instead of a NES.

Great job! I love reliving the good old days through your videos. Brings some much needed temporarily peace in this crazy world today.

One of my first MS Games was Wonderboy. It made me feel like I had an arcade machine at home. Would love to see a part two.

I do love your Saturn content and love the passion you share with those games... But the Master system stuff always puts a good smile on my face! Open if you do have a part two as I would love to see more.

Great ep! I love arcade games and the sega master system! XD A few more that come to mind are Super Space Invaders, Gauntlet, After Burner, Double Dragon. I always quite liked Bomber Raid which seems to be a somewhat sequel to the old arcade game SOnic Boom but I guess that is slightly different territory. If you cant tell I'd also be quite keen a part 2. ;)

can't wait to see the part 2. I remember being blown away by the Alien Syndrome in the arcades and be hugely disappointed by the SMS version which i bought with money saved from skipping lunch for almost two months. Thanks for including the Quartet which was a pleasant surprise that I enjoyed for a long time

Yes, you should do more of these. Rastan, Double Dragon, Teddy Boy, The Ninja, Rygar, Time Soldiers, etc. The 8 bit era arcade ports are very interesting historically, and also just fun to play again.

The main thing l love about this channel is that its so informative and the sega content just keeps coming.

Pretty interesting video SLX. Never knew the SMS even had some of these!

I would be happy to see a part 2 of this. Some games I didn’t know it was a port of of arcade back then. Even sometimes now. Also happy to see Vigilante get some love. Always loved that game.

Another excellent video! Would love to see part two! Keep up the fantastic work 👍🏾

Next time do Rampage, Time Soldiers, Double Dragon, Golden Axe, Altered Beast and The Ninja.

I'd definitely be interested in a Part 2! Loved this one! Arcade games is somewhere that my gaming knowledge is lacking, aside from the games that have been bundled up into collections time and time again.

Enjoyed this breakdown, would love to see more

The Master System's sorely overlooked. Had many a great time on that console. Didn't play many arcade ports on it, but I definitely had a lot of Disney games, stuff like Castle of Illusion and Lucky Dime Caper.

I love seeing that SLX notification. I am still a little weary about visiting my arcade!!! But man I am dying to play some great games. Thank god for Genesis, many worthy ports.

8-bit arcade ports were always really fun. Especially NES arcade ports, they usually added gameplay elements and deeper stories to make up for the lack of visual quality

Yeah I'd love to see a part 2 - thank you so much for bringing the nostalgia FULLBORE hehe =D

Gotta do Gain Ground...which I know I've mentioned in other videos. The Master System version isn't as good as the arcade or Genesis counterparts, but it's solid in its own ways too...like the exclusive ninja character.

From what I've heard, Marble Madness doesn't _require_ use of the Sports Pad, though it _is_ perfectly compatible with it - arguably moreso than the games that _did_ require it, even!

Awesome awesome video, man!! I'm obviously waiting for sequels. When's number two in this series coming out? Thanks for your passionate work

There definitely should be a part 2. Hell, there needs to be more Master System videos in general, the console is seriously slept on.

Fun fact: The Mega Drive version IS compatible with the Master System sports pad, even though it says nowhere in the manual or game that it does! But E-SWAT was my most disapointing arcade port, Sega really dropped the ball with that port, especially after doing a really faithful one of Shadow Dancer. Oh, I'd say the SMS version of Rampage does look and play better than the arcade version.

The Master System's rendition of Quartet's first level music still sends chills down my spine. Absolutely incredible

Line of Fire! this is amazing, i never played the original, only the master system port. it was awesome, full of action, and great graphics and sounds.

The Master System version of Shadow Dancer was impressive and, unlike the Megadrive version, was a port of the arcade. Would love to see that in part 2.

Would definitely like to see more Master System videos! That and the Saturn are some of my favourites... The port of Alien Storm on the Master System I always thought was good when I was a kid, really enjoyed it back then :)

Love all of your videos, so gladly would like to see a part 2 maybe 3?

Great way to cure a saturday hang over! Thanks, quality stuff as always!

Just wanted to say I really love your videos. I live in the uk and honestly the before the Megadrive came along the Master System was King (I literally knew 1 person who owned a NES) your knowledge passion for all things SEGA is what makes your channel so fantastic.

Definitely do part 2! And be sure to talk about Enduro Racer!

I just LOVE the Yuzo Koshiro Scrap Brain Sonic 1 SMS tune that you opened this video with. So much better than the Genesis original!!!

I love watching your content Lord X. I bought my first Master System in 1990 when I was 17.It was the version with Hang On and Safari Hunt built in (was this the original version?) As others have stated previously, here in the UK, the Master System was much more readily available than the NES (which I have still never owned). I purchased another Master System last year, and I still love it. The only thing I don't like about your content is that it reminds me of all the things I need to buy 😆

Keep the Master System ROCKIN Sega Lord X!!! Double Dragon, Rastan, Renegade, Space Harrier...please make a part II

I think most people in the UK at the time were comparing the Master System ports to the ones on the micro computers, and compared to them, the MS ones looked great! Would love to see a part 2.

Wonderboy in Monsterland was an excellent port of the Arcade game and it was the 1st video game i ever played in my life. My parents got me a Master System with Wonderboy in Monsterland for Xmas when i was around 4 years old. I still remember playing Wonderboy with my dad Xmas morning which would have been 1989.

This was an enjoyable topic as well and I'd certainly look at a part two. I agree with your takes on games that I know, like Shinobi. That was one of my go-to games for the system for years. Others were Double Dragon and Rastan, both of which fit under this topic. As much as the scaler games lose in the transition, I find that they tended to make good ports on lesser hardware. While you lose the visual punch, much of the game play did translate and I remember having a great time with Out Run in 1988. I never played that Chase HQ game on MS, but it has pretty good music for the standard PSG sound chip based on what you played here in the video.

For a part 2 definitely add and include arcade Shadow Dancer and the SMS port of Shadow Dancer.

Love master system content... want you to cover afterburner and operation wolf. And you had hang- on in the intro, but no coverage!

And with this video, a new series has born. Cant wait for the second video

I'd love to see part 2. There are so many great arcade ports for the system.

Keep it going Sega Lord X! Love all your videos.

I remember playing these at my cousin's house, including others like Hang-On and Thunderblade. So yeah...I would love a part 2!

No Enduro Racer? No Afterburner? No Space Harrier? All kidding aside, I love the videos brother. Nostalgia overload!

I always thought the Master System port of Double Dragon was a better port of the arcade.

Great video! I'd love a part 2!

Thanks for the amazing content.

Enjoyed this video very much. I loved the MS, spent many a night playing till my heart was content 👍

Interesting video. I bought a ton of Master System games when they were dirt cheap in the UK, and there are some that I instinctively avoided. It's good to see that the choices I made were pretty spot on! One of the conversions I loved, though, was Time Soldiers. Is there a part 2 of this video? :

That Super Off Road conversion surely looks good on Master System.

Alright Love me some Sega Lord X! New video is an instant break in my day to reminisce with my buddy Sega Lord X :) I played the NES version of alien syndrome as a kid and it was the greatest think ever haha.

My all-time favorite arcade port on Master System was Outrun, Quartet, Teddy Boy, After Burner, Shinobi, Fantasy Zone, Space Harrier and Golden Axe

Wow some great goIden games from 1987...can you imagine pIaying Shinobi at the Pizza parIour and then heading down the road to watch WrestIemania 3?

There are 6-button Genesis controller patches available for Smash TV from SMS Power allowing for Xeno Crisis controls. They transform the game.

I grew up on the Master System ports of R-Type and Wonder Boy in Monster Land. Amazing games on such a great system.

Another great run of Master System games. I never knew about the damage and score with quartet.

Great ep loved the master system

Saturday, flipping some beyond burgers, glass of wine, and a Sega lord X video, chill time!

I've played so much the Ghouls and Ghosts that I actually like this version. But you are damn right.

Back when I got my SMS in 1987, it didn't matter to me that the games weren't arcade perfect. I was happy to be able to play the pack-in Hang-On (with Safari Hunt), and Out Run, which I bought a few weeks later. I must have been a fool, but I preferred that SEGA name that I had come to love from the arcade for a few years now, over Nintendo. It didn't matter anyway, because my brother, who ended up being a Nintendo kid, got the NES, so we had the best of both consoles in the house. Although my original SMS is long gone, I happened to find my original copy of Out Run (not sure how it didn't go with the others), along with John Madden Football and Lakers vs. Celtics and the NBA Playoffs for the Genesis about 5 years ago, and it turned into a quest to re-acquire those systems and the games I once had. I'm happy to say that I completed that quest about a year and a half ago, and have since grown my collections a bit more with some of the games I wanted, but never got.

Arcade games still look great to this day, they just have that polished vibe

As a kid I was always fascinated with the title names of Sega games. They were often a single word but gave it a sense of action that was edgy and cool sounding. Like Thunderblade. Outrun...just great sounding titles. Even the console itself, the red on black looked sleek and edgy as well. However I received the NES instead and no regrets due to 3rd party games and popularity but the SMS still fascinates me to this day.

Great topic and during this time of shelter in place I've been doing a lot of cart gaming from 30 years ago. Coincidently, I just repurchased Space Harrier for Master System, one of the first games I ever bought on 8-bit hardware. I know people shit all over it for the lack of smooth scaling, but playing it again is still a happy experience because the developer has the entire menagerie, scoring system, voice (sampled down severly) and music plus a hidden introduction for the game. Space Harrier in the arcades became harder and harder to find (games got rotated out) so I played the SMS version to get my Space Harrier fix. I still love this version with its shortcomings. I wish I could say the same for Thunderblade.

Honestly, I really wish that First Party companies such as Nintendo & Sega would make 8 and 16 Bit versions of modern games and release them on their old hardware. I would buy that shit up in a heartbeat depending on the game!

Part II is something that I definetly want to see :)

Ms Pac Man for the Master System is one of the few arcade ports from that era that is even better than the arcade. You not only get a faithful recreation of the original, you get a number of great additions.

Rampage, Double Dragon, Rastan, Operation Wolf, Space Harrier, Forgotten Worlds and Time Soldiers next time.

Want a part 2,3,4 videos of this with different consoles. Also look at fighting games, platformers and shoot em up generes.

The original Wonderboy was my favourite Master system arcade port and I also have a soft spot for My hero with its catchy music!

Excellent video, I would like to see Choplifter, Altered Beast and Rastan in a second part.👍✌️

Thank god the Mega SG is still being stocked, amiright? It even comes with the SMS Cart adapter! Not to mention the almighty sprite limit increase option which all but eliminates the sprite flicker on games such as R-Type.

Good video. You could also do one for other consoles, like the NES. A lot of interesting conversions there, too, I'm sure. I actually like Ghouls n Ghosts on Master System. It certainly has some major issues, but the upgrade system makes it a very different experience. Once you upgrade your armor and magic a few times, the game becomes much easier. The second pass can be pretty much a cakewalk as you tank your way through the levels. After years of getting beaten senseless over and over again on the Genesis version, it was very gratifying to lay waste to all those enemies that had killed me time and again, even if I had to put up with some choppy gameplay to do it. Dominating the game is a whole different feeling from just barely scraping through like usual for that series.

I honestly don't think Taito ever made a bad port of any of their arcade games. They knew what they wanted and they knew how to ensure the gameplay for their games. I love the entire Taito game library :)

Another great video, man. Love your style. One comment though... you regularly say 'cinemas' when I'm pretty sure you mean 'cinematics', right? I've never heard anyone call them that before 🤔

R-type in the arcade was amazing back in the day. The arcade machine has a Nintendo logo on it and I anticipating it to show up on the NES. Out of no where, I found R-type at toys-r-us for the Sega Master System. Great SMS port regardless.

Sega Lord X, Outrun for Master System was released in 1987, less than a year after the arcade original and was the best driving game for a home console until the late 1980s (at least until 1989). I'll go even further: it is better than any other driving game available for NES throughout its life cycle. The graphics, the undulation on the track, the car overturning, the soundtrack were all far superior than any other driving game ever released. In 1989 Sega launched the 3D version for Master System, perfecting these visual effects. The port of Ghouls'n Ghosts came out after the version for the Sega Genesis and it was an incredible version for 8-bits, for those who could not afford the 16-bit console and certainly far superior to the NES version of "Ghost'n and Goblins". In fact it has its moments of slow-down but much less than Super Ghouls'n Ghosts for snes!!! It would be interesting to have commented on this in the video, as this chronic slow-down problem in most snes games was not mentioned in your video on the console. If you have a new post of this type I would recommend trying to compare the games with the 8-bit options that was the relevant comparison at the time. I recommend addressing Califonia Games, which is the best version ever made and Golden Axe. When I played the Master System version it was the best graphics player I had ever seen. I met the arcade version 3 months later and Sega Genesis 4 months later. Even after buying the incredible Genesis version I used to revisit the Master System version often for its darker atmosphere based on Conan the Barbarian. By the way, congratulations on your review of Vigilante: a great and very underrated game .

Thank you for the video. Add Thunderblade, Shadow Dancer, Space harrier, Chase HQ for a second part, perhaps?

Yeah, a part 2 would be great!

Great video. Somehow I missed Gun.Smoke on the master system, on the emulation machine. Looks like choppy shit but after completing the NES and arcade versions am curious to check it out.

Awesome thanks 👍

You have to say about the Street Fighter 2 that Tec Toy ported here in Brazil, I think they love Sega even more than Sega themselves, because they never stopped to produce Master System and Mega Driver, Genesis here in Brazil.

Never heard of Special Criminal Investigation, before. I do have Chase HQ on Master System, though. Going to need to buy Special Criminal Investigation, now. 👍👍

Rastan, R-Type, Shinobi, Vigilante, stone cold SMS classics! The getting the Master System for Christmas 1988 was one of my fondest childhood memories!!!

Yes... please more arcade ports for the master system .. actually more master system videos in general

Love the comparisons, I feel so spoiled in today’s era where we can get the Arcade ports/ emulations through various companies on the Switch. I lived through those years of disappointing ports and surprisingly good ports that didn’t even resemble the Arcade counterpart,LOL!